10-4 Princess. Is that where you keep the beer tent??

Well, on Saturday we will host NYSRC rugby playoffs at Burnett Park; right around the corner from the Toast's homebase. Three other teams will show up here in Syracuse for a great weekend for rugby. We play the Genessee Creamers on Saturday at noon followed by the Cortland Thundering Herd playing against the Rochester Colonials. The championship game will be played Sunday at noon. Hopefully it will be Syracuse against either Cortland or Rochester. It could get a little crazy this weekend with this many rugby teams gathered together. Plus, we have a bunch of events planned for the weekend, not to mention two rugby socials. Beers aplenty. I get to go back to my workin' in a bar days from college as I have to work the door for our aftergame party on Sunday. Like I could be an enforcer. I am 180 lbs of fury.


Hey, who's white Irish legs are those on the
ground in short shorts and a yellow jersey??

Word on the street is that one Javen Bohall and Thomas Craig O'Connor (Tucker) will be making there way into Syracuse this weekend. I am definitely looking forward to some getting together to hear bitching and incoherant rambling. Plus, Tucker is the world's most adorable and sometimes most uncoordinated individual. Except when he is playing basketball. If I had video footage of Tuck hula hooping from classic overbinge weekend in Chigago, throwing a frisbee (looked like he almost dislocated his shoulder), and playing basketball; there would be no way that you would think that it was the same person. It really is quite amazing and cannot be put into words. You have to witness it. You almost get the feeling you might get watching an injured and struggling animal caught in a bear trap, you just have to put it out of its misery. That's Tuck with the hula hoop. However, he is an animal on the court. Its rather amazing and the Toast is getting awful pumped!! More on this topic following what looks to be a great weekend.

It's like losing your virginity with a Yankee fan's hot girlfriend!!

Today's toastedblog title comes to us from a comment I heard while I was at my desk here at work listening to the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio. The Sox have won the World Series!! They just went out and destroyed the "best" two teams in baseball in eight straight games. Watching the game the other night with good people you just knew that it was inevitable. I may not be the biggest Sox fan or obviously been in love with them the longest, but I had fallen in love with the them over the years and it is great to see the city of Boston and this organization celebrating. There has been so much on this subject over the past two days I can't really touch on anything new. Toast is just a happy camper amongst the millions in Red Sox Nation that are going crazy and loving every minute of it. Congrats!


V-Tek is a beast!

As usual, I'm sitting next to my dog friend Mr. Bojangles.

Well, the World Series is set. St. Louis is heading to Boston on Saturday and I am not going to make any predictions. However, I am a little nervous going into the series because of one thing, Albert Pujols. It doesn't help that he is hitting .500 for the playoffs and basically went homerun for homerun with Carlos Beltran. Its been told that Tim Wakefield is the game one starter for the Sox. Hopefully the knuckleball is working on Saturday. It's going to be fun to watch. Cards have a tremendously high powered offense and the Sox aren't too shabby in that category either. The pitching edge you think would have to go to the Sox with Pedro and Schilling however Schill is obviously dinged up and the Cardinals had one of the lowest E.R.A.'s in the league. Loveable characters, both teams have 'em. Papi, Man-Ram, Pedro, Christ in centerfield and a list of dudes like Tek, Trot, and Millar. But, the Cards are So Taguchi. As previously mentioned, its going to be fun to watch.


Mr. Bojangles is really a girl!! Javen??

Good buddy Javen has joined the blogging ranks, and what he says will surprise and shock you! Plus, look who's returned!!

Well, not too much going on in the relm of the Toast. Looking forward to the World Series and our final regular season rugby match down in Binghampton. My role in the "A" game should increase due to injuries to a few of our backs. Combine that with playing the entire "B" game and I have quite a bit of running around to do. Not to mention hurrying home to join the boys at the Change Of Pace for Game One. Maybe Javen will head in. Sometimes dreams do come true. Next week we head into the playoffs. We are still unsure who we play, all I know is that Syracuse has home field advantage so anyone we play has to come here.

Apparently Steinbrenner didn't spend enough money on this team!

What can I say?? What a week!! Now I am currently I am on the phone trying to get world series tickets but unfortunately things are not going my way. Busy signal upon busy signal The Sox are going to the World Series!!! My how it stings Yankees!!


Reverse Dang It!!

Alive.....It's Alive!......IT'S ALIVE!!!

Red Sox Nation is still in it!! We just have to "Keep the Faith". No, not that way!! This is what I'm talkin' about!! Keepin' the faith!! There has been so much going on these past few games that it is difficult to keep it all in focus. All I know is that they are not dead. Not yet!! After two of the greatest Sox games I have ever witnessed, only one thing can be said: Don't stop believing!! You know what, I won't. GO SOX!!!


Who's your Papi?

Oh Papi, Certainly doing it all aren't you. Makes you wonder if he also piloted the Red Sox Charter plane to New York last night. Speaking of doing it all, look what I just learned how to do. I posted that very picture above this sentence. Computer technology is no match for the Toast. Neither are chicken wings.

Finally we have Schilling. Tonight it all comes down to you my man. There isn't anyone else I'd rather see up there on the mound. We know you have that ankle thing, I just hope you give it your all. Red Sox Nation is behind you all the way.

