Goodbye 2008

New Year's Eve is here and it's goodbye 2008, hello 2009. Went fast I think.

Still at work - somebody has to be here to cover the department. Quiet though. And snowing, again.

So since I will not get on the blog later today - I would like to wish everyone a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
C-YA in the Niner!

The Day After...

Christmas, that is. I am stuck at work, along with the bare minimum to keep our multi-conglomerate running efficiently. Except for a peer of mine (also chained to his office) e-mailing and calling me, it is D-E-A-D.

How was the holiday for you? My wife and I had a lot of joy watching the kids faces light up in the morning. The older guy has kind of figured out the whole Santa Claus thing, but keeps it to himself so the younger guy can live the dream.

Anyway, Guitar Hero was a big splash - though I could do without hearing Slow Ride for a couple of days. And now that the boys are getting older, they have no interest in traditional toys, preferring electronic ones. Like a good coach though, they both got new Easton Baseball Bats (gotta keep the fire burning!).

And what did Big Daddy X (aka SoulSlam) get? My wife outdid herself this year folks. She tracked down four seats in the 4th row on the 1B side for the April 4 exhibition game against the Red Sox. SWEEET!

Only another 3 hours to go before I get along for the weekend.

'Twas the Night...

Well actually the day, but I'm pretty busy later. Got me shopping done - even in the face of another bad weather day, hope everybody likes what I bought 'em. If not, they can brave the return lines in your favorite stores, and get what they really wanted!

So I'm off the blog for the holiday - and I hope you all enjoy a happy and healthy with whoever is near and dear to you and yours.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Big Tex

They done it again! The Evil Empire goes out and signs another piece of high-priced beef - namely Mark Texeira - aka Big Tex. Great defensive 1B, great OBP, excellent hitter... and no major achievements (aka Post-Season heroics) to brag about. So ponder this Yankee Fans - the Atlanta Braves have enough moolah for a player of Tex's stature (whether the admit it or not) - yet traded him mid-season to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim which is in Orange County on the West Coast of the United States of America (well if your going to have a verbose name, you might as well go big). I'd be wary of that, but that's me. Eight years and $180Mil is a lot of time and money, but the Yankees can ask the City of NY to pony up, maybe.

And Boras (the Slimy) gets to save a little face after the b-slap the Bosox tossed last week.

Anyway, it all reminds me of a gem The Onion out up on line about six years ago. Enjoy the read.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27656

The Home Stretch

For Christmas Shopping (or "Holiday Shopping" if you're PC) - and the great state of North Jersey got a bit of a snowstorm that put SoulSlam behind in the shopping... Sunday night at the mall it will be! Forecast calls for another storm brewing; I will be shopping on the Eve, no doubt!

While we are chatting, let me pontificate on something of interest. XM Satellite Radio has a 24-hour channel dedicated to the mighty Led Zeppelin. Great listen. Check out channel 39 if you are satellite-connected.

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Basketball is in full swing; games for the 4-5 grade boys begin on 1/6. Practice, practice, practice. My son seems to have gained a lot of self-confidence from Baseball and is now putting it to use on the court. My team has a lot of potential - maybe we can do something, but win or lose, it's about fun.

And 28 days (by my count) to indoor winter Baseball training for the travel team. Cannot wait!

Happy Saturday!

The New MLB Network

In case you hadn't heard (or watch hockey exclusively), Major League Baseball is starting a new cable TV network appropriately named the MLB Network.

Original and full-time programming doesn't start until January 1, 2009 - but the channel is up and I HAVE IT.

Cablevision comes through again! Yes. Right now, it's a lot of playoff and season history stuff, but it's 100% BASEBALL, 100% OF THE TIME. Nirvana.

Here's the skinny - Channel 790 on Cablevision HD, channel 400 on IO. SWEEEET!

While I'm posting, here's two more things:

Finished watching the excellent Playing for Peanuts DVD from John J. Fitzgerald. This is the guy who filmed the Irish Baseball Movie. Story of Mr. Wally Backman's managerial stint in an independent minor league coaching the South Georgia Peanuts of Albany, GA. Highly recommended!

And - to anyone out there who may think that stealing packages from houses is a fine way of life; you are scum. If I catch you, it will be time to get medieval. Be warned.

SoulSlam New Look

A little easier on the eyes, don't you think? My new bloggin' look, not SoulSlam his'self. Me, I'm kind of rugged...not quite Ernest Borgnine, but no fancy pants either.

Enjoy.

Anyway, remember this incredible post? Well, Mr. Mickey Rourke's new movie, The Wrestler was released today, and many of the movie review types are:

A. Giving it rave reviews

B. Saying the Mick is an Oscar contender.

Remember, SoulSlam was there when nobody else was. That's called a self-congratulatory pat on the back!

Holiday Blues

It's here! The Holiday Blues are here! Too bad Stevie Ray Vaughn don't play no more!

Crazy people in stores looking for bargains, traffic, traffic, traffic and more holiday-time layoffs than anyone can remember.

Every night, Mr. Bill O'Reilly rants on about the removal of the Nativity and the phrase "Merry Christmas" from the lexicon of the American public. Good work, William.

In NY, the apparent 50 billion (yes billion) ponzi scheme is making the news. Nice bit of holiday cheer there.

So here is SoulSlam on Dec. 16th, nine days away and no gifts purchased yet. See, I don't really hit my stride until Dec. 21 - no matter what. I just kind of wander around stores all cheery-like.

Gotta Go - But HOHOHO!

Wifely Duties

Like not changing my passwords!

Outbidding Yourself

Sorry townsfolk, been out of town, in the Windy City on biz. Good to report that they got the parking lot tollbooth working over at EWR!

Lots 'o' baseball this week. My beloved NY Mets picked up K-Rod and JJ Putz to put a hammer on the 8th and 9th innings. Sorry to see Joe Smith go though.

The other big BB news is the NY Yankees signed CC Sabathia. Now here is the funny part. Originally they offered 6 years, 140 million. The only other team anyone know about is the Milwaukee Brewers at 5 and 100. So what do the Yankees do? They up the offer against themselves to seven years and 161 million, with an opt-out after three years! WHAT WHAT WHAT? Was the big man so not in love with the idea of putting on the pinstripes that they had to entice him in ways unknown in the negotiation process. If he has a couple of great seasons at the beginning, he's opting out - and if he doesn't, the Yanks are stuck with a 7 year deal on a 300 lb man. Nice going NYY!

A Bike

I guess by now most of you have figured out life as a kid is not like when we grew up. Remember the days of going outside and playing ball and running around for hours upon hours, only coming home to eat some dinner and then get outside again. Unfortunately the world has changed. And now kids spend a lot of time on video games, and only playing ball in structured environments, under the watchful eye of parents everywhere. Drive through most neighborhoods, and seeing a bunch of kids playing is rare. Sad but true.

So anyway, how does this correlate to the title of today's submission? Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't. See, about three years ago, we got my son a bike. Pretty nice one in fact. And I taught him to ride on two wheels. Here's a great way to do so: bring your kid, the bike and yourself to a neighborhood ball field. Kids have a tendency to see the infield as safe if they fall, and the curves of the diamond help them with turning.

