Posted on FB for people to share what video games (full size) they played as kids, and wow, what a response. Lots of memories. I remember playing lots of video games at Nathan's in Carle Place, at Laces, and at Our Place (and Our Place 2) at Birthday parties, on trips to A.C. with the folks and on people's Coleco, Nintendo, Odyssey, Intellivision, Commodore 64, Apple 2 C's, etc... If kids today saw this stuff they'd laugh at us.
My Personal Top 10 in no order:
Paperboy, 720, Dragons Lair, Rolling Thunder, Star Wars (the one in the X Wing Fighter), Galaga, Punch Out, Track And Field (roller ball only), Adams Family Pinball, and Gauntlet (despite the cost)
Honorable mention to Journey, the videogame, based on the band. Hysterical!
http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8242
Been listening to The Beastie Boys for the past three hours. RIP Adam Yauch, AKA MCA.
Rap , Party, Rest... In Peace. Cancer SUCKS!
Do you own a car that makes your head feel like it is going to explode when you have one rear window open? Rest easy, you are not alone...
http://www.acadiaforum.net/index.php?topic=2500.0
My head hurts just thinking about it. Makes me think of Schwarzeneger in Total Recall. I am disturbed that this movie is being remade, deeply.
Mets are still over .500 and playing good ball.
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
TB
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Mets....
It's 4 games of 162. That's it, less than 2.5% of a season. I get it.
Torres is hurt, Wright was scratched from the lineup tonight, Ike Davis has valley fever. Santana's arm may fall off. I get it.
But Mets fans are having a blast this week. We are loving every minute of it. We believe we can keep winning. We're 4 games over .500, which means we'll be over .500 for at least another 5 days.
We're allowed to enjoy this. Don't rain on our parade. We've played hard, solid, clean baseball and have earned the victories. And we can play better.
Let's go Mets! One W at a time.
TB
Disclaimer: The Braves aren't very good.
Torres is hurt, Wright was scratched from the lineup tonight, Ike Davis has valley fever. Santana's arm may fall off. I get it.
But Mets fans are having a blast this week. We are loving every minute of it. We believe we can keep winning. We're 4 games over .500, which means we'll be over .500 for at least another 5 days.
We're allowed to enjoy this. Don't rain on our parade. We've played hard, solid, clean baseball and have earned the victories. And we can play better.
Let's go Mets! One W at a time.
TB
Disclaimer: The Braves aren't very good.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Get him to the Greek, Mets Preview 2012
I heard a lot of bad things about the movie “Get him to the Greek”. Despite, I went ahead and saw it despite hearing that it was “painful”, “awful”, etc… I always remember the adage, “opinions are like assholes… everyone has one” and saw it anyway.
I went into the experience with absolutely no expectations. The movie begins and I find myself laughing, and quite often. It is a star turn for Sean Combs, aka Puff Daddy, aka Diddy, and every scene he is in is hysterical. This is not an Oscar winning picture, it is not a top ten comedy, but it is certainly entertaining. My non-existent expectations added significantly to the experience.
This year, The Mets are “Get him to the Greek”. I am told in all corners of my life how bad they will be. “Historically bad”, “Hopeless”, “Awful” are some of the least colorful terms. I have no expectations. I believe that we fans will be pleasantly surprised. This team will win no championships or other trophies, won’t set many records, but they will entertain, and they are good enough to compete.
These Mets will score more runs than you think. They’ll pitch well for the first half. Injuries and fatigue will catch up with them, and they will ‘collapse’ to one degree or another, but they will battle. They know what people say about them, and have the very valuable ‘us against the world’ going for them.
Catcher – Josh Thole - Below avg catcher who has been working on defense and how to handle the pitching staff. He may be a pleasant surprise this year. Mike Nikkeas will back up. This platoon will not set the world on fire. Expect the Mets to sign a moderately priced vet next year.
1B – Ike Davis – Valley Fever, Valley Schmever. Ike Davis is going to hit .300 and 25 homers for a good long while. He is John Olerud reincarnated, and is one of the brightest spots of the organization. He is direct and open with the media and a true pro. If there are any health issues with Davis, look for Lucas Duda to move from the OF to 1B where he adequately defended the position last year when Davis went down.
2B- Daniel Murphy – Murph is the prototypical #2 hitter. Great bat control and contact, strikes out very infrequently. He has deceptive power (led the team in HR’s two years ago), but little speed. Defensively, he is a liability, and has had his year ended the past two by people sliding in to him at 2B. When healthy he hits. They need him to be healthy. (Reese Havens should be the starter by now, but was injured again during spring training. Justin Turner will back Murphy up as well as most other positions)
SS – Ruben Tejada – Plus defender, as a hitter, who knows? I’d love to tell you that the Mets let Reyes go because this guy was waiting in the wings, but we all know that isn’t even appropriate for April fools. He’ll defend well, hopefully he’ll get on base enough to clear the pitchers spot. Anything else is a bonus. Rey Ordonez part duex???
3B – David Wright – Shea Stadium plus David = All Star. Citi Field + David = Not so much. The fences are coming in they say, but that isn’t the problem. Health is a concern as he has the same injury that Ryan Zimmerman had last year, but he has shown the past week that he is pretty healthy.
The real problem with David is that if you throw him a slider off of the plate he will swing EVERY TIME. You don’t need to be a sabermetrician or analyst to know this. It is painfully obvious and obviously painful. If he can lay off of this pitch, he will resume his All Star ways. It really is that simple with this guy. (If David gets hurt Murphy would probably slide over to play 3rd)
CF – Andres Torres – Torres was horrendous last year for the Giants. The year before, he batted around .270 and hit over 15 homers while swiping over 15 bases. He will probably fall somewhere in the middle of these two seasons. Hopefully his coaches and GM will drum into his mind that his job is to walk a lot and simply get on base. If he can be a table setter, he will be valuable. His defense will be average to above average. Kirk Neuenweiss and Matt Van Dekker are the most likely replacements/call ups should Torres be hurt or ineffective.
RF – Jason Bay – Amazing to look at the past numbers from this guy. He was a top ten player in the game, and now he has one of the worst ten contracts in the game. The fences being moved in actually help him, as I have seen him hit the wall that was lowered at least 10 times. I believe he will outperform peoples’ low expectations and he’ll post a 20/20 season, albeit with a batting average around .240
LF – Lucas Duda – Duda had a very impressive 2011 after being called up. He has a great eye, quick hands, and is deceptively fast. I expect him to be part of the young core that is the Mets for years to come. Hairston will back up Duda, though if Ike needed to be spelled for a longer term, I’d expect a younger player to be recalled.
1. Torres 2. Murph 3. Wright 4. Ike 5. Duda 6. Bay 7. Thole 8. Tejada 9. Pitcher
SP – Santana - Is he healthy? He won’t be what he used to be ever again, but he is a gritty competitor that if healthy will find ways to get guys out. Expect lots of short outings at the beginning of the year and hope for the best.
SP – Dickey – So underrated. He throws a ton of pitches, always has a low era. He has the best chance on this staff of finally delivering a Mets No Hitter. His rubber arm will prove extra important this year as he will always throw the day after Johan and provide the bullpen with some relief (pun intended)
SP – Niese – Mets best pitcher as far as tools. He has a great deal of potential, but has been derailed by injuries the past two years. They are saying that the nose job that he got this off-season (paid for by Beltran) will help with the injuries. I don’t understand why they think that. Bottom Line is that Jon must be healthy this year. He is a legitimate 15 win pitching candidate.
SP – Pelfrey – Too much pressure last year? Always something with this guy, balks, mouthpieces, falling off of mounds. He has the tools but not the makeup. He has gone through masterful stretches and could again, but I am not banking on it. PLEASE prove me wrong Big Pelf.
SP – Dillon Gee – Started great, ended poorly last year, a typical story for an inexperienced hurler. Hopefully he has built some stamina and learned what is expected of him. If he can improve on his 2011, he will be a very good #5 starter.
Chris Young is rehabbing in the minors and will be available by mid to late May to provide injury relief or to replace anyone that has proven ineffective. After seeing his capabilities briefly last year, I ‘d expect that they make room for him one way or another (bye bye Pelf?)
All in all the rotation is underrated. They lack a bonafide ace/stopper, but make up for it with a quality back of the rotation.
Bullpen –
This is a strength.
The Mets signed Frank Francisco (injured already) and Jon Rauch in the offseason. They are both capable relievers, but both are streaky good and bad. They’ll not be closing by years end.
Bobby Parnell has learned how to pitch instead of throw if this pre-season is any indication. He may be given the chance to close a few games early in the year and has the ability to run away with the job.
Ramon Ramirez, who came back in the Pagan/Torres trade has been one of the most effective relief guys in the game the past two years and should remain so in the pitching friendly citi field.
Tim Byrdak is the lefty and seems to be healthy after recent surgery.
Manny Acosta and Daniel Herrera round out the crew.
