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I have previously documented here how everyone loves Big Money (aka my nephew Matt). Family and friends always have been fond of Matt, but lately Big Money love is surfacing all over the media. Progressive spokesperson Flo started the ball rolling. Following Flo's lead, Family Guy Peter Griffin jumped on the Big Money bandwagon. Recently, I discovered video footage of another tv icon joining the Big Money brigade... Pat Sajak, a Chicago area native.
Sajak appeared in the NIE ad series I ran at Lerner Newspapers. I thought I was tight with Sajak, as he even signed a copy of the ad for me. That was all very kind of him and I appreciated it greatly.
Apparently though, he likes Big Money even more. He dedicated a whole week of Wheel of Fortune to Big Money. A whole week...and it was shot on location in Las Vegas! If you don't believe me, check out the video below.
My only consolation is that Matt is a huge fan of Johngy's Beat and is continually looking out for excellent content to add. While the Big Money train continues to pick up speed, maybe I can hop on for the ride. Maybe he'll even toss this old dog a bone sometime.
Showing posts with label Big Money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Money. Show all posts
Everyone Loves Big Money II
A few months ago, I wrote about how everyone loves Big Money. By "Big Money", I am referring to my nephew Matt, who obtained his moniker from a patron at a store where he worked one summer. Little did that stranger realize what he started.
Big Money took on a life of its own. Family, friends and colleagues all jumped on the Big Money train. Even (Progressive spokesperson) Flo gave a shout out to Big Money in a recent ad. The other night I was watching some tv and once again, Big Money got props from an unexpected source.
Peter Griffin (patriarch of the Griffin family on Family Guy) exuberantly started yelling encouragement to Big Money. Imagine that! (Well, you don't have to imagine, because the clip is below).
Wow. First a spokesperson for a major insurance company and now a cartoon character on a highly rated animated series. Who will be next on the Big Money bandwagon? Who knows, but when someone steps forward, I'll report it right here.Happy 21st, Big Money
Today is my nephew Matt's (aka Big Money) birthday. Not just any birthday, but his 21st birthday. Young Matthew has reached the age of legality. Oh good gosh, bartenders in Lincoln Park better beware.
Matt is a great kid, although I shouldn't call him a kid. Aside from his usual windsockiness in regard to sports teams, he is a lot of fun and a good guy in general.
We have stalked Jimmy Wynn, watched Cash Cab until our brains are numb, eaten chicken pizza until our bellies are full and have made Coke bets on everything imaginable. We have had a lot of great times and made some great memories. Matt also shares my love of fountain Cokes.
I love you, big man. Have a great birthday and fantastic year.
Matt Parker and me in Matteson, IL-early 90's.
Matt is a great kid, although I shouldn't call him a kid. Aside from his usual windsockiness in regard to sports teams, he is a lot of fun and a good guy in general.
We have stalked Jimmy Wynn, watched Cash Cab until our brains are numb, eaten chicken pizza until our bellies are full and have made Coke bets on everything imaginable. We have had a lot of great times and made some great memories. Matt also shares my love of fountain Cokes.
I love you, big man. Have a great birthday and fantastic year.
Matt Parker and me in Matteson, IL-early 90's.Phil Garner was a Real Cut Out
With the Houston Astros playing my Chicago Cubs, I am reminded of good times I had in Houston. As I have written before, my sister and her family lived in Houston for a few years. Whenever I would visit, we would attend a few Astros games. We always hit the Cubs games, but I like to forget those, since the Astros always seemed to beat the Cubs when I went.
My nephew Matt Parker (aka Big Money) was a big Astros fan (He has since rediscovered his love of the White Sox or whichever way the wind is blowing...).
Matt has joined me in my quest for celeb pictures. Together, we met Astros legend Jimmy Wynn (with help from Matt's dad Scott) after one game. After another, we had a chance to get a picture with then-Manager Phil Garner.
Phil was looking a bit stiff that particular day. Maybe it was a bad day. Maybe he knew his end was near as manager. Either way, we were not going to be denied. We got our picture and Garner did not say a word.
Matt Parker, 'Phil Garner' and me in Houston, TX-early 00's.
