Best paragraph I got in an blog-esque email today from my brother Chris in Dayton:
Baseball
Its baseball season, the Reds and the Alter JV team suck. The Dragons [Dayton Single A Reds farm team] and Jake's [my 11-yr old nephew] team are great. Went to the Dragons game last week and they get it. They are well organized, know how to entertain, put on an event and oh by the way the team is decent. The Reds should take note.
Jake's playing baseball for the first time since he was about 6 and like the Dragons he gets it. Strong arm but needs to use better mechanics, good field sense, good glove, and can hit the hell out of the ball. The catcher got hurt so Jake moved to catcher and does a decent job especially never having played before. He is also very proud of his cup but that's no big surprise, all boys are.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
ZZZZZzzzz
My two cents: I've never been hugely into the Sopranos. I like it, it's fine, but I liked Six Feet Under and Sex and the City way more. So fifteen minutes left in the Sopranos finale, and I'm dead asleep on the couch. The DVR let me rewind, and see for myself just how NOTHING it was. I seriously was thinking I had missed a pivotal line/scene/something. Nope. Snore. And Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" as the exit song? Weak.
Belmont 2007
Great day with Tania, Julia and Goldie for this year's Belmont, with Denis, of course, around and in attendance, plus were able to accommodate Keller, Schoenfeld (carrying about 200 Xanax), Culyba, and Shelby into the area of our clubhouse seats for much silliness and bullshitting.
I was down about $85 on the five graded races prior to the big one, but after seeing that big, gorgeous girl in the paddock, I was even more sure who to bet. So I hit the tri, had her across the board, and walked with about $120, i.e. about broke even for the day. Filly or no: she simply looked like, and ran as the best horse. A good horse is a good horse, colt or filly. My men Pletcher/Velazquez finally won a Triple Crown race together, after Pletcher posted an 0-fer 28 in previous races.
There were three incredibly competitive races comprising this year's Triple Crown, but seeing this gal stumble out of the gate, recover without incident, make a huge four-wide move on the last turn, and fight Curlin off down the stretch turned this one into the most exciting of the three. Do yourself a favor and watch the replay online, for I am still getting goosebumps thinking about the race. The cheer the crowd gave her as she paraded in front of the grandstand on the way back to the winner's circle was stirring and deserved. It's going to be interesting to see what they do with her next but I hope they keep running her with the best competition, rather than playing it safe and taking her back to only Distaff (f.) races.
Although only 46,000 were there to see it, it was a race for the ages, one for the record books, etc. etc. And where were YOU when the filly won for the first time in 102 years? I say it every year, but THIS truly was the best Belmont ever.
I was down about $85 on the five graded races prior to the big one, but after seeing that big, gorgeous girl in the paddock, I was even more sure who to bet. So I hit the tri, had her across the board, and walked with about $120, i.e. about broke even for the day. Filly or no: she simply looked like, and ran as the best horse. A good horse is a good horse, colt or filly. My men Pletcher/Velazquez finally won a Triple Crown race together, after Pletcher posted an 0-fer 28 in previous races.
There were three incredibly competitive races comprising this year's Triple Crown, but seeing this gal stumble out of the gate, recover without incident, make a huge four-wide move on the last turn, and fight Curlin off down the stretch turned this one into the most exciting of the three. Do yourself a favor and watch the replay online, for I am still getting goosebumps thinking about the race. The cheer the crowd gave her as she paraded in front of the grandstand on the way back to the winner's circle was stirring and deserved. It's going to be interesting to see what they do with her next but I hope they keep running her with the best competition, rather than playing it safe and taking her back to only Distaff (f.) races.
Although only 46,000 were there to see it, it was a race for the ages, one for the record books, etc. etc. And where were YOU when the filly won for the first time in 102 years? I say it every year, but THIS truly was the best Belmont ever.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
DL Watch 2007: Part 2
Denis Leary was at the Turkey's Nest last night filming Rescue Me. I, goddamn it unfortunately, was not, but was getting text updates from Gina. For some reason, this intriguing softball-playing boy from Ohio I was out to dinner with refused to humor my excitement by going a-stalking with me.
Denis Leary and The Nest?? I can't think of a better combination.
New season of Rescue Me premieres this Wednesday at 10pm on F/X
UPDATE 6/13: And they were filming at Cheaters, my local, all day today. Missed it by an hour, although we did chat up the crew. Groupies for a TV show: that's pathetic. So close, yet so far. Hell, Leary's stalking ME.
Denis Leary and The Nest?? I can't think of a better combination.