If the team falters expect to see Matt Harvey, Van dekker and Newenweiss up in the majors for auditions. Jenry Mejia may materialize as well this year. In general the organizational depth is starting to improve under the reign of Sandy Alderson. Realistically, however, the Mets have til 2014 before expectations of making the postseason will be far-fetched.
Heading in to this season with such low expectations will make every win enjoyable, all highlights more exciting, and make the team watchable. I expect them to outperform their talent level and win 75 games. They’ll need to be healthy to do so.
Enjoy the season.
Disclaimer : This was written free hand, if any of my research is off a bit, please forgive me, time is short.
I went into the experience with absolutely no expectations. The movie begins and I find myself laughing, and quite often. It is a star turn for Sean Combs, aka Puff Daddy, aka Diddy, and every scene he is in is hysterical. This is not an Oscar winning picture, it is not a top ten comedy, but it is certainly entertaining. My non-existent expectations added significantly to the experience.
This year, The Mets are “Get him to the Greek”. I am told in all corners of my life how bad they will be. “Historically bad”, “Hopeless”, “Awful” are some of the least colorful terms. I have no expectations. I believe that we fans will be pleasantly surprised. This team will win no championships or other trophies, won’t set many records, but they will entertain, and they are good enough to compete.
These Mets will score more runs than you think. They’ll pitch well for the first half. Injuries and fatigue will catch up with them, and they will ‘collapse’ to one degree or another, but they will battle. They know what people say about them, and have the very valuable ‘us against the world’ going for them.
Catcher – Josh Thole - Below avg catcher who has been working on defense and how to handle the pitching staff. He may be a pleasant surprise this year. Mike Nikkeas will back up. This platoon will not set the world on fire. Expect the Mets to sign a moderately priced vet next year.
1B – Ike Davis – Valley Fever, Valley Schmever. Ike Davis is going to hit .300 and 25 homers for a good long while. He is John Olerud reincarnated, and is one of the brightest spots of the organization. He is direct and open with the media and a true pro. If there are any health issues with Davis, look for Lucas Duda to move from the OF to 1B where he adequately defended the position last year when Davis went down.
2B- Daniel Murphy – Murph is the prototypical #2 hitter. Great bat control and contact, strikes out very infrequently. He has deceptive power (led the team in HR’s two years ago), but little speed. Defensively, he is a liability, and has had his year ended the past two by people sliding in to him at 2B. When healthy he hits. They need him to be healthy. (Reese Havens should be the starter by now, but was injured again during spring training. Justin Turner will back Murphy up as well as most other positions)
SS – Ruben Tejada – Plus defender, as a hitter, who knows? I’d love to tell you that the Mets let Reyes go because this guy was waiting in the wings, but we all know that isn’t even appropriate for April fools. He’ll defend well, hopefully he’ll get on base enough to clear the pitchers spot. Anything else is a bonus. Rey Ordonez part duex???
3B – David Wright – Shea Stadium plus David = All Star. Citi Field + David = Not so much. The fences are coming in they say, but that isn’t the problem. Health is a concern as he has the same injury that Ryan Zimmerman had last year, but he has shown the past week that he is pretty healthy.
The real problem with David is that if you throw him a slider off of the plate he will swing EVERY TIME. You don’t need to be a sabermetrician or analyst to know this. It is painfully obvious and obviously painful. If he can lay off of this pitch, he will resume his All Star ways. It really is that simple with this guy. (If David gets hurt Murphy would probably slide over to play 3rd)
CF – Andres Torres – Torres was horrendous last year for the Giants. The year before, he batted around .270 and hit over 15 homers while swiping over 15 bases. He will probably fall somewhere in the middle of these two seasons. Hopefully his coaches and GM will drum into his mind that his job is to walk a lot and simply get on base. If he can be a table setter, he will be valuable. His defense will be average to above average. Kirk Neuenweiss and Matt Van Dekker are the most likely replacements/call ups should Torres be hurt or ineffective.
RF – Jason Bay – Amazing to look at the past numbers from this guy. He was a top ten player in the game, and now he has one of the worst ten contracts in the game. The fences being moved in actually help him, as I have seen him hit the wall that was lowered at least 10 times. I believe he will outperform peoples’ low expectations and he’ll post a 20/20 season, albeit with a batting average around .240
LF – Lucas Duda – Duda had a very impressive 2011 after being called up. He has a great eye, quick hands, and is deceptively fast. I expect him to be part of the young core that is the Mets for years to come. Hairston will back up Duda, though if Ike needed to be spelled for a longer term, I’d expect a younger player to be recalled.
1. Torres 2. Murph 3. Wright 4. Ike 5. Duda 6. Bay 7. Thole 8. Tejada 9. Pitcher
SP – Santana - Is he healthy? He won’t be what he used to be ever again, but he is a gritty competitor that if healthy will find ways to get guys out. Expect lots of short outings at the beginning of the year and hope for the best.
SP – Dickey – So underrated. He throws a ton of pitches, always has a low era. He has the best chance on this staff of finally delivering a Mets No Hitter. His rubber arm will prove extra important this year as he will always throw the day after Johan and provide the bullpen with some relief (pun intended)
SP – Niese – Mets best pitcher as far as tools. He has a great deal of potential, but has been derailed by injuries the past two years. They are saying that the nose job that he got this off-season (paid for by Beltran) will help with the injuries. I don’t understand why they think that. Bottom Line is that Jon must be healthy this year. He is a legitimate 15 win pitching candidate.
SP – Pelfrey – Too much pressure last year? Always something with this guy, balks, mouthpieces, falling off of mounds. He has the tools but not the makeup. He has gone through masterful stretches and could again, but I am not banking on it. PLEASE prove me wrong Big Pelf.
SP – Dillon Gee – Started great, ended poorly last year, a typical story for an inexperienced hurler. Hopefully he has built some stamina and learned what is expected of him. If he can improve on his 2011, he will be a very good #5 starter.
Chris Young is rehabbing in the minors and will be available by mid to late May to provide injury relief or to replace anyone that has proven ineffective. After seeing his capabilities briefly last year, I ‘d expect that they make room for him one way or another (bye bye Pelf?)
All in all the rotation is underrated. They lack a bonafide ace/stopper, but make up for it with a quality back of the rotation.
Bullpen –
This is a strength.
The Mets signed Frank Francisco (injured already) and Jon Rauch in the offseason. They are both capable relievers, but both are streaky good and bad. They’ll not be closing by years end.
Bobby Parnell has learned how to pitch instead of throw if this pre-season is any indication. He may be given the chance to close a few games early in the year and has the ability to run away with the job.
Ramon Ramirez, who came back in the Pagan/Torres trade has been one of the most effective relief guys in the game the past two years and should remain so in the pitching friendly citi field.
Tim Byrdak is the lefty and seems to be healthy after recent surgery.
Manny Acosta and Daniel Herrera round out the crew.
If the team falters expect to see Matt Harvey, Van dekker and Newenweiss up in the majors for auditions. Jenry Mejia may materialize as well this year. In general the organizational depth is starting to improve under the reign of Sandy Alderson. Realistically, however, the Mets have til 2014 before expectations of making the postseason will be far-fetched.
Heading in to this season with such low expectations will make every win enjoyable, all highlights more exciting, and make the team watchable. I expect them to outperform their talent level and win 75 games. They’ll need to be healthy to do so.
Enjoy the season.
Disclaimer : This was written free hand, if any of my research is off a bit, please forgive me, time is short.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Top 10 Movie Soundtracks
Top 10 Movie Soundtracks (my favorites)
Rules: No Biopics (bye bye to Ray, Walk the Line, etc..), No Rock Operas (bye bye to The Wall and Quadrophenia)
1. Boogie Nights (Spill The Wine, Got to Give it up, Machine Gun, Sister Christian) - some great songs on this one and some great movie memories get dredged up. This one is a classic.
2. Dazed and Confused (Low Rider, Stranglehold, Schools, Tush, Stranglehold) - Great period piece, also brings up some great scenes when you give this a listen
3. Almost Famous (That's the way, America, Simple Man, Every picture tells a story) Another 70's era movie. Feverdog is even on this. Soundtrack is well curated and spans many great genres
4. City of God - Great Brazilian music you've never heard before (i hadn't)
5. High Fidelity (Who Loves the Sun, Everybody's Gonna be Happy, Oh! Sweet Nuthin, I Believe) as someone else said, "just a great mix tape"
6. Reservoir Dogs (Hooked on a Feeling, Little Green Bag, Stuck in the Middle with You) with great scenes (like a virgin speech) and great music. too short, makes you want to hear more
7. The Big Chill (Tears of a Clown, Joy to The World, A Whiter Shade of Pale, What's Going On) - There are 14 solid tracks on this one. No duds. Great music that everyone knows and loves.
8. Saturday Night Fever (Night Fever, Boogie Shoes, Stayin Alive) Classic, though there are some very skippable tracks. If you disagree with this one, just picture the Stayin Alive scene in Airplane! and tell me you aren't smiling now.
9. Superfly - (Pusherman, Freddy's Dead, Superfly) Incredible Curtis Mayfield tracks evoke incredible feeling and really bring you into the film.
