A classic from someone who will most certainly be missed.

Some of the best times I’ve ever had in a car were listening to one of my many George Carlin cds kinda stoned as I drove back and forth to Maryland. Thanks for the laughs George.



George Carlin (1937-2008)

Two words: Fuck and Yes! **UPDATE**

I fucking love Pearl Jam. Simply put, my feelings for the band can be summed up with the following equation: Pearl Jam = wicked awesome. They just flat out rocked us here in the district for well over 3 hours last night. PJ just wasn't out there spinnin' the favorites either and The Toast did not expect to be hit up with some of the beats that filled the Verizon Center Sunday night. So many randoms and even a few B-sides tossed in to boot. "Merkinball"...what?!?! Niice.

Set 1

Hard To Imagine
Severed Hand
Hail Hail
Do The Evolution
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Evacuation
Corduroy
I'm Open
I Am Mine
I Got Id
Daughter
Light Years
Even Flow
Green Disease
You Are
U
Who You Are
Why Go

Encore 1

Comatose
Sad
Given To Fly
Come Back
Grievance
Black
Rearviewmirror


Encore 2

No More
Last Kiss
Crazy Mary
Alive
All Along The Watchtower
Yellow Ledbetter

And Charlie...thanks for stopping by buddy. I love you.

Finally, I get to say it again. Two Words: Fuck and Yes!

We're only hours away from the arrival in the District of one Little Charlie Coville and his special lady friend, and my current BFF, Mary and giddiness has pretty much taken over here at Toastedblog. True, some of it is due to being reunited with my bestest buddy for an entire weekend. I'm also kinda amped for what the weekend has in store for us as DC is getting hit with not only a barbecue cook off but also a brewfest. More importantly though, we've got Mutha-Fuckin' Pearl Jam to boot!!! I just hope they play fuckin' "Inside Job".

It's been a few years since I've gotten the pleasure of seeing a Pearl Jam show. Surprisingly enough they don't head out 'ol Syracuse-way too often. And this time I don't have to drive a few hours in two directions which greatly improves my drunkening chances for the evening. However, that's not what the evening is about so I'm not going to worry too much about it. Just looking forward to seeing the most fucking awesome band on the planet and doing so with one of it's most fucking awesome people. Awwww...for those who know me, what I said is actually kind of sweet.

And now, time to hit y'all with my anticipated set list:

Why Go
Breakerfall
Life Wasted
Army Reserve
Insignificance
Do the Evolution
Red Mosquito
Small Town
Once
Gone
World Wide Suicide
Even Flow
I Believe in Miracles (Ramones Cover)
Bushleager (for the reason that the show's in DC)
Daughter
Smile
I am Mine
State of Love and Trust
Alive
RVM
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World

DAMMIT!!! I didn't work "Inside Job" in there. This is me with my fingers crossed that they did. Oh mama...Charlie, baby-back ribs, better than delicious beers, Mutha Fuckin' Pearl Jam!!! I'M SO HAPPY....I'M SO HAPPY!!!

Fake Cheese = Real Delicious

As you gander above one may notice a rather large shot of a Velveeta Shells and Cheese package prominently displayed on this very Toastedblog post. Reasons for this are three fold:

A. Velveeta Shells and Cheese are fucking delicious
2. I made them last night
and C. The combination of the above, a few hot dogs thrown on the grill, and a root beer proves to be an absolutely exquisite meal.

"C." isn't just for those alone times either. You can do this shit up for any and all occasions. Dinner party of multiple couples?? You may notice that it also comes conveniently in deluxe 12 packs. Romantic evening alone with yo' Kool-Aid?? Just be sure you make some broccoli to go with it and you'll be hittin' the skins in no time at all, quite possibly in response to your wherewithal to whip up a few servings of the creamiest and the dreamiest, Velveeta Shells and Cheese. Hell, if Kool-Aid were to allow it, this stuff shall and will be served at our wedding.

I haven't even touched on the best part of this shit yet. When you're finished puttin' down all dem shells, said eater gets to mop up all of the leftover cheese sauce with whatever you've served it with, case in point, a damn fine Hofmann hot dog. . Oh..Mama is right!