Dear toastedblog audience, you may be asking, where have you been. So what have I been up to the past few days. I must say that despite my crazy manliness, even Toasts get sick. Toasts also have problems with wisdom teeth coming in underneath existing molars that recently lost a filling causing his jaw to hurt something fierce, thus requiring trips to Dr. Carpenter's office where he recommends that the tooth be pulled. So, to make a long and apparently third person story short, I was a little out of it last week and I am down one tooth, the driver's side rear molar. But don't you fret, my wisdom tooth will be coming in nicely and will makes its home in my newly formed vacant tooth spot. I'm sorry for the inactive toastedblog. However, I cannot make Portublog reappear. You'll have to appease Big Baby Jitters for that one. Just mention card sharks, modan-yo, Big-K, Ohio in any format, Googles (which doesn't exist, I don't care what you say), or Kurt Warner's Arena Football Unleashed. OOOWWW!!!

In any event, I still was quite busy last week. The ALCS, rugby, dentists, painkillers, random bar trips. I was selected to the "A" side game for the first time this year as we played Lockport on Saturday. We continued our undefeated ways by beating them soundly and we played a Buffalo team in the second game, winning that one as well. No tries this week for me but had a few nice runs and plays. I hit one kid real well as he was running east-west on the field and looking in the opposite direction, then BAM!!! Never saw me coming. Good times. I even got a little fiesty when a Buffalo player grabbed my throat as his stiff arm. I fought through attemted push away and tackled him hard. For good measure I kneed him in the side of the head and punched him in the kidneys for his toast choking manuever. That was the first time I had done anything "dirty" since college hockey where I could have been perceived as a goon or a dirty player at times. Felt good.

Now that I mentioned hockey, that gets underway soon and as I suspected I play late on Wednesday nights, from 10:15 to 12:30. Woo!! No sleep for Toastie. I'm sorry to say Chump Phelps, but there will be candy bars for Toastie. Basketball starts next week too. The Change of Pace Sports Bar is our sponsor. Oh, such a magical place. Do we have a team name yet?? Suggestions shall be accepted. Word on the street is Jerseys are powder blue. You can't beat that with a stick. I can't wait till they see some white boys like us on the court, layups aplenty. I certainly hope our uniforms consist of short shorts, high socks, and chuck taylors, the way basketball was meant to be played. This should be interesting, more news on this as it arrives.

Welcome to Toastedblog, home of the world series of poker, and I'm Toastie, your Seven Card Stud.

While some of my fellow blogging audience has turned it down a notch with their posts, we here at toastedblog want it to stay HOT, so we keep bringing you the good stuff. Man, the hit's just keep comin' round here like a donkey chokin' on a waffle!! On with the show.

I have a giant bruise on my right ass cheek in the shape of a cleat. Is that the right way to start this?? Are there boundaries that we shouldn't cross?? No Way!!! This is toastedblog, no issue is too controversial!! No, I didn't get my ass kicked. I got trampled; there's a difference. While on the ground after being tackled, a few teammates immediately rucked over me to maintain possession of the ball. The only problem with situations like these is that your only defense is to cover your face and just deal with everything else, hence the dark purple cleat imprint on my booty. Upside is that we beat a very good Rochester team. They were a great group of guys as well. Usually at rugby socials after games there is an interaction between teams but never too much. On Saturday, we were all drinking together, sharing stories, playing drinking games, and the standard, golf ball in your cup so you gotta chug. I am looking forward to when they come play us here in a few weeks.

The majority of toasted attention is locked in on the ALCS, which starts tomorrow. Yanks vs. Sox, it doesn't get any better than this. Of course I would have like to see the Yankees out of it already but it wouldn't be the same if they didn't meet in the playoffs. Casey knows that playoff time is BYOB, bring your own BOO YA!! Did I want this series to happen?? You bet!! Am I nervous?? No way!! Am I looking forward to watching the Sox take on their hated rivals and sweep them in four straight games (knock on wood)?? Its go time!!! Oh, how my production at work will slip. To the NY Yankees, proudly giving expansion teams World Series Titles since 2001. This is going to be a great rest of the month.

"A lot of people doubted The Man, and I don't doubt The Man."

Pedro was back to looking like the Pedro Sox fans fell in love with by defeating the Angels last night. He wasn't dominant, but he was great. It was near vintage Pedro, even clocking in at 94 mph on his final pitch out of 116 on the night. Pedro was out there doing what the entire Red Sox Nation wanted him to do, be himself. Now, he wasn't the Pedro who came in out of the bullpen in Cleveland and threw six innings of no hit ball a few years back, but he did his job. The series is heading for a close in Fenway and the nation no longer doubts The Man. Better get ready New York.