10. Donnie Darko (Great Original Score, Notorious, Under the Milky Way, The Killing Moon, Mad World) Lots of more obscure, but great tracks on this one
Just Missed: Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Blow, I Am Sam, Trouble Man, Singles, The Lost Boys, Invincible, Garden State
So who else did i forget?
Rules: No Biopics (bye bye to Ray, Walk the Line, etc..), No Rock Operas (bye bye to The Wall and Quadrophenia)
1. Boogie Nights (Spill The Wine, Got to Give it up, Machine Gun, Sister Christian) - some great songs on this one and some great movie memories get dredged up. This one is a classic.
2. Dazed and Confused (Low Rider, Stranglehold, Schools, Tush, Stranglehold) - Great period piece, also brings up some great scenes when you give this a listen
3. Almost Famous (That's the way, America, Simple Man, Every picture tells a story) Another 70's era movie. Feverdog is even on this. Soundtrack is well curated and spans many great genres
4. City of God - Great Brazilian music you've never heard before (i hadn't)
5. High Fidelity (Who Loves the Sun, Everybody's Gonna be Happy, Oh! Sweet Nuthin, I Believe) as someone else said, "just a great mix tape"
6. Reservoir Dogs (Hooked on a Feeling, Little Green Bag, Stuck in the Middle with You) with great scenes (like a virgin speech) and great music. too short, makes you want to hear more
7. The Big Chill (Tears of a Clown, Joy to The World, A Whiter Shade of Pale, What's Going On) - There are 14 solid tracks on this one. No duds. Great music that everyone knows and loves.
8. Saturday Night Fever (Night Fever, Boogie Shoes, Stayin Alive) Classic, though there are some very skippable tracks. If you disagree with this one, just picture the Stayin Alive scene in Airplane! and tell me you aren't smiling now.
9. Superfly - (Pusherman, Freddy's Dead, Superfly) Incredible Curtis Mayfield tracks evoke incredible feeling and really bring you into the film.
10. Donnie Darko (Great Original Score, Notorious, Under the Milky Way, The Killing Moon, Mad World) Lots of more obscure, but great tracks on this one
Just Missed: Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Blow, I Am Sam, Trouble Man, Singles, The Lost Boys, Invincible, Garden State
So who else did i forget?
Monday, March 12, 2012
Top Ten Sports Movies Omissions, Final Four, Project X, Yamaguchi (PW)/ Lugers reviews
Make a list of 10 of anything and people will naturally point out what you left out. Discussing what was left out is half the fun of the list.
Consensus is that Major League was far under ranked, Slapshot should have been included and that Moneyball should have received stronger consideration than it did.
I'm sure there are others i missed.
Saw Project X this weekend. Very funny, lots of gratuitous nudity, party music and uncomfortable moments. Didn't quite live up to the hype, but didn't disappoint either. It is only an hour and a half, so it really moved along quickly. Think it is more a movie to see with the guys than one to see with a wife/girlfriend. I cringed at the thought that my children will watch this film one day (sign of a good movie?)
Previews for The Dark Night Rises and for Sascha Baron Cohen's new movie didn't hurt the experience at all.
Went to Yamaguchi for some sushi afterwards. Yamaguchi is located on Main St in Port Washington. Yamaguchi has the best fish around IMO. They don't offer any funky rolls, don't react to any trends, nor do they worry about competition (3 sushi bars within 150 yds). It is EXACTLY the same as it was 20 years ago, including the waitstaff, sushi chefs and decor. If you are a 'roll' person, this place is not for you. However, if you like great sushi/sashimi and aren't looking to 'dine' or for 'scene', you cannot do better. They are always stocked with many different grades of tuna, only charge $4.50 a piece for fatty tuna ($8 per piece typically in NYC), and the sushi rice is a cut above. If you've never been, I highly recommend trying it. (It is an awful lot like Tomoe Sushi in Manhattan)
Had the pleasure of eating at Peter Lugers in Little Neck last night. (ducking from the insults being thrown at me for not going to Brooklyn)
They are really really good at what they do. No simpler way to put it.
They make a mean Manhattan (with Wild Turkey 101) their wine list is very good and the mark ups are very reasonable.
Tomato and Onion Appetizer (chopped), Strip of Thick Cut Bacon per person, 3 giant cocktail shrimps and a killer bread basket, all doused in their signature sauce is the best way i can think of to start a meal.
Follow that with a beefy, sliced up, delicious Porterhouse (order it rare, it'll keep cooking on the plate), burnt german style potatoes and hands down the best creamed spinach you can find anywhere.
Finish with pecan pie (or cheese cake or strudel or key lime pie) accompanied by the SCHLAG, which is basically the best whipped cream you'll get anywhere and you're in business. An Irish Coffee never hurts , and is another great way to use your leftover schlag.
Lugers is consistently voted the best steakhouse in NY, and i sincerely agree. I don't understand the critcisms it receives and implore any detractors to give it another shot. They serve a hamburger only at lunch time that i consider to be the best i have ever had that is worth a trip on it's own.
Filled out a knee jerk bracket when they announced selections.
Final Four - Kentucky, Syracuse, Missouri and UNC
Kentucky over Syracuse in the final.
Deep runs by FSU, Wichita St, West Virginia
Hope Michigan can win a game or two to cap a great season.
Go Blue!
Consensus is that Major League was far under ranked, Slapshot should have been included and that Moneyball should have received stronger consideration than it did.
I'm sure there are others i missed.
Saw Project X this weekend. Very funny, lots of gratuitous nudity, party music and uncomfortable moments. Didn't quite live up to the hype, but didn't disappoint either. It is only an hour and a half, so it really moved along quickly. Think it is more a movie to see with the guys than one to see with a wife/girlfriend. I cringed at the thought that my children will watch this film one day (sign of a good movie?)
Previews for The Dark Night Rises and for Sascha Baron Cohen's new movie didn't hurt the experience at all.
Went to Yamaguchi for some sushi afterwards. Yamaguchi is located on Main St in Port Washington. Yamaguchi has the best fish around IMO. They don't offer any funky rolls, don't react to any trends, nor do they worry about competition (3 sushi bars within 150 yds). It is EXACTLY the same as it was 20 years ago, including the waitstaff, sushi chefs and decor. If you are a 'roll' person, this place is not for you. However, if you like great sushi/sashimi and aren't looking to 'dine' or for 'scene', you cannot do better. They are always stocked with many different grades of tuna, only charge $4.50 a piece for fatty tuna ($8 per piece typically in NYC), and the sushi rice is a cut above. If you've never been, I highly recommend trying it. (It is an awful lot like Tomoe Sushi in Manhattan)
Had the pleasure of eating at Peter Lugers in Little Neck last night. (ducking from the insults being thrown at me for not going to Brooklyn)
They are really really good at what they do. No simpler way to put it.
They make a mean Manhattan (with Wild Turkey 101) their wine list is very good and the mark ups are very reasonable.
Tomato and Onion Appetizer (chopped), Strip of Thick Cut Bacon per person, 3 giant cocktail shrimps and a killer bread basket, all doused in their signature sauce is the best way i can think of to start a meal.
Follow that with a beefy, sliced up, delicious Porterhouse (order it rare, it'll keep cooking on the plate), burnt german style potatoes and hands down the best creamed spinach you can find anywhere.
Finish with pecan pie (or cheese cake or strudel or key lime pie) accompanied by the SCHLAG, which is basically the best whipped cream you'll get anywhere and you're in business. An Irish Coffee never hurts , and is another great way to use your leftover schlag.
Lugers is consistently voted the best steakhouse in NY, and i sincerely agree. I don't understand the critcisms it receives and implore any detractors to give it another shot. They serve a hamburger only at lunch time that i consider to be the best i have ever had that is worth a trip on it's own.
Filled out a knee jerk bracket when they announced selections.
Final Four - Kentucky, Syracuse, Missouri and UNC
Kentucky over Syracuse in the final.
Deep runs by FSU, Wichita St, West Virginia
Hope Michigan can win a game or two to cap a great season.
Go Blue!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Top Ten Sports Movies, Weight Loss Competition, Black Keys, Project X, Recipe
Had a funny convo with a friend the other night about the top ten sports movies of all time. After perusing the list of 40 movies thrown out there, my personal top ten are as follows.
1. The Natural
2. Bill Durham
3. Hoosiers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Rudy
6. Friday Night Lights
7. Rocky
8. Any Given Sunday
9. Eight Men Out
10. Major League
One man's opinion. Curious how he would boil it down.
I skewed towards baseball and comedy.
Just missed: All The Right Moves, North Dallas Forty, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, Raging Bull.
On the evening after Thanksgiving, three friends arrived at my house to begin a weight loss competition in the style of the biggest loser. Pre competition photos were taken and a weigh in occurred.
We knew we were doing this, so to say that gluttony and excess occurred in November would be a true understatement.