New season of Rescue Me premieres this Wednesday at 10pm on F/X
UPDATE 6/13: And they were filming at Cheaters, my local, all day today. Missed it by an hour, although we did chat up the crew. Groupies for a TV show: that's pathetic. So close, yet so far. Hell, Leary's stalking ME.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Belmont Preview
Big news this week is that Rags to Riches, champion filly and winner of the Kentucky Oaks (girl horse version of the Derby), will be running against the boys in The Belmont. Only two fillies have ever won the mile-and-a-half Belmont, and only 22 chick horses have ever been entered. Daughter of A.P. Indy (lost Derby, won damn near everything else in 1992), and half-sister to last year's Belmont winner, Jazil, she brings a buzz to the already-strong field of seven. Best quote from my man Todd Pletcher: "Aside from having testicles, she has it all." Curlin, winner of the Preakness, will go off as the favorite at 6-5. Value bet: Tiago.
My bets: boxing Curlin/Tiago/Rags to Riches in some Tri/Exacta combo depending on odds; and Tiago and Rags to Riches across the board.
It's going to be a nice day at Belmont on Saturday - Six (!!) graded stakes races including the Belmont version of the Oaks, the Acorn, now moved to Saturday; It won't the madhouse it is when there's a Triple Crown at stake, with attendance cut in half to about 60,000; The weather is predicted to be gorgeous; And we have my favorite clubhouse seats just past the finish line where I will, once again, make an attempt to become the third, younger, wife of a 65-year old man who owns horses. Although I'm sure I am already too old, and surely lack the trashy blonde hair and fake tits needed for that role.
Someone who is way funnier than me has a great preview here.
My bets: boxing Curlin/Tiago/Rags to Riches in some Tri/Exacta combo depending on odds; and Tiago and Rags to Riches across the board.
It's going to be a nice day at Belmont on Saturday - Six (!!) graded stakes races including the Belmont version of the Oaks, the Acorn, now moved to Saturday; It won't the madhouse it is when there's a Triple Crown at stake, with attendance cut in half to about 60,000; The weather is predicted to be gorgeous; And we have my favorite clubhouse seats just past the finish line where I will, once again, make an attempt to become the third, younger, wife of a 65-year old man who owns horses. Although I'm sure I am already too old, and surely lack the trashy blonde hair and fake tits needed for that role.
Someone who is way funnier than me has a great preview here.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Kurowycky Meats Closed
This sucks. The providers of this year's Derby ham (The best one so far, beating out the country ham and traditional smoked hams straight from KY) is going out of business. From Lost City:
Owner Jerry Kurowyckyj said in a statement:
It is with great sadness that I am announcing the closing of Kurowycky Meat products after 52 years. Today’s economic climate just does not support a small business on the scale that ours endeavors to survive in. Thank you all for all your years of support. We are closing as of this Saturday, June 2nd [2007]. It was a great ride and again, we thank you all.
An article in the Times revealed that a rent hike didn't do them in. The family owns the building. Profit margins have just steadily declined over the years, what with the changing nabe and changing eating habits. Slavic laborers eat ham. Artsy hipsters do not.
The business was founded in 1955 by Erast Kurowycky, who arrived in New York in 1949, having evaded the Nazis and Communists. His first store was located on Avenue B between 10th and 11th streets in New York City’s East Village. When Erast retired, his son Jaroslaw took over, and they moved to their present location. The shop is currently run by the third generation. Their website states that they "continue to operate one of the last existing smokehouses in New York City and still manufacture our sausages using the same methods that were used in Eastern Europe before the Second World War." Oh, and it's pronounced KOO-duh-vit-sky
Guess I won't walk around next year with a 15 pound ham in my bag, and then have to check it with the receptionist (quote: 'I don't think anyone's asked me to hold a ham before') when I go into to get my hair did.
Owner Jerry Kurowyckyj said in a statement:
It is with great sadness that I am announcing the closing of Kurowycky Meat products after 52 years. Today’s economic climate just does not support a small business on the scale that ours endeavors to survive in. Thank you all for all your years of support. We are closing as of this Saturday, June 2nd [2007]. It was a great ride and again, we thank you all.
An article in the Times revealed that a rent hike didn't do them in. The family owns the building. Profit margins have just steadily declined over the years, what with the changing nabe and changing eating habits. Slavic laborers eat ham. Artsy hipsters do not.
The business was founded in 1955 by Erast Kurowycky, who arrived in New York in 1949, having evaded the Nazis and Communists. His first store was located on Avenue B between 10th and 11th streets in New York City’s East Village. When Erast retired, his son Jaroslaw took over, and they moved to their present location. The shop is currently run by the third generation. Their website states that they "continue to operate one of the last existing smokehouses in New York City and still manufacture our sausages using the same methods that were used in Eastern Europe before the Second World War." Oh, and it's pronounced KOO-duh-vit-sky
Guess I won't walk around next year with a 15 pound ham in my bag, and then have to check it with the receptionist (quote: 'I don't think anyone's asked me to hold a ham before') when I go into to get my hair did.
