tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54688612012-02-17T17:51:09.745-06:00THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!!!Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.comBlogger2851100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-50283187708558441532011-07-08T01:43:00.003-05:002011-07-08T02:19:50.875-05:00

Notice anything about the cereals depicted on these boxes? Evidently, "corn flakes" has gone the way of Xerox, Kleenex, and Coke (for Southerners) and become the generic word for its industry's products. But I'll tell you this right now, I've never enjoyed Corn Flakes so much. Since I've been here, I'm finding that I'm cuckoo for corn flakes because theyyyyyy're grrrreat! And luckily I didn't

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-73619202833463779092011-07-03T14:42:00.006-05:002011-07-04T02:49:15.289-05:00

It occurs to me that people who've not visited must have a lot of ideas of what Israel and Jerusalem, in particular, must look like. I have found it, so far, to be an incredible mix of old (VERY old!) and new. The 21st century's prints are all over parts of the city, which is constantly developing, while the prints of centuries BCE (Before the Common Era) have not worn. In fact, those old prints

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-39983175861490846672011-06-29T12:51:00.008-05:002011-06-29T13:56:52.327-05:00

Shalom m'Yisrael, Riders shel haBack shel Ziggy! (Hello from Israel, Riders of the back of Ziggy!)Okay, that's enough "Hebrew" for now. I'm sure we'll get to plenty more of that as I learn it. Just went to dinner with one of my roommates, an Israeli law student and a bunch of his classmates. Didn't understand much! I'm getting the feeling that I'm going to be feeling like an idiot a lot in the

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-20056574634800430822011-06-26T10:16:00.002-05:002011-06-26T10:46:29.964-05:00

About 26 hours from now, I'll be at Memphis International Airport, out of which I've flown scores of times, but almost never for an international journey. This time is different. Not only will I be leaving the country, I'll be staying gone, if all is well, for almost a year. Personally, unprecedented.This has required me to fully move out of my condo, in which I have lived for almost nine years.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-20802238527257476942011-05-29T07:47:00.003-05:002011-05-29T08:37:05.403-05:00

The entire staff here at ZiggyBackRide is going to rabbinical school (seminary to become a rabbi). Here are the facts in a hopefully helpful Q & A formatQ: Where are you going?A: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, commonly referred to as HUC. It's the seminary of Reform Judaism.Q: And where is this "HUC?"A: There are four campi (I would usually say "campuses," but what if my high

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-11681150336189375102011-05-27T13:40:00.004-05:002011-05-27T13:57:08.483-05:00

ZiggyBackRiders... Helllloooo!! (to be read as Uncle Leo* would have said it on Seinfeld). I hope this finds you well. It has been eighteen months and eight days since my last post. It was a good one and I wanted to let it linger with you for a bit, but this was not quite what I had in mind! We live in a world that is constantly changing, but in which some things tend to stay the same.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-65806959983570598182009-11-19T10:02:00.005-06:002009-11-19T11:01:29.927-06:00

I think aliens are joining the ZiggyBackRide.Before I go on, let me make clear that I don't make a habit of assuming that anything out of the ordinary naturally suggests the presence or proximity of interplanetary life. I am not predisposed to blaming or crediting extraterrestrials for phenomena that I encounter here on our little planet. So when I - or anyone else here on the ZBR staff - do

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-52882035725668323662009-10-16T15:45:00.004-05:002009-10-16T15:53:25.143-05:00

It is right about this time every year that I write about the Texas/Oklahoma football game. Sometimes I write on the morning of the contest as I watch College Gameday. Usually, I chronicle, in some way, the orange-colored food and drink which I have ingested or will ingest as the day wears on. You know all that now. And I'm proud of you.This year, I'll be watching the game in a different

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-55836833210444759902009-10-09T11:13:00.003-05:002009-10-09T11:33:46.189-05:00

Holy crap, have I missed you. Posting a quick status update on Facebook so often makes it feel unneccessary to log in here and get back on the Ride, but there's really nothing like a good blog post to get you going, is there? It was announced today that President Obama will receive the Nobel Peace Prize this year and reviews of the selection are mixed. I support The President and I'm proud of

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-26495334435185516562009-06-20T17:07:00.005-05:002009-06-20T17:16:55.875-05:00

It's Saturday afternoon and I just left an adult book store. The business is located in a building that my real estate company manages. I was there to show a neighboring vacancy to a prospective tenant. When he had not yet arrived* several minutes after our appointed meeting time, I went into the store, introduced myself, and asked whether anyone had stopped in looking for me. Without missing

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-13860472709918757972009-05-15T10:37:00.004-05:002009-05-15T11:00:48.416-05:00

In about 36 hours, maybe a little less, we'll know (well, I'll know and then I'll probably share it here in about a month 'cause that seems to be what I do, at the moment) if I am a World Champion!"For what championship is Michael competing?" you may wonder. "Is he competing against other regional Funniest Jew winners?" "Is there a world's laziest man competition?" "Worst housekeeper in the

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-59460942275423211902009-04-06T10:00:00.000-05:002009-04-06T10:01:39.504-05:00

Very, very early in the life of ZiggyBackRide, the staff here wrote about television advertisements that had us wondering for one reason or another. Now, a few years later*, a new crop of positively puzzling pitches has emerged.1) Jergens Natural Glow - The voiceover in the commercial for this bronzing body cream asks the question, "With Jergens, who needs the sun?" Perhaps the fine folks over

