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Once in a Blue Moon: Cubs Win!

October 28, 2016 by Scott Todnem

Tonight, I attend the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years.

I'll be sitting next to my father, who has lived his entire life without seeing the Cubs make it to the World Series, and I'll be filled with the memories of grandparents and other family members who lived through the last century but never saw a Series win.

Lovable losers? No more. Next year is here.

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October 28, 2016 /Scott Todnem
2016 Word Series, america, baseball, blog, bloggers, blogging, blue moon, chance, Chicago, Chicago Cubs, choice, choices, Cubbies, Cubs, family, Life, living, mental health, motivation, narrative, once, once in a blue moon, pasttime, rare, stories, thoughts, World Series, Wrigley, Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville, writers, writing
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Fame and Fortune: A Signature Day

August 05, 2015 by Scott Todnem

I remember in elementary school once taking an entire rainy Saturday to practice my signature.

A pen and a brand new notebook, page after page of all different styles of lettering, sizing, loops, and flourishes: SCOTT TODNEM.

How should the's' look? When do the 't's' get crossed? What about all the letters at the end... script them out or trail off in a cool looking line? What would Michael Jordan do?

Come on, 5th grade Scott, how will you brand yourself once you're rich and famous and all these people in the world want your autograph?

And then it hit me. What if I don't grow up to be famous?

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August 05, 2015 /Scott Todnem
advice, athletes, autograph, autographs, balance, blog, bloggers, blogging, children, children’s, excess, fame, family, famous, fortune, friends, kid, Life, money, narrative, people, pop stars, power, prestige, recognition, reputation, signature, stories, writers, writing
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Everything in Moderation: All Work and No Play

July 02, 2015 by Scott Todnem

"What do you do?"
We hear this all the time. Of course it means, "What is your job? What is your chosen profession?" As if our job defines us; as if we'll remain on the same path indefinitely. Quite the contrary, U.S. employees only stay in their current field an average of 4.6 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Without true purpose, it seems like that's the way it is. You know the song: everybody's working for the weekend. And so it goes, until something purposeful strikes swift like a horror film to make our hearts race in anticipation.

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July 02, 2015 /Scott Todnem
advice, balance, blog, bloggers, blogging, everything in moderation, excess, family, friends, gratification, Health, Life, livelihood, moderation, narrative, play, respect, society, stories, wellness, work, writers, writing
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Better Late Than Never: When It Rains, It Pours

June 07, 2015 by Scott Todnem

I had the misfortunate of being born a Cubs fan.

I use the term misfortunate only because of the obvious-- the lack of a World Series win since 1908.

I love the Cubs, however, and stick with the northsiders through and through like a true Chicago sports fan. Up and, well, mostly down, I'm here, waiting 'til that next season everyone's always talking about. Despite all this, and over 100 years of losing, I had the true fortune of going to the first Cubs night game.

My father got two tickets to the game at Wrigley Field on August 8, 1988. I was 10 years old.

Section 208, Row 21, Seat 1. A $6.00 face value. I still have the ticket stub.

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June 07, 2015 /Scott Todnem
1988, advice, arrival, arriving, August 8, award, better, better late than never, blog, bloggers, blogging, Chicago, Chicago Cubs, company, Cubs, family, first, first night game, friends, late, later, Life, long, narrative, never, news, night game, payout, prize, sarcasm, stories, wait, waiting, worth, worthwhile, writers, writing
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