Eatin' Out - Prime Burger
5 E. 51st Street btw 5th and Madison
I've gone on about this place for the past ten years, since I first started eating here when I worked at 666 Fifth Avenue. It's always been my standby for meeting friends for a midtown lunch or to take a short sit-down respite when up near St Patrick's.
Their slogan is "A burger is a burger is a burger. Ours is PRIME!". Gotta love a diner with it's own slogan. They have individual tables where the top swings out, like a grade school desk, decor that hasn't changed since the early 60s, homemade pie, decent burgers (make sure you ask for any extras beyond meat, bun and cheese) PLUS grilled cheese and tomato soup every day of the year. They also were given a James Beard Award in 2004 for being an "American Classic."
Gene Shalit once harassed me during lunch; I sat next to a guy with a HUGE Yankees 1996 World Series ring (never did find out who he was); and a waiter in the white jacket-and-tie staff uniform once sang the whole of "Wichita Lineman" to me while I was eating. Home of the nicest staff ever, most of whom have been there at least for the past 10 years, they always remember me and say "Where have you been? Don't you work nearby anymore?" when I don't show up for awhile. A truly only-in-NYC type of vibe, it makes me happy to walk through the doors and sit at the huge counter.
I've gone on about this place for the past ten years, since I first started eating here when I worked at 666 Fifth Avenue. It's always been my standby for meeting friends for a midtown lunch or to take a short sit-down respite when up near St Patrick's.
Their slogan is "A burger is a burger is a burger. Ours is PRIME!". Gotta love a diner with it's own slogan. They have individual tables where the top swings out, like a grade school desk, decor that hasn't changed since the early 60s, homemade pie, decent burgers (make sure you ask for any extras beyond meat, bun and cheese) PLUS grilled cheese and tomato soup every day of the year. They also were given a James Beard Award in 2004 for being an "American Classic."
Gene Shalit once harassed me during lunch; I sat next to a guy with a HUGE Yankees 1996 World Series ring (never did find out who he was); and a waiter in the white jacket-and-tie staff uniform once sang the whole of "Wichita Lineman" to me while I was eating. Home of the nicest staff ever, most of whom have been there at least for the past 10 years, they always remember me and say "Where have you been? Don't you work nearby anymore?" when I don't show up for awhile. A truly only-in-NYC type of vibe, it makes me happy to walk through the doors and sit at the huge counter.
Quote of the Week
From one of my oldest friends, the Little Feat-loving Roger, in reference to making out with people you've traditionally been "just friends" with. "Yeah, if it keeps happening, than you move up one base per episode, and see if you care enough to eventually get to home." Had me cryin'.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Cutting Edge
Time Out New York boldly declares Greenpoint "the Next Next Hot Neighborhood" on their cover this week. Uh, thanks.
My favorite thing is that Cheaters, the new Irish place, Van Gogh's and Lulu's or whatever it's called now i.e 75% of the places in the hood are left off the list of bars. The crowds on weekends down on that illustrious corner of Franklin and Greenpoint are pretty nuts these days anyway, so suppose that's not a bad thing. Whatevs. Sick of these kind of articles.
My favorite thing is that Cheaters, the new Irish place, Van Gogh's and Lulu's or whatever it's called now i.e 75% of the places in the hood are left off the list of bars. The crowds on weekends down on that illustrious corner of Franklin and Greenpoint are pretty nuts these days anyway, so suppose that's not a bad thing. Whatevs. Sick of these kind of articles.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
My Other New Hobby
While I'm talking all this shite about making cheese in my kitchen under the guise of the newly-named Newtown Creek Farms label, I've found another hobby that will go hand-in-hand with that. Fresh eggs plus cockfighting for fun and enjoyment on Sunday afternoons.
Farms have chickens, right? Although a friend just told me he would no longer speak to me if I get chickens for the backyard, and has to describe me as "You know, the one with the chickens."
...Cripes, just read the chicken directions. Even I am not that insane to try it out.
The word 'hobby' is strange. It makes me feel like I should do some hooked rugs.
Farms have chickens, right? Although a friend just told me he would no longer speak to me if I get chickens for the backyard, and has to describe me as "You know, the one with the chickens."
...Cripes, just read the chicken directions. Even I am not that insane to try it out.
The word 'hobby' is strange. It makes me feel like I should do some hooked rugs.
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