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com291tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-19730777395291773012009-04-05T15:46:00.004-05:002009-04-05T16:09:51.496-05:00

I have come to enjoy reading "The Week," a magazine that summarizes many of the previous week's top news stories and what various news outlets had to say about them. This week's "The Week" included a briefing entitled "Mexico's brutal drug war." It included the following passages...Last month, drug traffickers threatened to kill one police officer in Juarez [a town on the US border] every 48

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-24778903939764046562009-03-20T14:34:00.004-05:002009-03-20T14:42:21.555-05:00

Hi. Yeah, it's really good to see you, too. I know, it's been too long. You look great. So what's new?There! We got our awkward conversation out of the way and I think we're over the hump created by my lack of presence in this relationship of late. There is, however, more awkward talking to be done as I tell you that I am now a contributor to a new blog. No! It's not what it looks like.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-2074732639086774742009-01-20T15:21:00.004-06:002009-01-20T16:03:21.959-06:00

Dear President Bush,As I watched you depart the Capitol aboard a Marine helicopter, and then Andrews AFB aboard an Air Force jet*, I couldn't help but marvel at the array of emotions that must have been washing over and coursing through you. Among countless others, I imagine there was significant relief, as well as nostalgia, maybe some sadness, and probably some uncertainty (about what's next*

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-13680242743985805072009-01-20T09:30:00.002-06:002009-01-20T09:44:05.353-06:00

This post, of course, is not to be confused with this one from October of 2005. This post, possibly the first of many today (but you never know; my blogging promises are hollow, indeed!), refers to the words of the famous "It's morning in America" campaign ad run in my much younger years by Ronald Reagan.I unintentionally awoke at about 5:00 this morning and was unable to go back to sleep. I

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-34052761784474509282009-01-19T14:50:00.002-06:002009-01-19T15:27:16.795-06:00

There is nothing like a dream to create the future.-Victor HugoMLK certainly would have agreed with Hugo on this, as he found it important to share his dream - not just in the famous speech, but in all his speeches and work - with his fellow citizens. And King's dream has, indeed, served to create the future - our present. That we are inaugurating Barack Obama President of The United States

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-83446501046759268832009-01-13T16:38:00.002-06:002009-01-13T17:05:02.427-06:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one win away from another trip to the Super Bowl; two wins from another world championship. This is the third time in less than a year that a favorite team of mine has been one of the last teams standing, within striking distance of an unforgettable championship. With just over two minutes to play in the NCAA basketball championship last April, Memphis appeared

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-49625045980044447482009-01-08T16:31:00.003-06:002009-01-08T17:00:53.928-06:00

Happy 2009! We here at ZiggyBackRide hope that you enjoyed any holidays you may have been celebrating of late and that your new year is off to a fantastic start. Mine is. So far, '09 has included an evening of Latin dancing in celebration of a good friend's birthday, several days of computer use uninterrupted by malfunction (I hope that doesn't jinx anything!), and a fantastic Tostitos Fiesta

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-74588203449426828332008-12-30T17:04:00.002-06:002008-12-30T17:26:33.335-06:00

The end of 2007 saw a flurry of activity here on ZiggyBackRide as I presented a November/December Rush - honoring the craptacularity of the movie "August Rush" with frequent (for me) blog posts. There were eight posts last December. This makes three for 12/08.It has been a lackluster finish to a fine year here, but with good reason. My computer has been giving me the dreaded "blue screen."

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-40547942525277957032008-12-10T15:02:00.002-06:002008-12-10T15:21:10.128-06:00

Pirates are in the news again. PIRATES!!! Attacking ships in international waters, looting, pillaging, swashbuckling, etc. As long-time ZiggyBackRiders know, I find it quite hilarious that there are still pirates in the world. Past Piracy PostWhat is not hilarious is that in photos of these modern-day marauders, they never seem to be properly outfitted. Not a single leg replaced with a wooden

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-28450621928118740272008-12-05T09:42:00.001-06:002008-12-05T09:44:02.360-06:00

The following has been making the rounds on the internet over the last day or so. I did not write it. I stole it. It was worth it. Enjoy...BCS DECLARES GERMANY WINNER OF WORLD WAR IIUS Ranked 4thAfter determining the Big-12 championship game participants, the BCS computers were put to work on other major contests, and today the BCS declared Germany to be the winner of World War II."Germany

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-86369993963436643012008-11-28T13:51:00.003-06:002008-11-28T13:55:37.483-06:00

Someone at the rehab center didn’t charge Cynthia’s chair properly this morning. I met her a little while ago outside my gym, where her motorized wheelchair was caught in a crack on a slight incline in the sidewalk, just around the corner from the home of a friend she was visiting. She just didn’t have the juice to get over the crack and up the hill. (That last sentence really makes it seem

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-2461736563676672852008-11-27T15:09:00.001-06:002008-11-27T15:11:41.606-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this day finds you with plenty in your life for which to give thanks, as well as the capacity and willingness to do so. Among countless blessings in my own life, I include this medium for expression and those of you who choose to share in it. It is a most glorious ride.On this very day, one decade ago, I was in Austin, TX, unexpectedly, to welcome my first niece, who

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-55560282001568118822008-11-08T17:47:00.002-06:002008-11-08T17:53:15.421-06:00

