R.I.P. Bill Schonley

I wasn't planning to write about this because these days, the thought of people I grew up with, passing away, only brings me closer to my own fears of passing some day in the not-too-distant future, but ....

Bill Schonely passed away earlier today. If you're not from here (Oregon) you might say: "Who?"

Well Bill Schonely was the radio voice for the Portland Trail Blazers from the time they became a member of the National Basketball Association and then for the next 28 years. I grew up with his radio calls of the games. In the years when only 10-15 games were on television each season, he was there for every game on the radio. I often shot baskets in the driveway of my home, with the radio playing, recreating the game from his descriptions ..... his words. 

He originated the phrase: "Rip City!" Exclaimed at key points in games when long jump shots would swish through the basket, only touching net. It eventually became an alternate identity for Portland. And I'm sure, shouted out often, in driveway games across the state.

He was 93 years old. 

Hoop Fever

I still have dreams occasionally about playing basketball. Running the court, jumping, cutting and shooting like I've never done before. 

Basketball terminology is ever evolving and has changed again. What used to be called, "running the baseline" has suddenly been renamed, "the dunker's spot." 

Up 27-0 and I was about to go on social media tonight and gloat about the rare occurrence of my Chargers winning a playoff game and then thought better of it. Good decision my part. Final score: Jaguars 31, Chargers 30.

Cause and Effect

Fun and weird fact about me .....

Warning: Not for the easily offended or squeamish. 

OK, it's not really all that offensive, I was just attempting to add a little humor.

I understand why the sensation on skin or even the sound of running water can cause certain bodily functions to kick in but why does the simple opening of prescription pill bottles, have the same effect?

Notes for the New Year

 A few notes to begin the year on .....

• There needs to be a reference guide somewhere for all the abbreviations for three consecutive words, that people, mostly teens and 20-somethings, use in online posts. I'm only able to figure out about one in four. Example: "tbh" .... I think it means, 'to be honest.' That's one of the easier ones but with many, I'm never quite sure. Seems to be dozens of them.
• I'm at the age where every new bit of information that I pick up, seemingly pushes an older piece of longtime knowledge from memory. There's only space for so much in there.

2023

A quiet start to the new year. No booming fireworks explosions, like in past years, sounding as if they were set off right outside my windows and rattling everything inside. Hopefully the year will be just as low key.