My nephew Matt Parker (aka Big Money) was a big Astros fan (He has since rediscovered his love of the White Sox or whichever way the wind is blowing...).
Matt has joined me in my quest for celeb pictures. Together, we met Astros legend Jimmy Wynn (with help from Matt's dad Scott) after one game. After another, we had a chance to get a picture with then-Manager Phil Garner.
Phil was looking a bit stiff that particular day. Maybe it was a bad day. Maybe he knew his end was near as manager. Either way, we were not going to be denied. We got our picture and Garner did not say a word.
Matt Parker, 'Phil Garner' and me in Houston, TX-early 00's.Old Times at Home
I decided to take a left turn from the usual sports related 'Old Times' posts to present one of my favorite pictures of all time. The picture features my brother-in-law Scott, my nephew Matt (pre-Big Money days) and me.
About 20 years ago, for reasons we can't remember, my friend/coworker Louie Atsaves and
I became known as the 'Bash Brothers' around the office. It might not have been original, but it was humorous (at the time and in that place at least). As a joke, I drew caricatures befitting the name and even printed a couple tshirts for Louie and me.
This is when the fun really started. The tshirts became a hit with everyone else. We have no idea why, but before the craze was over, we had sold over 75 tshirts to others around the office. Bash Brothers wear was the rage.
I made a few extra and gave them to my family as a joke. One day, Scott and Matt surprised me by donning the shirts for a family get-together. That cracked me up. Fortunately, my sister snapped the picture for posterity.
Wow...that's a lot of purple.
Scott Parker, Matt Parker and me in Matteson, IL-Summer 1990.
About 20 years ago, for reasons we can't remember, my friend/coworker Louie Atsaves and
I became known as the 'Bash Brothers' around the office. It might not have been original, but it was humorous (at the time and in that place at least). As a joke, I drew caricatures befitting the name and even printed a couple tshirts for Louie and me.
This is when the fun really started. The tshirts became a hit with everyone else. We have no idea why, but before the craze was over, we had sold over 75 tshirts to others around the office. Bash Brothers wear was the rage.
I made a few extra and gave them to my family as a joke. One day, Scott and Matt surprised me by donning the shirts for a family get-together. That cracked me up. Fortunately, my sister snapped the picture for posterity.
Wow...that's a lot of purple.
Scott Parker, Matt Parker and me in Matteson, IL-Summer 1990.Young Hawk Andrew Ladd
As I have lamented here before, the Chicago Blackhawks of my youth were not very good. The Hawks had a brief resurgence in the late 80's-early 90's period, but then fell on hard times, really, really hard times. Now infused with some great young talent, the Hawks are on the rise again.
Left winger Andrew Ladd was picked #4 overall in the 2004 NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hawks were fortunate to get him midway through the 07-08 season. At only 23, Ladd is on the verge of becoming an outstanding player for the Hawks.
I have always said that on average, hockey players are the most polite of all sports stars. I don't know if it is because they are not used to a lot of notoriety or some other reason. However, if Ladd and the Hawks keep improving, nototiety will not be an issue much longer.
Left winger Andrew Ladd was picked #4 overall in the 2004 NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hawks were fortunate to get him midway through the 07-08 season. At only 23, Ladd is on the verge of becoming an outstanding player for the Hawks.
I have always said that on average, hockey players are the most polite of all sports stars. I don't know if it is because they are not used to a lot of notoriety or some other reason. However, if Ladd and the Hawks keep improving, nototiety will not be an issue much longer.
Andrew Ladd, Matt Parker and me in Mokena, IL-January 2009.Friendly Encounters
This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.
My nephew Matt (aka Big Money) recently met William 'Refrigerator' Perry at Triple Threat Sports. This was probably Matt's worst celeb encounter.
Perry was a huge star 23 years ago, when the Chicago Bears were Super Bowl Champions. By the time his career ended in 1994, Perry's time at the top was long gone. Except for some conventions, Perry has avoided the limelight ever since.
Despite the rather sparse crowd, Perry really wasn't very fan-friendly. Right before Perry arrived, it was announced that no posed photos were to be taken. This wasn't just no posing with Perry. It was also no posing by Perry.