If you happen to be an undefeated college football team, may I suggest that you beware 1 second remaining during road games against teams wearing black jerseys?I just watched Penn State lose its first game of the year to Iowa on a field goal with a tick left on the game clock, painfully reminiscent of Texas Tech's last second touchdown a week ago to defeat the previously undefeated Longhorns.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-27528357181581193482008-11-04T14:15:00.006-06:002008-11-04T14:45:01.612-06:00

Happy Election Day! 1 is the number of votes I just cast. There were 0 people ahead of me in line. It took 6 minutes from the time I got out of my car until I began a 2 minute exit poll with a student from GHS-TV channel17 on my cable dial. Evidently, over50 percent of my precinct's voters voted early, and over 500 had been through the precinct between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. Before I get

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-50987671444791678802008-11-03T17:19:00.001-06:002008-11-03T17:19:58.705-06:00

The guy IS funny! You've got to love this sense of humor.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-44559421390562322402008-10-30T17:35:00.002-05:002008-10-30T17:44:55.767-05:00

So much has happened over the last week and a half or so. I can't believe I haven't shared all of the excitement with you yet. I have given comedy performances outside in a sukkah on a very cold night at an Orthodox congregation and at a retirement home/assisted living facility. The audience age at the first averaged around 26. At the latter... about 89. I spent four days in New York City

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-17549725726635703252008-10-14T11:18:00.002-05:002008-10-14T11:40:36.011-05:00

Recently, I was in traffic behind a small Subaru wagon that was adorned with an Obama '08 bumper sticker. It occurred to me, then and there, that Subaru seems to be a decidedly Democratic car. I thought through the Subaru owners that I know and their political leanings all fell into 3 of 5 categories that I quickly created at a stoplight. 1) Regular/Frequent Democratic voter 2) I don't know,

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-69788987465020963212008-10-08T10:05:00.002-05:002008-10-08T10:49:14.128-05:00

Note: This post will be conveniently divided by the respective "R" words above so you can easily access the R-topic that most interests you (though I wholeheaRtedly Recommend Reading all fouR).R1: I have decided I don't care for the Presidential debates. Even the most casual of ZiggyBackRiders will know that I am very interested in the election and the political process, but I really believe

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-71815094708886620602008-10-06T10:54:00.004-05:002008-10-06T11:03:21.641-05:00

The Mid South Fair has made it's final stop at the Memphis Fairgrounds over the last couple of weeks. Carnival enthusiasts soaked it up, as the future of the event is uncertain. I certainly made the most of the opportunity to create a memory that will last a lifetime. I'm not sure if you saw the news story. Here it is...The Ride of My Life.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-11246727709630793842008-10-02T10:45:00.004-05:002008-10-02T10:51:08.352-05:00

I was recently asked, "If you had to give up one of your five senses, which would you choose?" Here is my answer. (Please feel free to use the comment feature to share your answer.)I found it pretty easy to narrow this down from five, but harder to decide on one. Sight is out. Not an option. Not beeing able to see changes life so dramatically, so quickly - the way you interact with people,

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-12358492050950056092008-10-01T20:44:00.004-05:002008-10-01T21:01:03.384-05:00

The Senate just passed a financial bailout plan by a vote of 75-24. I hope, very sincerely, that it does what it is meant to do and will bring financial peace to the citizens of our nation. I am hopeful. And I am annoyed. As I write, leaders of the Senate are taking turns patting one another on the back in press conferences for their great work on this. They are also extolling their own

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-10550625648873164742008-09-26T15:24:00.003-05:002008-09-26T16:08:04.345-05:00

First of all, whatever person decided that judgment is spelled without the "e" at the end of judge was using very poor judgment.Second, in political matters, see if you can understand what concerns me about the way Americans judge candidates and, by extension, elect our leaders. Yesterday, I changed my Facebook status to read, "Michael has less confidence in McCain by the minute."Today, I had a

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-2239497105493896412008-09-25T14:18:00.006-05:002008-09-25T16:56:54.077-05:00

I hope this little stop on The Ride finds Riders doing well and weathering the storms that assail us. Many are still without power in and around Houston, and other areas affected by Hurricane Ike. Whether it is a blessing or a curse that their means of following the financial turmoil are surely limited, I do not know. For many, these are certainly trying times. The issues and obstacles before

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-14326273674563549202008-09-11T11:08:00.002-05:002008-09-11T11:26:55.024-05:00

This morning, I heard a local radio personality say, in reference to remembering 9/11, that "the best thing about America is how we come together when something bad happens."I could not agree more. And less.Our ability to unite for a common purpose is one of the wonderful things about America. The fact that we fail to do so until tragedy strikes is one of our worst qualities. Why wait? Why

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-36718848450454308162008-08-30T08:36:00.002-05:002008-08-30T08:40:21.362-05:00

until kickoff of a new Texas football season. Hook 'em Horns! Before tonight's game, Vince Young's #10 jersey will be retired. If you should have any questions about why that might be happening, I encourage you to click here and enjoy.Have a good Saturday and if Gustav is headed your way, please start ZiggyBackRiding out of town. Be safe.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-1364078579786976022008-08-29T15:05:00.008-05:002008-08-29T15:29:18.431-05:00