"Walk tall, kick ass, learn to speak Arabic, love music and never forget you come from a long line of truth seekers, lovers and warriors."

Not too long ago I heard about a documentary in the works about the good Doctor himself, Hunter S. Thompson, simply titled "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson". I guess what I'm doing here is just doing my part by making my fine internet audience aware of these awesome goings on. It comes out July 4th. Check it yo!!

View Trailer Here: www.huntersthompsonmovie.com

One...Two...Three....DOOO EEET

Recently I haven't felt like typing all that much; maybe it's due to the fucking heat, maybe it's doing actual work at the office instead of spending multiple hours studying movie quotes or the fantasy baseball free agent wire; I don't think one will ever really know. However, I'm not exactly out there pussy footin' around either, you know, shopping for organic groceries or listening to soft mellow rock. Pbbbt..like who would do that, ridiculous (looks around trying not to be noticed, see below). What I have been doing is what we men like to do, which is, a little TCB...oh yeah, it's taken' care of business. To keep this trend up, a listing of my many manly activities. Whoop Whoop!!

- After 10 months it's finally official, I am a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I now have the license to prove it. BOO-YAH! And what??!!, with the insurance. switching that to VA to boot. TCB my internet friends, TCB. (for you lady readers, the license photo looks damn fine)

- The majority of my recent evenings have involved charring animal flesh over an open flame. And we're not using no whimpy gas grill here neither, takin' my time with that shit, mounds of charcoal covered in lighter fluid. Also, it should be manditory or perhaps instill a By-Law that the actual grilling process be at least 4 beers long. Anything worth doing is worth doing right, that's what I always say.

- I successfully lifted 240 lbs yesterday at the gym. I am ALL that is man.

- Spent an evening checking out Semi-Pro, I kinda wished that I could take that one back. High points, sure it had some, but most points were kinda on the low end. Ouch.

- Fought cancer by running 3.1 miles. (Pay no attention to the fact that Vanessa Carlton was there)

- Followed that up by getting drunk in parking lot prior to rockin'. moe. in VA, WOOOOO!!!!!

**Let it also be known that I am set to travel home for some moe. shows this weekend at the Saranac Brewery. Mo' moe. WOOOO!!!**

- I've realized that the funniest word, other than pants, is probably diapers.

- Drank multiple cans of pabst.

- Eaten approximately 2 dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies since Sunday. Delicious.

- Going to continue this trend this evening while I watch Rocky Balboa, eating various grilled meats, and drinking delcious growler beer while Kool-Aid goes on some work outing.

**Sidenote: I love Trader Joe's and have been listening to a lot of Belle and Sebastian lately....what of it?? You think you're better than me. Have you listened to "Tigermilk"?? It's fucking fantastic!!

G.D. Sun..what with it's giving us life and all.

This kinda made me chuckle as I read it this morning. Philly fans hate Santa, New Yorkers have decided to take it a step further. Yanks fans really are idiots at times. You go to hell...you go to hell and die!! Fucking sun!!

Coco takes no shit from Rays.

Fight
by bsap11

Scenes of last night's brawl at Fenway following Coco Crisp getting plunked in the upper thigh (which is dangerously close to the no-no spot) by Rays pitcher James Shields; which was an obvious reaction Coco trying to send a message to the Tampa Bay infield by sliding hard into second base on an attempted steal the previous night. Also, after you exchange words with the opposing teams manager and you follow it up through the media with this, you gotta have to expect getting thrown at.

Crisp: "I don’t know if he could hear what I was saying, but basically I was saying I did that on my own, don’t punish anyone else on the team. Don’t get Petey (Dustin Pedroia), don’t get (Julio) Lugo, don’t get AC (Alex Cora) sliding hard at second base. Get me with a pitch. If you want to retaliate with somebody, I’m the man."

Baseball...It's faaaaaantastic!

No Power. No Thank You. Why Not Get Drunk. Yes Please!!

Some ass nasty thunderstorms stomped the district yesterday afternoon, really hitting hard at about three o'clock giving the Toast something to break up the afternoon monantany that seems to be hitting my office of late. From what I hear, 60mph winds, fierce rain, and falling trees really do a number on power lines so I was fortunate enough not to have electricity when I happened to make it back to "Fort Awesome" after a rough day of not doing work.

