Dennis Rodman, though a legendary basketball player, has always been a bit on the unusual side. These days, his friendship with North Korea’s murdering thug leader has brought him to a new low. How he convinced a group of former NBA stars to join him on a “basketball diplomacy” sojourn to that God-forsaken country I will never know. I suppose they are all free to do what they want. I just urge them caution. After all, that roster of players is a who’s who of my childhood heroes.
Baseball lost one of its great men Sunday when Jerry Coleman passed away at age 89. Coleman was a player, manager, announcer, and combat pilot who saw action in both World War II and Korea. This quote from Bug Selig says it all: Jerry Coleman was a hero and a role model to myself and countless others in the game of Baseball. He had a memorable, multifaceted career in the National Pastime — as an All-Star during the great Yankees’ dynasty from 1949-1953, a manager and, for more than a half-century, a beloved broadcaster, including as an exemplary ambassador for the San Diego Padres. But above all, Jerry’s decorated service to our country in both World War II and Korea made him an integral part of the Greatest Generation.
Full obituary here: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/nyy/san-diego-padres-announcer-jerry-coleman-dies-at-89?ymd=20140105&content_id=66332642&vkey=news_nyy.
On a day like today I look outside and wonder why I ever left upstate New York. Then I look at pictures of upstate New York from today and remember exactly why.
Made it!
Tomorrow night, for the first time since the final day of 2005, I’m involved in a legitimate New Year’s Eve party, possibly against my better judgment. I’m usually home in bed, barely awake to see the ball drop on TV. I’m just now recovering from that episode in 2005. That year I remember going out about 8 p.m. and coming home some time in March.
My public performances are somewhat rare, but this weekend you’ve got the opportunity to see me live and in person in Waterford, Virginia. I’ll be playing at 8 Chains North winery from 2-5 p.m. this Sunday, mostly standards with a few Christmas carols thrown in as well. 8 Chains has just finished some major remodeling and is a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon. So come one, come all, and check out the calendar on this site for some more insider information.
It’s here. The day around which the entire kid year revolves. It’s time for Charlie Brown, Bing Crosby, A Christmas Story on TBS, the yule log channel, hot chocolate, peppermint bark, and a convenient excuse for everyone else to act the way I act the entire year! Merry Christmas, everyone!
When I was a kid I used to call this day Christmas Eve Eve. Since 1997 it has officially been “Festivus,” the holiday for the rest of us. So gather ’round the aluminum pole, everyone, and get ready to air you grievances; feats of strength will test you this fine Festivus Day.
One of the greatest days of the kid year is the last day of school before Christmas vacation. You know you’re not really learning anything and you’ve got the whole vacation in front of you. So bust out Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land and let the season begin!
Just to clarify, when I say “Happy Holidays” I’m not trying to be politically correct. I really do enjoy New Year’s as much as I do Christmas and want to give it equal standing in my December greeting.