So he learned, but had no real affinity for bike-riding. And since Big Daddy X (aka SoulSlam) was an avid cyclist (I have a Trek 2300 Road Bike and a sweet Klein Pulse from before they were bought by Trek, as well as some hoopdies) , it was a little disappointing. But everyone has there own interests, and I am not the Pushy Kind when it comes to my sons.

So a couple of nights ago I come home late and my garage is open. I go inside and I see someone has pulled out their bike. A bike that has probably not been touched (except by me) in two years. So I close the garage and don't say a word.
Next day is Saturday (best day of the week!) and my son comes out while I'm doing the man-thing in the garage; sorting my recyclables, picked up my Ariens 10hp Snowthrower from the service guy (special thanks to my bro-in-law for the assist), and getting the Christmas decorations out and in place. And he asks me about the bike. So we get it out, fill the tires, adjust the seat, check the chain, tighten some things that need tightening, and he starts out. Tentatively at first, then faster and faster around my circular driveway that goes around the abode we call Rose Manor. Rode for a hour, then we went to hoops practice for a deuce and then back on the bike for another hour. Sunday rolls around and the kid is riding in the freezing cold after Mass - like a kid who just discovered, well, how great riding a bike is, laughing, smiling and having the time of his life. SoulSlam is beaming!

So the moral of my story: Bikes are good. Ride a bike.

See y'all later.

I Have New Channels!

Wow. Once in a great while, Cablevision gives you a bonus. Not often, but once in a while.

MOJOHD bit the dust, not by any nefarious means - just done as a TV channel. So I was rolling around the dial (hands-up for those who remember when they had dials), and I caught a couple of new channels. Chiller TV and the Sleuth channel. A veritable cornucopia of shows (and movies) I love:

• Homicide LOTS
• Millennium
• Twin Peaks
• Magnum PI
• Tales From the Darkside
• Dark Shadows movies
• Miami Vice
• NY Undercover

Means I might have something to watch when nothing is on (that is a dichotomy).

---

In the Baseball department - the countdown is on. Rumors abound about Sabathia; reports about Boras (the slimy) trying to package Texeira and Varitek (since apparently the market for catcher's WHO CAN NO LONGER HIT is not at a premium); the San Diego Padres are trying to unload everyone; and closers are all staring at one team (The Mets). Good times, people.

Taking Candy from Babies

Or is it ball fields from kids? Interesting article a couple of days ago in the Daily News.

Apparently, the glorious Yankees (with 26 Championships, don't forget that!) have basically taken away every ball field in the near vicinity of the "House that Steinbrenner got the taxpayers of NY to pay for" - how's that for community relations?

Best line in the article - "There is great irony that the world's wealthiest baseball club is taking away fields from the poorest community in America," said Geoff Croft, of NYC Park Advocates."

Meanwhile A-Rod is full-on hag chasing, Sabathia can't get another offer soon enough, and the holes in the pitching staff are like a piece of Finlandia. HOT STOVE, BABY.

GM Meeting begin on Monday in Gomorrah, I mean Vegas. Cannot wait!

Capital D

As in D-U-M-B.
Or we could have called it Capital S as in S-T-U-P-I-D. Pray tell, what are you speaking about SoulSlam?

Mr. Plaxico Burress - he gets the award for the Dumbest Man in Professional Sports right now. Dumber than the Pacman or the Tank or...

And Mr. Antonio Pierce - he gets the designated Dumb Wingman this weekend.

Keep up with the best backpage in NY Sports here.

All of a sudden, the NY Giants are starting to resemble the Dallas Cowboys. Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch must be spinning somewhere.

DUMB.

Bluetooth People

Like pod people - only with a protrusion coming out of their ear!

I'm sure you've seen them, or maybe you are one of them. If the latter is the case, close this window immediately, SoulSlam would rather you not frequent my virtual slice 'o' heaven.

I have a question for you Bluetooth People. Just who are you having a conversation with on a Saturday morn down at the recycling center, or in my neighborhood Shop-Rite? Your one-sided responses make you seem so self-important, like maybe you work for the government and your putting together a presidential pardon, or solving a world economic crisis. Maybe you are a Nobel laureate looking to further a deep mathematical situation that could solve the genetic code. Or maybe, you are a partner of one Mr. Ari Gold, and your working on getting your favorite star a new part in the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

But since you are tossing out your recyclables (good for you!) - and they are not organized (like SoulSlam's) - on a weekend morning in your Wal-mart sweatpants and no-name sneakers, I have to think not. But you keep on blue-toothing and I will keep on laughing at you! A win-win for everybody!

Beware the Bluetooth People.

The Pushy Kind

So today I am back to my good old self. Full of venom and ready to spew. So what is my target today? Here is a story.

I coach baseball and basketball. Since I have two sons of two different ages, it means I coach multiple teams. And I enjoy the coaching and camaraderie (need spellcheck with that one) with the kids. The parents are another thing.

So one of the teams I coach is a clinic basketball team made up of 1st and 2nd grade boys. Good kids. And we have a lot of fun. But every once in awhile, you get a parent who thinks their kid is the next Steve Nash or LeBron James. At the age of 8. So they want their player to be bumped to the next level. And usually they say because shooting at 8.5" baskets and playing clinic rules isn't a challenge. But this same parent also tried to move their player up in baseball because "he's been able to hit a ball since they were 3!".

Now I know the kid. And he's a good kid. But he's not better than the rest of the kids and if he's bored and needs a challenge, go out as a parent, find a club-level team (that costs big $$$$) and really give him a challenge. Stop pushing the kid because you couldn't cut it when you were little. In all actuality, the kid probably just wants to play with his pals. Give it a rest.

---

Took my sons to the batting cages today so they didn't play video games all day. Went to a place we've never been - Lefty's in Clifton, NJ. Great place. Highly recommended.

And in the odd I've never seen this department - I'm watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind for the first time ever right now. Movie came out in 1977, so I guess I'm a little behind in my viewing.

Blog Friday

SoulSlam Hits 100!

Posts, that is. I'm still a few decades away from the century mark!

Fitting that the 100th post of my young blogging life is on Thanksgiving. The turkey (22 lbs.!) has already been roasting on the Weber Grill for about 75 minutes, everything is prepped and ready for cooking at around noon. Thanksgiving Day football will be on the HD. And no work for a couple. Super.

Since this is Thanksgiving, no rants today. Check in over the long weekend. If you go to the stores on Black Friday - good luck! Not for me.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Shield (R.I.P.)

WOW.

Making like a Movie Critic

Absent of anything else to blog about (bailing out the big 3 is still on the back-burner) - time for a movie review!

Like Baseball? If you are like me, you watch all the Baseball movies. Cobb, Bull Durham, Eight Men Out, The Sandlot (and sequels), Bad News Bears (and sequels and remakes), etc. - just like 'em. So how about one (newer) flick you may or may not know about?

