Thursday, March 29, 2007

In The Light

Greetings and Salutations to all.

Well, well, well what a difference a week makes. Tuesday was 75 degrees and what did I do? You got it - Drinking in the front yard with the neighbors. I think this should be a rite of passage for every home owner. Nothing more special than drinking beers, shooting the shit, rocking out to some fine tunes, sitting in your favorite chair with feet up…..ahhhhh – Now this – This is Miller Time!

And no we weren’t drinking Miller – not that I don’t like Miller Genuine Draft, but we were consuming Imperials from Costa Rica.

Sunday, I was able to take to the field and umpire for the 1st time this year. The day started crappy as the field I was suppose to work was soaked. After calling the league and moving to a nearby field, I got underway about 30-45 minutes later than I wanted to. The 4 teams that I umpired were so-so. Two were horrible and the other two were better than average. My problem was that the better than average teams had chances to finish off the weaker teams and in turn, screwed up and let them back into the game. A ploy perhaps? I doubt it; these guys need to tune-up their “A” Game and had no time for “Tom Foolery”.

This week’s money tip is about cleaning up your financial house:
- Six Steps for Financial Spring Cleaning

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/27005

A great article – I follow all these rules and they have helped me and I hope they help you. Numbers 2 and 6 I feel are the most important. In this day of ID theft and scams – nothing beats being on top of your credit report. Check it every year regardless if your credit is perfect or not.


I made a web purchase this week that well if you drink coffee you’ll understand. Back in 2005 on my honeymoon, my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii. I highly recommend visiting the 50th State. The people, the culture, the way of life, the language are unto themselves. It’s almost like visiting a new country. A good laugh here – while on vacation there – it happened to be the 4th of July (America’s Birthday). We ate and drank from the balcony of our hotel room while watching the fireworks. Earlier I had ordered room service and the voice on the other end wished me a Happy 4th of July. I wished the person the same and hung up. It then hit me. First – it’s very rare that someone in NY would say that exact phrase. At most you would get “Enjoy your holiday!” Second and I think the most relevant was that Hawaii has only been a state for 46 years, unlike the original colonies who had been a state for over 225 years. Just weird, I guess you had to be there.

Anyway, I purchased some Hawaiian coffee and look forward to drinking it in the next few weeks. I will post about after I open it. You can order here at:

http://www.hawaiianisles.com/

How about this for fun:

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6260/100960ireplacedyoursistvq1.jpg

Tonight's post brought to you by Guinness.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Letter J.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Number 80.
Nuff said!!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

And So It Goes....

Greetings and Salutations to all.

Well, it’s been a crappy week since last Thursday. As I put thought to post last week, we had (and I hope) the last snow/ice/sleet storm of the season. It’s officially Spring now, and I hope it stays that way. Ahh, I should be happy, we’ve only had about 7 inches of crap this winter, a lot better than in year’s past. Nothing puts a damper on things than snow – mix it with ice and sleet and you just add more fuel on the fire. What a hack it was to remove more than an inch of ice off the cars. Standing there pounding away with the $3 scrapper just to get some small little space on the windshield so you can see out of it.

I’m just glad it was 70 degrees today, bring on the warm weather. Bring on the sun! Bring on softball! Bring on drinking in the front yard with the neighbors…..ahhhh!

Saturday as we all know it was Saint Patrick’s Day. Usually a great day to celebrate and enjoy but because of the ice storm, the day was drab to say the least. Besides the aforementioned ice chipping, the rest of the day was boring in food shopping and chores. Dinner was Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yes, KFC for dinner. What? No corn beef and cabbage? That would be on Sunday. I think the luck of the Irish was with me when ordering/picking up my food at KFC, in that upon unpacking at home, I had more food than I purchased in my bag. So be it; we enjoy it for dinner on Saturday and leftovers on Monday.

Sunday was at Mom’s and we dine and feasted on the world’s best corn beef! MMMMMM mmmmmm good. Potatoes, cabbage and authentic Irish soda bread to boot. Washed it down with some Guinness. Ahhhhhh! Sorry all no leftovers to be had.

