Toastedblog. Mmm....Drink it in; It always goes down smooth.

BBBBBrrrrrrr.....Better put your booties on Toastedblog fans cause its c-c-c-cold outside. Which is why a lot of my time has been spent indoors of late in jammy jams and covered in warm blankies. You could say that would be pretty.....toastie. Aaaahhhhh!!!!! Good times, good times. Now, what would these days be like without the recent addition of Anchorman to my home lifestyle. I have basically watched this movie at least once a day since I have owned it, which it was purchased on Friday. There is a problem here, it is taking precious screening time away from another highly quoteable movie, a favorite amongst "the boys", Dodgeball. See, these are the problems that your high school teachers warned you about kiddies. Thank god college has prepared with techniques to tackle these real world issues. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I forgot what I was talking about at least half a paragraph ago.


Uh-oh...Whammy!

So what is today's theme. Is it Action? How about Drama?? I know, does our Toastedblog entry delve into the uninhibited sexual liaisons of Erotica. No, unfortunately we aren't going to discuss the finer points of "LogJammin".

Maude: "You can imagine where it goes from here."
Dude: "He fixes the cable??"

What we are going to hit up is a rather touchy topic with the Toastmaster General; the fact that he's lost his musical edge. Back in the day, you know, High School and College, I used to have an edge. I would listen to hard rock and that was pretty much it. True I had a love for classic rock that my Pa Toast ingrained in me during my youth while driving all across NY for hockey. I can still remember those 6am drives to Elmira listening to Jethro Tull at the age of 9 and this is coming from a man closely related to rock god Huey Lewis (go ahead, click on the bio). But, now I'm getting off topic. A few years ago there would have been no way that I would have Guster on my profile as one of my favorite bands, not that there is anything wrong with them, I obviously enjoy their stuff now. Basically, I would not enjoy wuss rock so much. There was a day that I had edge. I spent my time listening to bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Chili Peppers, and Old Stone Temple Pilots (Not really Tiny Music although I would grow to appreciate later), to name a few. One summer, I think it was 1998, I saw Our Lady Peace six times, all in Central NY of course. Sure, back then they still had somewhat of an edge, before Gravity came out; which naturally I loved. If the Casey from then could only see the Toast now. Huh???? I have a cd player at my desk at work, and its loaded with the non-edgy. Nothing but Ryan Adams, Wilco, Keane, Live, Travis, and Ben Folds. Don't get me wrong, its all great music, otherwise I wouldn't be listening to it. But I need to start getting back my edge, at least musically. Thems were good times. And I still listen to some music that has some gumption to it, just not like a few years ago. A lot of this may have to do with the lack of good rock coming out these days, or decent rock radio stations in the area. I am convinced that Syracuse has the worst radio market in the entire country. Whatever the cause, something must be done.

Everyone's favorite Pisano, Charlie Coville, and myself joke about the fact that I don't listen to the same type of music all of the time as I used to and its time to do something about it. I have asked good friend, classicoverblog contributor, and just in general, loveable asshole, Bill Shannon to help me in this quest. But this is where it takes an odd turn. I am having him get me into rap music. Yeah, you read that correctly. Bill is a fan of what I like to call, decent rap, or rap I could listen to and enjoy. It is more musically complete than just listening to commercialized garbage like 50 cent, Eminem, and the recent award winners of we sold out to sell albums, the Black Eyed Peas. I want something that has substance. See the Roots, for an example. On Monday at the Change of Pace whilst enjoying a pitcher, delicious wingies, and an SU basketball comeback at the RAC, Bill and I got discussing music and I asked for his assistance. I will have Chuck help me with getting the rockin' back.

**Disclaimer: Conversation may have been doctored due to immense rambling at bar, this is just the jest of the chat**

Toast: "Bill, I hate music today, I need to find something new, that is actually worth listening to. Don't get me wrong, I have bands that I enjoy that have come out recently, but other than that and the musical staples that I live by, there is nothing else. "

Bill: "I know what you mean Toast. Its hard to find new music out there that's worth a damn. Even if you are super intelligent, can lift a Volkswagen clear over your head, are irresistible to woman, and smell of rich mahogany."