Now, for a lighter, more tranquil side of toasted blog. I have had the sudden urge to just get in my car and drive. Where to you may ask?? Why, to Vermont, where else??!! For some reason I came up with this idea while sitting at my desk yesterday. A few years ago when I lived with Danny and Javen, a few of us would pile in Danny's car and just go for a drive. Those who know Danny Banazek realize some of his tendencies so these car rides were always quite relaxed, full of good (yet odd and random) conversation, good laughs, Simpson's quotes, nalgene bottles filled from the kegorator, and other things that cannot be mentioned here for the DEA could be reading. Barring any playoff complications and over the top soreness and pain from this Saturday's rugby match against Rochester, the Sunday drive trend may return. I just wanted to hop in my car with some coffee and the Giants game on the radio and take a nice scenic drive. Vermont came to mind because look at it outside; its beautiful. Trees are starting to change color, country roads that are secluded and wind through the forest and hills, plus, the clincher, Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory in Waterbury!! Should this idea actually take place will be a shock to Toast fans everywhere because you all know that ideas come and go in my head but few are fully realized. Hey, it could happen. I'll let you know if it does.



--Casey

"This is the worst looking hat I ever saw. I bet you buy a hat like this and you get a free bowl of soup! Oh, it looks good on you though."

A tribute to Rodney Dangerfield who died yesterday after complications following surgery for a heart valve transplant at the age of 82. He had been in a coma since August 25th. I feel that one of the best comedic performances I have ever seen was his portrayl of Real Estate Mogul Al Czervik in "Caddyshack". If you take a quick peek at my profile you will notice that it is listed as one of my favorite movies and there was not a moment where I hesitated to put this movie on a list so highly coveted. Always great with his brand of self depricating humor, toasted blog salutes Rodney Dangerfield with a tribute of some of his finer moments. "Ooof, did someone step on a duck??" Ok, here we go, enjoy.

-The Triple Lindy (Back to School)

-Leaves the sign that says Gone Drinkin' at Homer's desk in Simpson's episode as Mr. Burns' son.

-Homer and Larry Burns hide out from the police in a theatre showing "Too Many Grandmas", starring Olympia Dukakis and Bo Derek.

Thornton Mellon: "Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out. And then bring one every ten minutes."

Thornton Mellon: [in a commercial for his Tall and Fat clothing stores] "Are you fat? When you go jogging, do you leave potholes? When you make love, do you have to give directions? At the zoo, do the elephants throw you peanuts? Do you look at a menu and say 'OK!'?

Al Czervik: "I hear this place is restricted, Wang, so don't tell 'em you're Jewish, okay? Fine."

Al Czervik: "Wang, What's with the pictures; its a parking lot."

Al Czervik: "So what. So let's dance!!"

Al Czervik: "Oh, this your wife, huh? A lovely lady. Hey baby, you must've been something before electricity. Your a lot of woman, you know that? Yeah, wanna make 14 dollars the hard way?"

Al Czervik: "HEY WHITEY, Where's your hat?"

Al Czervik: "Hey Smails! My dinghy is bigger than your whole boat!"

Al Czervik: "Moose. Rocko. Help the Judge find his checkbook huh. HEY EVERYBODY, WE'RE ALL GONNA GET LAID!!"

I tell ya, I get no respect,

-When I was born, the doctor said to my father, " I'm sorry, we did everything we could but he still pulled thru".

-I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.

-I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent back a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof.

-I was so depressed that I decided to jump from the tenth floor. They sent up a priest. He said " on your mark ......"

-It's tough to stay married. My wife says no because she's tired then stays up and reads her book.

-This morning when I put on my underwear I could hear the fruit-of-the-loom guys laughing at me.

-If it weren't for pick-pockets, I'd have no sex life at all.

-One night I asked a cabbie to take me where the action is, he took me to my house.

-Once in a restaurant I made a toast to my wife, "To the best woman a man ever had". The waiter joined me.

-When I was born the doctor slapped my mother.

And finally, perhaps one of the funniest, most random moments of the movie Caddyshack, and our number one Dangerfield quote of all-time: "Hey, that kangaroo stole my ball!" Ah, we will always have Caddyshack.

"This was a Pizza Hut, now its all covered in daisies."

Monday's toastedblog title comes from the mind of David Byrne. Mr. Byrne, thank you for your constant support of quirkiness in song. Without you, my total would be down one in my list of favorite song lyrics of all time. Thanks for letting Guster do some work with it as well!!

Here we stand, like an adam and an eve.
Waterfalls, the garden of eden
Two fools in love, so beautiful and strong
The birds in the trees, are smiling upon them
From the age of the dinosaurs cars have run on gasoline
Where, where have they gone? Now, it’s nothing but flowers

I also like the part when they sing about chocolate chip cookies. I must thoroughly suggest to you (audience) giving a listen to this song. I just find it extremely enjoyable. If you cannot obtain a copy, please feel free to let me know by inquiring within toastedblog and we'll work something out. I make some pretty sweet Casey's Mixes.

So, playoff baseball is just one day away and this fella couldn't be happier. Well I could be stuck with her. I have such a crush, and this has been going on for a few years. What is wrong with me?? Is it due to my love of music and her being a musician?? What would happen if I met her?? Would I just stare at the ground with my face turned all red kicking at the gound and mumbling quietly?? "So, ummmm, hello. Do you like.....stuff? I do. Do you want to, uhhh, go get a beer? Ok."

