YouTubed Friday: Motown Special

Today's Installment of YouTube Friday is "Motown Special" from the Osmonds' topic page on YouTube. I first heard this song after getting this album at the used record store a year or so ago. I always say that if I have a radio show, this would be the song I sign on with, and the song "City to City" by Gerry Rafferty would be the song I signed off with. I follow Alan and Marie Osmond on Instagram, and I am sure I follow Donny, as well.

YouTube Friday: AT&T Archives: Design Line Fashions

For Today's installment of YouTube Friday, Here are some phones from the late '70s, courtesy of the AT&T Tech Channel's YouTube Channel. I enjoy seeing all of these phones from back then, my favorites are the candlestick phone and the Snoopy and Woodstock phones. A friend of mine had a Mickey Mouse phone when we were kids. My late mother used to work for the phone company, and had an old pamphlet/workbook where you could promote the Design Line phones as prizes in a drawing at your class reunion. Which phones are your favorites?

Java Service

Took a walk this morning, and ran across this Absopure truck at Comerica Park, delivering water to the front offices. Absopure is a water company from Michigan. They even have a Coffee Service, delivering coffee, tea and hot chocolate to offices, in traditional form and in Keurig K-Cup formats. Absopure, as well as Nestle and other companies deliver refreshments to offices and other institutions. Do you have coffee or other beverages delivered to your home or workplace? what is your favorite? I only drink coffee, tea and water, for the most part, don't drink alcohol or soda/pop/cola, even in diet form (staying away from artificial sweeteners), and I add Stevia to my coffee and tea. 

Ride Locators are Surging

A site that I have been enamored with here recently is Uber Estimate. This site will let you see where people are requesting an Uber around the world. Little pins point out the location of the ride request, and if you click on the pin, you can see the destination of the trip, as well as where Surge Pricing is in effect. Speaking of surge pricing, There is a site called Surge-O-Meter that will tell you if the price for an Uber or Lyft are a bit high due to demand in any Zip/postal code in the world (Rush hour, Concerts, tourist areas, etcetera).There's even an app for Lyft Primetime Pricing and Uber Surge Pricing, so drivers can get to certain areas to pick up fares.

YouTube Friday: Aretha Franklin - You Are All I Need To Get By

Today's installment of YouTube Friday is In memory of the late Aretha Franklin.  I decided to share with you one of my favorite songs by her, by way of Sergio valle riestra Caceres' Youtube Channel. I enjoy hearing this song while listening to AM 580 CKWW in Windsor, Ontario.Since news broke of Aretha Franklin's passing, the Detroit area radio stations (across the river in Canada, as well) have been playing her music. Her Funeral arrangements were announced today, as well as arrangements for a viewing and a memorial concert, as well.

In Memory of Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)

Sending my Condolences to the family and friends of Aretha Franklin, who died today at the age of 76. She was from Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up here in Detroit. Her father, Rev. CL Franklin, pastored New Bethel Baptist CHurch, where she got her start. She was involved with the civil rights movement, and performed all over the world. In 2016, she had part of Madison Avenue here in Detroit named in her honor during Detroit Music Weekend.The sign is shown here, taken this past Tuesday.  One of my favorite songs that she covered was You're All I Need To Get By. Rest in Peace. You will be missed by all. 

YouTube Friday: Maynard Ferguson - Birdland

Here is my latest YouTube Friday entry direct from the account of malawolf85. I enjoy this version of Birdland by Maynard Ferguson. I first heard this song in 7th grade, and last heard it a few years ago at a concert at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit by the Navy Band Great Lakes.It is a peppy song, fun, as well.I certainly hope you enjoy it, as well,.