Following a good hour long run through the neighborhood and a nice random trip to target for some new underpants and various essentials (yes, a new copy of "Blazing Saddles" and jumbo bag of delicious trail mix qualify as essentials) I was left fending for myself for a way to pass the electricityless evening. To make matters worse, I was sans Kool-Aid as she was engaged with some co-workers in atrocities of which boyfriends should never have to endure, dunn.dunn.dunnnnn..."Sex and the City". So I did what any other red blooded irishmen would have done in my situation, I hoofed it to the nearest pub and began to tie one on.

I did some good work too. This wasn't your normal Wednesday evening out because there was no power drunk, this Wednesday evening out because of no power drunk had some pinache to it. Why is that you ask?? Because the bar I stopped in at was complete with a Toast fav...karoake. Oh Mama is right!! At about 12:30, after a number of pints, riveting discussion during the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup, and an unfulfilling bout with some awfully bad nachos, the Toast rocked some Huey Lewis for the oddly large country music contingent at the bar's karoake night and called it an evening; hopefully to a fully operational Fort Awesome.

Had a bit of trouble getting to all cylanders this morning but at least I didn't miss work entirely. Tonight we may get into round two as I visit to a recently discovered brewery in Old Town Alexandria is in the works for some delicious growlers. Oh Mama is right.

How to be a fucking awesome boyfriend.

Sometimes when I think about it, I'm just not really all too sure how I retain a special lady-friend. I mean, I pretty much do a lot of the things that us men-folk are known for: I make her car smell like farts and enjoy getting drunk. I play video games, frequent bars, alehouses, brewpubs, brewerys, rugby practices and drink-ups, the Toast can often be found watching sports or movies with aliens and/or stuff blowing up in them, and I destroy the bathroom following burrito nights; the list can pretty much go on and on.

Well, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm not the sharpest kid out there either. I often have trouble putting two and two together, not to mention that concepts such as proper moments to cross the street seemingly have never said hello to me over the years. I'm fucking awful with money, I went to college to get a degree in History (History!?!?). And forget about me remembering birthdays, anniversarys, your name, as this brain can only seem to retain dynamic knowledge like movie quotes and song lyrics.

But, then I remember that I'm also pretty much the shit and for some reason I get (understand) ladies; Kool-Aid in particular. And why is that you ask....cause I'm funny and I talk to them. Also, it's so blatently obvious to ladies such as the Kool-Aid that I love her and would most likely be lost, cold, confused and frightened without her, like an abandoned puppy. That is why I go out of my why to tell my special lady-friend how important she is to me and how fucking awesome she is; how she is so fantastic out of the sea of the many many female crazies and lunatics out there. It's not my impressive ability to mow down a heaping pile of pulled pork that gives me the title of the Most Fucking Awesome Boyfriend on the Eastern Seaboard, rather, it is because of these two very important facts about the Toast that I kinda get a get a free pass on all of my very many shortcomings. I make her laugh and make myself essential to be around by loving her unconditionally. Plus, I still do a hell of a job just pawing at her like I'm a bear going after a fully stocked cooler.

It is extremely important that I point out the fact that I am not trying to "get away" with anything here. I am not using this love for my girlfriend as a means to get me things like my sandwiches being made for me on a daily basis or the ability to engage myself in a the "Lord of the Rings" marathon on a Sunday afternoon. I don't have the cranial capacity to cook up a hot plot like that. But what I can do is keep my girlfriend smiling and happy and that should keep me free to impress with my keen sense of taking down baby-back ribs, serenading her in the Corolla by singing both the words and guitar parts to "Do the Evolution" by Pearl Jam, and staying in with an entire bucket of original recipie bird and video games for quite some time.

Man, shit was HOT back then.

Oh no, keyboard solo...and the sax, WHAT?!?! Not to mention the fact that it's off an album called "What's Up Dog?". Listen up 'Merica, this is talent.

