Happy Birthday Sam

Lots of loved ones celebrated birthdays this week and all are special in their own way.  Today is my niece Sam's turn.  Sam is as special as it gets.
As documented here before, I didn't spend enough time with her in her younger days.  Ironically, I started getting closer to her once her family moved to Houston (TX) several years ago.  I am so grateful that she allowed me back in her life.
She's such a great person.  We share a passion for sandwiches from Texadelphia.  I have enjoyed watching her play volleyball.  We have even occasionally ganged up on my other sister (her aunt) Nancy in some good-natured ribbing.  I really have enjoyed watching her grow into a beautiful young adult.
Today is her time to shine.  Happy birthday Sam.  I love you lots!

Sam Parker and me in Mokena, IL-December 2010.

Where In the World Will Sam Go?:Part 2

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my niece Sam's search for the right college. By "right", I was assuming she meant the right place to go for a winter break. Or the right place to go for great college sports. Or the right place to go for a new destination.
I gave her my advice. Iowa, Texas, Wisconsin, Louisville, UCLA, Colorado and Kentucky would have worked, just to name a few.
Last week, I heard she made her decision. She chose Southern Illinois University, home of the Salukis.
I admit, SIU would not be my first choice...I mean for her of course. However, I know Sam (and her parents) put a lot of thought and research into the decision.
I also know that Carbondale is just 342 miles (give or take) away, which translates to a 5.5 hour trip. Not too bad.
I also know that the Salukis have made 6 NCAA tournament appearances since 2002. Not too bad either (and better than my DePaul Blue Demons).
I also know that Carbondale is generally several degrees warmer than Chicago. It might not sound like much, but a few degrees is always welcome in the middle of a Chicago winter.
Reviewing these facts (and Sam's wishes of course), I will become a proud supporter (and hopefully occasional visitor) of SIU. Go Salukis!

Sam Parker in IL-mid 1990's.

Happy Birthday Sam

Today my niece Sam Parker celebrates her 18th birthday. As the saying goes, it seems like only yesterday when she was born.
She's a senior at Lincoln-Way High School and an excellent volleyball player. I can't call her a kid anymore. Sam is a great young lady.
She puts up with me (and that's not easy) when I sleep over at my sister's house. She laughs at my jokes and joins in on them. She is the innovator of the "Park it" fist bump. She also likes Ranch dressing on her pizza.
I don't see her enough (although she might think I see her too much). I occasionally bother her with a text (well, my alter egos bother her) or a Facebook note. Her replies always make me laugh.

I am sure she will read this (because someone will let her know), so Happy Birthday, Sam...I love you!

Sam Parker (third from left, front row) in IL-Softball season 2008-09.

On the Mat with Kaitch

As my faithful readers know, I have written a lot about pro wrestlers. Today, I am featuring an amateur wrestler, but a very good one.
My niece Sam Parker is going with Kyle Kolb, an outstanding Senior wrestler at Lincoln-Way Central High School. Kyle's a good guy. He even gave out holiday hugs at Thanksgiving. (Fortunately, he did not give out mistletoe kisses at Christmas...we settled on a warm handshake.)
Somewhere along the way, my nephew Matt and I started calling him Kaitch or Trips, referencing WWE wrestler Triple H. We meant it in good fun and luckily he took it the right way.
Last weekend at Joliet Central High School, Trips took second out of 16 at the Southwest Suburban Conference. Wrestling at a crisp 171 pounds, Trips beat a wrestler from Lockport in triple overtime. Unfortunately, Trips lost in the championship match to a wrestler from Sandburg.
A second place finish is certainly an excellent achievement. I think Trips could have taken first with any of a number of possible lucky breaks. It's at this point where I must reiterate my ideas to him, in an effort to push him that extra bit.
I would like him to use entrance music. This would add a little extra flair (not Ric) to his persona and an aura of which his opponents would fear.
He also might want to consider a manager (like Bobby "the Brain" Heenan). A good manager is there to watch the wrestler's back (and possibly distract the ref when necessary).
Finally, Trips should not rule out a "heel" turn. Look what it did for The Rock (oh I mean Dwayne Johnson). The Rock won his first title shortly after his heel turn.
These are merely suggestions. Trips has done well so far without me. No doubt. I'm just trying to help as the competition gets tougher. Oh and if all else fails, I can see about bringing in a certain Evil Zebra to ref his matches!