Since the weigh in, Subject A gave up wheat completely and has dropped 13% body weight, over 34 lbs. Subject B did weight watchers on line, and began exercising moderately and seems to be losing about a half pound per week. Subject C didn't really change much until a month ago, but did start lifting weights (muscle weights twice as much as fat). Nobody has seen subject C, so it is a mystery as to his results. Subject D limited portion sizes, reduced sugar and alcohol and exercised moderately, to the tune of 20 lbs of loss (10%). Tomorrow is the final weigh in. Biggest winner doesn't pay the tab at Lugers for dinner while the other three treat. If anyone gained weight (subject c?), then they have to pay the entire bill.
The competition factor really helped me succeed in this endeavor. (which was i?)
Have you listened to The Black Keys' new album "El Camino"? Great cover to cover listen. No weak tracks, not monotonous at all, they just seem to be getting better and better. Hopefully i'll stumble into a ticket for one of their MSG shows this week. Artic Monkeys are opening, and they are solid too.
Here is the video for the most recent BK's single http://youtu.be/6yCIDkFI7ew
Seeing the movie Project X tonight with the wifey. Rumor has it that is the funniest movie to come out in years, i have heard "better than superbad" and "funnier than wedding crashers". Am excited. Will report afterwards.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Back to work for me...
1. The Natural
2. Bill Durham
3. Hoosiers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Rudy
6. Friday Night Lights
7. Rocky
8. Any Given Sunday
9. Eight Men Out
10. Major League
One man's opinion. Curious how he would boil it down.
I skewed towards baseball and comedy.
Just missed: All The Right Moves, North Dallas Forty, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, Raging Bull.
On the evening after Thanksgiving, three friends arrived at my house to begin a weight loss competition in the style of the biggest loser. Pre competition photos were taken and a weigh in occurred.
We knew we were doing this, so to say that gluttony and excess occurred in November would be a true understatement.
Since the weigh in, Subject A gave up wheat completely and has dropped 13% body weight, over 34 lbs. Subject B did weight watchers on line, and began exercising moderately and seems to be losing about a half pound per week. Subject C didn't really change much until a month ago, but did start lifting weights (muscle weights twice as much as fat). Nobody has seen subject C, so it is a mystery as to his results. Subject D limited portion sizes, reduced sugar and alcohol and exercised moderately, to the tune of 20 lbs of loss (10%). Tomorrow is the final weigh in. Biggest winner doesn't pay the tab at Lugers for dinner while the other three treat. If anyone gained weight (subject c?), then they have to pay the entire bill.
The competition factor really helped me succeed in this endeavor. (which was i?)
Have you listened to The Black Keys' new album "El Camino"? Great cover to cover listen. No weak tracks, not monotonous at all, they just seem to be getting better and better. Hopefully i'll stumble into a ticket for one of their MSG shows this week. Artic Monkeys are opening, and they are solid too.
Here is the video for the most recent BK's single http://youtu.be/6yCIDkFI7ew
Seeing the movie Project X tonight with the wifey. Rumor has it that is the funniest movie to come out in years, i have heard "better than superbad" and "funnier than wedding crashers". Am excited. Will report afterwards.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Back to work for me...
Monday, March 5, 2012
Mets/Clydes/Restaurants/Food/Wine/FantasyBBall
Wow, it has been eleven months since i blogged. Lots has hapenned since, and lot more to come. The blog is back. Here is what to come...
Mets Preview coming
Fantasy Baseball Preview Coming (post draft and auction recaps)
Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine opening soon, pics and reviews coming from the inside, including celeb photos and food porn
Basketball City opening in the spring, an insiders point of view coming including before and after pics
Lots of recipes, wine reviews and restaurant tips.
Pics of my delicious kids, random factoids, etc...
Follow this blog if anything i just mentioned interests you.
@toddbirnbaum
Mets Preview coming
Fantasy Baseball Preview Coming (post draft and auction recaps)
Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine opening soon, pics and reviews coming from the inside, including celeb photos and food porn
Basketball City opening in the spring, an insiders point of view coming including before and after pics
Lots of recipes, wine reviews and restaurant tips.
Pics of my delicious kids, random factoids, etc...
Follow this blog if anything i just mentioned interests you.
@toddbirnbaum
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Cashman, Mets, Duran Duran, Shameless
Brian Cashman speaks out publicly today, calling the Mets handling of Jesus Feliciano "abusive".
I simply ask, "Then why did you sign him?" Talk about a case of buyers remorse. His overuse is reason 1A that the Mets didn't resign him. Reason 1 is obviously money.
Cashman has nerve expressing his displeasure after buying the goods in a public fashion and with such harsh choice of words.
Mets day 2. The sky is not falling. My recent post with their end of year record is not a case of extreme negativity, but really a very hopeful prognosis that we may actually start a rebuild instead of a rework.
Did you like Duran Duran in the 80's? They recently released a new album that has that same sound on a lot of the tracks. It is definetly worth a listen. "All you need is now" is the name.
Did you miss the tv show "Shameless" on Showtime? If you did, get on this show. Great characters, lots of laughs, some gratuitous nudity and good story. They'll start rerunning the episodes soon.
Friday Night Lights soon!
Enjoy the weekend.
I simply ask, "Then why did you sign him?" Talk about a case of buyers remorse. His overuse is reason 1A that the Mets didn't resign him. Reason 1 is obviously money.
Cashman has nerve expressing his displeasure after buying the goods in a public fashion and with such harsh choice of words.
Mets day 2. The sky is not falling. My recent post with their end of year record is not a case of extreme negativity, but really a very hopeful prognosis that we may actually start a rebuild instead of a rework.
Did you like Duran Duran in the 80's? They recently released a new album that has that same sound on a lot of the tracks. It is definetly worth a listen. "All you need is now" is the name.
Did you miss the tv show "Shameless" on Showtime? If you did, get on this show. Great characters, lots of laughs, some gratuitous nudity and good story. They'll start rerunning the episodes soon.
Friday Night Lights soon!
Enjoy the weekend.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mets 2011 Preview
A season of realistic expectations.
Out: Minaya, Manuel, Ollie, Castillo, Feliciano (Jesus), Gut Feelings as a coaching and scouting style.
In: Alderson, Collins, Capuano, Young, Emaus and lots of other littler but important names
The front office and management overhaul that the Mets exercised this off season will have dramatic effects. This is not a winning team as presently constituted, but it is a organization that is moving in the correct direction on the playing field. I will explain briefly what to expect at each playing position.
C - Josh Thole / Ronny Paulino
Thole is a young catcher entering his second year. Very hard worker, line drive and on base guy. Will be a very average offensive catcher which is just fine. He is earning raves from the pitchers on his work ethic and how he calls a game. Supposedly has worked very hard to become an above average defensive guy and he looks to be on the field five games per week.
Paulino comes to the Mets from the Marlins. He is currently serving a PED suspension that will make him miss the beginning of the season, and will be an adequate backup.
1B - Ike Davis
Davis was a huge bright spot for the Mets in 2010. One of the premier defensive 1B in the game already, and with enough of an emerging bat to get excited about. He will grow into a fixture on the field and in the clubhouse.
2B - Brad Emaus/ Daniel Murphy / (Reese Havens???)
Emaus is currently the front runner for the job, despite reports that Luis Hernandez is favored by Collins. Emaus was claimed via the Rule 5 draft which dictates that he must spend the entire season on the MLB roster or be returned to the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a short and stocky guy with adequate range and a big bat. Lots of comparisons have been made to Dan Uggla, but this is extremely hopeful. 15 homers would be a lot to expect in the cavernous ballpark that is Citifield
Murphy is more of a pinch hitter. His range is limited, his experience is limited, his heart is not. He is a great teammate and ballplayer, just has no natural position, certainly not 2B. Many have said that Davis's range at 1B can make up for lack thereof at 2B, but that is a falsehood. Current management values defense too much to have any liabilities in the field, especially with the makeup of the pitching staff.
Reese Havens played AA last year. He is an athlete with speed and a huge bat. He has been beleaguered by injuries, otherwise, he may already be on the big club. He is the future at the position, if he can remain healthy (had an inch taken off his rib this off season, ouch).
SS - Jose Reyes / Ruben Tejada
Reyes is healthy, looking for a contract and says he will take walks.
New regime values on base percentage as the measuring stick of a lead off hitter, and Reyes does not excel in that category. Reyes is exciting, has speed and power, but he also has relatively little patience and has not learned that a walk and a single have the same result on the game (albeit not on individual achievement)
Reyes can return to all star form, but will most likely be playing for a different ball club come June or July.
Tejada played some 2B and some SS last year. He has been sent to AAA to be the everyday SS, in order to get enough reps to take over for Reyes next year.
3B - David Wright
Wright is the leader of the Mets. Wants to be a lifelong Met, loves the spotlight of NY and has the game and attitude to lead the resurgence of the franchise. Wright rediscovered his power stroke last year (28 homers) and should continue his success. He is extremely streaky and when he is at his best, hits line drives to the opposite field. His slumps are caused by getting pull happy and by getting fooled on outside sliders. The more patient at working counts that he is, the more successful he will be this season.