**femininas walk in and start giving us the big eye**

Toast: "Yes Bill, you are correct, I am all of those things, but that doesn't mean that I don't long for something different and astounding to listen to while I think of ways to help the less fortunate and work on my formula to prevent global warming."

Bill: "I got it!! I'll get you into rap!!"

Toast: " That's it, you get to working on some mix cd's, I'm going to see if I can get a hey from these femininas!!"

So, after all of that Billy is going to start introducing me to some classy rap and I will have something new to listen to. I still have my love with Rock though, I am not going to drop that. Like I mentioned, I will have Chuck get on his bike and help me get some new flavor there. Billy said he would as well. The whole idea is, not that I am bored with the music, I am just looking for a little variety where there previously was none. Well, that's it. My dilemma. However, something is being done about it. If any suggestions, feel free to drop a line. I'm out like kraut!!

By the way, I still love Pearl Jam. And Tool!!! See, I still have some edge!!!

Always give it your best; that's my motto! Well, that and everybody Wang Chung tonight

What a week Toastedblog faithful!! Let me tell you, when you go the last few years having a car at your every disposal you can get quite accustomed to it. It has been since Tuesday morning since I last drove a gas powered vehicle and I am pretty sure that if I ever get my Jeep back I will not have a single clue on how to use it. Since I brought it in to get my alignment adjusted I have gone from having the assumption that I will be without an automobile for a few hours to what is now three days. I went from spending around $100 for a simple alignment to a grand total of $1265 for a slightly used front wheel axle housing (For new parts, it was $3,000). Paying to get my car fixed, that doesn't bother me. These things happen. Its the being told by our mechanic here that it will be ready Thursday morning, getting a call around noon saying that it will definitely will be ready by four, once again receiving a call that it should be ready by Friday morning, and finally, we'll be done by the time you are out of work today, aka 5:00 pm. Whatever, its not worth getting frustrated over. It's just hard not to given my history of automobiles, most recently the toasted convertible mishap.

So it is currently 4:22 and I am not even close to getting this Toastedblog entry done. I started earlier in my day here at the office and surprisingly enough I found myself busy at work. Who knew?? I sure didn't and to make up for my lack of time management I am trying to ramble here about nothing to give this entry some adaquate length, but you and I both know that this is not going to happen. I can't even get into discussing this weekends plans for there is no time. What can I tell you about you wonderful toastedblog fans. Well, I had a delicious roast beef sandwich for lunch. Damn it!! That's the best I can come up with on short notice, a sandwich?? No clever joke?! No witty remark?! No mind boggling historical fact?! No riddle wrapped in an enigma?! No Shakespearean Sonnet?! That's it, I've got nothing. Have a good weekend, we'll chat later.

Daily Calvinisms

Dang it!! I'd hate to be that guy!!

I recently signed up on some comics a day website and we have our first entry. Not half bad Bill Watterson. I wish Calvin and Hobbes would come back. It'd be nice.....and hilarious!! More to come.

It's 4th and 15 and you're looking at a full court press!

Sigh....Eli???
Peyton does not know that playoff time is definitely BYOB, "Bring Your Own Boo-Yeah"!! But will Eli??

I just dang it-ed; tremendously!!!

Eight days and no Toastedblog!!??!? Y'all must be going nuts and judging from the amount of comments I get on these posts, you have........haven't??? Wait a minute??! Do you have any idea the amount of blood, sweat, tears, aneurysms, and nutter butters go into to each and every one of my fine Toastedblog musings?? And I can't get a fricken word out of you people?!! Oh well, I know I like 'em and so does the majority of my vast internet audience.

I just got a phone call from the place I took to get my alignment on my Jeep looked at after I kinda slipped on the ice and bumped into the curb and snowbank at about 20 mph. Well, apparently I broke my passenger side axle housing and from what I hear that is not good news so for the next few days I have a short Italian chauffeuring me around to and fro work in a Chevy Cavalier till Thursday afternoon. Fortunately for me it is going to cost about $1500. and anytime you get to spend that kind of money it has to equal good times. I will proceed to get hammered as soon as I get home. Good thing I have some Jack Daniels at home, I can do all this and be asleep by 9:00 pm if need be. This idea can't miss. GREAT, GRAND, WONDERFUL!!!

