So, has anyone seen the show "Gangland" on the History Channel? Specifically the "Maniacal" episode?

Of those of you who have, did one of the Humboldt Park intersections ring a bell to you? Did you then see my former apartment on the show? Pretty crazy that I lived on what, only a few years prior, was (according to the program) the highest earning drug-dealing corner in Humboldt Park. As I told my brother, at least I can say I lived somewhere moderately famous...

Now, let me tell you...I don't think of myself as someone who really grew up having it rough. Yeah, you know, my neighborhood wasn't the greatest in the world, and it has only gotten more dangerous since the day I was born. I can say I'm "street smart" and I like to think I'm not oblivious to what's going on around me. But it's funny, and a bit scary too, to think that me and Butch, who lived there with me in that apartment, couldn't read the signs about this place.

Yes, none of us got hurt, nor did any of our loved ones. Yes, generally, we were left alone. And, yes, we didn't live there during the absolute worst time -- the 1990s. However, it's not as though it was all peaches and cream around there. There were Sunday nights/Monday mornings when I'd be coming home from in-season PFW work and I'd have to park about 2-3 blocks away from the apt. and walk, at 2 or 3 a.m. through that neighborhood. I never saw anybody, and I guess my oblivion kept me only marginally fearful. But I was scared enough that I would be up for the next hour in bed trying to get my nerves and senses off high-alert/high-awareness. Plenty of times, Gina would come over, and then leave, and she'd be parked a block or so away, and somebody would make comments and crap. She was scared, and I was nervous, but not enough to worry heavily about it.

I just guess I wish I would have been less stupid about it. In retrospect, I'm caught by surprise. Yeah, you know, I got a hello from this or that person on the street, and most of the other people generally left me alone. But still. I pride myself on staying out AND away from troublesome/dangerous situations, and I guess, after seeing this TV show, even though it's mostly based on events that happened five years or more prior to my arrival, I'm disappointed in myself. I should have done more, better research at the time, and now I feel very lucky to have gotten away from there with few to no incidents.

I don't care that the Tigers are injured to hell and aren't hitting the ball well at all.
I don't care that the Indians can outhit and outpitch just about anybody when they're on the mark.
I don't care that the Twins somehow always manage to be in the hunt, even if they lose their entire starting lineup in the offseason.
And, I don't care about the Royals.

I'm still going to enjoy the fact that the White Sox actually look pretty good and are in first place for the first time in a while. It's a good feeling that I'm sure will not last. But for now, I'm gonna be happy and enjoy it.

Hmmm...well...what's new? How 'bout blogging Laz-style this time, with some updates...

--Baby's growing, as far as we can tell, and doing great, again, as far as we can tell. There have been pics, yes, but mostly of people holding him. He's not doing much that's "picture worthy" at the moment. Though many of the faces he makes are priceless. He's also begun to smile, but it's involuntary, I believe...he usually does it just before going to bed. But it's beautiful. I can't wait until he smiles voluntarily. He is definitely a strong little guy though, and he remains a relatively quiet guy, for what it's worth. He turns one month old tomorrow, and Thursday we go to the pediatrician for the one-month checkup. Our NEW pediatrician...we switched from the one we didn't like.

--Other than that, we got some bad news a couple weeks ago, that I want to share. I know many of you probably won't be thrilled to be learning about this this way, but it's easiest for me this way, so deal. :) My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thankfully, it's very, very early, according to the doctor, and he has a very low level right now. My mom and dad have another doc appt. on the 12th, because my dad wants my mom to know exactly what's going on from the doc in person (she was out of town when he was given the news last time). Most likely, he'll go under the knife and get it removed, at this stage. Anyway, I hope this isn't a complete shock to some of the people (relatives) reading this, but it's been long enough, and it's no secret by now. So, yeah, hey, don't shy away from talking to him about it...he's OK with talking about it and all. He's not really bummed out, but obviously, it's a concern that needs to be taken care of, and he knows that.

--So, anyway, overall, we've been just crazy busy, with the holiday and everything going on. If you haven't met A.J. and want to, the house is open, just give us a call and some heads up leeway, and it's no problem. That, however, is all I got for now!