RF - Carlos Beltran / Willie Harris / Scott Hairston / Lucas Duda
Beltran is our new everyday right fielder. He is the biggest wild card for the team. He is in the final year of a 7 year deal and is playing for his next contract. He is coming off multiple surgeries that will definitely affect his ability to steal bases and play above average defense. He is balky, and has developed a reputation for not playing through pain. If he can play 150 games, he will greatly influence the win total, but i think 80 games is a more appropriate goal.
Willie Harris and Scott Hairston figure to platoon in Beltran's absence. Both players can hit for power and run, but do not project as everyday players because of their inability to hit pitchers from the opposite side. Hairston (.228 vs righties, .278 vs lefties for his career) Harris (.246 vs righties, .202 vs lefties)
Lucas Duda is the wild card. Duda got called up last year and filled in some. He is hitting well this spring, and supposedly is turning on pitches in a way that has caused a huge power increase. He is the potential starting right fielder in 2012. If Beltran goes down with a sustained injury, expect Duda to be the everyday right fielder, as it pays for the organization to see what they have in him.
CF - Angel Pagan
Another bright spot from 2010. Pagan will bat 2nd and will be like having a second lead off hitter. Pagan will hit double digit home runs, steal 40+ bases and play above average defense in CF. If he can keep his average up, he will be a bright spot again for the Mets in full time duty.
LF - Jason Bay
Bay is looking for a bounce back year after a slow start and subsequent year ending concussion. Bay has never had a bad year, and should rebound to hit .280, hit 20 something homers and steal an occasional base. Do not expect his fielding to look graceful, but he will get the job done.
Rotation - Pelfrey, Dickey, Niese, Young, Capuano
Pelfrey took strides towards being a front end guy last year. Taking away a bad month and a half stretch, his numbers would have been remarkable. If he can harness the talent, he could be a perennial 15 game winner. Will he?
Dickey was a journeyman knuckleballer. Turns out, all he had to do was throw harder. A fiery guy, dedicated to learning and improving, he visited with the most famous knuckleballers that would talk to him, including Wilhelm and Niekro. When he finally starting throwing harder and being himself, he found his groove. Knuckleballers are known to find it and lose it and find it and lose it, but i sense that Dickey is different. Look for great home results and for him to struggle a bit on the road.
Niese is another up and down performer. He has the arsenal with a nasty cutter to complement his 93 mph fastball and curve, and he is a competitor. Can he put it all together? Seems to be a running theme on the staff.
Young and Capuano have both won 17 games in a season. Both have great potential and both are coming off major injuries and surgeries. A combined 30 starts between them would be a great result. Look for Dillon Gee to be called up to replace the first that goes down.
Johan Santana is said to be returning before August, but i believe him to be out for the year unless the Mets are in playoff contention. He is under contract for a few more years, and there is no good reason to rush him back with the amount of guaranteed money going to him. I hope i am wrong.
Bulllpen -
Krod pitches the ninth. After missing the end of the season because of a broken finger caused by a fight with his father in law, KROD has a lot to prove on and off the field. He is a great pitcher and a known competitor and is the only member of the pen without questions of ability.
Jason Isringausen and Bobby Parnell will compete for the eigth inning.
Other arms back there are DJ Carrasco, Tim Byrdak, Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato (another rule five guy), Taylor Tankersley, Taylor Bucholtz and Pat Misch (long man).
I believe that relievers can be great or terrible regardless of track record. This group needs to get on a roll and keep it going.
Opening Lineup
1. Reyes 2. Pagan 3. Wright 4. Beltran 5. Bay 6. Davis 7. Emaus 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
End of Year Lineup
1. Pagan 2. Havens 3. Wright 4. Bay 5. Davis 6. Duda 7. Tejada 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
Synopsis (70 wins, 92 losses)
This is a transitional year for the Mets. They have gotten Castillo and Perez out, Beltran and Reyes are next. Expect to see a lot of younger players trying out for 2012 by the end of the year. There is enough talent in the organization and money coming off the books to expect vast improvement in the next two years. Hopefully the new leadership and mentality will prove to be a difference maker, as there were no new acquisitions. The projected record is not a result of poor performance only, but also of contracts shed and conservative handling of the staff ace.
Management - Terry Collins is a fiery personality and a guy that stresses fundamentals and smarts. He will squeeze out a few wins on baseball accumen and he will run a meritocracy. The cutting of Perez and Castillo will go a long way towards improved morale. The upper management is very numbers oriented and will stress on base percentage, taking walks, working counts and other 'Moneyball' fundamentals. The earlier this team sees relief pitchers, the happier Sandy Alderson will be.
Out: Minaya, Manuel, Ollie, Castillo, Feliciano (Jesus), Gut Feelings as a coaching and scouting style.
In: Alderson, Collins, Capuano, Young, Emaus and lots of other littler but important names
The front office and management overhaul that the Mets exercised this off season will have dramatic effects. This is not a winning team as presently constituted, but it is a organization that is moving in the correct direction on the playing field. I will explain briefly what to expect at each playing position.
C - Josh Thole / Ronny Paulino
Thole is a young catcher entering his second year. Very hard worker, line drive and on base guy. Will be a very average offensive catcher which is just fine. He is earning raves from the pitchers on his work ethic and how he calls a game. Supposedly has worked very hard to become an above average defensive guy and he looks to be on the field five games per week.
Paulino comes to the Mets from the Marlins. He is currently serving a PED suspension that will make him miss the beginning of the season, and will be an adequate backup.
1B - Ike Davis
Davis was a huge bright spot for the Mets in 2010. One of the premier defensive 1B in the game already, and with enough of an emerging bat to get excited about. He will grow into a fixture on the field and in the clubhouse.
2B - Brad Emaus/ Daniel Murphy / (Reese Havens???)
Emaus is currently the front runner for the job, despite reports that Luis Hernandez is favored by Collins. Emaus was claimed via the Rule 5 draft which dictates that he must spend the entire season on the MLB roster or be returned to the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a short and stocky guy with adequate range and a big bat. Lots of comparisons have been made to Dan Uggla, but this is extremely hopeful. 15 homers would be a lot to expect in the cavernous ballpark that is Citifield
Murphy is more of a pinch hitter. His range is limited, his experience is limited, his heart is not. He is a great teammate and ballplayer, just has no natural position, certainly not 2B. Many have said that Davis's range at 1B can make up for lack thereof at 2B, but that is a falsehood. Current management values defense too much to have any liabilities in the field, especially with the makeup of the pitching staff.
Reese Havens played AA last year. He is an athlete with speed and a huge bat. He has been beleaguered by injuries, otherwise, he may already be on the big club. He is the future at the position, if he can remain healthy (had an inch taken off his rib this off season, ouch).
SS - Jose Reyes / Ruben Tejada
Reyes is healthy, looking for a contract and says he will take walks.
New regime values on base percentage as the measuring stick of a lead off hitter, and Reyes does not excel in that category. Reyes is exciting, has speed and power, but he also has relatively little patience and has not learned that a walk and a single have the same result on the game (albeit not on individual achievement)
Reyes can return to all star form, but will most likely be playing for a different ball club come June or July.
Tejada played some 2B and some SS last year. He has been sent to AAA to be the everyday SS, in order to get enough reps to take over for Reyes next year.
3B - David Wright
Wright is the leader of the Mets. Wants to be a lifelong Met, loves the spotlight of NY and has the game and attitude to lead the resurgence of the franchise. Wright rediscovered his power stroke last year (28 homers) and should continue his success. He is extremely streaky and when he is at his best, hits line drives to the opposite field. His slumps are caused by getting pull happy and by getting fooled on outside sliders. The more patient at working counts that he is, the more successful he will be this season.
RF - Carlos Beltran / Willie Harris / Scott Hairston / Lucas Duda
Beltran is our new everyday right fielder. He is the biggest wild card for the team. He is in the final year of a 7 year deal and is playing for his next contract. He is coming off multiple surgeries that will definitely affect his ability to steal bases and play above average defense. He is balky, and has developed a reputation for not playing through pain. If he can play 150 games, he will greatly influence the win total, but i think 80 games is a more appropriate goal.
Willie Harris and Scott Hairston figure to platoon in Beltran's absence. Both players can hit for power and run, but do not project as everyday players because of their inability to hit pitchers from the opposite side. Hairston (.228 vs righties, .278 vs lefties for his career) Harris (.246 vs righties, .202 vs lefties)
Lucas Duda is the wild card. Duda got called up last year and filled in some. He is hitting well this spring, and supposedly is turning on pitches in a way that has caused a huge power increase. He is the potential starting right fielder in 2012. If Beltran goes down with a sustained injury, expect Duda to be the everyday right fielder, as it pays for the organization to see what they have in him.
CF - Angel Pagan
Another bright spot from 2010. Pagan will bat 2nd and will be like having a second lead off hitter. Pagan will hit double digit home runs, steal 40+ bases and play above average defense in CF. If he can keep his average up, he will be a bright spot again for the Mets in full time duty.