Anywho, back to baseball. Sox open the playoffs in Anaheim. This is an interesting matchup and the Angels have been one of the hotter teams in baseball of late. True, the Sox beat them pretty well last series they played but that was back when the Sox were ustoppable in August. We have Vlad vs. Manny, Glaus vs. Ortiz, Trot Nixon vs. the Bullpen, Rally Monkey vs. the Pedro's 28 inch tall friend!! This is when the season finally gets fun!! I'm going to have to fly home to catch as much of the first few innings a possible before rugby. What I am really looking forward to is watching Schilling in action again in the Postseason. It has only been a few years since Curt dominated the Yanks in 2001. It'd be nice to see it all over again. But first, have to worry about the Angels.

In other news, the writers here at Toastedblog are pretty pumped to inform you of the upcoming release of a new album from A Perfect Circle, called eMOTIVe, on election day (November 2, 2004). Shortly following this, a DVD entitled aMOTIOn will also be released. Dubya doesn't stand a chance.

Finally, we killed in rugby this past weekend. We played the Finger Lakes Vikings at home on a very sloppy and rain filled Saturday. They never had a chance. The score is almost too embarrassing to put up, but lets just say the game was called 10 minutes into the second half. Good thing Cornell showed up to play against us on the"B" side in the second game, which we also won. No tries for the Toast but made some key tackles and some nice runs. Had a penalty not been called during a play made by me the last statement would have been a little different. The blowout and the college team made the after game drink up the tops due to their lack of showing up. Because of this, a group of 26 guys had to put down 3 sheet pizzas, 250 wings, and 3 kegs of beer. Sunday morning....no thank you, Crazy Saturday night.....yes please!!!!

Hope all are doing well and this blog thing will continue giving you the finest in toasted info. I'm out!!


--casey

Day filled with Dang Its!!

The dang it. It's a less threatening version of damn it, far less threatening than "real" profanity; but mark my words, a dang it is not something that is to be looked on lightly. Today has been the day filled with dang its; hence the title. Lets delve into this a little deeper by listing out said dang its so y'all know what the Toast is talking about.

Dang It No. 1 - Last night I stepped in a divot in the field at rugby practice and rolled my ankle. Mind you, it is not sprained, twisted, or broken, but it still is sore. There's a dang it.

Dang It No. 2 - After rugby practice and trip to the bar, I came home and my evening got carried away with NFL 2k5. Because of this, only a few hours sleep; I am wicked tired.

Dang It No. 3 - I must have been grinding my teeth something fierce last night because my jaw was killing me this morning. I even took over the recommended amount of advil and followed that up with some extra strength motrin. No dice!! Over-the-counter drugs have no effect on me. Tremendous dang it.

Dang It No. 4 - Suprisingly enough, work has been unfulfilling today. Who knew??

Dang It No. 5 - Why do I continually go to chinese buffets. Mind you, this dang it I brought upon myself. I feel like I have been throwing up in my mouth all afternoon.

Dang It No. 6 - I have some sort of writer's block, that is why this blog is about my dang its.

Dang It No. 7 - When I went to my car this morning, I noticed that my passenger side window was down all evening, leaving a portion of my car soaked; excellent.

Dang It No. 8 - Yankees won last night, clinched the AL east, hearing about that from yankee fans, dang it. Sox not having home field advantage, tremendous dang it.

I have an action packed weekend of the usual, rugby, friends, football and whatever. Later.

We'd better not risk another frontal assault. That rabbit's dynamite!!

In many ways the Yankees are similar to the rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They look like they could be good for you but in reality they are vile, dangerous creatures that need to be destroyed. The Sox go in for round two starting tonight and I will be watching. Here's to hoping the Sox have the holy hand grenade of Antioch.

Corry Unis, you are no longer dead to me. For the audience members that do not know Corry, he is a friend of mine and former co-worker who recently left the office for a new job. The majority of my office is women and Corry was just about the lone source of testosterone, except for CJ who works sporadic hours and our friend "Sucks at Life" who need not be mentioned in this tale. Fans of toastedblog may say, working with a bunch of ladies, that must be just all right, all right. It's not all its cracked up to be; there is no escape from the constant gossip. Anywho, after not hearing from him for quite a bit, even after several bar invitations, he received the subtitle of "dead to me". But no more!! A good conversation can fix all of that.

So, we have a big rugby match coming up tommorrow against the Cortland Thundering Herd. Aside from us, they are the best team in our division this year. Yours truly will be playing his first game at outside center as oppossed to wing. That means, more hits. Good times indeed!!

My friend Chukes (Michelle) is pissed at the Toast. Plans have been made every now and then to hang out and it seems that lately I have bailed on some. Its true, I have. But not with the intention of hurting Chukes. Now, I haven't talked to her since Saturday night, the night before an angry voicemail was left. I am using this time to allow her to cool down but trust me friends and audience, I was not trying to make her upset. I need to find a way to get Chukes happy again; any ideas??

And now, in closing, here are a few random thoughts; lets just call then Toasted Thoughts, shall we??

-Its Fall. When the hell did that happen??

-I am pretty sure that the chinese buffet is the bane of human existance.

-Have you ever taken a train and eaten it, piece by piece, after you just derailed it with your penis? (oh Mr. Show)

-Do pro wrestlers actually believe their sport is real, the way they always state: "I don't care how many belts I've won over the years, this next match is the most important of my career" makes me think the answer is a nonsubtle YES.

