From the Mansion to the Garbage dump!

It's been a while since the last blog, Been a touch busy. I don't know if anyone has posted pictures of the Governors mansion so here goes. This is a picture of Conner in front of one of the fountains. This was right outside the window of the room we stayed in, We put a few fish in as a gift of US99.

 

Also Conner used this chance at the Mansion to get his photo taken with Governor Quinn, After this photo they talked about more state money for Baseball and football programs, Improving lunch at school, and installing Nintendo games in the backseat of every state owned school bus.

After the short stay in Springfield it was off to Northern Wisconsin to show my sleds at the Hall of Fame classic sled round up. It was a good show as I took 1st place in the 1969 to 72 restored category with my 1972 TNT 292. I was runner up with my 1976 Moto-Ski Sonic 250.

All in all these last few day off were pretty cool, But just to show you how I roll I thought I would show you the picture I took of the Hwy G landfill in between Eagle River and Sayer Wisconsin. 

I was helping my dad clean out some junk from a shed that he's turning into a bunkhouse. Dad has talked about doing this for 30 years. I think he may actually get this done ( we also had a 1929 model A Ford that laid in out garage in pieces for my entire childhood).

If your ever up that way say hi to Thea who runs the dump shes super cool! and I think she has a dad crush on my pops!, My dad seems to have a lot of what I would consider "younger women" who seem to like the old guy!

The other big new yesterday is that Cheyenne got her grill taken off! No more braces. That's a big deal for a 15 year old! shes all jacked up and ready for summer vacation!

Cheers!

RR

Getting Tan!

Cool Idol last night!!!

OMG! Kris win Idol! I don't know if its an upset but that Adam kid was good. Didn't watch too much of that show but I did see Fergie and Bikini Girl. Wow! And why did they cut away from the Black Eyed Peas? they must have done sometin bad! Or was it a wardrobe malfunction?(sure it was a naughty word)

I'm glad Idol is over, I get sick of talking about TV shows, I spent most of yesterday outside, As far as radio media types go I'm not as big of a couch potato as your average radio sluggo.

Stopped at the Gym for about a 45 minute workout yesterday, Than went home and jumped on my bike and got a 20 miler in with my neighbor Gregg. This is my regular riding partner. Saw some unusual stuff on the path yesterday. Lots of weird stuff goes on out there on the Fox Valley bike path. Most of it I cant mention.(haven't seen the crazy woman who wears shorts and her bra yet this year)

The sun is brutal, I don't try to tan, I use sunscreen but I get too dark. My dermatologist hates that I'm in the sun at all. I will wear an umbrella on my head in the future!

Got the new Can Am Spyder yesterday Its a weird ride to get used too, It has a paddle shifter and not the usual foot shifter. It also has a more aggressive feel than last years. Gonna take some getting used to. I will have a picture posted later.

Getting ready for Quinnville! Today's the day to go to the Gov's mansion. Conner and I are going to stop at every McDonalds on the way down to Springfield. Our goal is to fill the Tundras back seat up with McDonalds wrappers.

I'm also going to lobby for the Kiddieland train to be added to the Governors mansion campus.

Listen tomorrow as I will hopefully have something from the mansion to give away.

RR

You want Reality? How bout the Hawks!

The Lisa's are spouting off about the Idol and Dancing. I say foggeataboutit! Too nice to watch last night. I was on the southwest side at a place called the Bon-a-pit with my friend Little Carl and his Beautiful wife Karolyn.

Carl has this smokin' Hot 300 hp Hyabusa(sp?) (if you don't know what that is is a motorcycle) cool thing about Carl is he's just a regular guy with a low key attitude, Good guy to hang around with. I think we had our server convinced we were a couple until Carl's wife showed up!

I hooked up with Carl to take one of my show sleds down to his detailer "Detail Tom" this guy is magic when it comes to making aluminum shine! It has a private shop in what will always remain a quiet undisclosed location.

Most my co-workers like a night at the theater and a big fancy restaurant, Give me my friends and our toys! I will take that any day!

Hawks Hawks Hawks,

I said early on It will be the Wings in five games. I mean no disrespect to our beloved Hawks but there young. Next year it will be the Hawks. They will win Friday night! that a guarantee!! How bout The Bulin wall? I think he has faced 82 shots in the first two games! wow! I said this morning I would rather put on a bullet proof vest and have my buddies shoot at me!