The Final Season - a true story about the Norway (Iowa) Tigers. A HS Baseball dynasty, from the tiny town of Norway which got swallowed up by a larger school in the 1991.

Starring Sean (Rudy) Astin, Powers Boothe and a lot of other folks, it's a really great story about a team that is playing it's final season (hence the name!) - and the back story about a town that has a love of the teams that represent the town. So what happens? Watch it and find out. Great Baseball Movie!

Hoops

Just so you know I am a true renaissance man when it comes to coaching youth sports, basketball season is almost upon us. Unlike Baseball, I take it easy and only coach two teams - but once January crests the rise in the calendar, baseball workouts for the travel teams begin. So basically from December - August I am busy eight days a week.

Basketball is a great sport, but I can no longer watch the pros - too much thuggery (imagine that from me!) and when the NBA went on strike a number of years ago, the comments from these pampered stars was enough to get me to just say no. And I have for the last ten years or so. But now my oldest is becoming a fan, so I guess that may change, however much I resist.

---

So the funny thing about youth basketball? The fact that nobody wants to coach (except the same 7-8 guys that coach everything), but everybody likes to yell out when a 9 year old 'travels' or 'walks' or 'fouls'. HAHAHAHA. You make me laugh.

And laugh I will.

By the way, tonight is the penultimate episode of The Shield. Quality always seems to come to an end in TV world. My prediction: Vic Mackey will be named to Barack Obama's cabinet - count on it.

PANYNJ Blues

Hello townsfolk! I'd like to relate a tale of woe.
So when last you checked in on your intrepid hero, I was on my way to the greater Dallas metro area for work. Happy to say I am back. But here's where the story begins.

I recently changed my airline choice from Continental (hub in Newark) to American (hub in Dallas). This was just happenstance - but for the most part, American has been far superior, other than the fact that they want $6.00 for a sandwich on a flight. But the flights have all got off on time and arrived on time, something that Continental was sorely missing.

So Wednesday night I travel home, flight arrives at about 9PM. I get off the plane (I had a row in the back to myself), hit the facilities and then began the mile walk to the baggage carousel.

And it looked like an episode of a happy sitcom. Usually it takes 30 minutes to get my bags, but as I approached, there was my luggage, making the clubhouse turn towards me. Grab and go. Now on to the AirTrain - and as I ascend the escalator, the train pulls into the station ready to whisk me to Parking Lot #3. That was easy!

Get to the lot, walk to my car (got a sweet spot when I got there Monday morning) and away I go. I think to myself "SoulSlam, this has been the best trip home ever!" But SoulSlam was wrong.

As I pull up to the parking lot exit and payment booths (four booths, two are open) - my easy journey continued right up until I tried to put my stub in the slot. Wouldn't work. Try again, and then again. Won't feed. At this point the incredibly nice (NOT) lady, who resembled Witchy-poo started shrieking 'put the ticket in the slot'. When I explained I could not, she emerged from her post and grabbed the ticket out of my hand. So then she tried, and tried, and tried. No soap. She muttered 'doesn't work' and returned (with stub) to her cavern of a booth.



She does something that took some time (a minute or so, but seemed like an eternity) - then started shrieking that I had to 'back up'. Huh? I yell back that there are a line of cars directly behind me - how is that going to happen. Her response was to (from inside a booth with little access for folks to see in) begin flailing her arms madly and caterwauling at these poor schmoes who are behind me.



So finally everybody backs up and hoes to another lane - which was an easy choice since the PANYNJ only has two open. I guess that's what $24 a day covers. So I begin to back up, then start moving forward again. At this point some guy starts yelling at me to back up more, but since I can't see him, I'm not sure if he's talking to me. He then comes around an Econoline Van and starts yelling again. Now, my goal in life is to let it go - but my nature is a Black Irish, take no s**t Boyo, so I begin to yell back, which I am sure he doesn't get from the sheep often. So here we are in the middle of a lot, and once I began, he kind of quieted down and told me (in a respectful tone) that I needed to back up ' behind the line', which I cannot see or discern. So back up I do, then proceed to the booth and the wicked witch of the lot.

OK - story over right? No. I place my credit card to pay my $72 beans, and now, this fine piece of engineering, maintained by the PANYNJ I suppose, cannot read my card. So now the booth hag has to unstrap from her perch, open the castle door of the booth and get my card. AAAAAARGGGGHHHHHH!

A scant two minutes later, she hands me back my card. Solo. I look and she squawks ' do you want a receipt?'. Yes. you little *&^&^%$%%##%&((*&&^% (expletive deleted) troll!

My troubles were caused by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Read this about the PANYNJ over Ground Zero.

Big Cup of I Don't Know What

Travelling today to the great state of Texas (again). So I got to sit at Newark Liberty Airport, which is one of life's great thrills, something everyone should experience. But I digress.

What exactly is everyone sipping through enormous straws, in what amounts to a clear slurpee cup (dome cap and all) that they purchase at trendy coffee haunts?

I deduce the following - it is most likely cool to the touch, since anyone drinking hot coffee through a straw the size of a PVC pipe would most likely have a 3rd degree burn on their tongue; it looks like there's some whip cream in there, like a seven year old would like; and it costs a small bundle, but still the consumers purchase. I am befuddled, because to me you all look like lazy drone-bots being bamboozled by the evilness of Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and now Dunkin' D.

If you want coffee, go to your neighborhood coffee shoppe or corner deli and support the real folks. The corporate bean must be destroyed!

The Big Wait

So with some needed work in my humble abode nearly complete, I had a chance to re-hook me (sic) cable. And I still have issues with the digital feeds and boxes. So I re-ran a lot of cable on a rainy Saturday, thinking this would solve my dilemma.

Nope. So I call IO Cablevision support, which oddly enough, requires you to look up your support number based on your local center, but the calls all go to Long Island. I guess it's better than overseas. Called in the AM to get the first TV sussed out, nice lady, very helpful, got me going. Explained I was having issues with two other sets, and she called back later in the day to see how I was doing. Nice.

Anyway, hooked up the other set again, went through the whole call to support, and still almost nothing. Seems to be receiving a signal, but little picture, including the broadcast channels which I think is odd. So the guy helping me (also very well) says 'we'll have to get somebody out there. How about tomorrow (Sunday)" Now your talking!

So here I sit waiting between 11-2 for the service guy. Hopefully we can get this corrected so I can live the life I am accustomed to - an additional 100 channels or so, but still complaining nothing good is on!



Watch for the update.

Update #1 - cable guy called around 1:30PM to say he was running late and could be here around 2:30. I'm OK with that. By sheer coincidence, the Jim Carrey tour de force, The Cable Guy was on while I was waiting. Karma!

And right now the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS are layin' a beating on the St. Lou Rams, 24-0 in the 2Q. I hate the Jets, and in particular Fireman Eddie. So you know.