This week’s money tip is more about protecting yourself from Identity Theft. Here are 2 websites that will help you:

https://www.optoutprescreen.com/

Here you can delete yourself from getting those annoying pre-approved Credit Card offers in the mail. Just follow the instructions, print the form, sign it and mail it back. Trust me it works – takes from 8-12 weeks from processing to stop the offers, but it does work.

The other site is:

http://www.dmaconsumers.org/

This is the Direct Marketers Association website where you can delete yourself from getting all that junk mail. If you like junk mail or have a purpose for it, (i.e. burn it in the fireplace) then you can just skip this site.


A NEW BLOG!

Yes! (In the Marv Albert voice) – My friend Dennis has just started his blog:

http://frakkintalos.blogspot.com/

He is into sci-fi (Hugh trekkie!) and other things of the same genre. So let’s show him some love and visit his blog from time to time. I’ll post the link in my links section so it will be easier to visit.


Alas with the warm weather we head into softball season. Last year was a transition year in that we lost some key members and had a managerial change. The new manager (Dennis from above) was great but our downfall was attendance by some members, some key injuries and of course the missing players. Hopefully this year, our old manager Bryan is back at the helm and we’re adding some new powerful Bats into the lineup – we’ll make it back to Championship Game like we did 2 years ago!!

Check us out on the web at:

http://www.freewebs.com/roguessoftball/

And in closing I leave this “Classic” and I mean classic video of Duque on the diamond:



Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos


Finally to the person who emailed me and told me not to blog anymore (you know who you are!) I say and do the following:

Cross hatch of my arms above my genitals and say “SUCK IT!”


Tonight's post brought to you by Red Stripe (Jamaican for Beer Man!)
Tonight's post brought to you by the Letter M.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Number 28.
Nuff said!!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Rock and Roll Hall of SHAME!

Greetings and Salutations to all.

Jeez, write 1 sentence about the Yankees and I still get grief. Ok, so we’ll talk about the Mets. “How about those Mets?” – The popular phrase always used to change subjects.

Example: You’re talking about the Fuzzy Green Rash on Grandpa’s ass and all of sudden someone blurts out -- “How about those Mets?”

Well, all I can say about the Mets is they are 5-10 in Spring Training. My point here is this – check out the video on my friend Rob’s blog (Exit 55). It’s the March 12th entry. You can go to the links page on the upper right side of this page or click the link below:

http://steelyankee.blogspot.com/

Like Rob says, hits the nail on the head!


Moving on….

“The Outlaws” came and went and basically all I did was play hostess and clean up after them. Oh Yeah – they slept in my bed and I had to sleep on our crappy sofa bed. Ok, not crappy but let’s say uncomfortable for 2 people. The loved “Spamlot” and recommended it. When I have some scratch, I might venture into the concrete jungle to check it out. We never made it to the German restaurant. We tossed all sorts of cuisines around, from German, Irish, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Cajun and American. We ended up at “Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse” in Garden City. Nothing like a 9oz Filet Mignon with melted blue-cheese on top…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….yum.

Here is this week’s financial tidbit:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/03/01/8401032/index.htm?postversion=2007030106

This is a real good website to get a gauge on what your worth in the marketplace. A lot better than Salary.com – which I thought sucked. By no means is to offend those who are not working or are working below what their designated value is.

Ok, did anyone watch the live broadcast of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction? I did and plain and simple – Van Halen – lame!!! Yes, you read it correctly. Don’t get me wrong, I dig Van Halen and have almost all of the albums but when singer #2 shows up and the bassist (who from recent reports is no longer the bassist) are the only 2 people to represent – it’s sad. Where was Alex? I cut Eddie some slack for whatever ailment/treatment of the month is. He couldn’t pull a Britney and check out and then check back in? Do I even dare ask about Wolfgang? And last but no least “Diamond Dave” – he boycotted. Boycott the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? That’s like not showing up for a Purple Heart from the President. His reasoning – he wasn’t allowed to pick a song of his choosing to jam with Velvet Revolver. Cry Baby! Pathetic!

Hey – at least Gary Cherone saved face and didn’t bother to show. Did he even get an invitation?