I was about to start a whole blog about my views on last weeks playoffs games and how all that I did all weekend was eat large quantities of meat and cheese and polish off quite a bit of beer but currently I do not feel like being creative or hilarious. Perhaps later in the week. I'll let you know how the Cavalier rides.

You know those Germans; if you don't join the party, they come get you!

Guten Tag der Toastedbloggen freundin. Ich habe gut Deutsch gelernt weil Ich Deutsch klasse im....dammit, I can't keep it up. Its been a while since I took German. Translation of above statement, Good day Toastedblog friends. I was about to say that I took it in high school and college but its fairly obvious that I can't recall all of that information right now. Had I not been at work the outcome may have been different. This place always seems to bring out the worst in me, mentally anyways. So, what's the deal with the German intro and title? Well, tribute to Badass, alter ego Matt Gang, and that's when the German comes in!! Its not really a tribute for him, but really a recap of a few days that happened to feature a going away gathering on Friday night for BA as he heads back to Ireland today. What the hell am I rambling about?? Stupid Mondays!!

In any event, we start by discussing the only real thing that had been going on with the Toast the last few days. On Friday I went with everyone's favorite little crapper Charlie Coville to meet up with a plethora of good people at Coleman's. The reason, well for Badass and Moe of course!! Looking back on the evening nothing too crazy really happened. Just having some drinks, sharing stories, going on and on for hours about absolutely nothing, drinking a lot of whiskey, yelling uncontrollably, not being able to drive home, passing out on your friend Kyle's couch. Really, your standard Friday night. OK, I don't usually hurt myself that bad but, it's a celebration bitches!! I like to refer to it as a night that got a little out of my control, fortunately I decided to be responsible enough to not drive, that and it was 5:30 am and I still was drinking. That might have had something to do with my decision making. Still, it was great to really hang out and get blitzed with Badass. I didn't really want to see him go back but what are you going to do. He assured me that he would return in 10 months so I got that going for me, which is nice. For you Toastedblog fans that haven't met him, you should really look into it. Good times, good times. We discussed briefly about myself taking a trip out to Ireland for a visit to the land of Toastie heritage and to hang out with BA. More on this as information arrives.

Nothing starts your day off like stumbling off your friends couch with your breath reeking of Bushmill (I ain't drinkin' your Protty whiskey!!!), enduring the arctic conditions of the outdoors, and receiving a telephone call as you clean the snow off of your car which has been parked at the bar overnight. I think it is a given that if your day begins like that it isn't going to be "spectacular". Key sidenote, exclamation above in parenthesis only works when you use an Irish accent. I drive home and take a good long nap to prepare for a Saturday night loaded with football. That phone call I got while cleaning of my Jeep, none other than Army Matt and he is having a get together at his place for the playoffs so I drove over at about 5:30 looking for a comfy chair and delicious pulled pork for I am still not quite over my Friday. However, after my first beer things are looking up for the Toast and we're feeling all sorts of fine (Lookin' fine too....dang!). He and his girlfriend Shannon have some good people showing up to watch some football including a few boys from the rugby team so the games are littered with good conversation as jokes are told and rugby weekends and practices are re-lived through story after embarrassing and hilarious story. The following may not be funny to y'all but Army Matt, myself, and fellow rugby teammate and Buffalo native "McCracken" were rolling as it was brought up. We travel back in time a few months to October 31st, the day of our division championship game against Rochester. They had this scrumhalf (guy kicking the ball with grey scrumcap on) who with his huge nose was delegated the nickname "Rooster". By the way, look in the background on right side of that picture, who's wearing short shorts, high socks, and standing next to Army Matt? Well, we would heckle the hell out of "Rooster" every time he touched the ball, partially for reasons that he was a punk, the others had to do with him kicking the ball anytime anyone got close to tackling him and us drinking. Army Matt would try to district his kick offs and penalty kicks with an on target Steve Perry impression singing "Oh Sherry". You should here him hit the highs. Various comments were made about his sister, rooster crows, and lets not forget the trademark yelling of Noonan before every kick (Noonan, Mmmiss it, Noonan). Kinda had to be there but nevertheless, good times. Well, we wrap up Saturday with a stop at the Blarney on the way home and not resisting a 2 am viewing of "Boyz in the Hood" as I turned on the TV when I got home. Ah, the finer acting days of Cuba Gooding Jr., before he got crazy annoying and his agent hooked him up with scripts to "Snow Dogs" and "Boat Trip".