-Any time you see Hawaiian shirts on a movie poster, it's never a good sign

-Does anyone else think Brian Austin Green watches Justin Timberlake's career unfold and says to himself, "Wait a second, what did I do wrong?"

-I don't know what frightened me more, the fact that Matt Hasselbeck went in the first two rounds of every fantasy draft across America, or the fact that I would have been disappointed if I didn't get him. (I did draft him)

-I don't understand how the season is almost over and no drunken Red Sox fan has fallen off the seats on top of the green monster yet. None, zero!!!

-And why has this not been on here until now??!!

Well, that's all for today. Enjoy the weekend!!

--Casey (Toastie)

With the velveteen touch of a dandy fop.

September '75, I was 47 inches high.
By Christmas my Mom said I would have
a badass mother GI Joe
for your little minds to blow.
I still got beat up after class.

Sorry, I've been on a Ben Folds kick of late.

Hey Kate. (Amazing what you can find on the internet) So you're 26 now; what's that like?? Ok readers, for those who don't know, Kate (I told you) is my older sister. My irish twin, only 11 months older than me, and she has officially reached her late twenties. HA HA!!! So toastedblog is out here wishing her a happy birthday here on the first day of fall. Your younger brother Casey (but not the youngest) misses ya out here. Hope Michigan is treating you well and make sure you have a drink for me tonight. Say hi to Camy (our dog).

I have found a way to celebrate your birthday. Later this evening I am heading to Clarke's Ale House with Billy, KJ (Billy's lady, oh Kathy!!), Willie Moe, and perhaps others for some really free trivia. Plus the large selection of beers and the huge, hand carved roast beef sandwiches doesn't hurt either. The evening is looking up. Kate, I hope you have a great day. Because of you Michigan Rock's it!!

Hey kids, its Toastedblog, now featuring: "Choo Choo" the Hurkey-Jerky Dancer, Fartin' Rudy, and "Champion" the Drinker!!

My blog friends and colleagues, it has been too long. In the land of oven altered bread, some may ask, what's up?? Well, you've come to the right place to get some answers as myths become facts and true riddles have their meanings revealed. Plus, all the laughs of a mediocre sitcom.

After practice back on Thursday I went with a few of my teammates to our beloved sponsor for a couple beers and for some friendly chats and who did I happen to run into there??? Was it Ronnie Dobbs, our old pal Uncle Jitter, Chester, Pop'n'Taco and Bugaloo Shrimp, Chef Tony?? Actually it was Lisa Bollinger, a good friend of mine from the days at LeMoyne. She was one of the first girls I met at school that I became friends with and still actually enjoy talking to. Good people the Lisa. I even got a hug from her despite my rugby sweat. Well, turns out that she still lives in Syracuse and recently got married. Congratulations there Lisa. It was good to see you.

What was supposed to be and started out a great weekend for the Sox turned to no dice over Saturday and Sunday. This is all that will be mentioned about the Yankees taking the series. Tremendous dang it yet again.

On Saturday morning I drove out with Army Matt, one of the guys on my team, to Buffalo for a 2pm match against the South Buffalo Thugs. Their name was rather fitting as they were the chippiest and dirtiest team we've played yet this season. It was probably due to them being dominated 48 to 9 in the first match and 30 to 6 in the second. The second game featured scoring my first try of the season (equivalent of a touchdown in football). It was on a really great play if I may say so. About 15 yards away from the "try" zone with South Buffalo in possession of the ball, I tackled one of their backs before they could get the ball out of their defensive zone. I then picked up the ball and rumbled through 3 defenders to score, breaking tackles along the way. Damn I'm awesome; and pretty humble too. It was almost Shockey-esque. Afterwards a bar called Vinny's for the post-game drink up. Good wings and free beer.

6:30 AM on Sunday. Why am I up you ask; Shockey!!! That's right. Time for the little italian and I to head down to NYC for our yearly pilgrimage to see the Giants take on the Redskins and seeing that it is about a 4 hour drive from Syracuse, we had to leave early for a 1pm start. This is the second edition of this trip. Advantage; guy who has season tickets for the NY Giants. Last year's game highlight was the fact both teams were already eliminated from playoff contention. This year, they haven't played enough games yet, so we're still in the running. Drive down was good and loaded with Pearl Jam, egg mcmuffins and bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits, and good conversation. Seats, also were excellent. I get six tickets to each home game, four are grouped together in section 321 behind one of the endzones. The other two are right on the opposite goal line in section 137 in the third row. I forgot how close those seats were. I think it had been over 15 years since I sat there. We're talking three rows from the field. It was pretty amazing sitting that close. Almost as amazing as the $7 16 oz bottles of Miller Lite. Yes!! (please be aware that previous yes statement denotes sarcasm.) Couldn't have asked for a better day for it. It was beautiful outside, sitting in the sun, enjoying expensive beers, watching Giants beat the Skins; good times, good times.

If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be messed up!!