Top Ten Reasons the Toast won't go see the new "Sex and the City" movie

10. I've probably got some better shit to do.

9. It's highly possible that I'll get chlamydia just from watching it, what with all the many many sexual partners that the one really old and slutty character has had. Oddly enough, Kim Cattrall may be the best looking one out of the lot.

8. I get extremely whiny and pissy whenever Kool-Aid stops on a random syndicated episode while flipping through the channels. I tell myself I don't really want to act this way in her defense, I mean, she does enjoy the show and she often lets me do the things that I would like to do, especially when it comes to deciding what we watch on T.V. All that being said, read the first part of reason no. 8 again; what makes her think that a solid two plus hour chunk will be any different??

7. It's not "Die Hard".

6. Subsequent theater combustion upon my entering from being too man-tastic thus canceling all anticipated and scheduled viewings until building is repaired. By then, it won't be in theaters anymore. (Sweet)

5. Why would I want to when I could just go see new Indiana Jones movie instead. Niiice.

4. "Band of Brothers" is probably on the History Channel.

3. I've got the baseball package on Comcast.

2. None of the following are likely to be found in the movie: explosions, machine gun fire, high speed car chases, hilarity, sports montages, eagerly anticipated female nudity, Nicholas Cage, high octane action, precise battle formations, swordplay, tanks, cheerleaders, women being reasonable, awesome scenes, cars or helicopters turning into fighting robots.

Nor will it feature kick-ass shit like this:

yeah!

1. I recently found out that Kool-Aid is going with some of her work friends.

/does fist pump

All ladies love babies, Toastmaster General.

I can't believe that I haven't done this yet. Above you shall notice the picture of a rather small child. Who is this baby and what is it doing getting in the way of Friday afternoon hilarity here at Toastedblog. Well, that child is my nephew, Baby Zima, or Callan Richard Zima if you're not into that whole brevity thing; and the reason he is here is that I am all sorts of doing stuff of late and haven't had time to spin out something awesome for y'alls reading pleasure. Doing work, that's insane.

Baby Zima was born a little over a month ago and from what I hear he's already rolling over. I guess that's a big deal for the little ones. Anywho, Uncle Toast has undertaken the monumentous task of making sure the son of my Irish twin sister becomes a dinosaur nut. I can't make him into a fan of every sports team that I love, that's his father's job but, what I can do is stuff enough dinosaur themed clothing, stuffed brontosaurus, and fossil building kits down this buck-a-roo's throat that he is forced to love them as much as I did when I was a kid. Yup, with a little bit of effort and elbow grease, there is no limit to this little guy's potential.

The following is a list of how to's, random bits of knowledge, and life lessons that Uncle Toast will pass unto Baby Zima:

- Properly eat chicken wings.
- Be a hit with the ladies. (Just act goofy and be yourself, it's amazing how they respond)
- Why McDonald's is only good for their Egg McMuffin's
- Effectively shotgun a beer
- The importance of having a good backhand while playing ice hockey
- How to tackle a man up to twice your size
- Never ever drink beer on an empty stomach
- Stick to your guns
- Make sure to read, alot. Being smart has it's advantages
- Never be afraid to dance
- It doesn't matter how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose. And even that doesn't make all that much difference.
- Always loosen the bolts on a tire before you jack up the car
- Eating a burrito before sex is always a bad idea
- Desperation is a stinky cologne
- Don't worry about getting hurt while playing sports, when you play afraid, that's when injuries happen.
- Fried chicken is delicious
- There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't
- Never get less than 12 hours of sleep
- Never play cards with a man who has the same first name as a city
- Never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body

You stick with me kid, the rest is cream cheese.

Huey Lewis and the Foo's!

This was recently sent to me from my good pal Uncle Jitter who, needless to say, knows that it's hip to be square. Uncle Huey. The Foo Fighters. That's nothing short of the jackpot right there. Fancy Plays all around!!



But why stop there when the Toast is all in the mood for the News. It's just too damn sweet for words.


"Heart and Soul" (a personal Toast favorite)



"It's Hip to Be Square"

Oh Huey Lewis, you're just too Van Damme awesome.

Yeah...we're not really doing work here today either.