Number Retirement Weekends

This month, namely August 12 and 26,  will be a special one for many fans of the 1984 Detroit Tigers, as well as Tiger Fans everywhere. On August 12, number 47, worn by Jack Morris will be retired, and on August 26, number 3, worn by Alan Trammell, will be retired. The last number to be retired by the Tigers was number 11, for the late Sparky Anderson in 2011. Alan Trammell and Jack Morris were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 29, 2018. There are quite a few people around the country that enjoyed seeing them play at Michigan and Trumbull.  There are still tickets available for both number retirements at Comerica Park. These pictures were taken July 27 and 28 at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan headquarters in downtown Detroit. They usually have light displays for different holidays and special events. 

Vote your Conscience

Today is primary Election Day in most of the United States. This means that in many states, people will be voting for Governor, Congress representatives, senators, and other offices, as well as proposals for transit, schools, public safety, and other issues. Here is some history on Voting from USA.gov  For my American readers, hope you all got to vote today, I did. For all future elections, make sure to go to Vote 411 for all election related topics and issues, and to bring up a sample ballot for your particular area. If you are turning 18 in the coming year, go and register after your 18th Birthday. For all around you,  It is very important that you have a say in what goes on in the world around you. It might seem a bit confusing for some, but vote your conscience, whether you lean left, right, or center, Republican, Democratic or a third party, or vote for issues you feel strongly about, go to the polls and voice these views.

New Bird in Town

I have seen these little scooters around the downtown-Midtown Detroit area here recently. They are called Bird scooters. They are the newest form of efficient transportation in the area, besides the MoGo Bikes. I have seen these in action, they are very fast and efficient. It is an app-based ride, something like Uber and Lyft, but you go to the scooter instead of your ride coming to you. You unlock it, and ride along, using bike lanes and racks whenever possible. I hope to see more of these in my adventures around town. 

Ode to Curtis Jones

Since 2015, I have been learning about the story of Curtis Jones, one of the top basketball players in the city of Detroit. He was called "The Magician" for his skill and overall talent on the basketball court at Northwestern High School, St. Cecilia's Gym and other locations around town. From what I have read, he had, as it would be called nowadays, a Playground style of playing basketball. He made the winning shot of the first televised High School basketball game in the city against Pershing High School. Many people of a certain age remember him fondly. His story is intriguing, because it was revealed that he was illiterate, he couldn't read and write. He was passed through school, even Special Education at that time did not help. After graduating from Northwestern, he was shipped off to North Idaho Junior College for a year and a half. (Here is the 1969 Driftwood yearbook from NIJC. He is featured with the basketball team, Freshman class, Boys' dorm and a few candids). In early 1970, after a few separate incidences, some people on campus found out he was illiterate, and many on campus made light of his situation, so much that he had a nervous breakdown and returned home to Detroit, where he lived with his mother while receiving treatment at Northville Psychiatric Hospital for Schizophrenia. In the Early 1980s (two separate links here), he filed a $15 Million dollar lawsuit against Detroit Public Schools, North Idaho Junior College and the University of Michigan for failure to educate and other charges. He lost the lawsuit a few years later. He would walk around town, showing his basketball skills to young people he encountered on basketball courts and playgrounds around the city. He died from Pneumonia in Detroit in March 1999. One of the articles that I found interesting from his life was from September 1990, Labor Day weekend: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. A documentary was produced on his life in 2015, and released in 2016. I had never heard of his story until it was announced in March 2015 that the documentary would be made. It is fascinating to hear about what happened. I know that there are laws in place nowadays here in Michigan and across the country that say that if a child cannot read by the time they are in at least third grade, they are to be held back until they can, or receive extra help in reading. There was a program in Detroit, "Reading Corps" that helped kids read, but I am not sure if that is still running or not. What are some programs near you that help kids and adults learn to read and write?

Long time, no write...

Wow! Long time since my last post. I have been doing well, for the most part. Five seasons at my Job in Guest Relations (since 2014), and I didn't think I'd last that long. Job responsibilities have grown as I have. Lots of changes in my life, gained some new family members, lost one, and am getting back on my feet after some meds nearly took me out a couple of years ago. I'll try to blog when I get a chance and as time permits.