Watching The Ball Drop!

I do not plan to be in Times Square this year for New Year's. However, if you want to see all the festivities from there just click HERE

Watch it!

YouTube still amazes me. I find nearly any video I can imagine. Since I won't be blogging as much over the Holidays, I'm going to post some videos for you to check out when your in the mood. Happy Holidays!

CATEGORY: Christmas, music
"A Christmas Story" Montage
A montage of the classic holiday film A Christmas Story accompanied by music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.


CATEGORY: Christmas music, Comedy
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Dr. Elmo
I laughed the first time I heard this Holiday classic and kind of just tolerated it ever since. This is the first time I've seen the video for it so I guess I can laugh likes it's the first time once again.


CATEGORY: Off Color Comedy
Borat on the "Opie and Anthony Show"
The character Borat is coming to an end. This interview from the "O&A" Shows is pretty funny. Borat has these old radio pros really cracking up.



CATAGORY: Silly Comedy, Music
KOTRproductions perform "Dang Me"
While looking for "King of the Road" I came across this little ditty on YouTube. It's a video made for a classic Roger Miller song. I've known this song my whole life and if YouTube was around way back in the day - I might have made a video a little like this one. It's stupid but very funny. These guys have what you call "hidden talent".


CATEGORY: Sit Com Bloopers
Bloopers from "Frasier"
Frasier is one of my favorite shows of all time. Here are some funny outtakes.


CATEGORY: Music
M performs "Pop Music"
This was the first new wave music video I can remember seeing. It came out before MTV and set the tone for the early 1980's New Wave trend.


CATEGORY: Music
Men Without Hats perform "Safety Dance"
One day I'll have to do a long blog post about the legendary safety dance parties I had back in the day. If you're thinking of throwing a party and are looking for a theme - a "Safety Dance Party" is almost always a sure bet.

Happy Friday!

Everyone is travelling now. You can see just how amazing it looks here. Here's a good song to sing on the road. Be safe. Happy Friday.

UPDATE: I didn't watch the whole video until this morning. I found it very interesting that Roger Miller, who I always considered a pretty straight laced guy, seemed to be tip toeing - ever so gingerly - into the counter culture movement of the time. Notice how he yells out "hippie" at one point and seems ill at ease at the reaction he gets. Even more surprising to me was the final line of his second song which he changed the lyrics to call cops "the fuzz". It seems so odd to see a short haired, suit wearing guy say that, but more than that the audience reaction again seemed to catch Miller by surprise. I wonder what was going through his head at the time. It seems to me that he wanted to be part of the emerging counter culture - figuring it would help his career - but didn't feel quite comfortable doing so.

How to win at

Rock-Paper-Scissors

(HINT: Start with scissors)

Wednesday Roundup

It's been a busy week for work, news, sports and weather. Let's do a little roundup.

We had our "office party" last night. If there are any employers out there reading this let me tell you something ... giving free alcohol to your staff is a GREAT way to boost morale. Going into the party everyone was complaining about their jobs and co-workers - by the end of the night it was one big love fest. I really enjoyed it a lot. It's nice to see your co-workers in a social environment and I know they saw another side of me too (the "real" me?) I was not the somewhat grumpy somewhat disgruntled guy they see everyday. Also it seems true that those who work hard also play hard. I am a hard worker.

I just love this piece about Roger Clemens*. It's so nice to have company in my long running distaste for the guy. He now denies everything, but I don't believe him. He may not make it to the Hall of Fame and even if he does he will certainly not have the opportunity (I hope) to disgrace the New York Yankee uniform again. I do appreciate Andy Pettite's admission, explanation and apology. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that Roger Clemens* encourage Pettite to do it. Pick your friends carefully people.

The FSU Athletic program is in trouble again with reports that 20 or more football players were caught cheating on exams and will miss three games starting with the upcoming bowl game. What a mess. With a new Athletic Director now and new coach soon (I hope!) perhaps things will get straightened out.

It's been cold, windy and icy. I don't mind the cold but could do without the wind and ice.

My GOP fav Mike Huckabee is still surging making my prediction look better and better. He could certainly still implode (especially since he seems to be getting carried away with things. He should take a cue from Ron Paul and ride the wave - not try to force it). McCain seems to be doing better but I was impressed with Mitt Romney on Meet the Press this past Sunday. As I thought, he is a reasonable and smart man. He may regain his lead too. It will be a great race to watch! On the Democratic side, many pundits are saying that John Edwards is on the upswing. He's not really my cup of tea, but true liberals really prefer him so who knows. I still think that Obama will prevail.

Another young solider for "movement conservatives" has set the ground work for their dream of a permanent Republican majority. Kevin Martin push through regulations that would allow right wing propagandists to buy up and control even more media. I know I sound like a broken record but these "movement conservatives" are nothing less than fascists determined to turn America into one party state. (I continue to struggle with what to call this. They call themselves conservatives - but they are not. Also, there are many people who ARE conservative that are as frightened of this wave as I am. So I call them "movement conservatives" because they want to force their views on America by hook or by crook. They don't see politics as a way of helping people - they see it as a means to direct money, power and influence only to those who choose to join the movement. They are educated ( sometimes exclusively) by, young republican groups, talk radio and through other right wing media. These "movement conservatives" do not look at the world and come up with ways to make it better - they are determine to push through their ideas at any cost, to destroy anyone who disagrees and deny reality anytime (which is often) they need to. They have fooled a lot of good people - good conservative people - for a long time. These "movement conservatives" will never stop trying to rape this nation. Consolidating the media so that the truth is harder to find is an important part of the plan. I hope to God that we can look back one day and be thankful that they were stopped before it was to late. But that day has not come yet. BTW I would equally fearful of any liberal "movement". I'm not a movement guy. Movements, in politics, are dangerous.)

I travel to Miami on Sunday for Christmas and I am so excited. I love to go home and see everyone. I'll be in the air during the Patriots*/Dolphins game which is good. I would be too stressed out if I tried to watch it. On a different note ... a couple of weeks ago, after years of good service, my beard trimmer broke. I have always trimmed my beard pretty close and pretty often. When I wanted to "go wild" I would move the trimming guide from 2 to 3. How daring! Even at 3 the beard was quite short. Well, for a number of reasons, I did not buy a new trimmer yet. After all this time my beard is bigger than it has ever been. And guess what... nobody noticed. Truth be told, no one ever notices the changes in my beard. It's dumbfounding! I have had a beard, been completely shaved, had various shapes of goatees and now let it go wild and no one ever sees the difference! It's not that I have a wispy beard at all- I have a nice full beard (inherited from my Dad who has an awesome beard). During the past week I have asked people at work "notice anything different about my beard" - no one has. So I am going to let it go for another week or so because I notice and I think it looks good - especially for the winter. Walking around the City with my hat, scarf and beard I imagine myself a bit of a mountain man braving the elements in cold and windy New York. I have quite an imagination.

