Curling

I know this may come as a surprise to my post- high school friends, but once upon a time I was quite the athlete. I was a star on the soccer field, was a dominant competitor during Garrett Park Elementary's Field Day and was the Virginia-Maryland District Bowler of the Month November 1995.

Before 8th grade, there was an announcement that all after school sports were cancelled due to county budget cuts. I was saddened by this because I loved playing sports and being outdoors. I had been known for being a bundle of energy - wanting to be involved in absolutely everything.

By that second year of middle school, all that changed. I became a latch-key kid. It was during this time I started getting into soap operas. It became much easier to go directly home, turn on the TV, make a Mama Celeste pizza and get my homework done before the evening. The spark of laziness was lit.

Over time, it just became easier to be lazy and stay in the confines of the house. Any athletic ability I had had dwindled and that bundle of energy dissipated.

However, I had a bit of a reawakening on Friday, when I joined Beth and Frank at an open house for the only Olympic sport I actually watched, Curling. Yes, curling.

We drove to the center of entertainment Plainfield, NJ. We signed forms and had one shoe duck-taped. Then, we went onto the ice. We were given a very quick tutorial on how to release the stone. Then we got to take turns doing so. You can see my curling form in the photo below:




Unfortunately, due to the number of people who also wanted to experience the joys of curling, we were unable to sweep or do anything else. Regardless, I think it is a safe assumption that you will not be seeing me in Vancouver in 2010. But we did have fun and that's the most important thing.

So has this experience renewed my interest in exercise and competition? In a word: no. But it is fun to leave the house every once in awhile.

Quote of the Day:
"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to Somebody Else." -Will Rogers

Peter Tomarken

I didn't have cable growing up. One of the few things I looked forward to visiting the family in New Hampshire was watching cable -- especially the USA Network. As a child, the USA network had everything I could possibly want in television. The Cartoon Express gave me Richie Rich, Shirt Tails and the Laff-A-Lympics. At night, it was WWF Prime Time Wrestling with Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon, doubling the amount of wrestling I usually only got on Saturday mornings at home. But the afternoon game shows were my favorite part of the day. I watched Sale of the Century (which, at 6 years old got most of the questions right), $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime, Jackpot and my most favorite game show of them all, Press Your Luck.

I cannot begin to describe the pure love I had for that game show. The lights of the big board, the schemes of the Whammies, the big red button -- everything about Press Your Luck was perfection. Another vital element to the show was the host, Peter Tomarken. He wore loud, plaid blazers with wide, striped ties. He read corny odes and limmericks to Whammies at the end of every show. Bottom line: Peter Tomarken was awesome.

Because of my fond memories of Press Your Luck and Peter Tomarken, it brought sincere sadness to read of his passing from a plane crash yesterday. He was 63 years old. His wife and another passenger were also killed. What brings even greater sadness, is that he was flying for a wonderful cause. Tomarken owned the plane and donated its use to Angel Flight West, which provides free transport for needy patients. The plane was en route to San Diego to pick up a passenger when it crashed. Early reports site engine trouble as the cause.

Reading the news, it always seems like the bad people outlive the good. It's not fair.

Quote of the Day:
"The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions." -Confucius

Oscar Observations

It was a return to glamour...for the men at the 78th Academy Awards. While the men have been on the rebellious side of formal wear in recent years, it was nice to see the traditional black tux make a comeback. Nobody epitomized this better than Mr. George Clooney, who was true perfection.

As for the ladies, they played it safe for the most part. I don't see any of these dresses going down in Dress Hall of Fame -- in both the Best and Worst dressed categories. If I had to give a top 3 they are:

1. Salma Hayek
2. Meryl Streep
3. Sandra Bullock

And the bottom 2 are:

1. Charlize Theron
2. Naomi Watts

Amy Adams had the best earrings. Michelle Williams had the best make-up. Felicity Huffman had the best accessory (other than her husband William H. Macy), for the broach pinning her bun.

I think Dolly Parton needs to stop seeing Joan Rivers' plastic surgeon.

