"We all have our time machines, don't we. Those that take us back are memories... And those that carry us forward, are dreams." - Jeremy Irons from The Time Machine
Well, it Decemeber 31, 2009. The final day of this year and decade. I can't believe 10 years again, it was 2000. A lot has changed. 10 years ago I, was a freshman at CCP, worked at Bisirri's, weight about 100 lbs less than I do now, lived with my parents and I had a lot more hair. Since then, i've cut my hair shorter, live on my own (mainly because my parents wanted to move to NJ), had a drink every now and then, decided to work rather than finish school and then lost my job, and finally became an uncle and godfather. Sure its been an eventful 10 years. At the end of 1999, I was 18 years old. I remember that New Year's Eve. Played Clue with Duke(who was known as Jim at the time) at my parent's house. It was the last time I was home for the clock striking midnight on a new year. Since then i've spent the last 8 new years in varying locations
2001 - Tim's House
2002-04 Spicer's Shore House
2005 - Asher's Place
2006 - Jay's House
2007-08 Work
Nothing worse then spending New Year's night working night shift. At least in 2007, Baron let me go early so I could still go to Jay's house. In 2008, I spent the first hours of 2009 working and watching The Presidents. This year, i'm going to do something I haven't done in 10 years. I'm going to spend New Year's with my parents, Duke and Bandit. It will be our first New Year's in my parents new house. I will be watching the Three Stooges marathon on AMC. Ed's Blog asked about how do we say 2010? Twenty ten or two thousand ten? I guess thats something i'll have think about. As for new years resolutions, maybe to get back to work and get back to my playing weight. That will do for now. Happy New Decade. Ha, threw you a curveball there.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
It's the Halladay season
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know by now the Phillies have traded for Roy Halladay. You know they traded Cliff Lee to Seattle. You're wondering, why couldn't they keep both and go into 2010 with the ultimate 1-2 punch to dominate the National League and win the pennant for the 3rd straight year? Its a good question. I'll try to address that for you.
Let's start with why this deal happened. Its no secret Ruben Amaro always coveted Halladay. He wanted him last July. Toronto's asking price was a little too rich for the Phils. Amaro opted for the next best thing. Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco for 4 prospects. Each team got something they needed. Cleveland got prospects for rebuilding and the Phils got the ace they needed and a right handed bat off the bench. But after coming up short in the World Series, the Phils needed to send a message to the National League that they are still the 2-time league champs. By acquiring Halladay, they essentially kept him from their biggest challenger, the Dodgers. Toronto fired J.P. Riccardi in September, opening the doors for the Phils to try again to see what it would take to acquire the '03 Cy Young winner. But why go after Halladay when you already have Lee at $9 million next season?
Cliff Lee's salary seems a bargain for the 2010 season. But the Phils wanted him to sign a long term deal, which Lee didn't seem interested in. He wants to test the market after next season in the hopes of netting a CC Sabathia type deal. Amaro had a tough decision to make. Lose Lee after next season or acquire baseball's best pitcher, who is willing to sign a contract extension. I don't blame Amaro for doing what was in the best interest of the Phillies. He gets a workhorse pitcher in Halladay, who is equipped to battle the Yanks or Red Sox if they meet in the World Series. It cost him 3 decent prospects, including top prospect Kyle Drabek. By trading Lee to Seattle, Amaro was able to replenish the minor with Seattle's top 3 prospects. The Phillies may have actually set themselves to be a competitive team for the next 5 years. First, Halladay agreed to a 3 year $60 million extension. Second, the 3 prospects from Seattle are actually projected to be better then the three they gave Toronto. Third, the made this trade and did not have to give up J.A. Happ or Dominic Brown.
I know Cliff Lee became a hero in Philadelphia during the World Series. Its tough to part with a player of Lee's talent. But Lee would have walked after 2010, and the Phils would have certainly been outbid for him by the likes of Boston or New York. With these deals, we now have arguably the best pitcher in baseball signed for 4 years (possibly 5 with a 2014 option)and a bright future with very good prospects who in 2-3 years will be ready to prove it was worth it to trade Lee. Lee gives Seattle an amazing 1-2 punch along with Felix Hernandez and makes them the favorite in the AL West. We wish Cliff the best in Seattle and will never forget perhaps the greatest pitching performance in Phillies history. The Phillies are once again the NL favorites. There is no moves the Dodgers, Mets or Cardinals can make that can make them look better then the Phils look now. If Cole Hamels returns to '08 postseason from, J.A. Happ pitches like he did in 09, and Brad Lidge can regain his "lights out" form, the Phillies will, for the 3rd straight year, be champions of the National League. Not bad for the losingest team in all professional sports.
Let's start with why this deal happened. Its no secret Ruben Amaro always coveted Halladay. He wanted him last July. Toronto's asking price was a little too rich for the Phils. Amaro opted for the next best thing. Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco for 4 prospects. Each team got something they needed. Cleveland got prospects for rebuilding and the Phils got the ace they needed and a right handed bat off the bench. But after coming up short in the World Series, the Phils needed to send a message to the National League that they are still the 2-time league champs. By acquiring Halladay, they essentially kept him from their biggest challenger, the Dodgers. Toronto fired J.P. Riccardi in September, opening the doors for the Phils to try again to see what it would take to acquire the '03 Cy Young winner. But why go after Halladay when you already have Lee at $9 million next season?