So far looks like were a go to stay with the Gov this Thursday night. I'm saying on air that I have to share a room with Governor Quinn. You know there are some budget issues in the state we all have to make a concession or two.

I'm Taking Conner with me, He told me that if he has to do a book report hes out. Its gonna be me and the boy in the Truck, He doesn't know it but this is one of those things he will remember forever.

I will try to take a lil something from the Mansion and give it to the 19th caller on Friday.

RR

I

Can you smell what the Ray has cookin'?

Wow what a weekend,

It started with the Keith Urban at the Allstate on Friday night. Now I'm not one to go hang with Keith and pretend were bud's but I did take the invite Friday night.

What a nice guy, We have met several times before dating back to the early 90's when my Buddie Brad Altman hired Keith and the ranch to be the house band at the old Whiskey River.

I'm glad he has Nicole this guy is in a great place in his life and you can see that when you talk to him, and it shows in his music as well. A very charming humble guy. And as far as I'm concerned one of the best shows I have seen in at least five years. If you were there he played for over two hours.

Finally a nice weekend in Chicago I used Saturday to get my snowmoblie hauler all cleaned up for this weekends St Germain show, Gonna be a good time as a lot of my collector buddies will be there to mostly drink beer, check out this picture of the before and after of my trailer fenders! exciting isn't it?


On Sunday it was me and the Cass on a little bike ride. this is my favorite thing I did all weekend long, She loves to ride her bike. I think she may be the one in the family who loves to ride as much as I do. Shes funny and so cute.

Than last night it was Conner my nephew Easton and The Ramblin at the WWE Judgement day! look how close the action got! this is a picture of Cena as he went over and hugged Chicago Cub Alfonso Soreino(sp? I'm a Sox fan) Wow what a show. Say what you will about wrastlin but they put on a good show. And only a real athlete could pull off those moves.

And before you wonder why I would go here's who was in my row, Eddie Olzhecks kids (Blackhawk Great) Cubs players, Gregg Olsen , Dusty Divorcek, the place was full of big shot Chicagoans. What a riot.

I think my boy was a little freaked out at the people and the noise, Ah well he wanted to go. He learned some new words, picked up a few new moves to use on his Lil sister, And now I'm nominated to be father of the year!

That's too much weekend for me!

RR

Hangin with the big shots!

Wow cool night last night! I (gasp) went to the theater! I was invited by my Buddie big Johns former soul mate Cindy Raymond to host a US99 night at the Million Dollar Quartet,

This is a show based on Memphis' Sun records owner Sam Phillips, and his legendary roster of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. If your a fan of Blues, Country, Rock, Rockabilly, this is a must see. I felt like I was there when this thing called Rock and Roll was invented. Nicely done! and the music is spot on! It runs through August 30th at the Apollo theater at 2450 North Lincoln.

Its a good show and if you have kids that are into music bring them!

The show is Co-Produced by Chicagoan Gi Gi Pritzker, what a cool woman! and nice job on the show! She also has the 44th on speed dial now that's cool!

Keep an eye out at the Urban concert for the Blackhawks players! Adam Burish is requesting that they are there for what will be a very cool concert! what ever it takes to keep those players happy! Go Hawks!

RR

Things I dont need to know

Started out today's show talking about thongs. The topic was should women over 50 wear thongs?

Wow, this was something, callers said that even guys wear them classy! I mean c'mon cant we talk about the Blackhawks, Sox,Cubs, Nascar, Lawnmower racing.

How about Jeremy Mayfield failing the NASCAR drug test! says it was over the counter, I'm pretty sure in most cases that you don't fail drug tests from over the counter meds. See ya Jeremy!

So long Ty, last night it was a family event to see Ty Murry get voted off DWS. He was probably relieved, he did a great job. I know between all the stuff I do, I probably should'nt admit i watch and like the show, but I do. And I think those dancer guys are tough as nails.

Hey Todd, Howudoin'? Todd Stroger didn't pay his taxes and want to raise yours? How do you think his day will be today?

Hows this for big news? Conner and I will hit our first WWE event this Sunday night at the Allstate arena. How cool is that! the kid wants to meet John Cena. We will have to see if Uncle Pat Nagle can make that happen. Gina wont let me take Cassie. Shes 5 and watches wrestling every chance she gets!

