Just so there's no confusion as to where my allegiance lies....BEFORE the playoffs begin! Forget the goat, forget the 100 years blah blah, this could be (ever the paranoid Cubs fan) the year because their team is really that good. There are many of you out there that can't understand the seemingly silly and childish fascination that is part of rooting for a team you've followed your whole life. Furthermore...they've been losing for the better part of the time I've been following them. No, this is for my father and all those like him, who were faithful till their dying day and never waivered in their love (and condemnation)for a team that, really, didn't even know or care whether they rooted for them or not. Pro sports has become this huge corporate entity that has de-personalized itself to the point where there is no loyalty so why should anyone care what they do? Well.....it's the same old thing, year after year. We care because it is so closely weaved into our lives that to do otherwise wouldn't seem natural. Silly....perhaps, but it's better than being a terrorist. GO CUBS!!!

My younger brother has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease). Unfortunately for my older brother and myself, we are based in the Midwest while Harry is and has been living in Los Angeles for the last 30 years, making it difficult to check in with him regularly. As good fortune would have it, he has a fantastic network of friends who are taking care of him with their many kind words and deeds. One of the things they have organized is participation in a "Walk for ALS". Their team is called "Harry's Heartbeats" and they are asking for donations. Please take the time to click on the "Walk For ALS" link and make a small donation if you can. The money might not go to Harry directly, but it supports research into this deadly and hideous disease in the hopes that a cure may be found. Thank you....