After a few weeks of on again, off again brainstorming; I have finally created a mix cd of some of my greatest hits. It has been tentatively titled as "Return of the Woop" but I also like "Woop it Up One More Time" or to get away from the woop titles, "Groove is in the Heart". It is conveniently available in just two cds; I think. Mind you, I haven't burned it yet, I just wrote out songs while at work. I stand by all my selections. Get those wristbands ready and fists in the rock it positions!!

pearl jam: rearview mirror, love boat captain
live: iris, stood up for love
radiohead: fake plastic trees, there there
foo fighters: times like these, aurora
guster: happier, what you wish for, nothing but flowers (talking heads cover)
tool: push it, lateralus
perfect circle: 3 libras, the package
pink floyd: comfortably numb, mother
sarah mclachlan: possession
dave matthews band: #41
the strokes: reptilia
jane's addiction: three days
filter: the only way is the wrong way
david bowie: changes, golden years
ben folds: philosophy, army
liz phair: supernova, polyester bride (sorry, I think she's hot)
white stripes: seven nation army, hypnotize
beastie boys: so whatcha want, sure shot
led zeppelin: gallows pole
george micheal: careless whisper (of course), freedom '90, father figure, everything she wants
** couldn't decide so went for a whole bunch, Javen would be so proud**
the who: baba o'reilly, won't get fooled again
u2: mysterious ways
beck: tropicalia, where it's at
steely dan: aja, show biz kids
**due to Danny's dancing while cleaning the Teall house all stoned**
cracker: eurotrash girl, been around the world
velvet underground: oh sweet nothin'
the band: up on cripple creek, the weight
alice in chains: get born again
the clash: london calling, magnificient 7
flaming lips: summertime, do you realize
chili peppers: breaking the girl
REM: breathe, the great beyond
nirvana: heart shaped box, drain you
coldplay: clocks
counting crows: anna begins, round here
the doors: peace frog
rolling stones: sympathy for the devil, gimme shelter
clapton: layla, before you accuse me, further on up the road
paul simon: late in the evening, me and julio down by the schoolyard
audioslave: I am the highway, cochise
Guns N Roses: estranged, you could be mine
beatles: glass onion, eleanor rigby
everclear: everything to everyone, local god
garbage: special, push it
our lady peace: one man army, all for you
billy joel: only the good die young, she's always a woman
journey: anyway you want it, don't stop believing
stone temple pilots: interstate love song, kitchenware and candy bars
talking heads: once in a lifetime, take me to the river
wilco: heavy metal drummer, jesus ect.
tenacious d: tribute, kielbasa

In other news, there is a possibility of a rec. league basketball team forming amongst my friends and I. This will make my weeks incredibly interesting over the next few months. The league plays monday nights I hear. Currently on tuesday and thursday nights I have rugby practice with games on saturdays. The men's hockey league I have been playing in the past few years starts in less than a month and we have games on wednesday nights from 10pm to about midnight. Throw in a part time job as a referee for youth hockey games and now I am never going to have any time on my hands. Wha happened?? When did I become so active?? This is seriously going to cut into my drinking time.

Charlie Coville, Get on Your Bike and Ride!!

We have dedicated this entire session to that little Italian Charlie Coville and convincing him to hop on board for Reading, PA. Wait a tick, hold the phone, why not get good ol' Willie Moe in on some of this sweet sweet action as well. Should I fix the title?? Too late for that; I've gone too far!! Anyone else want in?? For those who don't know, I am pushing to get involved in this year's election and I feel that the only way that this can be achieved is by forcing me to see Pearl Jam. I guess I have to, for the sake of the nation. I wonder if tickets are available????? So I must also put a little bounce in my friends' steps to make this dream a reality. Here are a few reasons I think we should go.

-Road trips, even ones to Southern Pennsylvania, equal good times (ie. Chigago and Willywaulkee weekend)

-Two words, Amish Country.

-We can stop at Arby's.

-If you don't go you hate babies.

-Maybe they'll have one of those hilarious monkeys that smokes cigarettes and gives people the finger on stage.

-You mean I can get all of these great funk classics from the 70's on only one CD or cassette.

-One way Jesus (Willie Moe knows)

-Wolfing down burritos stolen from a Hess Gas Station on the way.

-Did I mention Arby's?

-People do crazy things after 14 beers.

-The Coreys would want us to go.

-Its Reading, PA dammit!! C'mon!!

-We still haven't gotten our chipwiches from the time we saw them in Saratoga.

I'm in the lab all day, I scrabble all night; I got a bedazzler so my outfit's tight.

This marks the second time that I have utilized beastie boy lyrics to aid in creating a blog title. Does that mean that I cannot think on my own or that I just let three middle aged white jewish rappers do some of my thinking for me. Hold on......I lost my train of thought.