Update #2 - cable guy showed at 2:30 on the dot and proceeded to check everything thoroughly. Explained that my line coming in the house was O-L-D (probably from when the lines were first run in the late '70's.) - and he would run me some new line in the house, changed out the splitters, and got everything going good. We even had a second cable guy come out to help. They even replaced the grid panels in my drop ceiling (which I did not expect). Mission accomplished. Today I give an A+ to Cablevision.

The Hot Stove

This is why Baseball is the greatest sport - it really has become an almost 12 month affair- Season (including spring training runs from Late Feb to almost November and then we put on our wishing hats for the players we can pick up in the off-season to make our homeboys the best for next season. In the NY area, this is a big draw on talk radio and in the local rags - so maybe I'm living in a bubble. I'm sure my loyal followers in Des Moines might have a different opinion.

Big Names on Free Agent Market:
Sabathia
K-Rod
Texeira
Ramirez
Hudson
Cabrera
Dempster
Perez
Sheets
Fuentes

Big Names on the Trade Market:
Holliday
Peavy
Cano

Check out MLB Trade Rumors dot com for the latest - great site for this kind of stuff! And contrary to all the Yankee Fans out there, you can't get everyone (though I'm sure you will try!)

Change

Congratulations to President-elect Obama on his historic win.

Give the man a chance. He won the election and deserves support.

Two Days

Until Election Day 2008. And if you have been living under a rock - it's the first time in eight when we will have a new President of the United States. And it couldn't come too soon, as this administration would appear to be ready to hand everything over and go home to Texas.

First, get out and VOTE. It is a privilege many take for granted. So if you don't vote and don't like the way things are going, too bad, shut up, we'll see you in four more years. For those who do, you show you are a patriot and love this country by taking the time to cast your ballot.

Second, with the way things are looking, it seems as if the pundits to the right are pulling out the stops - just watch Fox News. I'm sure by Tuesday morning they will have uncovered enough dirt to make Mr. Obama a farmer (who is here illegally).

And Mr. McCain was on Saturday Night Live last night yukking it up - and maybe that's just what he needs. Unfortunately, for a lot of the peeps, he will always be connected to the current regime which may be his downfall. I guess we'll find out.

Me - I'm all about the One Man (or woman), One Vote. I don't pick down party lines - looking at what the big picture is for me. Right now it's the economy; my 401K looks like I haven't worked in a couple of years, but I've been putting a chunk away every paycheck. I'm sure a lot of you are in the same boat - and hopefully it's not named The Titanic. And truth is, I'm still not 100% sure who gets my precious ballot on Tuesday. But somebody will, and that is democracy. Then we can get to Baseball.

Less for the Same (which is a lot)

Huh? What does that mean, SoulSlam?

Friday was one of those days where a lot of things went haywire. Coupled with the Halloween ritual of taking the kids out for tricks and treats at night and you have a busy (as in a one legged man in a a** kickin' contest busy) day/night.



And it actually began on Thursday evening. I relinquish the man-den on Thursday nights so my wife and boys can watch Survivor, a show which holds no interest for me. Now normally, I would retire to the Living Room, but that's being painted and is in 100% disarray. So I figured, I'll go upstairs to the bedroom, read a little Baseball America, put on something and spend a quiet hour waiting for my triumphant return to my cave at 9PM for some quality Supernatural viewing. So you've got the setup.



But my digital cable is apparently on the fritz in that room (and that room only) - could be the split is on the same as the LR and maybe the guys did something. No worries, I can fix that when I get some new splitters and cables over the weekend. So I disconnect the cable from the box, and plug directly into the Sony 24". No channels above 99, but I can rough it. And that's when I make my discovery, much to my chagrin.



Apparently, Cablevision (owned by the Dolans) have removed many channels unless you have a digital box. Channels like SciFi, A&E, truTV, TLC, Travel Planet, E!, QVC and Animal Planet are gone. No more. So I investigate the IO website, and see they were removed unless you have a digital box. So I look into a little more. That must mean that people with basic cable got a break on their bill, right? Because if you take away 8-10 channels, and you were once offering about 80 or so, then that should be at least a 10% reduction in the cable bill. Great!



No. Cablevision has decided that they would instead offer a free digital box (1) for a year. So that's about a $72.00 value. But reducing a cable bill by 10% would give you about the same savings. And what happens at the end of the free cable box for a year? Then you pay, about a $72.00 value. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but if you don't have the scratch, or if your on a fixed income, it is. And the funny thing is, Cablevision can do this and get away with it. Maybe it's time I look into something else.

Happy Halloween

To all the ghouls, goblins, power rangers, princesses, sports heroes and leprechauns (that's for my son) and whatever else you are dressed as today!

Be safe - be safe - be safe. If you're driving a car today, slow it down, leadfoot. There's kids out there today. If you're trick or treating, be vigilant for those unlucky few who don't read my posts and may forget, while talking on their cellphones and not paying attention.

AND.....HAVE SPOOKY FUN!!!!!!!!!

Fill in the Blank Night

So what did you call it when you were a kid? The night before Halloween I mean...





In my neck of the woods, we called it GATE NIGHT - and people give me a quizzical look when I say that name. And apparently, the yuppies and new citizens of my little slice 'o' heaven in North Jersey have won out because the kids call it GOOSEY NIGHT, which I always found a little fem. But c'est la vie, right?





So I started asking people at work, around town at the Shop-Rite, wherever - "what did you call it oh so long ago?" So here is a list:

GATE NIGHT

GOOSEY NIGHT

MISCHIEF NIGHT

EVILS NIGHT

CABBAGE NIGHT

HELL NIGHT

Let me know if you have a good one. Funny, I had a friend named Flanagan and he called it 'same as every other night - and I still have to get me Da' at the precinct house!'. Poor Flanagan.

And a word to the wise... even though I've grown up, I still play the game tonight. On defense. Like a Jack Lambert, but better looking.

BITTERNESS BELOW!

And since I am a man of honor - congratulations to that team I despise with all my soul, the much-hated Philadelphia Phillies on their World Series win. I can see the pre-season comments in March already - AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

The Curse Gets Stronger

Happy Birthday #8 for my youngest son Ryan today. All you Yankee fans better prepare for a miserable stretch - it's on folks.

Hitting Bottom

Purchased and read an interesting book - "Beyond Belief" by Josh Hamilton and Tim McKeown.

I have a lot of respect for this young man who basically travelled a hard path (of his own choosing by his own account) to come back and play professional baseball at the highest level. Most people know him from this year's Home Run Derby at the MLB All-Star Game, and have heard about his return from drug addiction in an abridged way. This book provides details (some graphic) of the "lost" time in his life. Never blaming anyone but himself, it shows Mr. Hamilton to be a person of tremendous value, and one who is intent on telling his story so others don't make the same mistakes. We always say that everyone deserves a second chance, and he is exactly the type of person you should be rooting for. I know I am. Good Luck Josh.

The Flu Shot Conspiracy

Strap yourself in folks, it's a rant today!

Weather here in the Northeast has turned this week, and it's time to turn on the heat! With the leaves falling (are you a leaf-peeper? Then keep it to yourself!) - it's also time to consider that annual 'I have to get mine' - the Flu Shot.

