Steve Scott's Blog

Many of you know that I am the public address announcer for the NBA's Chicago Bulls. And, whenever people ask me if I have a favorite Bulls player, the name Chris Duhon is usually one of the first out of my mouth.

Duhon is originally from Slidell, Louisiana, just north of New Orleans. Slidell has been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Duhon says the hurricane has "destroyed the homes and lives of many people" in his hometown.

"Doo" is doing something to help the people of Slidell. Please take a moment to check out this link.

Chris Duhon is a gentleman and a standup guy. Hats off to "Doo" for wasting little time to come to the aid of his hurricane-ravaged hometown.

If you'd like to help, I'm sure Chris - and the people of Slidell - would appreciate it.

So, I walk into a downtown Walgreens yesterday to pick up some vacation photos that I had dropped off the day before. It all seemed like it would be so easy...

First, some background...

I had gone into this Walgreens (at Clark and Lake Streets) on Tuesday...to drop off a waterproof disposal camera and a roll of film that were in addition to the digital pics we had taken in Cabo San Lucas. The first thing the clerk at the photo counter tells me is, "We don't have one hour processing today." That's fine, I told her...I didn't need the pics in an hour. The next day would be fine.

"How about 9am?" I asked.

"Ummm...no, not til 2pm."

"Hmmmm," I said, "Not only do you not have one hour processing today...you don't even have 24 hour processing."

She didn't seem to get it.

Anyway, I left the pics and went on my way.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was our news intern's final day at WLS...so, as is tradition, we took her out to lunch. I finished up with that at around 12:30pm (make note of that time, okay?)...and decided to walk over to the Walgreens to see if my photos were ready.

There was a long line at the photo counter...but it moved along pretty quickly. I did run into my friend Paul Meincke of WLS-TV while I was standing in line...so it was nice to chat with him. Paul is, in my mind, perhaps the best general assignment reporter on Chicago television.

I finally make it to the photo counter and tell the clerk, "I have a 2pm pickup...I was wondering if my pictures might be ready a little early."

She looks into those baskets that Walgreens seems to use for everything from photos to prescriptions...the ones with last name initials on them...and digs through the pile of envelopes.

"Here they are, Mr. Scott," she says.

Yea! Success!

"Uh oh."

"Uh oh?"

"I can't sell these to you. They're stamped for a 2pm pickup...and it's only a little before one."

"Huh?"

"Sorry."

"But, I'm right here," I said. "Here's my credit card. Just hand me the pictures and I'll hand you the credit card. I'll get my pictures...you'll get your money...we'll all be happy."

"Ummm...no, I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"They're stamped for 2pm. The system won't process the transaction until after 2pm."

"You mean to tell me that the pictures are ready...early...and I'm here with money...early...and I can't have my pictures?"

"That's right."

"You're serious?"

"Yeah."

"Miss," I told her, "I'm not mad at you...but, I have to tell you, that is the dumbest thing I've ever heard!"

"Yeah, I know. Sorry."

"You're serious?"

"Yeah."

I notice that a woman standing in line next to me - who had apparently been watching this whole discussion - was so incredulous that her eyes were bulging out, a la "Runaway Bride" Jennifer Wilbanks. It was kind of creepy, actually...

Anyway...at this point, I probably should have sought out a manager or made some sort of fuss...but, I was tired and wanted to go home (and look at my pictures!)...so I just turned and walked away. I did run into the aforementioned Paul Meincke again as I walked through the store and told him about my experience. We just shook our heads...shook hands...and walked off in different directions.

So, now it's Thursday. I plan to go back to that Walgreens (did I mention this is the store at Clark and Lake?) again today to try to pick up my pictures.

I can almost imagine what I'm going to hear today.

"I'm sorry, sir...there's a late fee to pick up your photos today. You had to be here by 2pm yesterday."

Jeanne and Steve in Cabo San Lucas!







We celebrated our anniversary at a great Cabo restaurant called Lorenzillo's. They made a cute dessert for us!










Margaritaville...made famous in a Jimmy Buffett song.
Alas, no sign of Jimmy!











Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo. A very popular party spot in Cabo San Lucas...we just bought some t-shirts and other souvenirs there.






Aerial view of Sylvester Stallone's home near Cabo San Lucas. As far as I know, Sly wasn't home when I flew over.








I went deep sea fishing. Here I am somewhere in the Pacific, battling a big Blue Marlin. I had it hooked for around 10 minutes before it snapped the line. The captain of our boat estimated it weighed around 150 lbs.




I did catch several big yellow fin tunas. Here's one of them being hauled in.










This is actually the smallest fish I caught...but I posed with it because it squirmed around the least of all of 'em!











I went for a flight on a motorized hang glider. It's basically a hang glider with three wheels and a big lawn mower engine!









Ready for takeoff in the glider!









Here's an aerial shot of our resort, Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, taken from the glider.

Okay, this has nothing to do with the trip to Mexico...but, I just got my hands on this pic of Jim Belushi and myself taken at the Illinois Broadcasters Association convention in East Peoria, IL, a month or so ago.

Fortunately, there were no microphones present backstage...when Belushi and I belted out a rather rough rendition of the old Ides of March hit Vehicle. :)

The whole Internet in Mexico thing got to be a bit confounding...and expensive. So, I gave up!

I do have some pics...I'll try to post them when I can.

For now...it's back to work!

ss

You may have noticed there have been no updates here for a while. Jeanne and I are on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. Baja California Sur, Mexico.

I just found some internet access...and plan to add a couple of new updates shortly.

Steve

With Sunday's death of ABC's Peter Jennings from lung cancer - and the news Tuesday that Dana Reeve is also battling the disease - lung cancer has suddenly become a hot topic.