So the Toast has triumphantly returned to blogging after a few days away from the office, home, and having his cell phone turned on. It's back to all sorts of normalcy here in the District and rumor has it, the Toast kinda wishes he was still at the beach. But I didn't tell you that, you must'a heard that one somewhere else. Anywho, Toastedblog here will feature a quick rundown of events of the holiday weekend when I have more time to be witty and creative. Plus, I needs a few minutes to upload sweet sweet pics of the trip so you all can revel in multiple action shots of a sunburned toast running into the ocean. That's pretty much the gift that keeps on giving, the WHOLE year.

Anywho, I'm not going to leave you listless and unentertained as the Toast certainly not come here to do that. Upon receiving good news from a certain fellow blogger out there on the national interweb, I took part in a request of answering a few questions, 8 times as a matter of fact. A special bonus to you internet readers, I actually answered these in a somewhat serious manner as apposed to being completely goofy and full of nonsense. That being all thrown out at you, enjoy the read and we'll catch you on the flip flop.

8 Things I am passionate about:

- Rocking: I love music. I love going to see shows. I love finding out about new shit to check out and give a listen to. I like giving garbage music a shot and then never giving it another go. I love rocking out to Pearl Jam over and over again. I love suggesting different albums to my friends so that they'll check 'em out and maybe enjoy them as much as I do. I love getting the same in return.

- Sandwiches: Try to tell me that you don't enjoy a delicious sandwich. Go ahead, I'll wait.

- L-I-V-I-N: Every day I do. This kid is all about going out and trying new things.

- Being Active: It has been pointed out to me that I am indeed steadily approaching the age of thirty and I am still throwing myself under the bus week in and week out playing kickass physical sports like rugby and ice hockey. Despite the way I sometimes feel on a Sunday following a few games the day before I really don't envision myself letting up any time soon.

- My friends: A stereotypical answer I know, but if you are considered a friend of mine...get ready for a good time and some good luvin.

- Kool-Aid: Another one of those, "hmmm...that's original" answers." That being said, to hell with all of you's. Not going to get all sentimental on you but I will break off a new flava in your ear. Kool-Aid is by far the most phenomenal kick ass lady that I've ever been fortunate enough to encounter. To have her around me on a daily basis has made me feel pretty much like the tops and I can safely say that I've never had as much fun nor laughed as much with anyone. I'm always am wanting to do things with her. And get your minds out of the gutter as I'm more refering to the simple day to day things to planning adventures with her. Going to the grocery store, that counts. Touring Europe, sure when the time and money is right. To put it in words that I may have told her once or twice: she's like a female version of Charlie. (Charlie = best friend, awesome Italian, great at video games)

- Beer: What can I say, I like me a good beer. We're not talking like an alcoholic fan of beer. Just a fan of some really out there and delicious stuff.

- My Sports: I am forever a sports fan. Nothing is quite like watching your team compete with close friends in tow and a bucket of wings to share. Dem's the good times.

8 Things I want to do before I die:

- See Ireland: It's about time I went all the way back home. (clever use of accent)

- Write a children's book: I worked in an educational toy store all throughout college. My time spent there was some of the funniest this kid has ever had. Throw in my passion for writing and we've got something cooking there.

- Own a pub: Irish roots + Fondness of People + Love of delicious beers = Time to figure out how to run my own pub

- Learn how to play the guitar: see also mandolin or banjo. Yeah.

- Become a Dad: It's just something I always thought that I would be good at. Plus, forcing my son to become a left handed knuckleball pitcher thus greatening his shot at making the big leagues and becoming my gravy train on biscuit wheels is my sole retirement plan at this point in my young life.

- Compete in a triathlon

- Meet the boys in Pearl Jam: If any of you can assist me in this I will be forever grateful. Good god they're awesome.

- Live on an island: For at least a few years; would be nice to leave all this bullshit behind and just live.

8 Things that I say really often:

- The many different forms of the dang it. 1. Dang It = not good 2. Reverse Dang It = ayy!! alright 3. Tremendous Dang It = That will ruin your weekend 4. The Seldom heard Wicked Dang It = not too sure if anyone has survived that

- FANCY PLAY!!

- Not gonna lie to you...