It was wonderful to see my man Jack Nicholson back at the Oscars. It hasn't been the same the past couple of years without him. Also glad to see David Letterman and Steve Martin make cameos at the beginning. Jon Stewart got off to a shaky start, but improved greatly as the show progressed. I very much enjoyed the Robert Altman segment. A fitting tribute to a long overlooked director.

I could have done without the 20 minutes of monologues. I hated the music that played throughout the speeches. I was disappointed for the Academy not recognizing Don Knotts, Darrin McGavin and John Spencer during the tribute to all those we lost in the past year.

Overall I was satisfied with the show. Not the best, not the worst. Until next year...

Quote of the Day:
"The best way to make fire with two sticks is to make sure one of them is a match." -Will Rogers

New York Billy #4

Last night was Billy's record-tying 10th show at Madison Square Garden. I got to hear 3 of my 5 favorite songs. You know the drill by now...:

Cold Spring Harbor:
* Everybody Loves You Now

Piano Man:
* The Ballad of Billy the Kid
* Captain Jack
* Piano Man

Streetlife Serenade:
* The Entertainer

Turnstiles:
* Angry Young Man
* SUMMER HIGHLAND FALLS
* New York State of Mind
* Miami 2017

The Stranger:
* Only the Good Die Young
* She's Always a Woman
* Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
* Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

52nd Street
* Zanzibar
* Big Shot
* My Life

Glass Houses:
* Sometimes a Fantasy
* It's Still Rock & Roll To Me
* You May Be Right

The Nylon Curtain:
* Allentown
* Pressure

An Innocent Man:
* Keeping the Faith

Storm Front:
* We Didn't Start the Fire

River of Dreams:
* The River of Dreams

Extra:
* Highway To Hell

* The first that I've heard "Summer Highland Falls" on this tour. It's my favorite song so that was a highlight it itself. The one-two punch of that and "the Entertainer" got me super hyper. And with "Sometimes a Fantasy" and "Captain Jack" soon to follow, he really got the place going.

* The most energetic crowd thus far. Legendary record producer Phil Ramone was in attendance.

* I think Billy might of had a cold or something, because he played a couple songs less than the other concerts. Luckily, one of the songs cut was "I Go To Extremes" because I really don't like that one and usually use it as my bathroom break.

* Tonight I was sitting dead center in the back, so I took that opportunity to look at the lighting of the show and realize just how wonderful it is. Then again, everything with his show is top notch.

* I must admit that I was a little disappointed he didn't do something a little more tonight seeing it was a Saturday and it was the 10th show, but the cold might have had something to do with that. Although his voice was in fine form. With that said, if I hadn't gone to the last show and was hearing "Summer, Highland Falls", "Miami 2017", "Sometimes a Fantasy", "Captain Jack" and "the Entertainer" at the same show for the first time here, I would be declaring this the best show ever

* What is so interesting, the moment that really gets the crowd going is when the roadie Chainsaw comes out and covers "Highway to Hell". After that, the crowd is on it's feet for the rest of the show.

* Still no "You're My Home". I have one more show on April 24th to hear it. This has been such a great winter to have all these opportunities to see all of these Billy shows. Only in New York...

Quote of the Day:
"It's a wonderful night for Oscar. Who will win?" -Billy Crystal

Good Night, Featherbed

Taking a break from the grind of finding work, I took a little jaunt to Boston. Once again I stayed with my friends Robin & LoveBunny. I admit, there was an agenda to my visit. With the arrival of a new BabyBunny in August, the guest room I stay in is being converted to BabyBunny's Big Girl room. So I had to get up there for one last slumber in the most comfortable bed in the world:




Yes, I did do other things in Boston besides snuggling in featherbed comfort. I got to see my friend Britt, who works at the new Agganis Arena and got a tour. It is so awesome and a perfect size for a concert. I would have been a frequent visitor had it be around when I was a student. Of course it was built afterwards. Of course. The highlight of that was being within a few feet of legendary BU Men's Hockey Coach Jack Parker. Alas, no camera for that moment.

I also got to see my friend Jill. She is still working at WGBH and doing well. Always good to catch up with friends.

A quick trip, but a good one. Back to the job search...

Quote of the Day:
"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." -Joseph Rudyard Kipling