Election season is here. Football season is here. ZiggyBackRide's figurative head is ready to explode with excitement.I thought Barack Obama's address at the Democratic National Convention in Denver was perfect. I believe, more and more each day, that he is the kind of leader he says he is and is willing to truly champion the kind of change about which he speaks. Granted, I was a supporter

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-33481275950611756162008-08-15T14:07:00.002-05:002008-08-15T14:24:40.715-05:00

I checked back to proudly and vainly reread this morning's post (and, let's be honest, to see how many visitors had seen it) and I feel the need to clarify that I don't find reproductive rights to be a "dumb issue." I kind of made it sound that way, I thought. It - like many, many other things - is very important and worthy of thought and discussion. It's only a dumb issue when it is seen as

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-41009057638972874252008-08-15T10:43:00.003-05:002008-08-15T11:13:07.586-05:00

One of the lead news stories that popped up on my internet home page this morning talks about whether a certain vice presidential nominee would kill John McCain's chances in this November's election. The following is an excerpt from that story:"...McCain’s comments Wednesday to the Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes that former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge’s pro-abortion rights views wouldn’t

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-36584338888223962612008-08-12T10:05:00.006-05:002008-08-12T10:36:15.920-05:00

As you certainly know, the games of the XXIXth Olympiad are in full swing in Beijing and, just a few days in, there is no shortage of fantastic stories of triumph. From the USA Men's 4 X 100M Freestyle medley win over the heavily favored French at the Cube (the aquatics venue) to the USA Men's unlikely team bronze in gymnastics*, surprising moments of glory have kept viewers and fans cheering

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-18094215074708356942008-08-08T13:26:00.006-05:002008-08-08T16:37:24.017-05:00

Summer vacation is nearing its end for school children, teachers, and others who are fortunate enough to still have summer vacation. The end is particularly nigh in my part of the world, where schools will be back in session next week. A little early for my taste, but then, the classroom wasn't always my favorite place in the world.*While the big break is nearing its end for the education world

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-89959493623449605882008-06-15T16:23:00.002-05:002008-06-15T16:41:40.375-05:00

so take off all your clothes. These lyrics from the hit song "Hot In Herre" by Nelly come to mind as I consider the summer now upon us. The heat is here (from this point forward, I will spell "here" with one 'r' - the way to which ZiggyBackRiders are accustomed, as opposed to the way Nelly prefers it) and has brought with it plenty of activity, which I will now falsely claim has kept me too

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-12008814016513907012008-05-19T21:48:00.003-05:002008-05-19T22:17:29.803-05:00

But I just love ol' Arkansas (Mississippi and Louisiana, too)! 4 days3 great shows in3 synagogues in3 states...Michael "Ziggy" Danziger's Deep South Jewish Comedy Road Trip '08 (or the MZDDSJCRT08, for short) has come and gone, and was a lot of fun. The audiences were great in all three cities, I got to see a lot of friends, ate incredible baked goods at Ambrosia bakery in Hot Springs, was

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-24706880700980216202008-05-04T21:59:00.005-05:002008-05-04T22:43:30.813-05:00

I believe that Barack Obama's minister, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, whose now well-known, inflammatory comments have stunted his former congregant's run for the White House, is getting exactly what he wants. What's that? How can the man's minister not want him elected? How can an African-American leader who is now famous for bemoaning America's mistreatment of its African-American citizens oppose

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-86938985605794334512008-04-29T20:51:00.005-05:002008-05-08T10:53:43.304-05:00

In today's mail I received an offer for a free pedometer if I bought or renewed an AARP membership. There was also a coupon offering a special price of $8 for a hamburger combo at a favorite fast food outlet of mine.*And I just saw a commercial for classes enrolling at Central Michigan University in Memphis. Seriously. What year is this? * It was a 1 lb. hamburger, but still!

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-36086307726885175852008-04-28T16:41:00.008-05:002008-05-08T10:46:35.083-05:00

Last night a good friend told me that I am the worst-dressed person she knows. I laughed and asked if she was serious. She thought for a few seconds and said, "Well, my grandfather's pretty bad, too." Then I laughed much harder - it was very funny to me that she came up with one specific eighty-something that she would put in my class. Let's be clear about a few things: 1) My friend was not

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-17403083506410521722008-04-20T10:46:00.004-05:002008-05-08T10:57:39.298-05:00

Today is the first day of the week-long festival of Passover (Pesach), the Jewish holiday that recalls our deliverance from slavery in the land of Egypt. Last night, Jews all over the world gathered to retell the story, to celebrate, and to connect with generations past and future as we recalled and relived history, and recommitted ourselves to the hope and promise of days to come. Today is

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-88255391350460283632008-04-08T15:05:00.006-05:002008-05-08T10:47:40.458-05:00

Most of the city is in a daze. I am busy with work, but every 7-8 minutes it hits me again and I groan aloud, "Ohhh mmmyyy Goddd." People around me ask what's wrong. All I have to say is, "the game," and they understand.If you've read this blog recently or live in Memphis, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I won't recount the details because anyone who is in any way connected to any

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-6379051041186106142008-04-07T18:43:00.004-05:002008-05-08T11:03:15.264-05:00

My breathing has grown shallow. My pulse is racing. It's almost game time!The streets of Memphis are growing quiet already, just under an hour and a half until tip-off of the NCAA National Basketball Championship game. I imagine it will be rather quiet around the city this evening. I hope it remains that way.Campuses (campi?) and cities that have had teams reach this level in the past have