So, that's about it. Sunday was all football and jammies. And last week, well last week was just crazy. Rugby practices have started up again, basketball games Change O' Pacers style, a hockey game on Thursday night that featured our team only showing up with 7 guys, including the goalie, so the Toast was on the ice for the entire game, aside for a two minute penalty and about 2 minutes of rest time with our lone sub. My legs still are sore. We lost 8-3 to a bunch of chumps who out manned us 3 to 1. Had we been with our full roster, they would have been no problem. At one point the puck had deflected off a body in the neutral zone and I flew on it, only to have one of the referees skate directly in my path. So I did the only thing I could do in the situation, I lowered my shoulder and sent him flying. He bounced on the ice and took out one of the opposing teams defensemen to boot. This action instigated a lengthy argument between me and said referee for the remainder of my shift out there. As play continued he threatened me with tossing me out of the game for actions like that. I responded by saying that he should be out reffing girls youth hockey and he was lucky he still wasn't down on the ice. He told me to watch my mouth and next time anything happened I was gone. As I skated away I yelled next time I'm going in with my elbows high. The whole exchange reminded me of the way I played in High School and College. I wasn't a goon or anything, but I could hit and play mean; which is surprising when you look at my demeanor off the ice. I am very likeable. But when I play sports, I turn it up a notch. In fact, I lead my high school league in penalty minutes two years in a row. How's that for the Toast my fans know as "I'm getting upset." Makes you wonder huh.

Ok, I have gone on enough about random things and it is 11:11 am here at work. I really need to get some work done. Speaking of work, have I mentioned that I am beginning to get frustrated and unhappy at my current place of employment. Grad School news in the future?? I certainly hope so for I can't keep this up here. Its killing me!!! All right, Toast out for now!! Take care.

I call it Friday Night Sissy Fights!

Happy New Year Toastedblog faithful!! So, you may be asking; Toast, how was your New Year's?? Well, the title serves as a lead in to last Friday's events. OK, let me explain. The Toast has not turned the gay (not that there is anything wrong with it) so don't get started thinking about that. He still likes the ladies!! And I didn't get in a fight with a gay man, or a woman for that matter. The title is full of symbolism for my evening, a metaphor if you will. It is supposed to describe my impending battle to control myself with an endless supply of liquor at arm's reach. I'm just kidding. But seriously, that really happened. All right, time for the show. Enjoy the show....enjoy the show.

So, New Year's Eve involved performing a tremendous feat of strength, but would the Toast be up for it. I went to Coleman's where they had a special for New Year's customers; purchase a bracelet for $45, get all you can drink beer, mixed drinks, all the good stuff; plus some apps. Since I decided to take them up on this offer, it was my goal to get my money's worth of booze while remaining semi coherent and generally likeable to be around. How could I control myself with all of this temptation at my finger tips? Why, I know, lets order white russians, Jack and cokes, and Long Island iced teas all night. Better yet, every time you order one for yourself, you better get a beer to go along with it. It only seems right and in a sense, you are cutting down on wait time for your next round, because you already have it. Believe it or not this plan did not go as originally intended. Did I get my money's worth of booze?? You better believe it. As a matter of fact, everyone I ran into at least got one free drink from me, if not more. Did I remain semi coherent?? I prefer not to answer that one right now. Was I generally likeable to be around? Hell yes!! Everyone loves the drunk Toast. Especially when it is the drunk Toast who dances with random people for no reason whatsoever, yells real loud, shows even more Reverse Dang It goofiness than can be imagined, and is visibly struggling to put sentences together. It had been a long time since I had been out and primarily drank liquor. I was absolutely hammered so my valiant effort to not to get uber-bombed failed miserably. I shouldn't say that because the ultimate outcome was pretty good, and I did get to spend the following day lying around in jammy jams watching movies and eating spaghetti-O's. Always the ones with hotdogs, always!! That is unless they are knights and castles shaped, then meatballs are acceptable. I certainly hope Franco-American relations never break down for the chance of having Spaghetti-O's discontinued strikes fear in the very heart of me. What am I talking about?? Dang It!!