Kyle Kolb (on the 2 step) at Joliet Central H.S. in Joliet, IL-January 2010.

Where In the World Will Samantha Go?

My niece Samantha Parker is a high school senior and obviously will be graduating in the Spring of 2010. Sam and her parents have been making visits to several colleges, as Sam decides where is the best fit for her.
I am sure Scott and Jean (her parents) have offered great advice and Sam is bright. I am sure that the best decision will be made in the end.
I went to DePaul and for some odd reason, Sam's brother Matt followed my footsteps and is currently in his third year there. As DePaul is a local school and has no football team (heck, they barely have a basketball team), there is very little interest to me...I mean Sam.

Sam needs to go to a school which will benefit her the most. Certainly occasional visits from her uncle (and brother and father) to cheer on her teams would provide Sam with some comfort while she is away from home. These visits would also strengthen the bonds, as Sam prepares for her adult life. These visits would also provide the support system so vital to a collegiate student during the struggles of academia.
I love Sam dearly and I trust that she will make the best choice for her, I mean me, no wait, I mean her. Good luck Sam and Go Boilermakers! Or Hawkeyes! Or Badgers! Or Cardinals! Or Spartans! Or Wildcats!

Samantha Parker and me in Mokena, IL-December 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

As featured a couple weeks ago, the Parker family recently went to Disney World. While my sister and brother-in-law taunted me by posing with the Schwab, my niece had an unexpected 'friendly encounter' of the mallard variety.
While sitting down and enjoying a good breakfast, Sam got squished by Donald Duck. Fortunately, she lived to tell about it (and fortunately someone snapped the photo of it).
I am sure Sam will say she did nothing to induce this behavior in the Donald, but I have a feeling she might have been taunting him. Either way, if Donald would have hurt Sam, I would have made sure we all would have enjoyed a big pot of duck soup later!

Samantha Parker and Donald Duck in Orlando, FL-March 2009.

Sam I Am

One of my friends asked me if I have ever had encounters with people before they became stars. I am sure I have, but I'll have to think about that.
In keeping with that concept though, I am highlighting my niece Samantha Parker. Samantha (and her family) have returned from a 5 year stay in Houston (TX). She is a student and volleyball player at Lincoln Way Central. Matt (her brother) and I give her a fair amount of smack, but she is always up for the challenge. She is also the inventor of the knuckle-punch alternative known as "Park it".

She has recently done a video with her friends for a government class project. You can see Go Green on YouTube. Like any good video released, there are cool extras at the end. They are my favorite part!
This could be a Johngy's Beat first. I knew Sam before, during and after her rise to stardom!

Samantha Parker and me in Mokena, IL-December 2008.

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.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

This is a special edition of Friendly Encounters for 2 reasons. First, it features my sister and my niece (Jean and Samantha). Sam is making her debut on Johngy's Beat! Jean's family moved to Houston, TX for a few years. Ironically, I became closer to them through the various visits I made. I will always treasure the time we spent in Houston, but I am glad they have since returned to the Chicago area.
The second reason this is special is because of my friend Chuck (aka Chachi). On a baseball road trip to Minneapolis, my friends and I agreed to read 'The 5th Horseman' by James Patterson and cast the characters for a movie version. For whatever reason, Chachi was determined to land a role for James Denton. Chachi almost seemed desperate. It has since become a long-running joke between us. It should also be noted that our choices were much better than those made for the ill-fated tv series.
Anyway, Jean and Sam met Denton at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Denton is known to be a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but was attending an Astros game while in Houston. Little did they all know back then that they'd end up on Johngy's Beat.
I hope Chachi isn't too upset.

Jean, Samantha and James Denton at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX-mid 00's.