The number of the hetero-man crushes on George Michael in the area grew over the weekend with the arrival of the lovable Javen Bohall. However, the goal that I had from the other day of classic over-strohs, eating vast amounts of meat, and general tom-foolery wasn't fully realized due to reasons beyond my control; reasons which you all will soon hear about and hopefully understand. Quick side note, one guilty pleasure of mine is George Michael. I mean, usually I try to like good things. I tend to watch good movies, I don't listen to shitty music, I don't watch reality TV (except for original Surreal Life and the Real World) but whenever I hear George Michael, I just get drawn in. If you don't believe me, just listen to "Careless Whisper" or "Father Figure" and try to resist falling in love. Pause for a few moments while I sing to myself:

Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd
Maybe, its better this way
We'd hurt each other with the words we want to say
We could have been so good together
We could have lived this dance forever
But now who's gonna dance with me
Please stay

Sorry about that. On Saturday I played in two rugby games, out of a possible three. We won the first game pretty handily, lost the second, and the third I really have no idea due to the combination of three teams playing together as one conglomerate (See Globochem) and introduction of beer to my afternoon, the aforementioned reason that my weekend didn't go entirely as planned. To make it even more interesting, our sponsor, a bar 'round the corner called Nibsy's held a social for us afterwards so about 60 dudes ended up in a bar that was about 2,000 SF. Surprisingly enough for a bar filled with that many dirty, battered, bloodied, and semi drunk rugby players it wasn't that difficult to get refills on a pitcher. The complementary pizza and wings were a different story. In fact, aside from a granola bar I had for breakfast and a piece of pizza and four chicken wings I was able to scrounge up at Nibsy's, there was nothing else to be eaten by me that day, hence the hangover that followed on Sunday which affected my football viewing. There was no beer to be had that day my friends.

Later on Saturday evening I received a call about going to Irish Fest downtown. Given the fact that at this point it was 9:30, I had been drinking since 6:30, hadn't showered or cleaned up following the afternoon's games, and there was an opportunity to eat corned beef sandwiches; I was definitely on board. Left the bar, ran home, quickly washed up and changed (I still had dirt in my hair), and then got picked up see what this irish fest was like. Had a few Guinesses down there, however they ran out of sandwiches so no dice on the corned beef, Tremendous dang it!!

The countdown begins; four days till friday and the Sox v. Yanks. I cannot wait. By weeks end, the AL East will belong to the Sox!!

So what??!! So lets dance!!

The other night after practice and a two beer run to support our sponsor, I nestled in my jammy jams for a viewing of one of my favorites. Since then I have had the urge to ask ladies if they wanna make $14 dollars the hard way. I got laughing hysterically at the scene where Carl Spackler (Bill Murray in one of his best roles ever) is hunting the gopher (varmit) and carrying two six packs of beer. What got me going more than normal was envisioning a situation in which Spackler, dressed up in camouflaged, is found passed out on a golf course with 12 empty beer cans around him and holding a rifle. The all time best movie for drunken quoting. However, that last remark can be debated by at least two fellas I know. Ooh!!!! This guy knows some movies too!!! (edited as of 12:50 pm, Thursday, sorry Willie Moe)

Lots of happenings this weekend in the world of the toast. For starters, there is an Irish Fest down in Clinton Square. I haven't mentioned this yet to the audience but the world of toast is predominantly Irish. Secondly, we have our first rugby match of the season on Saturday at Burnett Park at 2pm against the Genesee Creamers, not Screamers. Anyone looking to see Toastmaster General get all busted up, please feel free to stop by. Ooh, Ooh...Who can forget that the NFL season begins this weekend. Giants Fans, the outlook for our season isn't too keen so now may be the time for us to prepare for the end. Although, how much different is this team from the one last year that at the start of the season many sportswriters predicted to go to the playoffs, if not the superbowl. Before the injuries, of course.

Plans for Billy's have already begun for a group of good time having football fans to kick off the season in style: burly men wearing sweatpants, eating pizza, chicken wings, Phelpsy's delicious cheesy bacon biscuits (bonus Phelps Treats where applicable), and drinking PBR. I can already tell its going to be a fun season and my lower back and digestive system are looking forward to the challenge. Outdoors; no thank you!!! More ass kicking chili; yes please!!! I can hardly wait. Billy, Willie Moe, Phelps, Chuck, Princess Daley and anyone else left in Syracuse; we have a good season ahead of us.

Why am I not Surprised that Hell has a Southern Twang

Hello sweet internet audience. Back to work after a nice four day weekend, lets find out what we missed shall we.

Well my brother, who lives in Michigan, was in town visiting for the weekend and with him came his girlfriend Josalyn and roommate Mike, who oddly enough resembled Tony Hawk. There was a lot of fun to be had over his stay, but I must say the Piece'De Resistance of the weekend was my first country music concert. Now, to be perfectly honest, some of the music can be found enjoyable; for example, I have always liked a little Garth. Always thought it was good bar music. But I got to see these guys, which was not a good thing. My brother had an extra ticket to the concert and as a chance to spend some time with him while he was here so I thought, why not. That was my first mistake. No amount of beer could ease the pain that ran throughout my body everytime the phrase Git-R-Done (pronounced get-er-done but said quickly) was shouted. Every other word that was spoken to the audience by these Rascal Flatts was about USA, fightin' for our country, war in Iraq, and the aforementioned, git-r-done. At one point there was even a USA chant. All of this over the course of an hour and a half. I did my best to fit in by coining the phrase yumptoo (pronounced ya-ump-too; but once again, say it quickly) which means you ought to or should.