Apparently, the mass hysteria about pandemics and the like are the curse of the modern-age. A couple of years ago, there was a flu-shot shortage which made people act as if they were rationing potable water. But this is also the reason people forward me e-mails about dangerous halloween candy with links to snopes.com. I have no sympathy for a hypochondriacal (nice one, Mr. Webster) world viewpoint!
(And just a reminder, anything you forward me is deleted. I have no time for your nonsense.)

In other words - if a pandemic was really going to happen - and let's think big here, like bubonic plague big, it will. You cannot stop it. Your flu shot is useless. It is based on infection agents that are a known quantity and we can control. Kind of like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

So, if you are really old or really young, a flu shot makes sense, since your immune system may be a bit less than adequate. For the rest of you whining and snivelling shells of humanity, suck it up, live a healthy lifestyle, put on some decent outerwear, and you should be fine.

Say No to Flu Shots!

TBS Responds!

For all of you on the edge of your seats regarding the TBS issue from Saturday's epic blog, you may be interested to know they sent me back an e-mail. Here it is:

THIS IS AN AUTOMATED RESPONSE, PLEASE DO NOT DIRECTLY REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

Thank you for taking the time to write us at TBS.

Solution:
On Saturday two circuit breakers in our Atlanta transmission operations tripped causing the master router and its backup - which are necessary to transmit any incoming feed outbound - to shut down. This impacted our live feed for baseball from being distributed to any of the other networks in the Turner portfolio and caused the delay in our coverage. Both our primary and backup routers were impacted by this problem. We apologize to baseball fans for this mishap that caused a delay in our coverage.

---

So this is the response it took approximately 60 hours to receive. You can bet a heapin', helpin' of fancy lawyers were involved in this one. Funny, the feed never goes out when they are playing re-runs of Friends or that comedy tour de force Frank TV!

Technical Difficulties

Memo to TBS - Not Acceptable.

In case you were away, TBS did an awful job last night when their signal for Game 6 between the Rays and Red Sox cut out DURING THE PRE-GAME and did not come on until 8:28PM, well after the Rays had gone one up on a BJ Upton homer.

I'm sitting in my man-den, big screen TV tuned in, and multi-tasking on my laptop when I see Dick Clark come on at about 7:50 or so... I thought it was a bit (especially when the first teaser was of a guy wearing a Celtics jersey and the Red Sox were mentioned), until the whole opening credit sequence came on. So I figured, no problem, I'll go out, get some milk in a whole 4 minute trip and get ready for the game. So I come back, and Steve Harvey (I think it's SH, but because I have never seen the show I'm not 100% sure) comes on. And I say to myself 'who changed my channel?' And now it starts getting a little confusing because I'm pretty sure you can't have a rain delay in a domed stadium, but TBS doesn't have any info up...until about 8:12, after the first pitch, with a scroll about technical difficulties. Unbelievable. We can't get a feed from another studio, besides the one in Atlanta to make sure everyone doesn't think that there is a blackout? But then again, TBS is one of those channels that plays the exact same movie back to back on successive nights (THE NEW CLASSICS - bulls**t) because they most likely can't get anyone bright enough to work the controls on the weekend.

So in my angst, I sent TBS an e-mail - here it is:

10/18/2008 8:16 PM EDT
Details:
* TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES *

You have got to be kidding me. You've had on some cr** show or another on for the last 20 minutes and no playoffs. Unacceptable.

And here was the automated response:

THIS IS AN AUTOMATED RESPONSE, PLEASE DO NOT DIRECTLY REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.
Thank your for contacting TBS.Your feedback is valued and will be received and reviewed by a member of our TBS web staff.All communications will be routed to the appropriate departments for their consideration. Should your correspondence require a response, we will make every attempt to provide one to you in a timely manner. Many answers can be found by utilizing the extensive Knowledge Base that has been established for your convenience and we encourage you to explore this tool thoroughly.Thank you for watching!

Best,TBS Web Staff

I guess that crack TBS web Staff will be busy answering hate mail over the next few days.

TGIF

Long time no type. Apologies to the frenzied hordes looking for a new post from Mr. Slam.

[Use deep announcer voice here] When last we left SoulSlam, he was having a Friday Night Finnegan...

Anyway, per my last posting, we had our tryouts early Saturday AM, had about 10 boys come down, with 4-5 unable to come that day - so we will have some cuts, something I don't like to do, but have to.

Spent the early part of the week in the Dallas Metroplex, for some work related frivolity. Very flat, lots of strip malls and mega-churches, and four-way stops everywhere. Good news - the hots dogs at 7-11 taste the same as in Jersey. But here is something worth noting (and getting particular about) - why do some areas of the big ol' U.S. of A. refuse to provide cartons of milk, cream, etc. at the coffee stations? I'm in the Dallas version of sturdy convenience, pour myself the big 24 ouncer and then look for the java condiments. And look again. "Hey, where's the bucket of cream, I ask myself". And then I see that I will have to open up those individual portions one at a time. Being a MAN (capital letters intended), I stake my place like a wolf over it's dinner and begin tearing the lids off these suckers. But at 24 oz., that is a lot of creamers folks. The coffee station looked like a Beirut Wal-Mart after the Ramadan sale. Since I didn't just fall off a turnip truck, I went with the 16 oz. cup on day two. Evolution is my motto.

So now I'm back in the real world. Congrats to the Phillies (even though I despise you). And last night's BIG COME FROM BEHIND win from the Red Sox was fantastic. Let's keep playing boys.

Last, check out a couple new links and such on my page if you dare - first we have a link to the "Fat White Guy" - entertaining stuff. And I've also placed a widget for Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey if you are so inclined (or twisted). Out.

Friday Night Finnegan

Sitting here, Phillies just beat Dodgers 8-5 to go two up in the NLCS. Next game is in LA on Sunday. Dodgers better get their game on here. Saw Sandy Koufax was at tonight's game.

Now I'm waiting for Game 1 of Rays-Red Sox. Hopefully we've got a big series here.

Couple of odds and ends:

My program has boys travel tryouts for 2009. 10U in da house! Should be fun, especially since there is a soccer tournament going on down at the fields, and I like to make a lot of noise on the diamond when soccer is going on. I do not like soccer. Not at all. Begin the hatemail.

Picked up the DVD release of Brotherhood Season 2, the Showtime series. I don't have Showtime, but brought the Season One DVD with me to Japan when I travelled there, and watched it in the middle of the night when I could not sleep. A fine show and since it was my english-speaking companion, it holds a place in my Black Irish Heart. I'll give you the lowdown when I finish watching it.

Caught some of Life on Mars last night. Interesting. We'll see...

Have I let you all in on my NFL team yet? No? I am an Oakland Raiders fan, and times are tough on the East Bay. If we get 4 in the W column this year it will be a Silver and Black miracle.

Dumb TV

Well, that's the best name I could come up with - though it might not be too close to my point.
I love shows like The Shield, The Wire, Supernatural, Prison Break, The Sopranos, Rescue Me, etc. Now this is the point of reference, cavepeople.

