Growing up in Chicago, there was one voice that I associated with horse racing and that is Phil Georgeff. He called most thoroughbred races at all the area tracks for over 30 years and he made all of his world record 97,000 calls sound special to me. His most famous race calls were the first million dollar races along with the one of Dr. Fager in 1968 of the fastest mile in North America whose record still stands 50 years later.
For me the most special calls of his were during the 6 week period in January and February when he called the harness races at Hawthorne as there was no thoroughbred racing at that time.
This date 30 years ago was a big deal as the fastest active trotting horse in the world, Chicory Wind, was racing there to close out the winter meet. My father and I joined the 10,000+ there (at that time there was limited OTB and intertrack wagering so most who wanted to bet on a horse had to do it there.) We got there about 40 minutes before the first race (as usual) and as I do when there is a big race immediately went to look at that one. After 30 seconds, I proudly announce to my father that Broderick was going to beat Chicory Wind.
He gave me that look I often get when I make an unusual statement so I explained that Broderick will be second the whole way. Chicory Wind will open up the lead to three lengths on the turn right into the northeast wind that was happening and instead of holding on or drawing away like it usually does, it will struggle and lose. Since I did not have much cash with me, I played $5 a 1-2 perfecta (more known as an exacta; that is what it was called only in Illinois at that time) for that race and then looked at the rest of the races. I actually had to watch the previous two races before without any money on them since all I had left was my $5 bet. When it was time for the race, Chicory Wind was 1-9 (which is as low odds a horse can be listed at) and my father decided to not make any bet since it was not worth it.
After finding out a current coworker has an interest in harness racing a few weeks ago, I went to you tube and as I have done before I searched for names of horses and found this which I my favorite call that he ever made.
https://youtu.be/pIm1VZxvKd4
What I cashed was about what I earned in 8+ hours at Universal Bowling and Golf corporation when I made $6.85/hr. Though I have won more many times, that race made me happy. After I saw the video, I had a smile all day at my job and currently have one now after watching it while sitting at an old laptop typing this in pain from when I stumbled while walking up six flights of stairs after a long evening of deliveries.
My father saw the smile on my face and after lighting a cigarette stated if I was that confident about what was going to happen, I should have borrowed $20 to put on the race. Since I did not want to figure out how to get home on my own, I did not respond remembering the previous July he stopped the car on I-55 just before the California Ave exit and demanded I get out and walk the rest of the way home.
Monday, February 18, 2019
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Working with a Linux mind
I have compared my brain to a Linux operating system due to its unique processing power but filled with compatability issues with other formats as well as filled with weird bugs. Here is a prime example:
Last week my company had a contest guessing the total employees across its 5 US locations with the closest not over winning a $50 gift card.
On the company TV channel that plays in the lunchrooms shows the 95 total people with either a birthday or service anniversary in February. Multiply that by 6.5 since February averages 28.25 days for all that would be here (28.241 over 1,000 years) is 617.5. I figured 50 on their first year not on the list (those from my previous employer have their prior service time included in the company service milestones) gives 667.5.
As I was writing my email with an answer of 666, I realized that answer could create a problem as some would interpret my deliberate anti Christian answer incorrectly as a supporter or Satan. That is incorrect as I find all beliefs in a supreme being (even those whose members are tortured because they believe in the "wrong one") non plausible.
I was relieved to see that all answers were shown and then eliminated until there was a winner. The correct answer was 668 and the winning entry was 615. Shortly after I realized had I just answered 665, I would have won the gift card without the potential headache.
Last week my company had a contest guessing the total employees across its 5 US locations with the closest not over winning a $50 gift card.
On the company TV channel that plays in the lunchrooms shows the 95 total people with either a birthday or service anniversary in February. Multiply that by 6.5 since February averages 28.25 days for all that would be here (28.241 over 1,000 years) is 617.5. I figured 50 on their first year not on the list (those from my previous employer have their prior service time included in the company service milestones) gives 667.5.
As I was writing my email with an answer of 666, I realized that answer could create a problem as some would interpret my deliberate anti Christian answer incorrectly as a supporter or Satan. That is incorrect as I find all beliefs in a supreme being (even those whose members are tortured because they believe in the "wrong one") non plausible.
I was relieved to see that all answers were shown and then eliminated until there was a winner. The correct answer was 668 and the winning entry was 615. Shortly after I realized had I just answered 665, I would have won the gift card without the potential headache.
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