The Dolphins Win (Honestly!)

My Miami Dolphins finally won their first game today with an overtime victory against the Baltimore Ravens. It's about time. Now they don't have to join the Tampa Bay Suckaneers as the only modern NFL team to go without a victory. Meanwhile, the shame of the NFL, the Patriots* were awarded another victory this weekend even while questions on the extent of their cheating grow and evidence that the NFL helped them cover up evidence surface.

Happy Friday! (Barack O'Bollywood Style)

MQAblog Home Page

Late Thursday

I was in lower Manhattan all day. It hailed, briefly snowed, hailed some more and then rained until about 8. Not very nice. I got uptown about an hour ago and everything has almost an inch of snow. Much better.

I'm going to try to read the Mitchell Report on steroids over the weekend. I'll probably have more to say about it. I haven't seen today's Democratic debate yet, maybe more on that later too.

The Steroids List

Today at 2pm the Mitchell report on steroids in baseball comes out but already two players have been named. Roger Clemens (who you all know I hate anyway) and Andy Pettite (who I like but really is just a simple minded follower) are reported to be on "The List".

UPDATE: Well it was a long list. The biggest surprise to me was David Justice, the most humorous Chuck Knoblach. Looks like the asterisk key will be getting a lot of use by those who write the baseball record books.

Just the Worst

This is a daily feature on Countdown with Keith Olbermann. It's a short list of people whose behavior goes from bad to worst.

Choices

A commencement address by Barack Obama in 2005 provides an excellent summary of his thinking and shows the reason I support him for President. This excerpt comes from the middle of his address where he has been talking about the historic choices this nation has faced and how we are in a similar position today. You can get to the entire speech here.

Like so much of the American story, once again, we face a choice. Once again, there are those who believe that there isn’t much we can do about this as a nation. That the best idea is to give everyone one big refund on their government—divvy it up by individual portions, in the form of tax breaks, hand it out, and encourage everyone to use their share to go buy their own health care, their own retirement plan, their own child care, their own education, and so on.

In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society. But in our past there has been another term for it—Social Darwinism—every man or woman for him or herself. It’s a tempting idea, because it doesn’t require much thought or ingenuity. It allows us to say that those whose health care or tuition may rise faster than they can afford—tough luck. It allows us to say to the Maytag workers who have lost their job—life isn’t fair. It let’s us say to the child who was born into poverty—pull yourself up by your bootstraps. And it is especially tempting because each of us believes we will always be the winner in life’s lottery, that we’re the one who will be the next Donald Trump, or at least we won’t be the chump who Donald Trump says: "You’re fired!"

But there is a problem. It won’t work. It ignores our history. It ignores the fact that it’s been government research and investment that made the railways possible and the Internet possible. It’s been the creation of a massive middle class, through decent wages and benefits and public schools that allowed us all to prosper. Our economic dependence depended on individual initiative. It depended on a belief in the free market; but it has also depended on our sense of mutual regard for each other, the idea that everybody has a stake in the country, that we’re all in it together and everybody’s got a shot at opportunity. That’s what’s produced our unrivaled political stability.

Every one of us is going to have to work more, read more, train more, think more. We will have to slough off some bad habits—like driving gas guzzlers that weaken our economy and feed our enemies abroad. Our children will have to turn off the TV set once in a while and put away the video games and start hitting the books. We'll have to reform institutions, like our public schools, that were designed for an earlier time. Republicans will have to recognize our collective responsibilities, even as Democrats recognize that we have to do more than just defend old programs.

It won't be easy, but it can be done. It can be our future. We have the talent and the resources and brainpower. But now we need the political will. We need a national commitment. And we need each of you.

Now, no one can force you to meet these challenges. If you want, it will be pretty easy for you to leave here today and not give another thought to towns like Galesburg and the challenges they face. There is no community service requirement in the real world; no one is forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and go chasing after the big house, and the nice suits, and all the other things that our money culture says that you should want, that you should aspire to, that you can buy.

But I hope you don't walk away from the challenge. Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. You need to take up the challenges that we face as a nation and make them your own. Not because you have a debt to those who helped you get here, although you do have that debt. Not because you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate than you, although I do think you do have that obligation. It's primarily because you have an obligation to yourself. Because individual salvation has always depended on collective salvation. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.

Cartoon Commentary

Movement Conservatives

Don't have to be educated in U.S. history, they just have to know how to repeat the talking points they have been fed their entire lives.

Cartoon Commentary

Forward Thinking Political Analyst For Immediate Hire

It is nice to see that after years of studying politics and providing analysis, all my hard work is finally being rewarded. Oh, not financially of course (at least not yet). But the surge of Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama, which has confounded traditional experts, is actually playing out just as I predicted. Of course, there is a long way to go and anything can happen, but I am personally pleased (and maybe even a little bit relieved) that all the unpaid effort I have put in over the years has not been a waste of time. At least I am gaining an understanding of things.

Now that Mike Huckabee is getting closer the position of Republican front runner, he is becoming a huge target by political opponents. A couple of issues from his past have resurfaced recently. First, the fact that a man he helped release from jail, raped and murdered again. It's a tragic case, and one that he had more responsibility for than he first admitted. However, it really doesn't sound like something, in my opinion, that SHOULD stop his Presidential prospects. I remember the Wille Horton ads and thought it was dishonest for Bush I to suggest that it showed a flaw in the character of Michael Dukaksis. The same goes for Huck. Yes, it was a tragic mistake. But I am convinced that he has learned from it. What else can you ask of someone?

The next issue is with AIDS. In 1992 Huck said that AIDS patients should be quarantined and that funding should be held back because of the moral issues involved with this disease. He now says that he was wrong and excuses himself by saying that knowledge of the disease was much less then than it is now. This doesn't really make sense to me. After all, this was 1992 -not 1982! There was more than enough information out there for Huckabee to have avoided such ridiculous comments. Clearly he was pandering to the GOP base at the time without doing his research. Bad Huck!