- What it is Kool-Aid?!?!

- Oh Mama

- Drive fast, take chances: words to live by

- Jack-Pot: see Tommy Boy

- YAHTZEE!!

8 Books that I've read recently:

- The Rum Diary. HST

- A Confederacy of Dunces. John Kennedy Toole

- High Fidelity. Nick Hornsby

- Where the Sidewalk Ends. Shel Silverstein

- Hell's Angels. HST

- A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams

- Galapagos. Kurt Vonnegut

- The Gonzo Papers: Vol. 3: Songs of the Doomed: More Notes on the Death of the American Dream. HST

A lot of Hunter Thompson in there I know. Just have been on a kick lately.

8 Movies I've seen 8 times:

- "The Big Lebowski": My favorite flick out there.

- "Caddyshack": Bill Murray quite possibly at his best. Arguably, Rodney Dangerfield at his.

- "Young Frankenstein": Comedy gold!!

- "Anchorman": Pretty much has made me laugh harder than anything that I have ever seen

- "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas": Damn fine job of demonstrating the late Doctor of journalism.

- "The Empire Strikes Back": Fellow Star Wars nerds rejoice!!

- "You've Got Mail": I don't have to defend myself to you people.

- "Batman Begins": Christian Bale as Batman is the shit. Sorry Michael Keaton, you had a good run. The Toast is really looking forward to "The Dark Knight" when it comes out here in July.

- "Die Hard": Fucking Awesome!! Still to this very day. Sweet.

Virginia Beach Mutha-Fuckas!!!

So, the Corolla is all stocked and ready to roll for a sweet three plus hour drive down to Virginia Beach this afternoon. The Toast is tentatively set to take off from the office at about 3pm for a rendezvous with Kool-Aid at our Alexandria apartment to change into short pants and grab any last minute necessities (sunblock and road beers, I'm looking at you here).

Pretty much our plan for the weekend is simple:

- rise and shine, you're at the fuckin' beach...JACKPOT!!
- take advantage of liberal all-you-can-eat policy at hotel's continental breakfast
- look good in swimwear (dang dang!!)
- lie on beach, thoroughly enjoy recent purchase of HST's "The Rum Diary"
- prevent Toasted Irish skin sunburn w/ repeated sunblock applications (SPF 50 bitches!!)
- build elaborate sand castles with Target purchased sand toys (weeee!!!)
- run around and demonstrate frisbee skills for passers by
- check out Kool-Aid when she is not paying attention (it should be known that the Toast is always caught)
- locate nearest on-boardwalk ice cream distributor
- go out for night time eats, some drinks but let's not get crazy here
- rest easy Toast, you've had a tough one
- repeat
- spend Sunday hitting up awesome rides at beer themed amusement park (aces!!)

Basically I need this little respite of a vacation here, albeit kinda short. Work has been weird and oddly stressful of late and with the nonstop running around with rugby and standard day to day stuff this nice four day'er comes at the perfect time. Also, the Toast loves him some Rolley-Coasters and word on the street is that Busch Gardens is chock full o' them. I almost forgot, I'm spending a day plus in Colonial Williamsburg to boot. The History Major side of the Toast absolutely goes nuts for this shit.

And from what I hear from the Kool-Aid, this is to be our first REAL vacation together. I mean, we've gone places but each trip we take seems to have involved some sort of extraneous circumstances: either another couple (Little Crapper and Mary for Yanks weekend in NYC last summer), another family (Trip to see Ma Dukes in Chigago this past Jan.), or random weddings (i.e. friend's wedding in Albany last summer/her Brother's wedding in Vermont last fall). This one is all Kool-Aid and me. Not gonna lie to you; I like this idea and I'm excited to be a part of it.

So that's about it. Last minute rundown of items; book..check. sunglasses..check. beers and fruit to enhance on beach enjoyment..check. goofy cabana wear..check. kick-ass mix for drive down to VA beach..check. Attractive lady friend..check. Nice ass weather for a few days..check. Yep, everything certainly is coming up Casey. Enjoy the long weekend internet folks. Toast/Casey OUT!!!

Eat Shit Cancer!!!