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-58249398971164197412008-04-05T19:20:00.003-05:002008-05-08T11:04:36.111-05:00

For this first time in college basketball history, a team has won more than 37 games in a single season. Today, the Memphis Tigers have set a record, surpassing a couple of Duke teams and a UNLV team that had finished their seasons at 37. Today was 38. Monday, the Tigers will be playing to extend that record with a 39th that will make them champions.*For the first time in my lifetime one of

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-86368362504125528392008-04-05T16:37:00.003-05:002008-05-08T11:05:34.754-05:00

30 minutes until tip-off. The Final Four. I will write this post because I promised it before the Elite 8, though I'm rather certain that anyone who cares has known for days which of my teams will going to the Final Four (thus, using the "Golden Ticket" that I "found" when Memphis and Texas both made it to the Elite 8, assuring me a beloved squad in the Final Four). Texas will have to stay in

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-18950591087119181772008-03-30T13:00:00.003-05:002008-05-08T10:48:30.950-05:00

I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm so... scared.** This, of course, refers to the game, about to tip off between Memphis and Texas (see "Golden Ticket" series) and uses the words of one of the most quoted/quotable moments of "Saved By The Bell" and, perhaps, of all situational comedy tv. Jessie Spano was hooked on pills that were keeping her alert and energetic enough to get all of her school

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-90044733915487611862008-03-29T23:49:00.004-05:002008-05-08T11:04:07.022-05:00

Saturday night. The eve of the Elite 8 showdown between my two favorite teams: The Longhorns of The University of Texas, my much beloved alma mater, and the Tigers of the University of Memphis, the team I have cheered for since I was a small child. The game begins in about thriteen and a half hours and I have yet to figure out a way to arrange it so that both teams can win. It appears that

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-80445085403566465332008-03-28T23:21:00.004-05:002008-05-08T11:02:36.365-05:00

They've done it. It's done. Texas and Memphis will meet Sunday at 1:20 p.m. Central time (Eastern is for suckers) for a spot in the Final Four in San Antonio. Memphis let it get a little more exciting than I would have liked in the 2nd half, though the lead never got below 14 or 15. It would have been nice to keep it close to 30 and be able to rest more players, though, as Memphis will enjoy

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-5887345904976415962008-03-28T21:49:00.003-05:002008-05-08T11:01:33.849-05:00

It's halftime of the Memphis/Michigan State game and Memphis leads 50-20. 50-20!I do not, in any way, believe that this game is over. If anything, all the pressure is now off Michigan St. and they can come out after the half, play loose and hope to do something amazing (and if they should do it, amazing would be a severe understatement). Whatever happens, this was one of the most fun and

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-28855997987317598332008-03-28T20:27:00.003-05:002008-05-08T11:00:58.095-05:00

Today's the day that I can get a team in the Final Four. I wrote after the NCAA Tournament bracket was originally released about the horror of having both my championship-contender teams (Memphis and Texas) in the same region, meaning only one could advance to the Final Four. Since that time, I have computed and recomputed every possible eventuality and considered every possible scenario to

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-19144204008934629682008-03-26T22:50:00.003-05:002008-05-08T11:06:16.191-05:00

I read yesterday that train derailments and accidents* in the State of Tennessee were down by 13% in the last year, as a result of 19 fewer incidents. WHAT?!?19 fewer train derailments and accidents in a state, in a year was a THIRTEEN PERCENT reduction? Where are all of these disasters? Did anyone have any idea that there were so many railroad accidents in any state? I would have thought

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-10545635813014145362008-03-20T17:17:00.003-05:002008-05-08T11:06:47.562-05:00

Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton has announced that he is stepping down from the post as of July 31st of this year. Congratulations to Memphis!!! (see post from Oct. 4, 2007) Clearly, Mayor Herenton read that post and took it to heart. Well done, ZiggyBackRiders! Soundtrack playing in my iTunes as I report this to you: "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang, followed by "Good Times" by Chic. We'll

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-14913190300124012072008-03-19T16:47:00.003-05:002008-05-08T10:52:21.473-05:00

Why me?That is today's question and, truthfully, the one I've been asking myself since Sunday evening when my worst 2008 college basketball fear* became reality. As I predicted in the last post, Memphis and Texas were, indeed, placed in the same region of the NCAA tournament, making it impossible for both to make it to the Final Four and making Memphis play the lower-seeded Longhorns in Houston,

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-18712912549520696542008-03-16T16:28:00.002-05:002008-03-16T16:43:56.844-05:00

The Journey ContinuesI'm back. I stepped off The Ride for a good, long while and I have plenty of stories to share. It occurred to me, at times, that perhaps our glorious expedition had met its end. And then I thought, "Awww, hell no!" Not with an election coming. Not with a southern Jewish comedy tour coming. Not with the strange, but glorious and true story of the life I lead continuing

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-41748178228015823782008-02-20T11:10:00.002-06:002008-02-20T11:35:06.486-06:00

Greetings from Memphis, TN, where basketball fans and loyalists to the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee are gearing up for the biggest basketball game ever played in this state*. ZiggyBackRiders know how excited the staff here can get about big sporting events that involve a beloved team. In the history of this blog, most of that excitement has been reserved for Texas

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-24218467935158982262008-02-06T11:34:00.002-06:002008-05-08T10:54:39.738-05:00

