Sweettalk

Here is Chris’ latest from his new band Sweettalk. It is a cover of “Believe from a local band called Empire. Chris’ band along with a number of other bands were asked to record a particular song so it could be given to Empire as a gift from their “groupies”. They don’t call then groupies anymore, but I’ll use it for now since I’m not sure of the proper term.

Among those asked to be on the album was one of the top bands in the country these days, Fall Out Boy. Chris is getting some help in his attempts to get signed to a recording contract by Nick Zymecka, friend and business partner to Pete Wentz (leader of Fall Out Boy).

Anyway, Chris does all the vocals and his partner Rob plays all the instruments.

New blog features

The blog now has some new features.

1. If for some reason you accidentally delete a post, it won’t be gone. There is no a trashcan function where deleted posts will go and you will be able to retrieve them.

2. Imbedding video will now be easier. Rather than having to copy and paste embed code, you can now put a video in your post just by inserting a url link to the site, such where the video is hosted

The power of the internet

About three months ago an LA musician named Butch Walker polled his fans asking them for their input on what song he should add to his repertoire. Walker is

Here’s Something New!

I hadn’t checked the blog in a while, and when I did, I noticed there hadn’t been any new postings in quite a while either.  So I figured I would contribute a posting with some of the latest things going on in this Fall family.

I’m working in downtown Chicago now.  As you may know, United has moved their headquarters from the suburbs (Elk Grove) to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).  The commute isn’t as bad as I had thought it was going to be.  The worst part is that you are always at the mercy of the train schedule.  From the moment the alarm goes off in the morning at 5:25 AM, I’ve got one eye on the clock until I get to the train station at around 6:25.  The ride on the train is decent enough, as I can read or just relax if I want.  And I manage to catch an express that only makes three stops before arriving downtown.  The walk from the station to the office is only about four blocks and I’m at my desk by 7:35.

If you’re wondering what the view is like, I can see the building across the street just fine!  I’m only on the fifth floor and since I’ve been down there highest floor I’ve been on is the 28th.  It’s actually good being on the 5th floor as we avoid some of the hassles with the elevators that people on the upper floors have to deal with.

The commute home is pretty much the same in reverse.  I’m out of the office by 4:30 to catch the 4:45 that only makes one stop before I get off at Barrington at 5:28.  I’m walking in the door between 5:46 and 5:49.

In other news, Veronica is studying in Germany this semester.  She left about three weeks ago and has been really enjoying herself, although I don’t think she’s a big fan of German food.  For you facebook users, check out her facebook page for lots of photos.  She should be adding a bunch in the next few days as she’s just getting back to Reutlingen where she’s attending school from about ten days of travels to Berlin, Potssam, Dresden, and Hamburg.

Veronica is doing quite well at school.  Check this out!

Eric has completed one semester at the University of Dayton with a 3.5 GPA, so he is doing well, too.  He’s made a good group of friends and appears to be quite happy there.  We were a little surprised that he selected a school six hours away, but he’s very happy with his decision to go there.  You can also find him on facebook if you want to know what else is going on with him.

Mary Ann is still teaching math at the local high school.  We’re just adjusting to the two of us being the only ones around here.  It’s both good and bad.  It’s nice and quite, but then again it can be boring and we miss the kids.

That’s about it!

The Shirt

The Fall Family Championship saw one if it’s most highly competitive matches in it’s history this past Friday, Aug 27. Steve Bergquist and Steve Fall traveled north to Harvard, IL to play at Plum Tree National golf course.

Off to a strong start Bergquist goes 4 up after 9, shooting a 49 to Steve Fall’s 52. But with his back to the wall Fall comes back strong winning the next 3 holes and is in with a par on the 13th with Berquist facing a 12 footer to not have the match go all square. Bergquist steps up and makes that putt and wins the next hole to go 2 up with 4 to play.

The next hole Fall wins. Bergqusit 1 up with 3 to go.

On 16 Fall hits his best drive of the day and smokes a 5 wood to par the next hole. Bergquist has another 8 footer to tie the hole (he’s been making these all day), but it slides by. Fall has fought back to all even with 2 to play.

Seventeen (a par 3) sees them both come up short. Fall chips to with in gimme range as Bergquist blades one. Fall one up.

Now the pressure is on. Fall is giving a stroke and still needs to win the 18th hole. If they tie Bergqusit wins the hole with his handicap and retains the shirt as the match would then be all tied.

With the pressure on, Fall steps up to the 18th, par 5, 4th hadicapped hole, and nails one straight left into the trees, hits one and winds up 50 yards of the tee box.

The opening Bergquist was looking for. Steve B hits his tee shot way right into another stand of trees. (Pressure! – Not for these 2)

Steve F hits a 3 wood to about 180. Bergquist, from the trees, comes out clean but carries too far into a sand trap on the left side of the fairway.

Bergquist comes out of the trap to about 50 yards. Fall puts his 5 wood on the green. Bergquist now needs to get up and down or hope for a 3 putt from Fall. Alas, another bladed wedge and it’s all but over. Fall 2 putts and the crowd roars. Steve Fall wins 2 up. The shirt is home to it’s favorite resting place.

The final 9 Bergquist shoots 51 for a total 100. Fall shoots a sizzling 40 on the back for a 92. What a comeback.

Steve Fall is ready for the next challenger. Bring it on.

Vacation

Mary and I are on our way to Puerto Rico for a week. Hope to have some pictures when we get back.

Bye

Portsmouth Thriller Dance

One of the many reasons why I love where I live!

“Whiteout”

Warner Brothers has a movie coming out this September called Whiteout. Some one has taken the trailer for the movie and turned it into a video hyping Penn State’s upcoming football season.

Here’s the PSU version of “Whiteout”

I’ll say one thing for the PSU football program. They really know how to turn an night football game into an experience. This year’s designated Whiteout game will be against Iowa at 8PM on September 26th. Several of my Iowa friends are coming in for the game and I’m very much looking forward to it.

Here’s a link to the original movie trailer.

How did they do this?

Some amazing technology at work here.

Battle of Battle Creek

Ron, Steve and I attended the Battle this past week end. I am happy to say that not only did I retain the Fall Family Championship and the shirt, but I am also co-champion of the Battle.

It really wasn’t much of a match for the shirt this year as I posted 2 scores of 83 (net 67) in the early rounds. It was decided Saturday night that the 4 top scores in the Battle would play together Sunday so match play was not an option for the shirt as I was the only one of the three of us in the top four. Ron and I decided to just go with a net score for the Fall championship.

Starting Sunday’s round I was not sure how far behind I was for the Battle championship. I was told it was around 11 or 12 strokes. As I was also giving 12 strokes per round to the leader I knew making up 23 or 24 strokes was a long shot. After 9 holes I shot a 50 and the leader had a 55. I now had 9 holes to make up 18 or 19 strokes. At that time I figured it was over and was just hoping to hold onto the shirt.

Well, after another 8 holes things looked a bit different. I didn’t really know where I stood, but I knew it was close. Unfortunatly, the pressure got to me. I pulled my tee shot into the woods, chipped out, laid up (still behind a tree in the left rough), knocked one on, and then 3 putted. So much for stepping up like a champion.

As it turned out I shot 45 on the back and the leader, Dave Milner, shot 64. We still didn’t really know who had won and had to wait for Rick to add up the totals. Obviously, I was 12 back when the day started and not 11. First time in the history of the Battle there are co-champions.

As for the shirt, Ron shot something in the 100’s so that wasn’t very close. I keep the championship until the next challenge.

So, set your plans for next year and you can all challenge me for not only the Fall Family Championship, but the Battle of Battle Creek Championship.