It is important to remember that even though Huckabee is the best in his group, he is still a Republican. I'm sorry to say that modern Republicanism is grounded either in (intentionally disseminated) misinformation or a complete ignorance of facts. Huckabee certainly was no exception in the 1990's. He bought into all that "movement conservative" denial of reality stuff. But, here is the difference I see with Mike Huckabee - rather than stay set in his ways and continue to ignore reality, Huckabee educated himself and adjusted his positions and policies (including AIDS) based on what he learned. For a party which seems hell bent of forcing the world to adjust to their backward policy positions, it is nice to see at least one candidate in the GOP actually adjust his positions based on the facts on the ground. For a modern Republican that is groundbreaking stuff and I am hopeful that voters in their primary will continue to see the need to purge their party of ideologues and keep Huckabee on top for their party's nomination. It would do this country a lot of good to have someone from the GOP that, if not completely grounded in reality, at least is familiar with the concept.

As far as Obama is concerned I remain optimistic. He represents change and I just don't see the supporters of Edwards, Richardson or any of the other going to anyone but Obama. Barack should do well in Iowa and New Hampshire (probably win both) and the 2nd tier candidates will begin falling off. This will only strengthen Obama and should send him on his way to the nomination.

Enough of all that. Lets return to my favorite hobby of self congratulatory back patting. (I have learned that if you wait for others to notice you are doing a good job - you will probably never get what you deserve. Sad but true.) Below is an opinion piece by NY Times columnist Frank Rich. He is one of the best in the business and has penned a piece today that echos what I have been saying for months now. He is as right now as I was when I said it months ago. (P.S. Yes, this is all a thinly disguised attempt for anyone out there who might want to hire a political analyst and commentator that is often is well ahead of the curve. Contact me by e mail - I am available for immediate employment!)

Here's some of Rich's column:
COULD 2008 actually end up being a showdown between the author of “The Audacity of Hope” and the new Man from Hope, Ark.? It sounds preposterous, but Washington’s shock over Mike Huckabee’s sudden rise in the polls — he “came from nowhere,” Robert Novak huffed last week — makes you wonder. Having failed to anticipate so much else, including the Barack Obama polling surge of days earlier, the press pack has proved an unreliable guide to election 2008. What the Beltway calls unthinkable today keeps turning out to be front-page news tomorrow.

What really may be going on here is a mirror image of the phenomenon that has upended Hillary Clinton’s “inevitability” among Democrats. Like Senator Obama, Mr. Huckabee is the youngest in his party’s field. (At 52, he’s also younger than every Democratic contender except Mr. Obama, who is 46.) Both men have a history of speaking across party and racial lines. Both men possess that rarest of commodities in American public life: wit. Most important, both men aspire (not always successfully) to avoid the hyper-partisanship of the Clinton-Bush era.

The fact to remember about Mr. Huckabee’s polling spike is that it occurred just after the G.O.P. YouTube debate on CNN, where Mr. Romney and Rudy Giuliani vied to spray the most spittle at illegal immigrants. Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado, the fringe candidate whose most recent ads accuse the invading hordes of “pushing drugs, raping kids, destroying lives,” accurately accused his opponents of trying to “out-Tancredo Tancredo.”

Next to this mean-spiritedness, Mr. Huckabee’s tone leapt off the screen. Attacked by Mr. Romney for supporting an Arkansas program aiding the children of illegal immigrants, he replied, “In all due respect, we’re a better country than to punish children for what their parents did.” It was a winning moment, politically as well as morally. And a no-brainer at that. Given that Mr. Tancredo polls at 4 percent among Iowan Republicans and zero nationally, it’s hard to see why Rudy-Romney thought it was smart to try to out-Tancredo Tancredo.

The real reason for Mr. Huckabee’s ascendance may be that his message is simply more uplifting — and, in the ethical rather than theological sense, more Christian — than that of rivals whose main calling cards of fear, torture and nativism have become more strident with every debate. The fresh-faced politics of joy may be trumping the five-o’clock-shadow of Nixonian gloom and paranoia favored by the entire G.O.P. field with the sometime exception of John McCain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!

I hope it is Spectacular!!!!!

Happy Friday

The Grammy nominations are out and the two big nominees are Kanye West and Amy Winehouse. I hear West from time to time and he is OK but I am a huge fan of Amy Winehouse. I bought her album Black To Black from iTunes a couple weeks ago and was blown away. It's the best album I've heard in years. If you haven't listened to it check it out. Like everything theses days it is definitely R Rated but the emotion and sheer raw talent throughout the album gave me goose bumps. It's awesome.

Yesterday the big political news was the speech by Mitt Romney about his Mormon faith. To me it is no big deal. I look at Mormons as I look at any religious group. Actually I may view them slightly more favorably. My experience with Mormonism is part of the reason why. When I was in my mid 20's I worked with a guy who was Mormon. He was middle aged (which seemed old at the time) and I think an official in the local Mormon church. When I found out he was Mormon I was interested because, like a lot of people, I thought they allowed polygamy (which, to be totally honest, was a way of life I thought I would feel comfortable with). They don't and I never really followed up on it. It probably would have been a bad reason to join a religion anyway.
Fast Forward 15 years and my next exposure to Mormons was when I was living in Las Vegas where there are tons of them. It was there where I really got to become familiar with the Mormon church. They are definitely frowned upon by traditional conservative Christians and I heard them referred to as a "cult" or "tribe" very often. The Mormons I met however were actually very nice, and seemed easier to related to than the traditional fundamentalist types (If you didn't know there are A LOT of strict religious people in Las Vegas). Also the Mormon girls I met in Las Vegas were sweet, attractive and fun to hang out with. Good people!
During my brief return to Florida, one of my roommate was Mormon so I got even a closer look at it. I saw that during hurricanes THEY were the one to take in refugees and THEY also were first on the scene to help people. I was mightily impressed that they were proactive in providing good deeds. On the downside they did come to the apartment frequently to check with my roomie whenever she missed a service. I also went to one of their services and it was fascinating. My main memory was having a small group of elders siting very high up on pedestal looking down at us all and making little marks in their books. I found that a bit disarming but otherwise it was fine.
So, the way I look at it - I wouldn't become a Mormon but from what I have seen they are good, sincere people who actively seek to help the less fortunate. I like their tithing policy and overall have positive feeling toward Mormons. (Plus, it's kind of amazing that they chose to live in the mountains of Utah which will be one of the few places in the USA to survive if Global warming really goes all the way.) So, I would have no problem with a Mormon as President (although I'd strongly prefer a Democratic Mormon to a Republican Mormon).