So FX puts on a show called Sons of Anarchy. So I watch, and watch, and watch. And no matter what, I can't get into this show. So I ask myself why. A bit of introspection is often good for the soul. And I can't quite put my finger on it.
Until last night. When I finally figured it out.

I CANNOT REMEMBER ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FREAKIN" NAMES!

And this is my conundrum.

Paulie Walnuts, Michael Scofield, Tommy Gavin, Vic Mackey. I can remember 'em all. Let's see...
Tony Soprano, Dean Winchester, Omar Little, Fox Mulder, Freddy Corr, Lenny Briscoe, Frank Pembleton... need I go on?
But...

I CANNOT REMEMBER ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FREAKIN" NAMES ON THOSE MOTORCYCLES WITH THE STUPID WINDSHIELDS! AND NONE OF THESE GUYS CAN SHOOT WORTH A DAMN!

So now you know why the show will die a slow death.

All Work

And no play makes SoulSlam a dull boy!

Rough week at work folks. I know, cry me a river, boyo.

Anyways - Rays and Red Sox - Two Beasts from the East duke it out while Mr. Torre's Dodgers will do battle with the Phillies. Somewhere a sob is heard in the Bronx.

Here's my predictions (mostly my hopes and dreams)

Rays win in seven. Too tough at home, Beckett seems a little off and I like the Amazin' Rays.

Dodgers in six. Nothing scientific, I just hate the Phillies.

Billy Goats and Stuff

Well, there's always the next 100 years!


The Chi-town Wunderteam, the Cubs, best team in the NL this season get swept by the boys from the Left Coast. Somewhere, likely everywhere in the Windy City, tears are being shed over multiple brews.

Personally speaking, it's justice for what you folks have done to a hot dog. And the pizza.

On to NJ - spent the weekend with my family in beautiful Wildwood NJ! Great weather, perfect time of year (no crowds!) and a Seafood Festival outside our hotel. Went over to Cape May a couple of times, had a brew and sandwich at the Ugly Mug. Great times. But..


Don't know if it's the proximity to the city of liberty, but I saw enough Phillies fans in WW this weekend to last me a lifetime! And buddy, it's definitely time to trade in the Steve Carlton t-shirt.

Shea Hey!

Day later than I planned but it's time - the Tribute to Shea.

First stadium I was ever in, though I can't remember exactly how old I was. All I do remember was it was a Sunday, and a doubleheader (the kind they used to play all the time, back to back) and the team played the Phillies. It was the biggest place I had ever been in, and the field was perfect (though in hindsight, it probably wasn't). If I had to guess it was '71 or 72'. Sat in the Mezzanine and had a great day.

During the early '70's we would go to one game a season, and I got to see the likes of Tom Seaver on the mound. Always a great family day when we went to Shea (though I'm sure my parents would have rather done anything else). I also thought having Loge seats were the greatest things ever.

Sporadically went during the 80's - better things to do (or so I thought at the time!).

Then in the mid to late 90's my friends and I would purchase the six and seven packs to get to Shea and see a bunch of games. And some of those teams were not too good.

And for a good 4-5 year run, always went to Irish Night, and always got the special cap. One year green, one year with a shamrock. Then Irish Night became Irish Day and it wasn't the same. Something about 'the gene' I guess.

I was also there when Bobby Jones tossed a one hitter against the SF Giants to win the NLDS in 2000. Nosebleeds and I wouldn't trade them for anything. And my second son was on the way at time (and place his curse on the hated ones!)

My best memory of Shea is an easy one. The first game I ever brought my oldest son. He was 3 years old at the time, and the date was 9/21/2001, a Friday night. First game back in NY after the towers came down. It's both a happy and bittersweet memory. My boy hung in all game, we had great box seats (on the 1B side), and the place had an electric buzz. I can remember sitting in my seat before the game started and watching a plane take off from LGA. And I remember getting very sad. Then Jack asked me for another hot dog and I came back to reality. Mr. Piazza crushed a big one that night. And I got to see it with my son. That game is played on SNY from time to time and I always watch it.

In the last couple of years, I've gotten there once or twice. Kind of neat to see Citifield going up. But kind of sad to see the old ballpark go. It wasn't pretty, but it was the first. Now, the NY Daily News had pics of the dismantling that has begun.

Goodbye.

Choke Pt. 2

No, not the new Sam Rockwell movie!

So, my guess is you are all aware that the NY Mets spit the bit for another year on the last day of the season. But it really wasn't the last day of the season since the team played like crap over the last three weeks.
As I tell my sons - a true fan sticks with his team no matter what. But it is hard, my man.

A quick list of GOTTA GO (as in somewhere else next season) Mets:
Ollie Perez
Scott Schoenweis
Duaner Sanchez
Pedro Feliciano
Luis Castillo
Ramon Castro
Ricardo Rincon
Matt Wise
Moises Alou
Now some of this high-priced beef are free agents so away you go.

And some BETTER GET BETTER QUICK OR YOUR OUTTA HERE Mets:
Aaron Heilman
Angel Pagan
Luis Ayala
John Maine (not his ability or talent, but his injury)
Ambiorix Burgos
Jason Vargas

And the I COULD HAVE BEEN MORE CLUTCH Mets:
David Wright
Jose Reyes
Carlos Delgado
Ryan Church
Brian Schneider
Pedro Martinez

As Squeeze once sang "Another Nail in My Heart" . That song will keep me comforted over the hot stove winter as I trade every loser in my dreams.

Shea Tribute by Wednesday.

All Hands on Deck

Last day of the season - everybody get ready for a wild ride. You may see starting pitchers coming in to throw an inning if needed, particularly if your team plays in NY, Milwaukee, the South Side of Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Two postseason spots still up for grabs. In the AL, Minnesota and Chicago are neck 'n neck in the Central. I like the Twins over the Royals and Chicago over Cleveland to set up a one gamer tomorrow.
In the NL - Mr. Sabathia on 3 days rest against the Cubs. Tough call, he's been a killer in the NL. But I think the Cubs want to set a tone for the playoffs and will win a tight one.
Mets play Florida. Ollie Perez in what is likely his last regular season start for the Mets, since he's a Boras client heading into free agency. He's on 3 days as well, and his last outing blew chunks. No matter how he pitches, the Mets will look to jump all over S.Olsen today and get a heap of runs. Mets will win, so says SoulSlam!

Last, since today is the last regular season game at Shea ever, a fitting tribute is called for. I will post that later today (unless I'm in a coma) or Monday. Let's play ball!

---

5:30PM

Done. It's over Johnny.

Saturday - Two to Go

Two to Go - Mets are 1 out of WC, 2 out of Division.
Even with two wins, the stars have to align for the Brewers to lose two. Best case, they split and we have a one game WC playoff - worst case, long winter begins Monday.

Game begins in 7 minutes. I'll check back in later.

---

3:20PM or so...

Game is through 51/2 -Mets up 2-0. Santana has been outstanding.