On this Wacky, Wonderful Wednesday, which follows Super Tuesday, which closely follows (perhaps we need to do some adjective brainstorming)Super Sunday, it occurs to me that female supporters of Hilary Clinton who believe that all women should support Hilary Clinton should carry and act upon this belief with great care.There are several reasons for my concern. First and foremost, no demographic

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-43376524268390165912008-02-05T14:25:00.001-06:002008-05-08T10:50:50.222-05:00

I Voted! That's what the little stickers they used to give you on your way out of the polling place said. I haven't gotten a sticker in several years, though. I'm thinking about not voting any more.Just kidding. I'm not considering that at all. Furthermore, if you live in a state in which voting is taking place today, get your ass to the poll (unless it has already been there, in which case

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-52879112250374504822008-02-04T16:11:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:07:25.800-05:00

First suicide attack in a year in IsraelBy LAURIE COPANS, Associated Press Writer 30 minutes agoDIMONA, Israel - A Palestinian bomber blew himself up Monday in this desert town near Israel's nuclear reactor, killing an Israeli woman and wounding 11 people in the first suicide attack inside Israel in a year.... Yellow Fatah flags flew outside the home of one of the attackers, 22-year-old Luay

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-83710100427034797702008-01-28T15:12:00.000-06:002008-01-28T15:24:44.286-06:00

2008 has been an exciting, yet rough year so far. It has included 1)five great comedy shows; 2)a very promising start to a new Jewish men's basketball league season; 3)sickness; 4)and a very abrupt - and somewhat painful - end to a new Jewish men's basketball league season. 1)Look for new comedy clips online soon if I can harness the technology needed to capture video off a dvd. I'm getting

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-55346251738883202352007-12-31T23:50:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:43:19.761-05:00

Just taking a moment to wish all ZiggyBackRiders (and everyone who hasn't yet caught on) a very happy and healthy 2008. The staff here at ZiggyBackRide hopes you will have a safe and successful year, and that you will visit often and encourage others to join us here in our special place for observation, entertainment, education (I realize I am throwing this term around rather loosely), thought,

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-41254725959150067922007-12-30T23:38:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:12:02.687-05:00

The campaign for the White House is for real now. It has, of course, been going on for what seems like decades already, but next week decisions actually start getting made. The Iowa caucus takes place just a couple days into 2008, followed closely by the New Hampshire primary. During the next 10 months, the staff here at ZiggyBackRide expects to share many thoughts regarding the candidates and

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-65726443479803222162007-12-29T15:30:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:14:44.333-05:00

A:Yesterday, Southwest Airlines lost my luggage on my way to a wedding.E:The bag was found and was just delivered to my hotel in time for me to be properly dressed and on time to tonight's ceremony (provided I compose this quickly!)A:I shopped at Wal-Mart yesterday afternoon for a last-minute rehearsal dinner outfit. E:I've never looked so good for $21.A:I was on an unneccesary shopping trip at

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-73591460310288458272007-12-27T22:23:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:13:43.326-05:00

It started on September 1st of this year (see post from that day)and it ends tonight. As always, it has been glorious. I write, of course, about the football season for The University of Texas Longhorns.This season has had its ups and downs as the team has experienced some growing pains. We* took losses against teams that we should have beaten (I'm talking about you, Kansas State, and you, too

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-68263571325787441732007-12-26T15:14:00.000-06:002007-12-26T15:31:21.595-06:00

I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas and I hope that the spirit of the season - the giving, sharing, and fellowship - will not fade, but will last until next December and become even stronger as the years go by.There are a few things about the big holiday and the way it is celebrated that I just simply do not understand. Stockings are a big one. It's a tradition whose roots and/or reasons

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-76861060107695399642007-12-24T14:16:00.000-06:002007-12-24T14:34:45.372-06:00

We haven't done one of these in a while. This one came to mind as I made a short drive from my home to my office during which I think I may have technically broken three traffic laws. It's also on my mind as I have done some year-end tax planning and, in researching some options, found out about things I'm supposed to have been doing, but did not previously know about. So here's the question..

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-74285447308321568622007-12-14T18:04:00.000-06:002007-12-14T18:22:19.846-06:00

Got an interesting fortune from a cookie the other day. Ready? An alien of some sort will be appearing to you shortly!Have the fortune writers branched out from philosophical wisdom and obvious works of non-fiction (see fortune I received reading, "Everyone agrees. You are the best.")? Is science fiction the future of fortunes? Or will I come to wish that this fortune had been fiction? (

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-13612946594652113942007-12-03T09:15:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:08:48.849-05:00

Welcome to ZiggyBackRide Sports, where you'll hear the ZBR take on major and exceedingly minor happenings in the world of sports. We turn first to Jewish men's league basketball, where Michael "Ziggy" Danziger is on two teams that are headed for the playoffs. Please note: every team makes the playoffs. In the 30 and over league, my team is the number one seed in the tournament, looking to

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-58777828621855064562007-11-28T10:40:00.000-06:002007-11-28T10:55:22.196-06:00

My November/December Rush (see last post) is not off to the blistering start that I had imagined pre-Thanksgiving. Time to change that...First of all, speaking of Thanksgiving, I hope yours was very good. As always, know that the staff here at ZiggyBackRide is very thankful for you. We enjoy the opportunity to share whatever the hell you would call the stuff that gets shared here with you, and