Surprise, surprise! The videotape of CIA interrogations were destroyed. Just how much corruption will the America people tolerate before they say enough? I remember how the "conservatives" were so apoplectic about perceived wrongdoing by Bill Clinton. Their silence during the past 7 years shows me that they have no interest in honesty or even in the future of the United States. Shame on the media too. Let's see if they give this the same attention as they did the Monica Lewinsky story. Fat chance.

Happy Friday!

Football's Shame

Monday night I was snug in my bed getting ready to drift off to sleep. I had the local 11 o'clock news on to see what I should expect in the way of weather for Tuesday morning. As a "teaser"the sports guy said something like "looks like the Patriots* winning streak is coming to an end". Of course, I immediately switched over to ESPN to see the good news. What I saw was the most disturbing 3 minutes of football I had viewed in some time. Now, I have had the displeasure of seeing many painful games in my day. The 1974 Christmas eve game where Kenny Stabler threw a last second TD pass as he was falling down to beat the Dolphins and ruin my holiday was first but there were many, many more. The "historic" comeback by the Chargers (1980?)verses the 'Phins and countless wide right or left losses by the FSU Seminoles. Monday's game might rank right up there. I just couldn't believe how the Patriots*came back. Dubious calls and multiple second chances. Well, as I suspected, the team that cheats, the organization that has put the very credibility of the NFL on the edge may have remained undefeated because of shady officiating. Watching the game I noticed that too. Why the NFL would want the Patriots* to keep winning is beside me. Frankly, they should have been disqualified and handed a loss for at least the first game against the Jets, where they were CAUGHT cheating. At this point the Patriots* are the Barry Bonds of football - bringing shame and dishonor to a great sport. But perhaps, in a controversy reminiscent of recent NBA troubles, the Patriots* also have some officials on the payroll too. Seems unbelievable, but after watching the end of the game Monday, you really have to wonder. Listen, no matter what happens this season, the 2007 Patriots* are a team of disgrace not accomplishment. The NFL should correct things now before things go from bad to worse.

Enemies of America

I have always said that the authoritarian nature of the Bush administration is not unique to him but reflects the anti-American agenda of the "conservative movement". I'm sure most of you all have heard how right wingers in California are trying to change the electoral college (for their state only!) in order to gain that "Permanent Republican Majority" these little fascists dream about. Of course in order to accomplish this they need to fool people into thinking they are doing something else. Nothing new here, but if they succeed, the chance of a Democrat EVER becoming President becomes almost mathematically impossible. To Hell with the will of the people. Listen, even when George W. Bush is long gone, these dangerous forces will remain in the United States. Like a disease that can be controlled but never cured, the "conservative movement" has to be continuously monitored and always fought otherwise it will kill this country.

First Snow

Just woke up and there is snow on the ground and snow falling! Looks just beautiful. Now to schlep my way to work.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!

Happy Friday

The end of the week is here at last. Whoo hoo!! Even though the Apollo Theater is within walking distance of my apartment I did not get to see Barack Obama last night. I was working too late. Obama seems to be building support in Harlem now. I know this may seem like the obvious from the outside but it's not. While Harlem has a rich political history and is certainly an epicenter of Democratic politics (Charles Rangle is my representative), Hillary seemed to have most of the support around here (based on signs and other external signals). But Obama signs are now popping up on local businesses and he seems to be building support. He's comes to NYC at least once a month so he's been working hard at it.

The You Tube debate the other night was fantastic. Huckabee stood out again as a genuine compassionate human being while the other were trying to outdo each other being the meanest towards the poor, gay and any other easy target. That's why I like Huckabee out of all the Republicans. He is the only one who isn't relying on fanning hatred to excite the voters. If you look at the GOP since the 1960's, it is hate, and only hate that keeps them in power. Hatred of blacks, the poor, the Clintons, gays, taxes, .. anything they can find to raise the blood pressure of their base. And they will use the constitution, the flag and even the Bible to try to justify behavior which can only be described as selfishness.

Now that Huckabee is gaining ground, he is starting to feel the heat. The biggest attack is that while he is a social conservative - he's fine with taxes to help children and the poor. The outrage!! At least one "conservative" blogger seems to be saying that while Jesus was indeed compassionate toward the less fortunate, He would not want the government to do it!?! I guess Jesus would want the rich to continue to get richer, the poor continue to get poorer with compassion being doled out only by those fortunate few to be among the wealthiest. The true colors of these"movement conservatives" are becoming clearer and clearer. Sure they are sincere Christians, but their real God seems to be the Almighty dollar. Let's do the work of Jesus, they say, but leave my money alone. Sad.

Here's a quote I heard yesterday that I want to share. Have a great Friday everyone!!

The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith

Just what the doctor ordered

Dr. J. Robert Cade died Tuesday at the age of 80. I don't remember ever hearing his name before but he was a medical hero of mine. Dr. Cade invented Gatorade. I have loved Gatorade ever since I can remember. The original color was bright orange and then space age green. I liked the orange, loved the green and now my favorite is the "lemonade" flavor. Gatorade is a must the day after drinking and I've drunk hundreds of gallons of the stuff. It brought me back to life many a morning after. I've always said there were only 3 good things to come out of Gainesville (Tom Petty being another) but I've made some good friends with connections to Hog Town so I've gladly relaxed that a bit. So, I salute you Dr. Robert J. Cade, for the original good thing to come out of Gainesville. RIP (I feel thirsty now)

Doomed Dolphins Drown

I finally got to the watch the Dolphins on TV last night but the result was another loss. I really can't fault the team too much as the game was played in terrible conditions and they only lost on a last second field goal. It really could have gone either way. The Dolphins, in addition to being one of the weakest and most injury riddled teams in the league, also seem to be the unluckiest. But luck happens in cycles. It may not be until next year, but I am hopeful that the Dolphins will have some good luck soon, start stitching together a series of victories and return to it's past glory. It didn't happen last night, but one day it will.

It also reminded me of the last Dolphin game I saw live. (around 1992?) It was against Pittsburgh and also in a driving rain. It was a bizarre day as all of South Florida was sunny but one storm cloud parked over Joe Robbie Stadium and it poured for about an hour. As I remember it, we were winning before the rain and had fallen hopelessly behind once it had stopped. That is just one of many "classic" losses in Dolphin history.

The American Renewal Act of 2009

This is a great idea! All responsible people must admit that the past 7 years of the Bush Administration have been disasterous to our nation. To be honest, the damage done is so great, I am not convinced that we can rebond. However, an important first step to trying to save the USA would be to repudiate everything about what I have been calling the era of "Red America".