I know I know again I'm the father of the year!

Take care

RR

Home Surgery!

I don't know why I'm gonna share this but this drove the Lisa nuts!

Friday I had something wrong with my nose. It hurt like crazy and was swollen on the right side. I couldn't get in to my dermatologist so I thought I would try some "home surgery"

I mean it looked like a golf ball on the end of my schnoz, So I heated up the end of a needle to sterilize and shoved it about A 1/4 inch in ! Gross eh?

I think I may open a day surgery center out of my garage, It worked! today I look like my old ugly self.

If you need any stuff worked on stop by the garage and I can hook you up!

I will check have the nose looked at by Doc Sharon today.

Disclaimer, Don't try this at home your results may vary!

RR

Wild Horses keep dragin Ramblin Ray!

OK so the title is a play on the old Garth Brooks song, I don't think it was ever a single but what a cool song!

So I'm heading over to Goodwin Preformance today with the Tundra and my snowmobile hauler loaded with some of my sleds. As I head east toward Green Bay road I see all theses cars in the road with people standing all over. I immediately think accident and I slowly approach. than BAM out of nowhere .....

a HORSE jumps over the front of my truck!.....That's right a horse. I don't know whose farm they got loose from but it was nuts, I asked a guy if they needed help and he said yes (I wanted him to say no due to the fact that I'm not Ty Murray) So I jump out the truck and start chasing this huge horse, not just one horse, but three horses all running like crazy down, and around Russel road just west of Green Bay Rd. Yee haw!

after a few minutes I grab on to the horses bridal (is that the thing on its long horse face?) me and some guy are trying to control Mr Ed and it rears its head and tosses me around like a little girl. Than a Mexican guy comes over to help, The only reason I mention this is that he cant speak a lick of English but he must have been a horse whisperer because he had the horse calmed down and tied to a tree in no time. pretty cool guy!

after about 15 minutes we corralled the other two and harnessed them with some rope from a nearby house. I don't know the woman's name who owned these things but I know she was grateful we were there. She was crying so I know they must have been hers. Lucky they didn't run in front of a car. That would be a problem for the driver and some extra supplies for the glue factory.

All in all it was taken care of and when all was calm the lake county sheriff got there to make sure their sirens were working.

This is one of those storys were here about from time to time, and kind of laugh. If I could see video of me and that beast I would laugh my *&^^&%$ off!

I'm making my kids and Gina call me Clint McCanyonman. That's my Cowboy horse saving name. And for my good deed........ no church tomorrow!!

Good night from Ramblin Ray, now known as Mr McCanyonman.

The Stars came out at the UC!

These Black Hawk games are sick!

Wow last night the UC was rocking last night, How cool of a game was that? It was as loud of a game as I have ever been too. I love our bears and sox, Will even pull for the men in blue from time to time but is there anything more exciting than those insane Hawks fans?

The Stars were out last night! spotted at the game were, Kurt Heinrich, Tony O, Stan the man, Carlton Fisk, Bobby hull. All the guys were pretty cool but Stan......well lets just say he was more interested in the desert cart.

And how about a nice shout out for that Black Hawks Ice crew.



Had a chance to meet Dick Butkiss' son I told him about the time his dad knocked me down at a autograph session, He was the bears middle linebacker I was 7. It turned out to be one of the greatest stories of my life thanks Dick!

Pretty cool day in Chicago when the Cubs, Sox, And Hawks all win. And how about Buhrle with that monster game last night!

Happy mothers day to all the moms!! Nothing better in the world than mom. I watch the way those kids hang with Gina and There is no way a dad can compare to that. I always tell her shes like a shark and those kids just swim with her.

In my opinion there is no better mother in the world, Shes there tutor, buddie, Baseball coach and confidant.

Happy mothers day to the best mom ever!

RR

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Photos:

Top - Ray and Carlton Fisk

Middle - (From left to right) Mike Tompkins (Skokie flyers coach and one of the youth Blackhawk coaches of the year), Ray, and Hall of famer Tony Esposito

Father Oprah?

Have your heard about this guy? I guess he's a priest in Miami, Well he was caught on a beach with a woman this past weekend and I don't think she was your "regular church lady"! Wow, hey man every ones human I'm sure there will be a little give and take about this tomorrow with Lisa and me!