As for the rest of the show – REM – great to see Bill Berry behind the skins again. He did by my estimate look sickly. Is it me or are Mike Mills & Peter Buck getting younger while Michael Stipe & Bill Berry are getting old and sickly. Just a weird perception. Hey – the highlight was Keith Richards inducting the Ronettes while still in costume for “Pirates of the Caribbean 3”. I was waiting for the talking parrot and a swashbuckling Johnny Depp to appear. Watching the Ronettes – all I kept doing was flashing back to 1986 to the Eddie Money video “Take Me Home Tonight” with Ronnie Spector and her reprising her vocal from her earlier hit.

Ok – so here is my rant. WHY THE FUCK HAS RUSH NOT BEEN INDUCTED??

Can someone at the R&R H of F tell me why? They can’t because it’s full of idiots who don’t the first thing about Rock and Roll.

Here is a list of notables sitting on the sidelines waiting for induction:
The Zombies, John Mellancamp, Chubby Checker, Mary Wells, King Curtis & The Clovers, Junior Parker, Junior Wells, Jeff Beck, Dick Dale, Linda Ronstadt, Heart, Leonard Cohen, Moody Blues, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Chicago, The Searchers, The Hollies, The Monkees – ok maybe they don’t deserve to be in.

Just Very, Very Sad that all of the above are not in yet. The problems facing them are the acts that are up for 1st time nominations in the following years:

2008:
Madonna, Beastie Boys, Sting, Metallica, Tears for Fears, The Bangles

2009:
Run-DMC, The Smiths, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Slayer

2010:
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cyndi Lauper, Nick Cave, Pogues, The Cult

2011:
LL Cool J, Flaming Lips, Enya, Simply Red, My Bloody Valentine

2012:
Guns n’ Roses (maybe they’ll do a Van Halen!)

Sign the Petition – due note it was writing several years ago before he infamous New Year’s Eve debacle with Alex.
http://www.petitiononline.com/xanstar/petition.html


In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day this Saturday. Pòg Mo Thòin
If you don’t know what it means – go ask an Irishman!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=beer

Something I always wanted to do ----
http://emuse.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/16474

Tonight's post brought to you by Guinness (in honor of me Holiday!)
Tonight's post brought to you by the Letter G.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Number 7.
Nuff said!!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Blast From The Past!

Greetings and Salutations to all.

Ok the Yankees are 6-1-1. Go Yanks! That’s it! Happy Now?

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending my Grammar School reunion at a local pub. Just to initiate those who are not in the know. I graduated OLPH grammar school in 1985. Yes, that’s makes it 22 years in the making. Some of us went to High School together so it’s been 18 years since I’ve seen then. We had a turnout of 12, which included 2 wives and 1 husband. Organized by none other than Mr. Joe F.

Attending:
Joe and Cindy F.
John R.
Bernadette R.
Fatima C.
Dom C.
Paul V.
Teresa E. and Steven R.
Joe P.





And last but not least the wife and I. We shared stories, tall tales, smoked cigars, mourn deceased alumni and drank the night away. We currently have a website where we have a discussion forum on topics from favorite teachers, jobs, family life, origin of man, and other assorted goodies. Sorry, it’s members only, well there is one person who reads this that has the opportunity to join. You know who you are. :p

Another get together is in the works at Joe and Cindy F’s house; a Saturday in late March, or sometime in April. From what I’ve been reading it seems to be a Pizza making/Cooking session. Regardless it will be fun and more stories and drinking will occur. The “Big” reunion will be over the summer, this we’re hoping to get all/most of the alumni to attend (especially those who need to fly in).

Moving on….

This weekend the In-Laws will be in town or as they call themselves “The Out-Laws”. They have tickets to see “Spamalot” on Saturday afternoon in the city. While they are away, I will help my friend Bryan move from his home in Lake Grove as well as collect some of my Jeep stuff from his garage. Saturday night brings dinner with the “The Out-Laws”. Right now, unknown as to our destination. I secretly want to go to this good German restaurant in Bellmore called “Oak Chalet”. The wife is not fond of it, but her parents have been there and loved it, so a good chance we’ll be there. I’ll keep you posted.

Here is this week’s financial tidbit:

http://money.cnn.com/pf/101/index.html

I love money.cnn.com – it gives great advice as well as a sound view of the financial world in general. I visit it daily, sometimes more than once. It’s one of my top 5 websites.