Commentator and cartoonist Ted Rall has come up with a brilliant idea which could help save this sinking ship and leave a lesson for the future on how to prevent it from ever happening again:

Now is the time. Write (an actual letter, not email) to your favorite presidential candidate and declare that you are a single-issue voter. Swear that, if he or she agrees to sign the following Pledge, your vote is assured. If not, promise to stay home or vote for someone else.

"I, ______________, hereby solemnly pledge that my first act upon assuming the office of President shall be to sign an American Renewal Act of 2009, which shall declare all laws, regulations, executive orders, treaties and actions undertaken by the federal government during the illegitimate and unlawful administration of George W. Bush to be null, void and without effect."

Cartoon Commentary

Don't Try This At Home

How to carve a turkey

Even though I won't be doing a turkey this Thanksgiving perhaps this can help those of you who do.

M V P !

A Rod does it again!

Monday Mix

Woke up this morning to a wintery mix falling. It's not as nice as snow - but a lot better than rain.

Cartoon Commentary

Joe Mojo Slows

Starbucks reports unprecedented drop in customer visitsI find it interesting that traffic is down at Starbucks because it matches my shopping patterns. Starbucks used to be an everyday extravagance for me since '01. When I moved to New York going online at a Starbucks was a huge thrill. But the fact of the matter is that hanging out in a coffee shop is not on the radar right now and Dunkin Donuts coffee tastes better. So while I still go to Starbucks once or twice a week, it is no longer a part of my regular routine. Starbucks traffic has only dropped by 1% but it is the first decline after years of steep growth. They are still making lots of money and are willing to evolve so it will be interesting to see the moves they make over the next couple years to adapt to this news. Meanwhile here's a list of my favorite coffee place.

1. Dunkin Donuts
Always hot, always smooth. They put the cream and sugar in it exactly how you ask. Doughnuts are average but their coffee cake muffins are outstanding. Favorite drink: Medium coffee: one cream, one sugar.
2. Home
I drink coffee when I first wake up at home every day. I actually buy Dunkin Donuts coffee and brew it at home. Favorite drink: Large coffee: one cream, one sugar.
3. Coffee Stand on Corner of Houston and Broadway
Even that description only narrows it down to about 12 but this one guy across the street from where I work has great coffee at a great prices 75c $1 and $1.25. Favorite drink: Medium coffee: one cream, one sugar.
4. Starbucks
The brewed coffee, unfortunately has become hit or miss. I've had bad cups of coffee a Starbucks on numerous occasions. Their frozen coffee drinks, cappuccino, espresso etc (anything they make up fresh) are excellent. Favorite drink: chocolate frappacino with a shot of espresso.

Spend 20 minutes with Barack Obama

Criminal All Right

Watching FOX News this political season it has become clear to me that their man is Rudy Guliani. His questions at the debates were softer, the commentators are more pandering and he is on the network constantly - especially on Sean Hannity's show. Still - it comes as somewhat of a surprise that the "fair and balanced" network tried to influence the election by asking one of their own to lie to Federal investigators! Having people lie to protect the right wing is standard operating procedure for the so-called "conservative movement". But this news about News Corp (parent to FOX News and other right wing media) should stop those remaining advocates of the right wing media in their tracks and make them wonder.

Tuesday's Random Thoughts

Let me share some thoughts that have been running around my head but never quite made it on the blog.

I'm thinking of having some people over for Thanksgiving but I know I don't want to cook all day. Basically, I want the unrealistic scenario of me sitting in my chair, watching my TV, eating my food, drinking my beer and if other people want to come by and hang out - fine! So I thought maybe I could order some food and let me, Sarah and the guests enjoy it without me having to be the chef. Well I looked up FreshDirect, a supermarket specializing in delivery, and behold - they do have full meals for the Holiday! Unfortunately their complete Thanksgiving dinner is .... $249.99! So I think I'll just make some baked ziti and if I have people over, they can bring their own food (and sit anywhere but in MY chair).

I'm getting the feeling that the political mood of the country is shifting so dramatically that Rudy Guliani and Hillary Clinton will NOT be the nominees of their party. I like Ron Paul, but some of his ideas are too way out there for me. He will do well in New Hampshire but I believe (my GOP favorite) Mike Huckabee will eventually be the Republican nominee. On the other side of the aisle I like Chris Dodd - but why does he end almost every sentence with the word "here"!?! Listen - you'll notice. It is really bizarre. I'd be surprise if a drinking game hasn't sprung up from this. I think (my 1st choice) Barack Obama will get the Democratic nomination. I am a little wary of these predictions because both my favorites NEVER win and I feel I might be wishing more than thinking. We'll see if it is Huckabee vs. Obama in the general election.

There is a very popular phrase "It is what it is" going around that I just hate. Sure, that phrase has been around forever but it seems to be the hip saying right now. Unfortunately, anytime it is said it is because something sucks and we are all expected to just live with it. I hate it when things sucks, I hate it when people shrug and say "oh well" and I hate it when people say "it is what it is" every time those circumstances occur.

I think that "texting" is one of the best things to come out of the mobile phone revolution. It quicker and more convenient that a telephone call. You can read them at your convenience and it is a great way of exchanging information or pleasantries without being bogged down talking to someone about unrelated stuff. You can read and type in public without disturbing other people and you can even text yourself directions or reminders and refer to the messages at the appropriate time. Texting is great and one of the pleasant surprises of this electronic age. If you text and want to text with me, let me know. Many phone plans have free texting so why not get in on the fun.

The weather here is getting very cool and I just love it. It's invigorating, refreshing and so much better than the sticky nastiness of New York summers. First snow flurries should be here at anytime and you can bet that I will report it here on MQAblog.

Enjoy the day!

Cartoon Commentary

Gail Collins has it exactly right.

About the Bernard Kerik / Rudolph Guliani relationship and what it should mean to people candidate shopping for '08.

The past seven years have given us some helpful hints on what we want to avoid in the next president. I’m starting to make a list.
Quality to avoid No. 1: Loyalty.
Whenever you read that a candidate “values loyalty above all else” — run for the hills. Loyalty is a terribly important consideration if you’re choosing a pet, but not a cabinet member.
How about if this time we try for a president who would recruit gifted people who can accomplish great things, as opposed to a room full of dopes who will never write tell-all memoirs?