The weekend was not crazy at all, not too much happened. Aside from New Years, a Saturday filled with movies, video games, college football and a hungover Toast. On Sunday I slept in mucho time-o and found myself being woken up to the wonderful sounds of Careless Whisper, or in other words, my cell phone was ringing. Good friend, fellow poor free throw shooter, rugby buddy, and Steeler fan Army Matt gave me a call to stop on by for some beers and football watching. At this point I had just woke up, it is currently 12:42 pm. I never sleep that late. Anywho, I head over to Matt's with a 12 pack of Blue where he throws out a delightful Phelps-esque spread of food for his guests. We're talkin' pulled pork that he smoked himself, spinach and artichoke dip, and homemade chicken wings (buffalo and some garlic italian dressing Concoction). All of which proved to be pretty tasty. What proved to be no dice was the Toast supported Bills losing to a Second string led Steeler squad. After a few hours of eating and drinking I decide to head home for I am en route to meet up with some work people at the Blarney Stone for some time out due to a no work Monday for the Toast. This proves to be rather interesting for only one person showed up besides myself, that being Rachael, one of the ladies who is around my age in my office. (my office is predominately female, half around my age, other half got Toast beat) I have yet to find out if this was just some womanly work to get us "hooked up" or if the others just couldn't make it as they say. Not that I know why they would do that, I just have had this suspicion that something was up. Besides, there is nothing there so why am I rambling on about this. Anyway, I sit and have a few drinks, B-Rad (is he still dating Wreckin' Ball) shows up about a half hour after I do and joins me while we watch the mighty Eli Manning take on the Ageless Vinny Testaverde. Eli looked good. He looked Toast good, and we all know that's some good ass shit!! True, the Giants lost 8 out of their last 9 but Eli is at least making strides in showing some improvement and learning the NFL game. Because of this I am getting more and more amped for next season because I think he is going to be a heck of a quarterback. B-Rad would say otherwise, but what does he know about Eli. He's wrong I tell you. However we can put that on hold for now for this is playoff time. You know what that means. More on this to come in the following paragraph.

Playoffs??!! That's right baby, and do you know what I propose??? Get your asses to the humble abode of the Toast!! Or, we may just have to go to Billy's. Basically, we all need to find a place to camp out for the majority of the day, while drinking and eating. I feel that some of the Toast's tremendously tasty chili (call it Triple T if you want) may have to make an appearance. Is Phelps back; cheesy bacon biscuits? Casey-dillas?? Willie Moe has informed me that he currently owns a quesadilla maker. We only have a half a week to get moving on this. They may not live up to the original greatest weekend ever, but we can do some damage I think. Four words, return of the kegorator!! Think about it.

What else up Toastedblog audience??? I'm not too sure. Been kinda laid back of late. As some of you may know Christmas has made it difficult for the Toast to spend money so maybe that has something to do with little activity. Tonight I get to go to Manley Field House for another one of those lovable off season rugby workouts. A lot of crazy running, no thank you. Meeting team Bo-Hall for a few beers, a roast beef sandwich, and some awesome trivia, Yes Please!! Don't worry my fellow teammates, this is the only week in which rugby falls on a Wednesday for next week and there after my Toasted Mondays will be spent running. So I apologize for any inconvenience Team Bo Hall.

Guess what, I have a hockey game tomorrow too. Been looking forward to this for over a week for there were no games last week. BLAST!! We lost our last game 5-3 and from what I've seen we aren't too bad, but there is the occasional kid who won't pass the puck, constantly shoot even though his shot is awful, and stays out for 5 minute shifts while the rest of us are out there 45 seconds; but what are you going to do. Hopefully the Underdogs can do something tomorrow night because I am getting a little bit upset!!! I know Billy will like that.