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-33407773950369219702007-11-20T23:06:00.001-06:002008-05-08T11:09:50.146-05:00

So begins a year-end onslaught of ZiggyBackRide posts. Break's over!I saw August Rush the other night at a Memphis sneak preview showing. The trailer and commercials made it look like it was going to be a good movie. Several times during the film, itself, it looked as though it was about to get good. It did not. Just like when I saw The Village a couple of years ago, I couldn't stop laughing

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-72638149323739919942007-11-04T09:08:00.001-06:002007-11-04T09:26:43.118-06:00

In contrast to the last post concerning what Americans take in, look at this bright, shining example of what we put out. This really makes me laugh. Plus, it's a fine way to learn bad words in a foreign language (which, for some reason, is what we always end up asking anyone who has mastered another tongue).I don't know if or how my posting this meshes with the last post. It may not quite live

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-44413581435276945472007-10-23T10:12:00.000-05:002007-10-23T11:15:40.550-05:00

According to TMZ, a popular entertainment news/gossip outfit, Britney Spears loves her fast food. I heard the report on the radio this morning, replayed by the local station that usually provides the soundtrack to the first 30 to 60 minutes of my day. The report contained audio of Spears ordering various value meals and other items at various "quick service" eateries and then provided nutritional

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-38456861976184106142007-10-15T13:02:00.000-05:002007-10-15T15:08:08.571-05:00

This was the scene at 9:13 p.m. Central time on Sunday, October 14th, 2007, just north of mile marker 224 on northbound Interstate 55 in Mississippi. Amid much fanfare, me and my purple car celebrated completion of our 100,000th mile together.* The drive was a bit nervewracking, as I feared all the pre-milestone hoopla could prove to have been premature and that my outstanding automobile would

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-8207145713278117012007-10-11T16:08:00.000-05:002007-10-11T16:28:21.186-05:00

Welcome to the second in what should be an entertaining and heart-warming series of posts about my automobile, on the occassion of passing the 100,000* mile mark. As it stands, we're at 99,654 with a weekend roadtrip that begins tonight. Depending on whose car is used for part of the trip, the 100k barrier could be broken as soon as tomorrow morning. More likely, we'll reach this historic

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-87358618007073895882007-10-11T16:07:00.000-05:002007-10-11T16:08:28.737-05:00

I have a purple car.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-5692122395449804782007-10-06T18:09:00.000-05:002007-10-06T18:16:28.621-05:00

Does anyone who watched the Texas/Oklahoma football game know what happened to the last four seconds? It was a great game and congratulations to OU, but I thought Texas was about to get one more shot to tie it. Then, all of a sudden (it took about 4 seconds), the remaining time ran off the clock and the referee just sort of shrugged, as if to say, "Wellll.... close enough." And it was over.Texas

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-84518808829042989362007-10-04T21:38:00.000-05:002007-10-04T23:14:41.195-05:00

Today was election day in the great city of Memphis. Inexplicably, the people of Memphis (of which I am not one - I live in Germantown) have re-elected Mayor W.W. Herenton to a record fifth term. He is not a good mayor.That is not one man's opinion. That is undisputable fact... in one man's opinion. (But many, many other one mans and womans agree. Even, I suspect, many who voted for him.)Even if

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-49243467060310889682007-10-03T14:56:00.001-05:002008-05-08T10:53:09.741-05:00

Welcome to the ZiggyBackRide Bicentennial Celebration!!!After a long wait, the 202nd post in the history of this historic blog has historically arrived! As you may know, the ZiggyBackRide Centennial was celebrated on the occasion of the 101st post, rather than the 100th, creating the tradition of the ZiggyBackRide hundred equaling 101 (much like a Baker's dozen is 13). ZiggyBackPride: The

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-88067683819372101502007-09-25T19:03:00.000-05:002007-09-25T19:20:45.820-05:00

Today, I learned that Americans are outraged about Burma*. I found this out from our own President George W. Bush, who relayed this information to the United Nations. Burma?Outraged?Which Americans?**In fairness, the President didn't actually say how many Americans, and if it's more than one, his statement was correct. However, in video of his address, obtained by the ZiggyBackRide staff, Bush

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-23174956653678588582007-09-09T23:18:00.002-05:002008-05-08T10:56:42.841-05:00

I've seen some great/interesting things in my neighborhood over the years (see posts from Aug. 1, 2007 and Feb. 16, 2006). The next in this line of intriguing scenes came today when I came home from the first game of a new 30 and over Jewish men's league basketball season (which my team one, but during which I airballed another free throw - that's 3 in my last 4 or 5 games!) to get ready to go

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-14906998820985220612007-09-06T22:54:00.000-05:002007-09-06T23:31:13.633-05:00

I'm watching the late local news following the opening game of the NFL season. I don't watch often and I'm thinking that my civic pride and my sanity are much better off as a result.Memphis mayor Willie Herenton, known less and less as a concerned community leader, and more and more as an arrogant man who believes he is entitled - possibly by the Lord, our God -to the position of Memphis mayor,

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-87022005981402759432007-09-01T08:46:00.000-05:002007-09-01T11:07:40.493-05:00