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Lesson learned from the George Wallace shooting

I remember the day in 1972 that George Wallace was shot. I was 10 at the time and was aware enough of politics to know that our family hated George Wallace. Living in sort of a small "country" town in south Florida - there was plenty of support for the Alabama Governor in his quest for the White House. But not in our household -my dad was from Connecticut and my mom from Germany - no southerners here. Wallace was pro-segregation and I think it's fair to say, anti black. He was a Democratic governor but later became an independent when the party declined to follow his lead. The people who left the Democratic party at the time to support Wallace still have not returned. They became Reagan Republicans and have been an essential factor in the dominance of so-called conservative movement over the past generation. The success of Reagan, Gingrich, and even George W. Bush can be traced directly to the presidential campaigns of George Wallace.

But I vividly recall watching TV that day when a Special Report interrupted the program to announce that George Wallace had just been shot! The first thing I did was cheer. Yayyyyyy!! - The bad man was shot!!! I'll never forget how surprised I was to see the sad look on my moms face. She told me that even though we strongly disagreed with Wallace's ideas, we should not cheer him being shot. I learned a big lesson that day which I really hadn't thought much about until I saw the news that his would be assassin, Arthur Bremer, was released from jail.

Wallace survived the shooting that day but was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He also later disavowed his racists views and became an advocate for minority rights. Sadly, his personal transformation was not matched by many of the "Reagan Republicans" he helped create. To this day politicians still race bait in an attempt to attract some Southern Voters. But the lesson I learned that day was incredibly important - you can hate ideas and dislike people who have them, but you should never take joy in the suffering of any human being.

Happy Friday (at the office)

I always go on about the show "The Office". It is probably because I've worked in a lot of offices in many different phases of my life and job descriptions and I can really relate to the characters and scenarios. In this TOP TEN compilation clip, Jim (the "normal" guy who likes to joke around) antagonizes Dwight (the overall annoying dweeb). I hope you get a laugh or two from it..

Great minds ... *

Wow! My main man Don Shula must read my blog.

Tuesday Roundup

I have been so busy that I haven't been keeping up with the blog or even my e mails. But all is well here in NYC. I got my tickets for Christmas in Miami and plan a nice Thanksgiving right here in the city. Until then I will be going 1,000 mile an hour. I guess that's the New York way.

It was strange seeing Joe Torre as a Dodger yesterday. I'm not sure whether to be happy for him or to hate him since he is on another team. I'll reserved judgement until the season starts. I am happy that Joe Giraldi is the Yankees new skipper. I think he will bring a young, fresh attitude to a team that desperately needs it.

I am really starting to think that Rudy Giuliani is worse than Bush and Cheney put together. If America elects this hateful, chronic liar than we might as well just roll up the flag and call it a day. He is as authoritarian as Cheney, as mean spirited as Bush and as dishonest as both of them put together. It amazes me that so many Republican voters seemed to be so fearful of terrorism that they are attracted to such a character. I know that liberals are often accused of being weak or wimpy, but look at the people so-called conservatives are attracted to. Seems to me that they are the ones looking for a Daddy figure to protect them at any cost.

The Dolphins made progress last week by not losing. To be fair, they did not play. It's unfortunate that New England beat Indy on Sunday. I almost never read the NY Post (it's a Rupert Murdoch rag) but they were giving them away the other day. I was checking out the sports page and they had an asterisk by New England in the football standings. The asterisk, they explained, was because they were "caught cheating". Bravo NY Post! If they go undefeated or win the Super Bowl it will certainly be tainted ala Barry Bonds.

Everybody seems to be picking on the new "Caveman" TV show. They say it is terrible and must be pulled. I disagree. I've watched every episode and think it is pretty good in fact. Go figure. I also like Kelsey Grammer's new show "Back To You". Two show which I have liked for a while are having stellar seasons - "The Office" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" are both funnier than ever! I wonder how the writers strike will effect all of this.

Stephen Corbet has dropped his Presidential bid. I think the man may be a comedy genius and I like his show a lot but thank goodness for this. The Presidential race is serious business and the last thing we need is some joker effecting the results. Can somebody say Ralph Nader???

Enjoy the rest of the week folks!

Cartoon Commentary

Happy Friday!

Government Waste

After her second tour of bleeding the taxpayer, Bush confidant Karen Hughes is resigning (again) to be with family (again) after failing at a high paid government job (again). God, to be a Bush crony! In the latest job to be mishandled by her, Hughes was given the responsibility to change the hearts and mind of Muslims toward the Unites States. Heck of a job Hughie. From what I can gather she made only one publicized trip to the region and that was a disaster. She may have made more trips and worked behind the scenes but her mission of "winning the hearts and minds of the Muslim World" clearly has failed miserably. Of course "success" in Bushworld only means being loyal to the imbecile, so she will be warmly embraced by the Republican establishment and undoubtedly financially rewarded in the future with another sweet job. Meanwhile, twice during the past 7 years, she has stuck you and I with the bill.

Long-time Bush adviser Karen Hughes will leave her post as undersecretary of state at the State Department in mid-December, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Wednesday. Hughes served as undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs since her appointment to the post in March 2005, and was charged with running the State Department's campaign to "win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world."
In September of that year, Hughes traveled throughout the Middle East as part of what she dubbed a "listening tour" to repair America's image among Muslims. But it was a tough sell, and many Arabs criticized her for what they called her lack of understanding of the region. Rice praised Hughes' accomplishments in polishing the U.S. image, especially in the Muslim world, and thanked Hughes for her "wisdom and advice."
Hughes previously served for 18 months as the president's White House counselor,
and has been one Bush's closest advisers since his days as Texas' governor. CNN

Happy Halloween

I don't expect to do much more than work this Halloween. No treats for me. But here's something fun for you on this special occasion!

Robert Goulet R.I.P.

I got to work with Robert Goulet in Las Vegas a few times and really enjoyed it. He was one of the first big celebrities I did TV fundraisers with there. When he was scheduled I was warned that he was sometimes difficult to work with. But for some reason he and I got along very well and he was very relaxed and happy. I was thrilled that to be standing next to Robert Goulet doing live TV and he seemed to feed off that. I'm sorry to hear that he passed away. Speaking from the 2 or 3 evenings I hung out with him, I can say that he was a genuinely nice guy who I'm glad to have met.

Hater's Holiday

For all the Yankee Haters out there today is a wonderful day. All the BoSox Bandwagoners get to celebrate just like they did for the Marlins a few years back. The ARod and Yankee haters must be cheering the fact that he is leaving the team and all those who have abandoned the Dolphins can now root for their team of the year (Indy, Patriots anyone?) As for me I'll stick with my teams through thick and thin - cheer when my team wins and feel bad when they lose. Just call me old fashioned.

