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  The “Cool Gent” makes history

Herb Kent "The Cool Gent" inducted into the Guiness Book of World Records

On December 5th, my wife Donna and I had the priveledge of attending a celebrity roast of radio legend Herb Kent “The Cool Gent.”

As a kid,  I remember listening to him on WVON on my little 2-transistor radio.  Actually, I bounced between WVON and WLS, enjoying music from “both sides of the tracks.”  These guys were all heroes to me.  Many years ago, when I was living in the South Suburbs, we were listening to Dick Biondi, whom I had listened to back in the 60′s, doing a live show from a car dealership.  He was still on the air after all these years, playing “golden oldies.”  We got to meet him and he even let my daughter and me announce a song on the air.  She got an autographed picture.

To complete this part of my bucket list, I needed to meet Herb Kent.

The roast was a great, nostalgic, fun time.  Attendees got a copy of his book.  I got mine autographed and had a photo taken.  One suprise of the evening, was when this young man from London joined Illinois State Governor Pat Quinn, Fox TV’s Robin Robinson, WYCC’s Deborah Crable and other celebs on stage as “Herbie Baby” was inducted into the Guiness Book or World Records as the oldest living, working dj in the world.

Wow.

And he is still broadcasting on V-103.  I understand that Dick Biondi is also still broadcasting.

Is that cool, or what?

A young girl was found murdered last week.  She had been reported missing days earlier and her family and many civic leaders are upset with police and the media because when she was reported missing, it was not handled properly.  No pictures on TV and apparently no Amber Alerts.  The suggestion is that, because she was Black, she was not given the same coverage.  Possibly.

Me?  I would rather have a chance to get my hands on the #$@!#%$ that killed her.  Kudos to Congressman Bobby Rush offering a reward for finding this person.

Six months ago, a young man tried to rob a convenience store in New York state.  The store owner got the drop on him and he found himself staring down the barrel of a rifle.  The robber to be got on his knees and begged forgiveness, saying that he desperately needed food for his family.  The owner gave him some food and $40 and sent him on his way.

Last week, the store owner received a letter.  It was from the young man.  He thanked him for his generousity and explained that things were going much better for him now.  Also in the envelope was a $50 bill.

So not all of the news in the world is bad.

I remember, as a kid, being as superstitious as everyone else.  I would avoid black cats, not walk under ladders and other crazy irrational things.  Never noticed whether I had better luck when I kept away from these things or not.  Just seemed to make sense to cover all bases–why take the chance?

I wasn’t the only one.  There seemed to be an official acceptance of superstition.  Many tall buildings did not have a 13th floor.  No one wanted an office or apartment numbered 13 anything.  Then there was Apollo 13.  Launched on the 13 minute of the 13th hour.  Whoa.

I almost believed in astrology for a short period of time, back in the 60′s and 70′s.  I recall where this one young lady, whom I liked a lot, correctly told me my astrological sign, based on her observations of me.  I have to admit, that impressed me more than a little.

Then, logic clicked in.  If you read my entries of a couple of months ago, you already know that my best friend was born the same day same year, and although we are similar in some ways, we’re also very different.  I have also always been a student of astronomy (yes, astronomy), and astrophysics.  I don’t claim to have any great understanding, but I just could not see how the placement of the planets on the moment of my birth could have a significant effect on my personality or the future events in my life.

As far as bad things happening on the 13th or whatever, well stuff happens when it happens.  If we think that Friday the 13th is bad news, we may, without realizing it, cause bad things to happen.  Our worries may get in the way of concentration or judgment.  The possibilities are endless.

Then, as my Christian faith and beliefs grew, the whole superstition thing; good luck, bad luck, just did not make any sense.    To quote Albert Einstein, “God does not play dice with the Universe.”

So, eventually, I found myself seeking out black cats, walking under ladders on purpose, “splitting” light poles and stepping on cracks in the side walk.  And I assure you, my mother’s back is fine.

It’s all a matter of perception.  Believe it or not, many good things happen on Friday the 13th.  Children are born, couples get married, fortunes are made.  It is a documented fact that the performance of the Stock Market is no different on Friday the 13th than any other day.

So, next Friday the 13th, don’t be  paraskavedekatriaphobic. Who knows?  It might just be your lucky day.