Category: Uncategorized

The Three R's. Doing Some Readin', Writin', and 'Rithmetic.

Yesterday we were political. Today we are not. Some thoughts, questions, and observations on readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic.     Reading Fiction or non-fiction? In my case, I am looking for a good plot, good characters, a good climax and denouement. So it is mostly fiction for me. My last non-fiction book was about the... Read more »
By Les Raff,
December 7, 2018 at 8:38 am • 

Reaching Trexit Velocity--It Is Time to Eject Trump

Exactly two years ago I decided to give then President-Elect Donald Trump a chance. I put aside my doubts and fears, shook hands with my one Conservative friend and bit the bullet of inevitability. But I did lay out 10 Commandments for Trump to follow. Simple things like respecting (or at least understanding) the Constitution,... Read more »
By Les Raff,
December 6, 2018 at 8:34 am • 

Our Lab Professionals Trump Our Lab Processors

Our histology microwave unit gave out yesterday. Oversimplifying a bit, the instrument removes processing chemicals from our tissue biopsies and replaces it with paraffin wax. This wax infiltrated tissue is then thinly cut by our histology technologists, placed on glass slides, stained, and then turned over to the pathologists to make a diagnosis. So when... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 29, 2018 at 10:04 am • 
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Music + Lists = Satisfaction (at Number 7). Thoughts on "The 100 Absolute Best Songs in History"

I can’t help it. I love lists and I love music. Put them together, and you can keep me busy for hours. A stray link in a pathology listserve (yes, there are still listserves out there,) led me to The 100 Absolute Best Songs in History, a list put together by website 24/7 Wall Street... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 28, 2018 at 11:38 am • 

Mitch vs Me. I Take on Trubisky's Shoulder

By now all of Chicago has heard the news. Mitch Trubisky, the first-place Bears’ second-year quarterback has an injured shoulder and may not play on Thanksgiving against the Lions in Detroit. The city holds its breath in concern. At the same time, I have an aching soreness in my right shoulder too. Whose shoulder matters... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 21, 2018 at 7:14 am • 

The Reason This Rocker Recalls Roy Clark

Y’all know that as far as music goes I’m a rock and roll guy. I’ve broken the pattern once or twice, with blogs on Frank Sinatra and Broadway musicals, but one thing I have never written about is country music. I’ve driven by Toby Keith’s (now closed) bar in Rosemont; I’ve enjoyed Keith Urban’s wife... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 16, 2018 at 3:12 pm • 
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Hey Alexa-Sing Me A Song!

The house we built two years ago has its share of electronic doodads. It has Wi-Fi linked sound bars and electronic lighting schemes. I can check on the garage door status from anywhere in the world (the farthest from home I have used this feature is a football field length down the street,)  and we... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 15, 2018 at 8:27 am • 

Is the Next Best Generation Saying Goodbye?

I had a getting-to-the-end-of-the-year tax planning phone meeting with my long time accountant the other day. Well, actually it wasn’t with my longtime accountant. The meeting was with a perfectly capable younger accountant to whom he has transferred the nuts and bolts of my financial life. It’s a phenomenon that I am experiencing more and... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 14, 2018 at 9:00 am • 

Ten Headlines You Never Will See-It's No Joke

You won’t see these headlines in your morning news feed any time soon. Archer Arrows Kill 10 in Crowded Club Crazed Slingshotter Stones 15 on School Playground Upset Jockey Whips Seven to Death in Paddock Frenzied Fencer Fatally Fragments Five Neo-Nazi Lumberjack Axes Four to Death at Rally Slighted Sumo Wrestler Stomps Eight Ancient Mace... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 9, 2018 at 8:10 am • 
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The Election is Over. Now Thinking Outside the Box for Amazon HQ2

Amazon must be seeing blue. One election is over. It’s the big one, with decisions on federal, state, and local elections. There will be a change in our next Congress with the Democrats winning the majority in the House of Representatives. But what I see when I look at an electoral map is lots of... Read more »
By Les Raff,
November 8, 2018 at 9:19 am •