Happy Friday! (Breakfast at McDonalds)

The BoSox Bandwagon

Seems like Rudy Giuliani has joined certain members of my family on the 2007 BoSox Bandwagon. These headlines show what Yankee fans think about all that.

Political Prisoners

Yes. Right here in Red America. Richard Thornburgh worked in the Reagan and first Bush administration so his Republican credentials are indisputable. Thornburgh has gone public to state that the Bush Justice department have prosecuted people for the crime of being outspoken opponents of the GOP. Close followers of politics have seen this for years, but to have someone so entrenched in the Republican party admit this is very important.

Thornburgh, who served as attorney general from 1988 to 1991 and whose law firm represents Cyril Wecht, a nationally known coroner from Pittsburgh, testified yesterday that Wecht had been indicted for mail fraud and a "hodgepodge" of other charges by overzealous prosecutors keen on pleasing political appointees in Washington.

"He has always been a contentious, outspoken, highly critical and highly visible Democratic figure in western Pennsylvania," Thornburgh told the House Judiciary Committee. "In other words, he would qualify as an ideal target for a Republican U.S. attorney trying to curry favor with a department which demonstrated that if you play by its rules, you will advance."

I know for the most part I am preaching to the converted. But the point is so important to make. We are no longer living in the America we all grew up in. We are under the jurisdiction of a fascist regime. This is not just George W. Bush but the entire Republican party. Now I know many individual Republicans who are fine and good people. But the party they belong to is no longer an organization that respects America or Americans. Either by design or accident they have become nothing short or a democratic authoritarian government which harasses or imprisons those who speak out against it. This is no joke and may have already ended the grand experiment of the USA. Only when these people are outed, purged and put on trial can we begin to repair the significant damage done over the past generation of Republican dominance.
I know that this sounds pretty extreme but doesn't locking up people for their political views? I know it all seems impossible. After all we all grew up respecting a diversity of opinion and believing that America was great and was destined to stay that way forever. In case no one else has told you - we are not great at the moment and the path that those fascists hiding in plain view in the Republican party are taking us WILL end America as we know it forever if they are not stopped immediately.

I was right about the Sopranos

You all know I love to point out when I am right ... well here I go again. After the Soprano's finale earlier this year, everyone seemed to think that Tony got "whacked". Most people hated the ending but seemed to be happy that Tony, the career criminal, got his due. I took a contrary view - thinking that it was sort of a happy ending with the family all together enjoying the type of mundane event that later crystallizes into a cherished memory - in this case everyone in the family gathered together munching on onion rings. Well David Chase, the creator of the show, pretty much confirmed my lonely (but correct) assessment.

OWWW!!!!! I just hurt my shoulder from over-patting myself on the back!

Official critical of Iraq War now has "Health Issues"

Just in case any of you still didn't realize how far the right wing relies on a system of lies and myths ...

Three days after Americans saw the Bush administration's counterterrorism chief say the Iraq war has likely not made the United States safer from terrorism, the official announced his resignation, citing health reasons. more

Cartoon Commentary

End of the Torre

I can only repeat what I have been saying for five years. I love Joe Torre but it was time for him to go. The team needs a different leader. I can't wait to cheer his introduction into monument park at the new stadium in 2009. It will be even more enthusiastic than the warm greeting I'll give for whoever takes over for 2008. Of the leading candidates, I'd go with LaRussa as my first choice and Mattingly next. more

Joey Bishop 1918 - 2007

Here is a very old clip of Joey Bishop with none other than Regis Philbin.

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Moving in the right direction

Years ago in Tallahassee, I lived in an apartment located at a dangerous intersection. Every week - sometimes many times a week - there would be a collision on my corner. The problem seemed to be that people would not see the stop sign until it was too late and find themselves driving into a 3 lane - one way road.

Fortunately most of the accidents were not serious and I became used to the routine of going downstairs with my wireless phone (not to be confused with a cell phone which was not around at the time) to let the victim call the police and loved ones. It was a regular gathering for people in the neighborhood to stand around the wreck, console the participant and talk about how this happens all the time. The accidents were so frequent in fact that I met old friends who had crashed, made new friends and even got a couple dates (I can play the hero with the phone pretty well). Week after week, year after year the car crashes continued.

One afternoon it happened again. I was at work but there were plenty of people from my little apartment building around to view the wreckage. For some reason the local newspaper came by to cover the story. In the story one of my newer neighbors told them just how often there were wrecks at this intersection. Within a couple weeks they had painted, in huge lettering, "STOP" on the road leading up to the hard to see stop sign. The wrecks stopped instantly! All those years, all those wrecks, all those injuries (and all those phone numbers) could have been avoided if someone had done that earlier.

Ever since then I have took an interest in traffic design. When I lived in Las Vegas I told the mayor (Oscar Goodman - a great guy who I got to meet with frequently) about what happened back in Tallahassee and he had many of the streets there safety painted. During my brief move back to Tallahassee in 2004, my new apartment also had many accidents. One phone call was all it took to get that street painted and have the wrecks stopped. It still amazes me how such a simple idea can help so many people.

The reason all this comes to mind this early morning is a story in the New York Times that addresses an issue I was going to bring to city leaders here. That is - trying to find a way to determine what direction you are heading inside the city. Walking in New York City is a must and even when you know your way around it is almost impossible in some places to actually determine what direction you are heading. Many times I have done what all New Yorkers have done - walk in the direction you think you have to go only to determine, once you can finally read the next block's street sign, that you have been going the wrong way. While I certainly understood the problem, I could not come up with a solution. The best I could come up with is attaching some sort of compass symbols on street signs so people would not have to walk a block to see which way is up.

But this idea, which they have just started, is much better I think. The city is trying out sidewalk compass signs to help pedestrians find their way. If you have even walked the wrong way in New York City (or wish you had) read this story. I think it is a brilliant idea! Hey - if you have an idea yourself feel free to let me know in the comment section. But for this directionally challenged walker, these sidewalk signs are definantly a step in the right direct.

911 Only Changed Their Excuse

This story is shocking - even to hardened skeptics like me. It seems that the Bush Administration sought Americans private phone records BEFORE the 9-11 attacks. Those who have excused the destruction of our constitutional rights because of the attacks that day, now find themselves embarrassed once again by their defense of the Bush Administration's un-American activities. Oh by the way, Qwest denied the request from the government which was followed by their business being blackballed for some government contracts and their leader arrested on insider trading allegations.