Jon Lester threw a no-hitter for the Sox last night as they beat the Royals at Fenway 7-0 and it probably couldn't happen to a better person in the majors. Lester, only 24, has already had to go through so much in his young career and as the day goes on you folks out there will continually hear about his overcoming of non-Hodgkins lymphoma since being diagnosed just 21 months ago. Terry Francona probably has put it best though in one of his many responses to Lester's heroics last night:

"He's not just a good kid because he threw a no-hitter," Terry Francona said. "He's a good kid because he's a good kid."

Lester's No-No last night seems to begin to cement his knack for extraordinary events since his emotional return to playing ball. I mean, he won his first game back in that July night last summer in Cleveland, pitched the World Series clinching Game 4 last fall in Colorado, and finally culminating last night in a No-Hitter in front of a sold out Fenway Park and with the Red Sox Nation glued to their sets at home. The Lefty was consistantly throwing first pitch strikes and hitting 94, 95, even 96 mph with his fastball, showing tremendous command with all of his pitches walking only two (one in the ninth) and striking out a career high nine batters. Hell, he's beaten cancer. I think that can also be classified as extraordinary; don't you??

I came into the game last night at about the third inning or so following a trip to the gym and had it on in the background whilst I made some quite delicious chicken marsala. The game already pretty much at hand as the Sox were up 5-0 and we were greeted with a Varitek homer in the 6th as Kool-Aid and I sat down to eat some damn tasty bird. From there on out, Kool-Aid and I intenetly watched every pitch while the Fenway crowd remained standing until the final out in support of Lester.

But the moment of the evening came after Lester recorded the final out and after the traditional jumping all over the pitcher at the mound in celebration. As Lester began hugging his way through all of his teammates, he then came upon Manager Terry Francona and the two seemed to embrace each other as almost father and son. Tito went so far as to call Lester his son with a class that seems to be growing in Francona each day.

"This probably isn't fair to say, but I feel like my son graduated and my son threw a no-hitter," said Francona, whose son Nick had graduated from Penn earlier in the day, and who had grown close to Lester during his ordeal.

Francona continued: "To watch him do that tonight was beyond words. What a story. You feel like a proud parent. We're proud of him all the time but to watch him do that tonight was beyond words. I tried to put it into words but it's hard because -- what a story."

"It's something I'll remember for a long time," said Lester. "I've been through a lot the last couple of years. He's (Francona) been like a second dad to me, It was just a special moment right there. "He cares a lot about his players. It's not just about what you can do on the field."

Last night was something that Red Sox fans, and all baseball fans alike will cherish and talk about for some time to come. Just a few months after pitching the clinching game of the World Series, the cancer survivor Lester, who's still just a kid, goes out and pitches a no-hitter. Basically, its inspirational stuff for the ages. Today, the Toast feels good and so should you.

What are your Desert Island 5?

Ok, we all have them and since I'm not really in all that much of a writing mood, nor a thinking one, let's just see what five albums you'd have to have if stranded on a desert island. Special bonus points for any Phil Collins takers. Losers.

1. "The Bends", Radiohead
2. "London Calling", The Clash (Honorable Mention: "Sandinista")
3. "Quadrophenia", The Who
4. "Ten", Pearl Jam
5. "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea", PJ Harvey

Shenanigans

Just a recap of random goings on. Have a good weekend.

- Radiohead completely dranched the shit out of me last sunday. Not once did the torrential downpour let up. Five hours of being cold and soaked to the core has rendered me ill the past few days. They still put on a pretty decent show especially when I was hit up with a little Karma Police and Fake Plastic Trees during the encore. However, it will always be remembered for the weather that was endured. Why Virginia...why??

- Nothing cures Friday afternoon boredom like a giant bag of peanut butter M&M's.

- Yesterday I kinda parked a little too close to a pickup on the street in front of my apartment. In response to this, the corrola was met with a note that simply said: "Fuck You"! Alright pal; take a look at yourself. Now give yourself an open handed slap to the mouth. You live in a large city with a high population and you've never been boxed in a tiny bit before. Grow up Peter Pan..Count Chocula.