Interesting line-up today.

Mets have Wright on first, no outs. Murphy up. See ya, gotta go watch...

---

Now it's almost 8PM...

Johan Santana pitched a 3-hit shutout on three days rest to give the NY Mets another day. HUGE.

Brewers couldn't beat the Cubies, and Sheets left the game in the 3rd...I don't know about you, but everytime I turn around, he's coming out of (or taking himself out of) a game early.

I will a little extra prayer at church tomorrow. Father is a Mets fan, so I may ask for a blessing!

Stomach of Chaos

That's what I have right now. Every night, glued to my TV, watching my team either win (hopefully) or lose in dramatic fashion.

Last night, Pedro Martinez pitched in what is likely his last game in Mets uniform, or in any uniform. I have always liked Pedro, a very interesting character in the game. Now he comes to that time when his velocity is gone, his body is breaking, and it may be time to retire. I'm sure every Yankee fan still hates him. Good luck Petey.

Back to the game - after watching D. Murphy attempt the bunt in the 9th to move Reyes over, it is readily apparent that this kid, who has done nothing but a damn fine job for the team, is no Cap Anson. My question, did the kid miss a sign (it happens) or did 3B Coach Aguayo make a mistake? Either way, Aguayo will NOT be 3B coach next year. He's not very good at it.

Great job by Mr. Beltran - clutch hit.

Good reading - have not read it yet, but SI has an interesting story about SE VA baseball and the boys who have made it to the majors - check it out!

You Can't Get There From Here

Very famous retort when you ask a wiseguy for directions (most likely at the insistence of your better half, since no man actually needs directions!).

Metaphorically speaking though, it can also apply to the plight of my beloved team, the NY Mets, and the club's dismal play as they try to Houdini their way into the playoffs.

Two nights ago - Phillies drop a game to the Braves and the Mets put a big W behind Johan Santana, who may be best pitcher in the NL right now. Then last night came and went. Phillies drop another, Brewers win one, and the Mets, with the opportunity to win with no outs and a man on 3B to start the bottom of the 9th CAN"T PUSH THE WINNING RUN ACROSS!!!!!!!

The result - Mets still 1.5 GB of the Phils, and now tied in the Wild Card hunt with the Brewers.

My level of frustration knows no boundaries at this moment. As Al Davis says, "Just Win Baby". Excuses over. Go out and do the job. Now every game is a MUST WIN SITUATION.

---

In other news, Hank Steinbrenner (aka Hankenstein, Blathering Hank) has decided that divisional play in baseball is bad and wrong and not fair. Good one, Hank! You are a baseball genius! I will bet Cashman cannot wait to get out from under this big bag of wind.

The Dead Zone

Also known as the Mets clubhouse apparently. Can somebody please grow a big set of shoes and lead this team!

Johan is going tonight. He's a gamer. So here's hoping we can pull off a win. And waiting for the Brewers to crack so we can back into the playoffs is not my idea of aggressive ball.

The Mets have backed themselves into a deep, dark corner and now have to fight to win. Better get going boys!

(Oh, my bloggin' head is pounding!)

The House that Ruth Built

So today is the day. The immortal Yankee Stadium will host it's last game tonight. With no playoffs this year, it's the end.

Tom Verducci wrote an interesting piece in SI with the stadium in the first person. Quite a few tidbits I did not know.

And all the NY papers have been covering it in-depth. So I won't talk history here.

Now it's time to say goodbye. My earliest memories of the stadium? I was born in The Bronx, but my father's family came from upper Manhattan (via Ireland) and were mostly Dodgers or Giants fans. The Yankees were more for people of means, while the National League teams were for the working class. So when time came, I picked the Mets as my team. But I had some cousins who lived within site distance of YS, and I can remember it off in the distance when we would visit.

I had a lot of friends who root for the Yanks, so over the years I would get there time to time.

I remember spending quite a bit of time at Stan's whenever we went.

In 1996, it snowed on opening day, so the Yankees offered everyone a ticket to another game, either a Thursday against the Jays or a Tuesday against the Mariners. A friend had about 10 tickets to opening day so he took 10 for the Mariners on May 14. Since it was a weeknight, a lot of people didn't want to go. I went, happy to see Dwight "Doc" Gooden pitching. And the rest is history. Dr. K pitched a no-hitter that night, probably the first (and only) time I rooted for the Yankees in my life.

This year I took my two sons to the stadium so they could always say they were there. Cliff Lee and the Indians beat the Yanks 3-0 that night. Nice.

After a dozen or so years, the Bronx Bombers won't be in the playoffs. A little odd after a run like that. The stadium will be gone, replaced by the palace across the street. A palace that many will not be able to afford to get into. Somebody's got to foot the bill for all-stars everywhere I suppose.

So enjoy the show on ESPN tonight. The AL East has a new Ray of hope.

The Back and Forth of Baseball

So after a tumultuous week - the NY Mets have regained first in the NL East after a big win last night in Atlanta and a Philles loss to Florida. Coupled with another Brewers loss - the Mets and Phillies are both looking to make the playoffs, with one tagged as the Wild Card.
Unlike years past I am uncharacteristically calm about this playoff race. Don't know why. Maybe after watching the first month and a half the Mets played in a very lackluster manner, I see any "meaningful September games" as a big bonus.

So with a week and a day to go - could be a wild ride.

Check out ESPN's Outside the Lines tomorrow for a story on Lymon Bostock and his murder during the 1978 baseball season.

And after 6 weeks of no youth baseball, I began my informal baseball clinic today for boys who want to play and get better (we're in a kind of football town). Fun session, kids had a great time. Showed them this training tool and they loved it! Best of all, my son was ripping the ball in hitting practice. So says the proud father!

Fw:

Nice short sweet name for a post. And it all has to do with the folks who Fw: every e-mail they find cute/informative/important/witty. Trouble is, I rarely find it so. And these same folks never actually come up with anything on their own, so they are rarely cute/informative/important/witty, just annoying.

I do not need these e-mails folks. I do not care what snopes.com says, since I can pretty much figure out a hoax with my bulls*** detector (mine's built-in). And just so you know - the delete key is the only action I take when I get these banal deliveries.

Fw: yourself a life and a clue. Think hard and send me an e-mail with an original thought.

I sound like the Angry Blog Guy today!

---

What, What, What?

As in happened.

I guess the baseball gods have decided to make me crazy. After a pretty nice cushion, the NY Mets blow the lead and are now 1/2 game out of first to the red-hot Phillies, and 1/2 game up on the (strange) Brewers, who fired their manager after a winning season of baseball with two weeks left. Who wants that job?

So we go another 11 and see where we get. I still believe that this isn't 2007 and we can right the ship.

Mets play the Nats 1x, the Braves 3x, the Cubbies 4x and the Fish 3x.

Phils play Atlanta 4x, Nats 3x and the Fish 3x with one off-day.

Brewers play Cubs 4x, Reds 3x and Pittsburgh 3x with one off-day.

Nationals or Marlins could be big spoilers here for either team. Cubs will be a tough one folks.