Perry would occasionally look up, but most of the time all you could see was the top of his straw hat. You couldn't even get a picture of his face.
Readers of this blog and anyone who knows me, knows that I hate this sort of thing. I very rarely complain about celebrities, but if the celebrity is doing a signing, I don't think it is asking too much to acknowledge each person and smile for a few photos (even if people aren't allowed to pose with the celeb).
My nephew Matt (aka Big Money) recently met William 'Refrigerator' Perry at Triple Threat Sports. This was probably Matt's worst celeb encounter.
Perry was a huge star 23 years ago, when the Chicago Bears were Super Bowl Champions. By the time his career ended in 1994, Perry's time at the top was long gone. Except for some conventions, Perry has avoided the limelight ever since.
Despite the rather sparse crowd, Perry really wasn't very fan-friendly. Right before Perry arrived, it was announced that no posed photos were to be taken. This wasn't just no posing with Perry. It was also no posing by Perry.
Perry would occasionally look up, but most of the time all you could see was the top of his straw hat. You couldn't even get a picture of his face.
Readers of this blog and anyone who knows me, knows that I hate this sort of thing. I very rarely complain about celebrities, but if the celebrity is doing a signing, I don't think it is asking too much to acknowledge each person and smile for a few photos (even if people aren't allowed to pose with the celeb).
Big Money rolls with the punches, however. He'll be ready next time and hopefully the celebrity will be a little more agreeable. Oh and maybe Matt should get a better photographer next time!
Matt Parker and William Perry in Mokena, IL-January 2009.Happy Birthday Scott Parker
In honor of Scott Parker's (my brother-in-law) birthday, I present a 'Then and Now'.
Then...Scott and Matt (Big Money...or would he be little money?) surprised me by donning my tshirt! Yep, that is where the whole cartoon Johngy face originated. I had to get that moment saved for posterity (and for this blog).
Scott, Matt and me in Matteson, IL-early 90's.
and now...Years later and freshly back from 5 years in Houston (TX), Scott and Matt met me at Wrigley Field for a Cubs-Astros game. I think it is cool to have a picture of the Parker men in Wrigley. Of course, they had the bigger laugh, making me wear a White Sox jersey (after I lost a bet). Despite the fact that the Astros were the Cubs opponents that day, I got more jeers in my jersey than they did in the Astros jersey.
So here you go Scott...my present to you for all the world to see...me in a White Sox jersey at Wrigley Field. Enjoy!
Then...Scott and Matt (Big Money...or would he be little money?) surprised me by donning my tshirt! Yep, that is where the whole cartoon Johngy face originated. I had to get that moment saved for posterity (and for this blog).
Scott, Matt and me in Matteson, IL-early 90's.and now...Years later and freshly back from 5 years in Houston (TX), Scott and Matt met me at Wrigley Field for a Cubs-Astros game. I think it is cool to have a picture of the Parker men in Wrigley. Of course, they had the bigger laugh, making me wear a White Sox jersey (after I lost a bet). Despite the fact that the Astros were the Cubs opponents that day, I got more jeers in my jersey than they did in the Astros jersey.
So here you go Scott...my present to you for all the world to see...me in a White Sox jersey at Wrigley Field. Enjoy!
Scott, Matt and me (in reverse) in Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL-Summer 2006.
Friendly Encounters
This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.
Last week, Friendly Encounters featured (my nephew) Matt's girlfriend Erin. Today, I am featuring Big Money, himself, along with Matt's sister (my niece) Samantha Parker.
In 1996, the Parker family went to Disney World in Orlando (FL). While there, they ran into Jafar, the evil sorcerer and the former Grand Vizier of the Sultan of Agrabah from the movie 'Aladdin'.
Both kids have grown a lot since then. Matt is probably bigger than Jafar (at least without the hat).
This is Sam's first documented celebrity picture. (As always, Santa doesn't count). Sam does have some early pictures with me. However, owning the 3rd largest publication distribution company in the midwest doesn't make me a celeb. Neither does being Global Traveler's most popular blogger. Sam, on the other hand, is a star, as you will see later this week.
Samantha, Matt and Jafar at Disney World in Orlando, FL-1996.