LF - Jason Bay
Bay is looking for a bounce back year after a slow start and subsequent year ending concussion. Bay has never had a bad year, and should rebound to hit .280, hit 20 something homers and steal an occasional base. Do not expect his fielding to look graceful, but he will get the job done.
Rotation - Pelfrey, Dickey, Niese, Young, Capuano
Pelfrey took strides towards being a front end guy last year. Taking away a bad month and a half stretch, his numbers would have been remarkable. If he can harness the talent, he could be a perennial 15 game winner. Will he?
Dickey was a journeyman knuckleballer. Turns out, all he had to do was throw harder. A fiery guy, dedicated to learning and improving, he visited with the most famous knuckleballers that would talk to him, including Wilhelm and Niekro. When he finally starting throwing harder and being himself, he found his groove. Knuckleballers are known to find it and lose it and find it and lose it, but i sense that Dickey is different. Look for great home results and for him to struggle a bit on the road.
Niese is another up and down performer. He has the arsenal with a nasty cutter to complement his 93 mph fastball and curve, and he is a competitor. Can he put it all together? Seems to be a running theme on the staff.
Young and Capuano have both won 17 games in a season. Both have great potential and both are coming off major injuries and surgeries. A combined 30 starts between them would be a great result. Look for Dillon Gee to be called up to replace the first that goes down.
Johan Santana is said to be returning before August, but i believe him to be out for the year unless the Mets are in playoff contention. He is under contract for a few more years, and there is no good reason to rush him back with the amount of guaranteed money going to him. I hope i am wrong.
Bulllpen -
Krod pitches the ninth. After missing the end of the season because of a broken finger caused by a fight with his father in law, KROD has a lot to prove on and off the field. He is a great pitcher and a known competitor and is the only member of the pen without questions of ability.
Jason Isringausen and Bobby Parnell will compete for the eigth inning.
Other arms back there are DJ Carrasco, Tim Byrdak, Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato (another rule five guy), Taylor Tankersley, Taylor Bucholtz and Pat Misch (long man).
I believe that relievers can be great or terrible regardless of track record. This group needs to get on a roll and keep it going.
Opening Lineup
1. Reyes 2. Pagan 3. Wright 4. Beltran 5. Bay 6. Davis 7. Emaus 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
End of Year Lineup
1. Pagan 2. Havens 3. Wright 4. Bay 5. Davis 6. Duda 7. Tejada 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
Synopsis (70 wins, 92 losses)
This is a transitional year for the Mets. They have gotten Castillo and Perez out, Beltran and Reyes are next. Expect to see a lot of younger players trying out for 2012 by the end of the year. There is enough talent in the organization and money coming off the books to expect vast improvement in the next two years. Hopefully the new leadership and mentality will prove to be a difference maker, as there were no new acquisitions. The projected record is not a result of poor performance only, but also of contracts shed and conservative handling of the staff ace.
Management - Terry Collins is a fiery personality and a guy that stresses fundamentals and smarts. He will squeeze out a few wins on baseball accumen and he will run a meritocracy. The cutting of Perez and Castillo will go a long way towards improved morale. The upper management is very numbers oriented and will stress on base percentage, taking walks, working counts and other 'Moneyball' fundamentals. The earlier this team sees relief pitchers, the happier Sandy Alderson will be.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
MVP, Gaga, Turkey Day
Congrats to Joey Votto and Josh Hamilton on winning MVP awards this year in MLB.
I find it such an American tale these two.
Hamilton is a former drug addict and alcoholic. Hamilton missed years of his career fighting his demons and almost lost his career. Now he took the Rangers to the World Series for the first time and won his first MVP.
Votto missed time last year battling depression after the death of his father. Apparently he has had bouts with the malady before. At one point they did not know whether he would return to the game.
I find these 'comebacks' to be the new American Dream. America loves a good comeback and these guys both earned their awards, as well as our praise for overcoming personal adversity of this magnitude to succeed in their chosen endeavors.
Do you believe this was, what is Lady Gaga?
I find it such an American tale these two.
Hamilton is a former drug addict and alcoholic. Hamilton missed years of his career fighting his demons and almost lost his career. Now he took the Rangers to the World Series for the first time and won his first MVP.
Votto missed time last year battling depression after the death of his father. Apparently he has had bouts with the malady before. At one point they did not know whether he would return to the game.
I find these 'comebacks' to be the new American Dream. America loves a good comeback and these guys both earned their awards, as well as our praise for overcoming personal adversity of this magnitude to succeed in their chosen endeavors.
Do you believe this was, what is Lady Gaga?
Terrible transformation, eh?
Finally, a Happy Turkey Day to everyone. Travel safely, eat well, unbutton that top button.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Blog is Back! Broken Bells, Great Mets Decisions, Anti-Semetic Toy and Restaurant.com revisit
I haven't posted on this in a while. Since my last post
Broken Bells is the band i cannot stop listening to these days. Duet of Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse (Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley, produced Beck and many others) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Shins. BB's music has universal appeal with poppy hooks and lyrics set to music that moves and isn't too artsy/serious for it's own well being (marketability). The track "High Road" is the most commercial, but i'd recommend downloading "October" or "The Mall and Misery" to get a better sense of their style.
Mets hired Sandy Alderson. Cliff notes on him. Marine, Harvard Law grad, pioneer of sabermetrics, architect of the Oakland A's from the Canseco/Mcgwire years. He is a brilliant and tough man and brings instant credibility to the team. The most important aspect to this hiring is that he has the respect of those within the organization. The owners are going to let him run the show and their will be unilateral decision making from his office. He also has three ex GM's working for him, Paul Depodesta, Wayne Krivsky and J.P. Ricciardi. Look for an enormous and immediate improvement in all levels of the entire organization. Nice to know that the team is back on track.
Check out this toy. Is it me or does it look like the "shoot the menorah game" or what? Their has to be some anti-jewish, anti-hannukah undertone in its design, huh?
If you like to eat out and haven't yet checked out restaurant.com do so. You get to buy certificates to use at restaurants at ridiculous prices. Spend $10 and you get a $25 credit. Once you buy one, you get emails offering these certificates discounted up to 80%. Sooo, spend $2 and get $25!!!! Just have a look at the site and see that 1/2 of the restaurants that you eat at ALREADY are on this crazy program. It is nutty.
Look out for more posts, i'll be trying to do this a couple of times a week.
Hope everyone is well out there.
- The Giants won the world series (congrats)
- My son, Myles Bennett Birnbaum, arrived (congrats)
- I've lost 10 lbs.
- I've gained back said 10 lbs.
- The Mets have dismissed their GM, and replaced him with four GM's (will explain)
- It now gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon
- I have cooked many a good meal (gonna start sharing tips and recipes on this)
- I won a fantasy baseball league and came in second in another
- The republicans have taken back over
- George Bush has become timely and of the moment
- Lots of new and good tv has started
Broken Bells is the band i cannot stop listening to these days. Duet of Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse (Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley, produced Beck and many others) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Shins. BB's music has universal appeal with poppy hooks and lyrics set to music that moves and isn't too artsy/serious for it's own well being (marketability). The track "High Road" is the most commercial, but i'd recommend downloading "October" or "The Mall and Misery" to get a better sense of their style.
Mets hired Sandy Alderson. Cliff notes on him. Marine, Harvard Law grad, pioneer of sabermetrics, architect of the Oakland A's from the Canseco/Mcgwire years. He is a brilliant and tough man and brings instant credibility to the team. The most important aspect to this hiring is that he has the respect of those within the organization. The owners are going to let him run the show and their will be unilateral decision making from his office. He also has three ex GM's working for him, Paul Depodesta, Wayne Krivsky and J.P. Ricciardi. Look for an enormous and immediate improvement in all levels of the entire organization. Nice to know that the team is back on track.
Check out this toy. Is it me or does it look like the "shoot the menorah game" or what? Their has to be some anti-jewish, anti-hannukah undertone in its design, huh?
If you like to eat out and haven't yet checked out restaurant.com do so. You get to buy certificates to use at restaurants at ridiculous prices. Spend $10 and you get a $25 credit. Once you buy one, you get emails offering these certificates discounted up to 80%. Sooo, spend $2 and get $25!!!! Just have a look at the site and see that 1/2 of the restaurants that you eat at ALREADY are on this crazy program. It is nutty.
Look out for more posts, i'll be trying to do this a couple of times a week.
Hope everyone is well out there.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
KROD out for year, Shutter Island, Weeds tonight, repost
Krod is out for the year. He tore ligaments in his thumb punching his father in law in the Mets family room. Krod was pitching great, but this is the type of offense that no class organization should stand, and if his contract is voidable, they should void it. (Grab Parnell you FBB players)
Finally saw Shutter Island the other night. Definetly in the Total Recall category in terms of amount of debate possible because of a lack of evidence on both sides of the argument.
Weeds on tonight! Great show, will partially fill the void left by FNL ending.
Reposting a link to http://www.restaurant.com/
Crazy deals. Buy a certificate for a restaurant worth $25 for $10. Then they send emails for 50-80% off the certificates. You end up with $25 for $2-$5. No reason not to browse to see if places you already go to are on the program.