I need to get my Rally Cap going.

The Loss Column

So today, Friday 9/12, the NY Mets are up four games in the loss column versus the Philadelphia Phillies. This weekend is HUGE folks.

Mets play home against the woeful Braves. Santana against Hampton tonight, Pedro vs. JoJo Reyes on Saturday, and Ollie P. takes on some guy names Jorge on Sunday. Gotta win 2 of 3 here.

Phils got the Brew Crew- and they took the first game last night. Brewers better step it up folks. The Wild Card is at stake for them.

No predictions, cause I don't want to be called a jinx. Let's go Mets. Take care of business.

Anyway, I'm off to Dallas on Sunday for business. Gonna try to get to a Ranger game on Tuesday night. Catch you on the flipside of Ike.

Seven Years Ago

Just a short post -

Keep those who perished in New York City, Arlington and Shanksville seven years ago in your prayers today.

Never Forget.

God Bless America.

It's good to be King

Watched a fascinating documentary last night called The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. It's about Donkey Kong, you know the big monkey, damsel in distress, a plumber named Mario and many barrels and elevators.

Now, I'm not really the gaming type. I do like Tetris and puzzles, but today's video games leave me cold. I do remember the days of classics like Galaga, Centipede and the mighty DK though. I had heard about this film awhile back and thought it fairly interesting.

In the far corner, you have the recognized champ (since 1982!), a very unlikable (my opinion) guy named Billy Mitchell. In the other, the good-guy, Johnny-come-lately, Steve Weibe. And in between, the oddest assortment of video game followers and geeks you will ever see. Nearly everybody looks like something out of a Will Ferrell movie. Yikes.

Anyway, check out the movie if you wanted to see the nasty underbelly of the classic videogame world (which actually exists). Like I said, fascinating. You won't believe this stuff actually goes on.

SoulSlam Returneth

Back in black fight fans. Black since I need to return to the grind in a couple of days. Back from an incredibly great, relaxing vacation. Back to the North of NJ.

Random thoughts from my week away:
Rehoboth Beach (and surroundings) is a great place
Crabs are plentiful in the Delmarva
Check out what may be my favorite restaurant here
Why do vacation haunts always have a 20" TV?
Any place with outlet shopping attracts interesting types
The Phillies may have the biggest bunch of homers broadcasting
Apparently ESPN is letting Baseball Tonight take a backseat to football now
Five Guys makes what might be the best burger I've ever tasted
Mets need some bullpen help. Quickly
Jake's is highly recommended
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is a great way to travel
The price of gas is killing me. Who remembers (the good old days) two summers ago when we we're topping 2 bucks.
The Yankees are just about D-E-A-D
My NFL team, the Oakland Raiders will be lucky to go 4-12
A-Rod just hit into another DP to kill a rally
I feel sorry for the Rays - how about showing up Tampa folks?
How come the worst shows are in re-runs?
Some good TV begins this week (besides baseball)
Scott Boras is an a**

Have a safe Labor Day.

Sand and Surf

So for all my loyal listeners - vacation has arrived. And I am off!

Going to the great state of Delaware, for a week of beachtime. As you may or may not know, people from NJ don't go the beach, we go to the shore. But once your at the shore you can go to the beach. But since I'm going to another state, I guess I'm going to the beach.

Access to the WWW will be limited while I'm away, so you'll have to make do. Be back soon....

The Curse of Ryan

I often have spirited discussions with friends and acquaintances who root for the NY Yankees. If you live in the NYC area, you know the type; the one's who always bring up 26 World Championships, 1986 as the last year the NY Mets won the series, etc. These discussions always end up with me winning this battle of wits, because: 1) they are ill-prepared for my devastating rips, and 2) they've been drinking the Yankee Kool-aid for way too long.

So let me let you in on a little secret: the NY Yankees have been under the spell of The Curse of Ryan since they last won the series. What is The Curse of Ryan, you ask? Let's digress.

Obviously you all know the famous ones - Curse of the Bambino, finally exorcised in 2004; there is the Curse of the Billy Goat, which is still going strong, but looks like it has chance to graze no more; and a lot of people, especially them's in New England point to the Curse of A-Rod. Well how about the more obscure curses - like the Curse of the ex-Cubs, which has not always been fool-proof, but has a pretty good batting average all the same; or the Curse of Pedro Borbon.

Liking the whole voodoo of the curse factor, I propose that The Curse of Ryan is now in full effect. So here's the tale.

On October 26, 2000, a young man was born named Ryan. His dad (that would be me) is a HUGE METS FAN (all caps on that). The evening of 10/26/2000 was also the night the Mets lost the World Series to the Yanks at Shea. Bittersweet, since the birth of my second son was so joyous, but sad because my Mets lost. So Ryan placed the curse that night, for the Yankees to never win the WS again.

And, yes, I know, they got there in 2001, but the kid was a year old folks. The little guy's mojo wasn't too strong yet. Every year though, he gets older and the curse is getting stronger. He's 7 now, and the Curse is keeping the NYY down in the standings. By the time he's 13, the Yankees will resemble the KC Royals!

So a message to you all - he won't take it off, and you all have your celebrating at Shea on that night to blame. Light a candle, say a novena, because it's on.

Note: Pick up Baseball's Most Wanted if you want to read about a ton of BB oddities. Great read.

Lettuce Story

Remember Bob Probert? Maybe the toughest SOB ever to lace up a pair of Bauers. Goon of goons, the self-proclaimed heavyweight champ of hockey. But this guy had nothing on the ladies at my local supermarket over at the Salad Bar.

I felt like a salad for lunch - and I work near home. So I went to my local market, where the greens are a known quantity. I'm pretty simple with a salad; some lettuce (except iceberg), some tomatoes, maybe a little pasta florentine and away I go. Grab my plastic container, work the tongs and voila! - lunch.

Now, the salad bar is a two-sided extravaganza, with a little alcove area at the end for your fruit-based components. Plenty of room for the nimble to load up and move on. Nope.

I get there during lunchtime and head straight to the SB. And when I get there, I spy two women descending on this island of earthy goodness - one to a side. And then it begins. Neither woman will allow me the courtesy of laying down a bed of greens on my canvas of plastic. They hunch over the lettuce areas like vultures. And I swear, one of them was picking up individual romaine bits piece by piece, examining them like a forensic pathologist and placing the bits that passed muster into her tub. It was maddening. The best part was the evil glances they kept giving me while I waited. And since I was growing a bit impatient, I decided to make a move in to the sway. And that's when individual-piece-of-lettuce lady threw the block, almost a hip check really, so I could not enter the veggie zone. Wow. But since I was raised a gentleman, I could not punch either lady in the side of the head like I so desperately wanted.

My saving grace was they saw some poor schmo looking to buy some clams or a piece of Chilean Sea Bass (which is neither from Chile or a bass), and looked to give him a hard time.

And after some time, I was able to fill my container with my choice of farm-fresh produce and go on my way. Rough.

Maybe I should have gone for a slice instead.