The phone company Qwest Communications refused a proposal from the National Security Agency that the company’s lawyers considered illegal in February 2001, nearly seven months before the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, the former head of the company contends in newly unsealed court filings.
The executive, Joseph P. Nacchio, also asserts in the filings that the agency retaliated by depriving Qwest of lucrative outsourcing contracts.The filings were made as Mr. Nacchio fought charges of insider trading. He was ultimately convicted in April of 19 counts of insider trading and has been sentenced to six years in prison. He remains free while appealing the conviction.
Mr. Nacchio said last year that he had refused an N.S.A. request for customers’ call records in late 2001, after the Sept. 11 attacks, as the agency initiated domestic surveillance and data mining programs to monitor Al Qaeda communications.
But the documents unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Denver, first reported in The Rocky Mountain News on Thursday, claim for the first time that pressure on the company to participate in activities it saw as improper came as early as February, nearly seven months before the terrorist attacks.

Cartoon Commentary

Gore Wins Nobel Peace Prize

“We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue; it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level.”

Top Five Reasons I'm Glad The Yankees Lost

It’s sad that the Yankees have been eliminated from the post season so quickly again, but no tears. It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. It’s been 7 years of disappointment so I have passed the fit throwing behavior that characterized so many other Yankee end of seasons. In fact I am going to try to look at the bright side of things and came up with this list of top 5 reasons why I'm glad the Yankees lost:

5.The refund from unused playoff and World series tickets can be used to pay the rent - for the next two months!
4.My nights are free - the baseball season is over!
3.I can blame it on George W. Bush - afterall we were winning all the time until he took office!
2.I can finally concentrate on those powerful Miami Dolphins!
1. Finally Joe’s going to go and the Yankees can have a fresh start next year!

Some very quick thoughts on what we should do for next year. I'll probably elaborate on a day off when I have more time. Joes' got to go - obviously. A-Rod has to stay - at any cost. The new manager should be Hispanic - they have had the most enthusiasm on the team the past 2 years. Giambi, Matsiu, Rivera and Clemens should be shipped off - get whatever young talent we can for them. (This is going to be controversial) We should LOOK INTO trading Jeter - I love the guy but where's the fire in his belly? If we keep him I'm fine with it - but if we could exchange him for someone of equal talent but superior enthusiasm, we should consider it. (Hey, I wanted to trade Marino after his 1st Super Bowl loss when he was young and valuable. I'm ruthless and see attitude almost as important as talent) more later?

Conservative Policies = Failed Policies (again)

One of my most common disagreements with conservatives is about the very viability of their theory of governing. They believe that if Conservative governing is allowed to run uninterrupted, everything will be just perfect. Any failure, they love to suggest, is a result in deviations from pure conservative ideology. Like the movement itself, that line of thinking is just a fraud.

I am old enough to remember that after the Reagan presidency, when things were in disarray, it was claimed that it was because Reagan wasn't a real conservative. (Yeah, right!) Same thing with the first George H.W. Bush. He lost, they claimed, because he strayed from the faith. (Uh huhhh!) Today we hear as an excuse for the failed presidency of George W. Bush that he was not a real conservative. (Fool me thrice??) This is what conservatives do - sell a dream that cannot work and then claim it all fell apart because they didn't really do what they said they were doing. Well here's an opinion piece that sums up all this quite nicely. The main point of it all can be gleaned from this conclusion:

Now, as they survey the wreckage of their cause, conservatives may ask themselves: “Well, how did we get here?” They may tell themselves: “This is not my beautiful Right.” They may ask themselves: “My God,what have we done?”But their movement is the same as it ever was. And Mr. Bush is movement conservatism’s true, loyal heir.

Torre, Yanks Live On

We won last night to force a game 4 tonight. We still have to win tonight to force a deciding Game 5. I would love for Joe Torre to go out on top, winning this and the next two post season series'. Two consecutive victories are necessary to prevent a contrary scenario from unfolding.

George Has it Right

Finally! After at least 5 years of mediocrity in the post season George Steinbrenner has publicly put Joe Torre on notice. While I think the world of Joe Torre as a man and all that he has done in the past - the day is near when we need to get someone in there who will add a spark to the team. Just as Don Shula and Bobby Bowden had their day and then faded away, so Torre's time has come and gone. He's still a Yankee legend and beloved by us all, but change is good. George agrees:

"His job is on the line," Steinbrenner told the Record. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series."

Cartoon Commentary

Hi Bob, Oh Mary, Bye Joe

Well, the Yankees are really in a hole now after losing last night. I was in the theater watching "Mary Poppins" during our meltdown and learned with everyone else during intermission that we had lost. (It was funny - as soon as the light came up, everyone turned on their PDA or called friends to get game updates) The Yanks have to win 3 in a row or it's another quick exit from the post season. I haven't looked at the highlights yet (don't watch them too much after a loss) so can't comment on the specifics of the game - but it was 1-0 Yanks when I left for Broadway and 2-1 Indians when the play hit intermission. For now I'll just blame Joe Torre and say it's time for Joe to Go.

The play was really great. "Mary Poppins" on stage is much better than the movie. The sets were amazing and the music spectacular. It was a full house and everyone - young and old - really loved it. If you ever come to NYC and want to see a play I recommend it - especially if you have kids.

The Bob Newhart event was the best of all. He is really a naturally funny guy and had the 75 people in the audience cracking up during the whole interview. When the Q&A session started I found myself at the mike again. Just as happened during past events I had the whole crowd cracking up when I walked up to the microphone.(God I love that!) I stepped up, and with the best comedic timing I could muster said "HI BOB". Bob, Ron and the audience all drank on cue and laughed hysterically, setting up my question about the"Hi Bob"drinking game. Newhart said he had heard about it some twenty years ago, thought it started at Southern Methodist University and no, had never played himself. I was going yell "a round of tequila for Bob" but figured it's always better quit while I am ahead in the comedy department and gave way to the next (yawn, boring) questioner. Another notable fact was that we sat next to Opie from Opie and Anthony Show. He's a nice guy who despite being a God in radioland, refused all the pandering to him before the show. The organizers wanted to move some people out of the front row for Opie and his (extremely attractive) companion to sit but he had no problem squeezing into the regular seats with us members of the unwashed masses. It was a fun afternoon and I gained a lot more appreciation for Bob Newhart. In fact I want to get his 1963 albums - which I learned were #1 and 2 on the chart simultaneously. Apparently, he was a rebel comic back in the day and I am eager to see what was cutting age around the year of my birth.