Enjoy your Monday evening.
Finally saw Shutter Island the other night. Definetly in the Total Recall category in terms of amount of debate possible because of a lack of evidence on both sides of the argument.
Weeds on tonight! Great show, will partially fill the void left by FNL ending.
Reposting a link to http://www.restaurant.com/
Crazy deals. Buy a certificate for a restaurant worth $25 for $10. Then they send emails for 50-80% off the certificates. You end up with $25 for $2-$5. No reason not to browse to see if places you already go to are on the program.
Enjoy your Monday evening.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Spoon, Charlie's Clam Bar, Mets, Bill vs. Betty
Been a while since i've posted. Busy with nothing in a real nice way. Hope everyone is well and that summer is treating y'all well.
Just ate at Charlie's Clam Bar in Port Washington (where i live). It is a trailer in a parking lot at Inspiration Wharf and is exactly the type of place that i love. Order reasonable priced raw bar, lobster rolls or fried seafood (clam strips, shrimp, etc...) sit at picnic benches, eat off paper plates and watch boats go by. Food is good enough, but the whole package just feels right. Great place to take kids for a quick affordable meal.
Been listening to a lot of Spoon. Never really heard anything about them but was told that if you like the new Black Keys album, Brothers, then Spoon would probably be up your alley too. Their music is extremely diverse, some being alternative, some rock, some pop. All of it is good. If you are new to them, download "Jonathan Fisk", "Sister Jack", "Waiting for the kid to come out" and "Everything hits at once" as a primer.
http://billvsbetty.tumblr.com/
Check out Steve Dressler's new site. The tumblog is devoted to mashing up pictures of Betty White and Bill Murray. Some are disturbing, some are hysterical, all are worth a look. If you've never been to his other site, it is a great way to break monotony and get a laugh. http://elsloganero.wordpress.com/
Trade deadline passed yesterday and the Mets were heavily criticized for not making any moves. I disagree with this sentiment strongly. They were criticized for not signing Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro, Randy Wolf and Ben Sheets. All are out for the year injured or stinking up their respective ballparks.
The Mets could have improved themselves, that i acknowledge. But i honestly feel as though their success or failure hinges on who they already have. Their situation is perilously similar to the Zambrano/Kazmir situation of 6/7 years ago. To refresh, Mets were 6 out of first (or so), traded the future for the present, and were then swept one series and were 9 out, and basically out of contention.
The current team happens to have one of the easiest 5 schedules in baseball going forward. The team is loaded with people who CAN be great, but may or may not be. If they catch breaks and gel, you never know. More than likely they aren't as good as the teams they have to pass, and for better or worse, kept all of their future pieces in tact. With the waiver deadline a month away, they'll be able to make moves if they gain ground, and if they fall out of contention, they can perhaps unload some payroll.
Rather than last year, i am glad we can still talk about it.
Just ate at Charlie's Clam Bar in Port Washington (where i live). It is a trailer in a parking lot at Inspiration Wharf and is exactly the type of place that i love. Order reasonable priced raw bar, lobster rolls or fried seafood (clam strips, shrimp, etc...) sit at picnic benches, eat off paper plates and watch boats go by. Food is good enough, but the whole package just feels right. Great place to take kids for a quick affordable meal.
Been listening to a lot of Spoon. Never really heard anything about them but was told that if you like the new Black Keys album, Brothers, then Spoon would probably be up your alley too. Their music is extremely diverse, some being alternative, some rock, some pop. All of it is good. If you are new to them, download "Jonathan Fisk", "Sister Jack", "Waiting for the kid to come out" and "Everything hits at once" as a primer.
http://billvsbetty.tumblr.com/
Check out Steve Dressler's new site. The tumblog is devoted to mashing up pictures of Betty White and Bill Murray. Some are disturbing, some are hysterical, all are worth a look. If you've never been to his other site, it is a great way to break monotony and get a laugh. http://elsloganero.wordpress.com/
Trade deadline passed yesterday and the Mets were heavily criticized for not making any moves. I disagree with this sentiment strongly. They were criticized for not signing Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro, Randy Wolf and Ben Sheets. All are out for the year injured or stinking up their respective ballparks.
The Mets could have improved themselves, that i acknowledge. But i honestly feel as though their success or failure hinges on who they already have. Their situation is perilously similar to the Zambrano/Kazmir situation of 6/7 years ago. To refresh, Mets were 6 out of first (or so), traded the future for the present, and were then swept one series and were 9 out, and basically out of contention.
The current team happens to have one of the easiest 5 schedules in baseball going forward. The team is loaded with people who CAN be great, but may or may not be. If they catch breaks and gel, you never know. More than likely they aren't as good as the teams they have to pass, and for better or worse, kept all of their future pieces in tact. With the waiver deadline a month away, they'll be able to make moves if they gain ground, and if they fall out of contention, they can perhaps unload some payroll.
Rather than last year, i am glad we can still talk about it.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sports as a barometer for aging
I am sitting in my backyard watching my daughter sleeping in her stroller and i'm surfing the web. I read a lot about sports in my spare time, particularly the teams i root for, namely the Mets, Islanders, 76ers, Colts and all things Michigan.
I just read that the Mets selected Corey Vaughn in the 4th round. He is the son of Greg Vaughn, a former member of the Devil Rays, Rockies, etc...
On the University of Michigan Basketball team, we will have Tim Hardaway Jr., Joe Dumars' son, and Al Horford's little brother.
This all got me thinking that i am getting old.
As a kid, you watch these athletes, and they all seem like adults.
Then you're in college, watching your peers and people that are older than you but no longer intimidatingly older.
Now the guys we grew up with are entering the Hall of Fame and their kids are making the rosters.
It kind of frightens me in a way that also fulfills me.
I just glanced back at my daughter sleeping and realized that i like getting older.
Have a good day.
I just read that the Mets selected Corey Vaughn in the 4th round. He is the son of Greg Vaughn, a former member of the Devil Rays, Rockies, etc...
On the University of Michigan Basketball team, we will have Tim Hardaway Jr., Joe Dumars' son, and Al Horford's little brother.
This all got me thinking that i am getting old.
As a kid, you watch these athletes, and they all seem like adults.
Then you're in college, watching your peers and people that are older than you but no longer intimidatingly older.
Now the guys we grew up with are entering the Hall of Fame and their kids are making the rosters.
It kind of frightens me in a way that also fulfills me.
I just glanced back at my daughter sleeping and realized that i like getting older.
Have a good day.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Pinch closes, Mets Analysis, The Black Keys
I've figured out that it takes some good music to inspire me to post on this blog, despite the fact that this is clearly not a blog about music.
The new album by The Black Keys, entitled Brothers, is PHENOMENAL. Blending Blues, Soul and Rock they have made an album with edge that can appeal mainstream. The lyrics are well thought out to boot. "my next girl, will be nothing like my ex girl. I made mistakes back then, i'll never do it again", brilliant. Highly recommend.
Pinch & S'MAC closed a few weeks ago. Put simply, it wasn't performing up to expectations. We were crazy busy 1/2 the week and 1/2 the week the place was a ghost town. Thanks to all supporters of Pinch and P & S, and sorry to the fans. Has been a great bunch of years, and it is bittersweet seeing it go. That said, i remain employed with Ark Restaurants (as before) and am loving what i am doing, and am very happy. New restaurant will be opening in the space in four weeks, and the new concept is exciting and the place is gonna look great. Will update status.
Mets Stuff.
Firstly, this team is better than people are giving credit for. The errors and base running blunders of the past have been eradicated. Jerry Manuel may not be the best as juggling a bullpen, but his staff has taught fundamentals. He deserves credit for that.
Luis Castillo has been performing well (getting on base), but Daniel Murphy, recently off the DL and assigned to Buffalo should take his spot ASAP. He is a prototypical #2 hitter (contact) and has good power for the position. He has played 2B before. People forget how good he was when he came up two years ago. Through 40 games, he had better stats than Ike Davis. Castillo has no upside at all beyond a good on base percentage, whereas Murphy led the Mets in homers last year.
Finally, Roy Oswalt must be a priority. His large salary will take most teams out of the running and also require less compensation. Give up a few double A prospects and nab the guy!
Will be posting more often after this hiatus. Hope everyone is well out there.
The new album by The Black Keys, entitled Brothers, is PHENOMENAL. Blending Blues, Soul and Rock they have made an album with edge that can appeal mainstream. The lyrics are well thought out to boot. "my next girl, will be nothing like my ex girl. I made mistakes back then, i'll never do it again", brilliant. Highly recommend.
Pinch & S'MAC closed a few weeks ago. Put simply, it wasn't performing up to expectations. We were crazy busy 1/2 the week and 1/2 the week the place was a ghost town. Thanks to all supporters of Pinch and P & S, and sorry to the fans. Has been a great bunch of years, and it is bittersweet seeing it go. That said, i remain employed with Ark Restaurants (as before) and am loving what i am doing, and am very happy. New restaurant will be opening in the space in four weeks, and the new concept is exciting and the place is gonna look great. Will update status.