It started with Jennings' death...PR people coming out of the woodwork, pitching experts who could talk about lung cancer. And, of course, each of these experts "has the perfect angle for your audience."

But, the emails, phone calls and faxes really started to escalate yesterday...with the news that Dana Reeve is ill. "Women and Lung Cancer"..."Lung Cancer and Non-Smokers"...and, of course, the ever-popular "You Can Survive Lung Cancer!"...those are just a few of the pitches that have been coming in.

You know, I don't doubt that most of the "experts" really do know something about lung cancer...and might actually have a valuable message. But, why wasn't it valuable enough to pitch me last week or last month or last year?

I almost find it offensive when PR pitches include the words "On the heels of the death of Peter Jennings and the terrible news about Dana Reeve...". But, I suppose the PR folks (that really is a tough job!) have to do whatever they can to get me to bite on their pitch.

ABC-TV will have a very nice retrospective on Peter Jennings' life and career tonight. I hope to watch at least some of it. Say what you want about Jennings' politics, but he really was a larger-than-life figure at the anchor desk. With Jennings gone - and Brokaw and Rather retired - we have likely seen the end of the prototypical network news anchor. In some ways, I suppose, that's a good thing...but, in other ways - as a kid who grew up with Cronkite, Brinkley, et al - I find it kind of sad.

I was saddened to get a phone call last night, informing me of the death of Peter Jennings. I must admit that Peter's death came as no real surprise - we knew that he was gravely ill. Peter was so much larger than life that I think we hoped he could beat his illness...even when it became apparent there was no hope.

Peter paid a few visits to WLS. He was very much "all business" - with little time for chit chat - but I did enjoy my brief interactions with him.

I'm reminded of two personal Peter Jennings stories...

Many years ago - long before I worked for ABC - I wrote to Peter, asking for an autographed photo (I used to collect them). He sent back a personally autographed pic, inscribed with the words, "Don't let the bastards get you down." While the thought of Peter Jennings quoting Kris Kristofferson was a bit unsettling, his words have have been good advice in this business.

And, in the summer of 2003 - when race riots erupted in Benton Harbor, Michigan - ABC News Radio sent me to Benton Harbor to cover the story. Back then, Peter was anchoring the 4pm Central Time ABC Radio newscasts...it was a glamour thing for the radio side, and free promotion for the TV side. I'll never forget the thrill of hearing Peter Jennings say the words "ABC's Steve Scott is there live...Steve." And, he even ended it with his trademark "Many thanks, Steve...ABC's Steve Scott in Benton Harbor, Michigan."

It just found that piece in the archives this morning...and listened to it three or four times. I don't mind saying it was pretty cool to be "many thanks'd" by Peter Jennings.

No reason to post this, really...other than I think it's pretty funny. Just to whom do you suppose Katie is directing that digit?

Steve Scott...Mr. Agriculture Reporter!



These pics are from Governor Blagojevich's recent visit to a drought-ravaged corn farm in Channahon, IL. The interviewee is farmer Bob Bleuer - a very nice man who fears the drought could cost his family the farm they've worked for more than 100 years.

I still have dirt on my shoes from walking through Farmer Bob's cornfield!

Photos courtesy Illinois Farm Bureau.

As of today, I am proudly sporting my bright shiny blue bracelet from the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA).

For those who don't know, Clifford Dahl - son of fellow radio rascal Dave Dahl and wife Corrina - suffers from Batten Disease. (This is nothing Dave hasn't already talked about on his own blog)

BDSRA also has an active Midwest Chapter.

They are currently holding a fundraiser - a raffle with some nifty prizes, including a trip to Walt Disney World!

If you like to buy a ticket - or two or ten - I'm sure Dave could point you in the right direction.

Thanks, and have a good day.

In a post last week, I proudly trumpeted that the Achilles tendon injury that had been plaguing me since early April had apparently healed enough to allow me to run (on a treadmill) for the first time in four months.

Well, yeah...that was fun while it lasted.

While attempting a fleet-footed encore yesterday, I tweaked it again. I ran in three segments during my regular treadmill workout (steep uphill fast walk)...it was fine for the first two, then OUCH!

It's certainly not as bad as the original injury...but, I'm guessing the whole "running" may go back onto the shelf - at least until after vacation. Blah.

Baseball star Rafael Palmeiro - one of only four players in Major League history with both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs - has been suspended for ten days, after testing positive for steroids.

His place in baseball history and the Hall of Fame - both seemingly secure 24 hours ago - are now in question.

Palmeiro denies intentionally ingesting steroids. I hope he's telling the truth.

It's getting to the point where we don't need to put an asterisk (*) next to certain names in the record books. We need to put a big asterisk right on the darn cover. In the end, who will history judge more favorably...Ryne Sandberg and Cal Ripken...or, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and - dare I say - Rafael Palmeiro?

Congrats to former Cub Ryne Sandberg on his induction yesterday into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kudos to Ryno, not only for this magnificent achievement...but also for his eloquent and humble speech.

I always found Ryne Sandberg to be a very genuine - yet intensely shy - person. Some called him standoffish. I called him professional and a non-showboat.

Ryno's induction into the HOF reminds me of a couple Harryisms. The late Harry Caray (nee Harry Christopher Carabina) got a little, shall we say, erratic, in his play by play calls late in his career.

One time, I was listening to a Cubs TV broadcast from another room, when suddenly Harry let loose with, "There's a drive...way back...it might be...it could...annnndddd...Sandberg makes the catch!" Sandberg, of course, was a second baseman. The fly ball had never left the infield.

And, on more than one occasion, we'd hear, "Ground ball up the middle...aaahhhh...Santo throws him out!" Ron Santo, of course, was a Cubs third basemen from the 1960s and '70s.

Now, Harry and Ryno are both in the Hall of Fame!