As I begin writing this 198th post of ZiggyBackRide, it is 11 minutes until the beginning of College Gameday, the college football preview show to which I look forward each week of the glorious season that begins, in earnest, today. It's time! We must protect this house!*I am not only excited about Gollege Gameday, though. I am excited about the college games that make it possible. Tonight, a new

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-11822192330902261742007-08-29T20:34:00.002-05:002008-05-08T10:58:40.370-05:00

There is a lot that I have to tell you, including my weekend trip to a team-building and leadership development center in Arkansas and including the fact that I am now the proud owner of a wet/dry shopvac, a new hot water heater, and some smelly carpet (the three items I own are, indeed, related and the battle between me and the carpet for the smell of my home is on. It will be an epic battle. I

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-87293558257718510932007-08-27T16:52:00.000-05:002007-08-27T17:12:54.160-05:00

Real Estate Q & A with Real Estate Mogul-in-Training, Michael "Ziggy" Danziger:Q: How many property showings did you have scheduled today?A: ThreeQ: Not bad. How many did you go to?A: ThreeQ: Good. Just making sure! How much driving did you do to today get to and from these appointments?A: I drove 73 miles.Q: Wow! You know that's a rate of almost 27,000 miles a year? Is that normal?A:

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-87451464339546949032007-08-22T15:20:00.001-05:002008-05-19T21:48:10.095-05:00

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/08/22/bc.fbn.vick.naacp.ap/index.htmlI particularly like the last two lines of the story.Why on earth would the NAACP be involved in this and why would they allow for the appearance of defending Michael Vick. The idea that this is some kind of racial issue is held by a number of insane sports talk radio callers and by several ridiculously stupid

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-9894878094205127852007-08-22T14:02:00.001-05:002007-08-22T14:32:54.562-05:00

I saw Superbad last night. I wasn't sure what to expect - clever hilarity in keeping with the highly enjoyable Knocked Up, or a super stupid quick follow-up to a hit. I'm pleased to report that I found it to be the former. Well, clever might be a bit of a stretch - I feel safe predicting that this will not be nominated for Best Picture - but hilarity is right on.I laughed hard and out loud

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-45346723953209711102007-08-21T10:36:00.000-05:002007-08-21T10:40:52.817-05:00

In my Jewish men's league basketball career, I have won1 championship, unfortunately it was not1 day ago. Instead, I lost my3rd or4th, I can’t remember. I scored10 points, I think, but I needed to scoreMore. In other news, as of this writing, this site has had13,015 visitors. We passed the13,000 mark! Very exciting! My sincere thanks go out to the regular readers, all7 of you, and to our

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-35561647206464513092007-08-15T18:11:00.000-05:002007-08-15T18:22:23.165-05:00

I completely left out an important Phil Rizzuto connection to my world. Phil is the baseball announcer in the MeatLoaf song, "Paradise By the Dashboard Light." In the song, a very enjoyable one, Rizzuto does play-by-play on a baseball player rounding the bases - metaphor for sex. After the song's release, Rizzuto evidently claimed that he did not know his involvement would be connected to such

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-12519775298556957312007-08-14T11:06:00.001-05:002007-08-14T11:22:52.508-05:00

Legendary New York Yankees player and broadcaster, Phil Rizzuto, has died today. At 89, Rizzuto was the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted as a player, though he is, perhaps, now more well-known as a voice of the Yankees for 40 years.As a player, Rizzuto spent 13 seasons with the Yanks, winning 7 world titles and the 1950 American League MVP. He was a

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-5393004608778889502007-08-07T12:05:00.000-05:002007-08-07T12:32:41.592-05:00

I keep a disorganized house. It is messy. No matter how much of it I throw away, there is mail everywhere. No matter how much I wash and put away, there is laundry everywhere. I am convinced that those two things are reproducing in my home, something with which I take issue (If they're going to live under my roof, they should live by my rules).People offer me suggestions about how to get the

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-17169715742385589572007-08-01T14:45:00.000-05:002007-08-01T15:17:24.900-05:00

TIDBIT #1 Monday night marked the final regular season game for my 30 and over basketball team at the JCC. I had a decent game, but as a team, we were very, very bad. We'll have to get it together for tournament time. Memorable moment of the game: I airballed a free throw. AIRBALLED! A FREE TRHOW! I don't think I had done that since I was about 8 years old. It was good to be back.TIDBIT #2 Steven

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-6659059265180458962007-07-28T22:41:00.000-05:002007-07-28T22:42:01.988-05:00

I saw Bart Simpson's penis tonight. Don't let that stop you from seeing the movie. Funny stuff.

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-37671168474959033972007-07-03T09:43:00.000-05:002007-07-03T11:11:47.688-05:00

850 miles in 33 hours*. I'm improving (see "Evangeline Getaway" post).Sunday, I traveled to Lexington, KY**, with a friend and fellow comedian from Memphis. We went to compete in the Carnival Comedy Challenge, a contest whose winner performs aboard a Carnival Cruise. The challenge happens several times a year in different cities, and is a great chance for comedians to meet each other, and to meet

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468861.post-73888517944415404732007-06-28T18:41:00.000-05:002007-06-28T18:43:51.282-05:00

This is a ZiggyBackRide contest of sorts. The first person who can correctly identify what I'm referring to and offer a plausible answer to the question - using the comment feature, below - wins.Why are they kicking the trees?

Michael "Ziggy" Danzigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04486165085982600893noreply@blogger.com2