Mets Stuff.
Firstly, this team is better than people are giving credit for. The errors and base running blunders of the past have been eradicated. Jerry Manuel may not be the best as juggling a bullpen, but his staff has taught fundamentals. He deserves credit for that.
Luis Castillo has been performing well (getting on base), but Daniel Murphy, recently off the DL and assigned to Buffalo should take his spot ASAP. He is a prototypical #2 hitter (contact) and has good power for the position. He has played 2B before. People forget how good he was when he came up two years ago. Through 40 games, he had better stats than Ike Davis. Castillo has no upside at all beyond a good on base percentage, whereas Murphy led the Mets in homers last year.
Finally, Roy Oswalt must be a priority. His large salary will take most teams out of the running and also require less compensation. Give up a few double A prospects and nab the guy!
Will be posting more often after this hiatus. Hope everyone is well out there.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Teaching a child to share, THE METS!, City Treehouse
My daughter Alexandra is almost 2 and a half. She is delicious, but can be tough as most kids her age are. She has trouble sharing. We are trying to teach her and have found it difficult. So i hit the net, searching for answers, and apart from the obvious i found some good kernels.
Firstly, the obvious is to reward good behavior and set good examples.
The not so obvious.... Before a playdate, ask your child if there are any toys they'd like to put away so that nobody can play with them, because it is ok for children to have their own private things. Secondly, when inviting another child to play, ask them to bring a few of their own toys. Your child will inherently want to play with these foreign, new things, and it will make it more acceptable to them to allow the other child to play with their stuff.
Time to implement. Let me know if you have other suggestions.
See my last blog post and i mentioned that i thought the Mets were going to go on a run. Boy do i look smart. They have exceeded my expectations and look like a disciplined, well coached team. I am dampering expectations, but think that they can compete with the rest of the NL.
City Treehouse is an amazing place in NYC for a rainy or winter day. It is by appointment only and features a playroom, a water table and a slide/jungle gym. Highly recommend checking it out.
http://www.citytreehouse.com/
All this new music that i've been talking about is great and all, but lately it's back to the classics. Lots of Doors, Zepp, Dead, and Reggae. Comfort food for the ears...
Have a great day.
Firstly, the obvious is to reward good behavior and set good examples.
The not so obvious.... Before a playdate, ask your child if there are any toys they'd like to put away so that nobody can play with them, because it is ok for children to have their own private things. Secondly, when inviting another child to play, ask them to bring a few of their own toys. Your child will inherently want to play with these foreign, new things, and it will make it more acceptable to them to allow the other child to play with their stuff.
Time to implement. Let me know if you have other suggestions.
See my last blog post and i mentioned that i thought the Mets were going to go on a run. Boy do i look smart. They have exceeded my expectations and look like a disciplined, well coached team. I am dampering expectations, but think that they can compete with the rest of the NL.
City Treehouse is an amazing place in NYC for a rainy or winter day. It is by appointment only and features a playroom, a water table and a slide/jungle gym. Highly recommend checking it out.
http://www.citytreehouse.com/
All this new music that i've been talking about is great and all, but lately it's back to the classics. Lots of Doors, Zepp, Dead, and Reggae. Comfort food for the ears...
Have a great day.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Free Stuff, Ya Mon, Ike D, Baby
http://www.freestuff.com/ Free samples, incentives and other funny stuff
Was just in Jamaica for a destination wedding. Was an amazing party, affair and group of people assembled. We were at Round Hill in Montego Bay. If you or someone you know are considering an away wedding, i cannot more highly recommend a place.
We flew Delta. Had TV on the way back. I absolutely love having a TV while on an airplane. I still read a great book, "The Last Child" by John Hart. It is a bit disturbing, but the pages keep turning.
The couple are stranded in Paris on their honeymoon, unable to fly to Morocco because of this volcano business. Could be worse, but i hope they get south.
Ike Davis makes his debut for the Mets tonight. Finally we get to be excited about something again! I think this callup is timed very well and i think it will light a fire. 7-3 homestand puts them back to .500.
I read that someone thought that they cut Mike Jacobs too early. They obviously didn't see him pop up against a positional player in the 20 inning game.
Finally, i am proud to announce that my wife Kimberly is pregnant again, and that baby #2 is on the way!
Was just in Jamaica for a destination wedding. Was an amazing party, affair and group of people assembled. We were at Round Hill in Montego Bay. If you or someone you know are considering an away wedding, i cannot more highly recommend a place.
We flew Delta. Had TV on the way back. I absolutely love having a TV while on an airplane. I still read a great book, "The Last Child" by John Hart. It is a bit disturbing, but the pages keep turning.
The couple are stranded in Paris on their honeymoon, unable to fly to Morocco because of this volcano business. Could be worse, but i hope they get south.
Ike Davis makes his debut for the Mets tonight. Finally we get to be excited about something again! I think this callup is timed very well and i think it will light a fire. 7-3 homestand puts them back to .500.
I read that someone thought that they cut Mike Jacobs too early. They obviously didn't see him pop up against a positional player in the 20 inning game.
Finally, i am proud to announce that my wife Kimberly is pregnant again, and that baby #2 is on the way!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Q VS. A, The Temper Trap, The Mets are Banged up (again), Follow Please
I tend to not wax philosophical, especially in this space, but i beg the question of "what is more important, the questions people ask, or the answers they give?" I am firmly in the camp of the "questions". I think peoples questions tell so much more about motivation, intelligence, experience and interest, whereas "answers" are limited in scope.
I come upon this question because i am hiring for our busy summer season. I am interviewing a lot of people, and i find that the good candidates have the questions and the bad ones, the answers. Which camp are you in?
The Temper Trap is a band i have recently found. They sound like a blend of old U2 and the Killers. I cannot stop listening to this album. If you want to give them a whirl, start by downloading the tracks, "Sweet Disposition" and "Love Lost". HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Mets Opening Day, and we'll be missing our 1B, SS, CF and Closer. Glad we had an offseason to get healthy. And our pitchers have had a terrible spring. My optimism is quickly turning to worry.
Finally, i have no agenda in writing this blog. I simply use it to share cool things, links and ideas. Many people are reading it, and letting me know that they are enjoying it. I appreciate it very much! I would appreciate anyone who clicks on the "FOLLOW" link. This feature will send you the new blog posts automatically. Thanks for reading, have a great weekend.
I come upon this question because i am hiring for our busy summer season. I am interviewing a lot of people, and i find that the good candidates have the questions and the bad ones, the answers. Which camp are you in?
The Temper Trap is a band i have recently found. They sound like a blend of old U2 and the Killers. I cannot stop listening to this album. If you want to give them a whirl, start by downloading the tracks, "Sweet Disposition" and "Love Lost". HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Mets Opening Day, and we'll be missing our 1B, SS, CF and Closer. Glad we had an offseason to get healthy. And our pitchers have had a terrible spring. My optimism is quickly turning to worry.
Finally, i have no agenda in writing this blog. I simply use it to share cool things, links and ideas. Many people are reading it, and letting me know that they are enjoying it. I appreciate it very much! I would appreciate anyone who clicks on the "FOLLOW" link. This feature will send you the new blog posts automatically. Thanks for reading, have a great weekend.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Coocoo, Cypress Hill, Big Papi, Cooking Tip
Great new service, Coocoo
Text 266266 the name of the LIRR station you want to leave from and your destination, and five seconds later you have all the train times.
I.E. Port Wash to Penn
7:39 > 8:24
8:10 > 8:55
It'll give you five results instantly. Even if you don't live there, it'll come in handy for visiting, and be on the lookout for this service in other municipalities.
Heard a new Cypress Hill song on the radio the other day, "Rise Up". Great beat, little bit hard, but great. It'll be huge. Check it out.
Fantasy BBallers. You heard it hear first, HUGE rebound year for Big Papi Ortiz. He is going really late in drafts and auctions.
Finally, when you want chopped garlic, use the following technique, very fast and easy.
Peal garlic.
Hold a fork against your countertop or cutting board.
Drag the garlic against the tines of your fork, this will mince it.
It works incredibly well.
Enjoy
Text 266266 the name of the LIRR station you want to leave from and your destination, and five seconds later you have all the train times.
I.E. Port Wash to Penn
7:39 > 8:24
8:10 > 8:55
It'll give you five results instantly. Even if you don't live there, it'll come in handy for visiting, and be on the lookout for this service in other municipalities.
Heard a new Cypress Hill song on the radio the other day, "Rise Up". Great beat, little bit hard, but great. It'll be huge. Check it out.
Fantasy BBallers. You heard it hear first, HUGE rebound year for Big Papi Ortiz. He is going really late in drafts and auctions.
Finally, when you want chopped garlic, use the following technique, very fast and easy.
Peal garlic.
Hold a fork against your countertop or cutting board.
Drag the garlic against the tines of your fork, this will mince it.
It works incredibly well.
Enjoy
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