Casey to Country Music Fan: Y'all see these boys Rascal Flatts play live before???
Country Music Fan: Hell naw man!!
Casey: Yumptoo!!! Dem boys are goooood man!! Git-R-Done!!!

hee hee hee..........sorry, I got carried away. I did have fun hanging out with my brother and friends it just wasn't my scene. Now that's more like it. But it was good to spend time and joke around with Cory. Nothing too crazy happened over the course of his trip. Just hanging out, having a few beers and a few laughs.

Opening kickoff for the NFL is just two days away. That definately equals good times. However I am sick of all the crap that goes along with it. Can't we just watch the game without all this MTV nonsense. I know she's attractive, but what football fan really wants to listen to Jessica Simpson during pregame. Or the rest of this lineup for that matter. Can't we just have old NFL Films episodes during pregame. I love that music they had in those episodes and who can forget the memorable raspy voice of John Facenda, often referred to as the Voice of God. Not just the voice, but the kind of stuff he would say: "But on this day, Kenny Stabler had a resilience that could not be measured in numbers." This used to be the game that could be described with a cold wind blowing through the west as the warriors begin to get assembled on the icy tundra to meet in weekly battle. It should not feature this crap!!

Come see the battle to determine what the greatest nation on this planet is, Portugal or Mexico?

Today's blog title hails all the way from an episode of the Simpsons featuring a television commercial advertising the World Cup.

Wrecked 'em?? Damn near killed 'em!!! Not much makes me as happy as what I saw last night. Boy, did they get blowed up!!! That combined with a Sox win made little Charlie Coville believe that it was a birthday present to me. Good times, good times.

Its Primetime Baby!!! And I thought that was the surprise of the day, until................

The following was forwarded to me by a co-worker and I felt that I should pass it along to a few people that would be interested in reading it...........or anyone who has access to the internet. Here we go:

I'm starting a "club" called Baseball Fans For Fair Reporting. I want you and every baseball fan you know to be in it. Its my goal to get Barry Bonds thrown out of Baseball or, failing that, to at least raise the ire of some members of the BWA. I've created an e-mail account called: baseballfansforfairreporting@hotmail.com. On Friday I will send from this account the following e-mail to Tim Kurkjian, Senior Writer at ESPN.com. If successfull I'll send it to every writer I can find with an e-mail address. If you wish to become a signatory on said e-mail reply to that address with "I'M MAD AS HELL" in the subject line. Forward this on to as many people as you wish. Tim,Be responsible. If you're going to report on how Barry Bonds is the greatest slugger ever, report on the allegations surrounding the reason why. In the nation of baseball fandom, everyone except members of the Baseball Writer's Association seems to catch a whiff of the nauseating stench coming out of San Francisco the last 3.5 years. Have you people been given some secret mandate to retire back into your caves at night and write only about the shadow on the wall that is Barry Bonds? Must you all continue to deify him and the mysterious, age-defying manner in which he has hit 200 home runs the last 3 years or lose your jobs? The only mystery here is what is up with the BWA? It angers me. It angers me as a fan. It angers me as a human being. It angers me as someone who goes to work every single day and tries to live an honest life and believe that at least one thing is pure and irreproachable. As Peter Finch said in the 1976 film "Network," "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"Any fan with half a brain and a quarter conscience can put two and two together and be honest with themselves about the reason why Barry Bonds has done what he has done at a time in his life when he should be thinking about retirement - he cheats. He uses performance enhancing drugs. I'll grant you your apologist argument that he's innocent until proven guilty. Tales of his steroid use are admittedly, "allegations only", but since when did the media ever care about the Truth unless it made for good copy? I don't expect you all to suddenly turn "yellow," start slinging mud, and begin libeling the guy. I ask you to just be responsible - to distinguish night from day. There are two sides to this story Tim, and to your discredit, and the discredit of all those on record lauding Bonds' "achievements", I can't remember the last time I heard anything on the BALCO investigation. It wreaks of cowardice and corruption and irresponsible journalism. As a result, a generation of baseball fans will grow up believing that they saw the best ever play. They will grow up believing in a lie perpetuated by the likes of you and your colleagues and the names of Ruth, Aaron, Mays and Williams et al. will fade forgotten into history. Thanks Tim. Thanks a lot. You should hang your head in shame.

Sincerely,

Brian R. Wainwright

End of an Era?? I Don't Think So.

Who's house?? Run's House. Said who's house?? Run's house. Say What!! Who's house?? Say What!! Run's House. Say What!! Martin!!! Martin!!!

Sorry. Got kinda carried away. Its from Dogma. A movie I love but Billy says: "No dice!!" To use a toastism; I'm getting very upset!! The reason I got a little carried away is that it is my berfday!!! Woooooo!!!!! Nothing too big planned, just heading out with a few friends for a few beers after rugby practice tonight. That's right boys and girls, I play a little rugby. When I say little I mean, not well!! Let's just say I hold my own. The real party happens this weekend.

Don't ask me how I came across this, but I found it hilarious. I don't "hate them", only a certain two that I had to watch. Damn you Baxter!!!!

Hey yankees, we're only 4 1/2 games back. However, big series against the Angels. Word on the street is that Trot Nixon could be back as early as next week. And there was much rejoicing.

Do I think that the next 25 years will be good to me?? You better believe it!!