They call him the father Oprah and he does a bunch of big radio shows.

I hear the Idol news on the TV in the background big night who will be going home? I must admit I know Adam is the guy who's supposed to win. And I know the guy from up above the cheddar curtain is good but I haven't paid much attention this year.

Big news in the land of Rising taxes (Batavia where the taxes rise faster than the flood waters on the side of my house)

Most the schools reopen after the fear from the swine flu has calmed down. thank god now I can grab my board and head back to the skate park. usually in the spring I can shred all day until 2:30 but the flu scare has brought them to the bike and skate park early. I guess in our town to keep from getting the flu you hang out in large groups, wear your hats crooked and wear baggy pants. seems to be working they look healthy to me.

It was pretty cool that the middle school gave the kids the day off to mourn our Friend Alex, The crowd was unreal, saw lots of friends a very sad day indeed.

well tomorrow in studio is Joe Nichols its always a good day when we can hear Lisa's last questions!

Sox are in a rain delay and its time to go on the vintage snowmobile website to fuel my passion for old snowmobiles but that passion fades the closer we get to water ski season, Oh and one other thing I saw the new Camero today. Man its going to be hard to keep from getting one of those!

OMG

Paula is dancing and lip syncing wow this makes my kid school choir look good, she looks good but that train has left the station! Wow. that was bed.

That's it for the shallow observations for the day.

RR

Not a little girl anymore?

Just sitting in here telling the Lisa's about my little girl Cassie. Last night she told me she doesn't want to go to first grade because she loves her kindergarten teacher.

I told her she has to go, so she can be another teachers favorite. I think her mom may have been a teachers favorite but that's something dad never experienced.

Kosty tells me shes not little anymore, she so cool, and she funny!

This week she learns to ride her Honda 50! there go's the back yard!

If you have a little cash to spare, (and I know everybody wants something) There is an address to the Relay for Life website. It benefit's the American Cancer Society. They do great work! We recently lost a Buddie to cancer and we will be donating in his name.

Another great day weather wise and Tonight out at the stadium its another Hawks game. Go Hawks!

RR

A bright light has gone out in Batavia

Lately I have taken some heat about my La sa Faire attitude to the H1N1 Flu, I suppose this is due to the fact that I'm the risk taker on the morning show, The guy who always keeps it light! I also feel America has become more than a little reactionary to all the latest flu bug . We need to have faith in our health care and our country to be able to fight these things!

It is also due to a young man named Alex Kintz who waged a battle against cancer like none I have known before, While lately all the rage has been about the "swine flu" the concern in my family has been Alex and his family, His pain, And his mom and dad preparing to say good bye to there beautiful boy.

Reading postings from Alex's mom on his "care pages" update was surreal, her postings kept us in the know, Her writings as good as any you will ever know. She could write a book. She wrote of his 8Th grade friends and how they were there till the end, Holding his hand , scratching his back, Saying they love him,.... saying goodbye.... this out of a bunch of young men who's biggest concern should be getting to the next level on guitar hero! Hug your kids because they are sometimes are forced to grow up way to fast.

I was introduced to Alex by my neighbor Joanne Spitz who always has something going on..... Shes always after me for Concert tickets or something! But this time it was different, She said "Ray you have to meet Alex" "what can we do for him" .....than we found out he was a Robbie Gould fan and it was on! Alex met Robbie, I met Alex, And from there it was an awesome experience.

This evening Gina called to inform me that Alex has lost his fight, I suppose lost is a poor choice of words as this kid never gave up. what a fighter, what a cool cool kid. I will remember all the posts on his website all the prayers but this is what will come to mind when I think of him in the coming days

One was a party where all the kids were dancing to solja boy and Alex was sitting it out, That when we talked about football and the girls he was watching,

The second was his call to our St Jude radiothon for US99.5 he was in a battle and he knew he could move people to call in and give, what a cool tough kid. I should mention brave as well.

To the Kintz family, The prayers of Gina, Conner, Cassie, Chey, and US99.5 family are with you. May it lift your spirits that your sons pain is gone, Our spirits are lifted for knowing such a courageous young man.

Two days ago Alex's wish when he went to heaven was to be a bird so he could soar. Tonight the Sky's have received a gift.


Rest in peace Alex

RR