- the other day Kool-Aid and I hit up a Chipper here in Old Town. Now this place, called Eamonn's, labeled itself as a true Dublin Chipper. Would a true Dublin Chipper serve you Guiness in a plastic cup?? For shame Eamonn's...for shame.

- I've been without internet at home since Sunday and after I strategically placed a call to tech support the earliest that they can send a tech to come get me back online and thus meet my daily at home internet needs is this Sunday morning at 9am. Fucking Comcast.

- Chef Boy-Ar-Dee is some pretty tasty shit and works wonders when you are in a pinch and need something for lunch, especially when it was purchased on sale so your pantry is loaded to the gills with Mr. Boy-Ar-Dee's finest. Today I had the mini ravioli's with meatballs. Absolutely Exquisite.

- I am attempting to win a go-kart in a at-work raffle for a company sponsored carnival that takes place on Sunday. This is me with my fingers crossed.

- Over the past few weeks I couldn't tell you the amount of ice cream that I have eaten. Kool-Aid and I have gone out for ice cream, both visiting places ranging from the corporate spectrum like Maggie Moo's to local favorites in The Dairy Godmother, or just eating a shitload of chipwiches and Ben and Jerry's at home. This recent trend does not bode well for beach season.

- Any film that features the incomperable Kurt Russell has its chances of being awesome increased at least three fold. Recent random Russell films viewed include:

"Death Proof" (which, of the Grindhouse flicks, was much better than "Planet Terror")

"The Thing" (A fucking classic)

"Tombstone" (Kilmer was the balls as Doc Holliday)

"Big Trouble in Little China" (Russell as Jack Burton: "When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the bar room wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail.")

Dem shits is all sorts of bad ass!!

That's it, that's all, that's all there is. SHA-ZAMM!!

Oh....Hello There.

This morning I sort of took my sweet ass time getting moving prior to work. I stayed under the covers far longer than normal after my daily Kool-Aid wake up attempt. I rolled around and hid my head under the blankeys attempting to grasp five more minutes of sleepies. I contemplated shaving for a bit and just stood in front of the mirror before I just went ahead and made myself pretty for the day at the office. My typical shower time was extended three fold as I just didn't feel like getting out from underneath the ever so relaxing and soothing warmer than warm shower water. I debated for about 5 minutes on what shirt and pants combo I was going to choose to strut around in all day for the ladies (and some gentlemen) at the workplace. Because of this there did come a time in my daily routine that some things had to get skipped and that was, what rumor has, the most important thing of the day...a balanced breakfast.

Traditionally the Toast just grabs him a little lunch baggie full of frosted mini wheats and a bananna as he heads out the door for the morning commute to beautiful Bethesda. However, with Radiohead on Sunday night and the early part of the week chock full o' activity there has been no time to re-up on some breakfast supplies so this morning I just ran out the door with my laptop and gym bag and assumption that breakfast today would have to take a backseat to some skillful driving in order to make it to work "relatively" on time. About halfway into my journey I began to feel those hunger pangs that made me wish that I hadn't stayed in bed until it became absolutely necessary to get out from under the covers. I sort of wished that I hadn't contemplated shaving for those precious minutes, extended my shower time three fold, or even debated internally for that spot of time on what stupid work clothes to wear and instead just threw on what ever was clean or whatever was next in the standard Toast work-wear rotation. I was damn hungry and at this point there was nothing that I could really do about it.

So I walked into my building not eating the bananna that I normally would from the walk to the parking lot to the front door. I began to approach the section of our office suite where my particular office is located without the baggie of mini wheats that I am accustomed to take down with my morning coffee while I check email and any blog activity. I turn on the light in my office after opening the door and I go to fetch my laptop out of my bag when I see what could only be seen as a gift from the heavens above placed strategically where my lappy is rested daily. What is this fanciest of plays you ask?? Well...simply put, a shmuffin.


Normally I would have preferred a crossantz but one in my situation cannot be a begger nor a chooser and sometimes you just can't get what you want but you just might find that you get what you need. Oh...blessed are you Sheetz customers that I work with. The Toast is certainly over joyed to have you in the office. Now, if you'll excuse me, this shmuffin is not going to take care of itself.