If ever, there was an invention that I need this is it:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/445498/robotic_beer_launching_refrigerator/

Speedy recovery wishes for Sean A. – no falling up stairs anymore! ;p

Tonight's post brought to you by Sam Adams Honey Porter.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Letter B.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Number 24.
Nuff said!!!

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Reflections

Greeting and Salutations to All!

It’s been a so-so week since we last met. Spring Training has started and the Yankees are off to a fine start. Mr. Damon hit a leadoff homerun and Mr. Giambi hit one in the 2nd. Looking mighty fine there Jason. The real star of the show was Mr. Wang. No not Charles Wang the owner of the New York Islanders. I’m taking about the man who finished 2nd in the AL Cy Young Award race last year - Chien-Ming Wang.

He was perfect in his 2 innings of work. Sharp, effective and again using only minimal amounts of pitches to retire batters. I believe he is/will be the opening day starter for the Yankees on April 2nd. Other than that we saw the first real work of Mr. Hughes. The highly touted prospect of the minors that the other 29 teams in MLB want. Not gonna happen! Anyway, a little sharp, a little sloppy, a so-so performance from Phillip. He did surrender the Twins only run for the game.

Enough Yankees – how about the Oscars – did it suck or what – too damn long. Too much BS and please someone show Ellen the door – she sucks too, and I don’t mean her GF either! Happy for Alan Arkin – he was great as the heroin using Grandfather and the act he taught the kid was priceless. I was upset that Abagail didn’t win, she lost to Jennifer Hudson. Someone told me that kids shouldn’t win. I said “Why Not? they’re actors too!” I reminded that person of wins by Tatum O’Neal for “Paper Moon” and Anna Paquin for “The Piano” – so take that in your pipe and smoke it. You know who you are! Kudos for Helen Mirren in “The Queen”! I heard she has a standing invitation to the palace to have tea with the “Real” Queen Elizabeth II.

Great win for Forrest Whitaker – always loved him as an actor. Stayed mostly away from the more mainstream roles for the more edgy, independent roles. Don’t get me wrong, loved him in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” but check him out in “Smoke”, “The Crying Game”, “Ghost Dog” and of course as Lt. Kavanaugh on “The Shield” on FX.

Speaking of “The Shield”, if you’re not watching it – there is something wrong with you!! One of the best TV shows of all time. Great acting, writing, direction, I can’t describe it anymore; you just have to watch it. Watch it on DVD or on FX ONLY!!
Do not watch the reruns on regular TV or on the Spike channel. They’re edited and do the show no justice.

Saw this article on Yahoo today:

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/millionaire/25132

Ways to increase your income by 20%. I think it’s a great article for those who need some extra cash. Who doesn’t? While the author has appeared and been endorsed by Oprah, no way do I endorse O. I just happen to find the article as Yahoo is my homepage.


I’m off to a mini-reunion this weekend at a local bar. An old classmate managed to track me down after 22 years. Yes for those who are counting and are in the know, that means Grammar school. While grammar school reunions are few and far between, I think it’s great. I spent 8 years with these people while only spending 4 years with the guys from HS. Looking forward to it, they’re will be plenty drinking, catching up, swapping of old tales, and partying into the wee hours of the morning. I will give full details next Thursday night.

Last and certainly not the least I want to devote this week’s entry to Tony Monteverdi. Tony is the father of “Big Al” – a trusting, warm, and caring friend of mine. As many of you know “Big Al” is actually a female – my friend Alice who is vertically challenged hence the moniker. I’ve met Tony several times over the last 15-20 years and he was very friendly and hospitable. Never was I allowed to call him “Mr. Monteverdi” or “Sir”, just Tony. His wife was the same way hence we called her “Jane”. Tony was always inviting you into his kitchen and offering you wine, beer, soda, a snack, whatever you wanted basically. He was so engaging that Alice would have to tell him “Leave Mick along, he came to see me!” We’ll miss you Tony – may you rest in peace.

Tonight's post brought to you by Guinness.
Tonight's post brought to you by the Letter G.
Nuff said!!!