Last week, Friendly Encounters featured (my nephew) Matt's girlfriend Erin. Today, I am featuring Big Money, himself, along with Matt's sister (my niece) Samantha Parker.
In 1996, the Parker family went to Disney World in Orlando (FL). While there, they ran into Jafar, the evil sorcerer and the former Grand Vizier of the Sultan of Agrabah from the movie 'Aladdin'.
Both kids have grown a lot since then. Matt is probably bigger than Jafar (at least without the hat).
This is Sam's first documented celebrity picture. (As always, Santa doesn't count). Sam does have some early pictures with me. However, owning the 3rd largest publication distribution company in the midwest doesn't make me a celeb. Neither does being Global Traveler's most popular blogger. Sam, on the other hand, is a star, as you will see later this week.
Samantha, Matt and Jafar at Disney World in Orlando, FL-1996.Friendly Encounters
This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.
I have only recently met Erin Galligan, but my sister's family has known the Galligan family for quite a while. My nephew Matt (Big Money) and Erin are now dating (and I think they make a nice couple). Erin and her whole family are big White Sox fans.
Erin's uncle Marty and aunt Cathy won a silent auction and received tickets to a game and the opportunity to meet the players during batting practice. For real fans, it doesn't get much better!
This was in 2004, which was Ozzie Guillen's first year of managing the team. Little did anyone know that the next season Guillen would win AL Manager of the Year for leading the Sox to the 2005 championship!
By the way, in keeping with the tradition of 2 of my favorite bloggers (White Sox Cards and 78 Topps Cards), Don Cooper (pitching coach) is one of the 2 people in the background.
Kailee Galligan (sister), uncle Marty, Ozzie Guillen, Erin and aunt Cathy at US Cellular Field in Chicago, IL-May 2004.
I have only recently met Erin Galligan, but my sister's family has known the Galligan family for quite a while. My nephew Matt (Big Money) and Erin are now dating (and I think they make a nice couple). Erin and her whole family are big White Sox fans.
Erin's uncle Marty and aunt Cathy won a silent auction and received tickets to a game and the opportunity to meet the players during batting practice. For real fans, it doesn't get much better!
This was in 2004, which was Ozzie Guillen's first year of managing the team. Little did anyone know that the next season Guillen would win AL Manager of the Year for leading the Sox to the 2005 championship!
By the way, in keeping with the tradition of 2 of my favorite bloggers (White Sox Cards and 78 Topps Cards), Don Cooper (pitching coach) is one of the 2 people in the background.
Kailee Galligan (sister), uncle Marty, Ozzie Guillen, Erin and aunt Cathy at US Cellular Field in Chicago, IL-May 2004.Jimmy Wynn:The Toy Cannon
Scott (my brother-in-law), Big Money (my nephew) and I always attend a bunch of Cubs-Astros games every season. They lived in Houston for a while and both hate the Cubs. Therefore, we have a nice rivalry, although I usually end up on the losing side whenever we attend games in Houston. Former player Jimmy Wynn did some post-game broadcasting for the Astros last season. We attempted to meet him, but were almost sent away with the rest of the crowd, until Scott informed the ushers that Jimmy had instructed us to wait for him. I owe Scott for that one.
Wynn had one of the greatest nicknames, the Toy Cannon, which aptly described his strong arm. It isn't a slick modern name, like JWynn or J-Wy or some other such non-creative moniker. He was the Toy Cannon and you feared his arm!
Wynn had one of the greatest nicknames, the Toy Cannon, which aptly described his strong arm. It isn't a slick modern name, like JWynn or J-Wy or some other such non-creative moniker. He was the Toy Cannon and you feared his arm!
Some 'fans' questioned us about who Jimmy Wynn was and where he played his career. Wynn's #24 hangs proudly as one of a handful of retired jersey numbers of the Astros. Wynn spent 11 seasons in Houston and still ranks high in many of their all-time offensive categories. Of course, some fans also stated that Brad Ausmus was one of the best hitters on the Astros.
Big Money, Jimmy Wynn and me at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX-August 2007.
Big Money, Jimmy Wynn and me at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX-August 2007.