Cliff Lee's salary seems a bargain for the 2010 season. But the Phils wanted him to sign a long term deal, which Lee didn't seem interested in. He wants to test the market after next season in the hopes of netting a CC Sabathia type deal. Amaro had a tough decision to make. Lose Lee after next season or acquire baseball's best pitcher, who is willing to sign a contract extension. I don't blame Amaro for doing what was in the best interest of the Phillies. He gets a workhorse pitcher in Halladay, who is equipped to battle the Yanks or Red Sox if they meet in the World Series. It cost him 3 decent prospects, including top prospect Kyle Drabek. By trading Lee to Seattle, Amaro was able to replenish the minor with Seattle's top 3 prospects. The Phillies may have actually set themselves to be a competitive team for the next 5 years. First, Halladay agreed to a 3 year $60 million extension. Second, the 3 prospects from Seattle are actually projected to be better then the three they gave Toronto. Third, the made this trade and did not have to give up J.A. Happ or Dominic Brown.
I know Cliff Lee became a hero in Philadelphia during the World Series. Its tough to part with a player of Lee's talent. But Lee would have walked after 2010, and the Phils would have certainly been outbid for him by the likes of Boston or New York. With these deals, we now have arguably the best pitcher in baseball signed for 4 years (possibly 5 with a 2014 option)and a bright future with very good prospects who in 2-3 years will be ready to prove it was worth it to trade Lee. Lee gives Seattle an amazing 1-2 punch along with Felix Hernandez and makes them the favorite in the AL West. We wish Cliff the best in Seattle and will never forget perhaps the greatest pitching performance in Phillies history. The Phillies are once again the NL favorites. There is no moves the Dodgers, Mets or Cardinals can make that can make them look better then the Phils look now. If Cole Hamels returns to '08 postseason from, J.A. Happ pitches like he did in 09, and Brad Lidge can regain his "lights out" form, the Phillies will, for the 3rd straight year, be champions of the National League. Not bad for the losingest team in all professional sports.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Lists, glorious lists
I'm sorry, Ed. I know the end of the year lists were your idea. But its too good to pass up. Here are some more lists of 2009 and this decade
Top 10 shows I watched in 2009 (based on episodes watched)
1. Days of Our Lives
2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
3. That 70's Show
4. Family Guy
5. King of the Hill
6. The Office
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Simpsons
9. My Boys
10. American Dad
Top 5 Worst Moments of 2009
1. Being laid-off
2. Yankees beat Phillies in World Series
3. Pittsburgh's Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wins
4. My parents moving to New Jersey
5. Citizen's Bank closing the Holmesburg branch
Best Purchases this Decade
1. Chevrolet Trialblazer (2008)
2. Ipod (2006)
3. WWE Championship Belt (2007)
4. Vizio 32" HDTV (2008)
5. 2 Laptop Computers (Dell - 2003, HP - 2009)
6. Moto 9 Cell Phone, Verizon Wireless (2008)
7. Nintendo Wii (2009)
8. Golf Clubs (2009)
9. Video Camera (2000, 2004)
Jersey's Purchased this Decade
MLB (Custom - Arizona, Washington, Philadelphia. Players - Cubs (Sandberg #23), Knights (Hobbs #9)
NFL (Eagles Owens #81, Bears Grossman #8, Bengals Johnson #85, Steelers Miller #83)
NBA (Hornets Paul #3, Nuggets Anthony #15, Wizards Arenas #0, Kings Webber #4, Suns Nash #13)
NHL (Custom - Team USA, Ottawa)
Top 10 shows I watched in 2009 (based on episodes watched)
1. Days of Our Lives
2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
3. That 70's Show
4. Family Guy
5. King of the Hill
6. The Office
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Simpsons
9. My Boys
10. American Dad
Top 5 Worst Moments of 2009
1. Being laid-off
2. Yankees beat Phillies in World Series
3. Pittsburgh's Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wins
4. My parents moving to New Jersey
5. Citizen's Bank closing the Holmesburg branch
Best Purchases this Decade
1. Chevrolet Trialblazer (2008)
2. Ipod (2006)
3. WWE Championship Belt (2007)
4. Vizio 32" HDTV (2008)
5. 2 Laptop Computers (Dell - 2003, HP - 2009)
6. Moto 9 Cell Phone, Verizon Wireless (2008)
7. Nintendo Wii (2009)
8. Golf Clubs (2009)
9. Video Camera (2000, 2004)
Jersey's Purchased this Decade
MLB (Custom - Arizona, Washington, Philadelphia. Players - Cubs (Sandberg #23), Knights (Hobbs #9)
NFL (Eagles Owens #81, Bears Grossman #8, Bengals Johnson #85, Steelers Miller #83)
NBA (Hornets Paul #3, Nuggets Anthony #15, Wizards Arenas #0, Kings Webber #4, Suns Nash #13)
NHL (Custom - Team USA, Ottawa)
Monday, December 7, 2009
It's Been a While
I know its been a while since my last post and I apologize for the wait. I don't have a lot of ideas like Ed does. It's been an interesting(and quick) two months. Still unemployed, but am collecting unemployment. I plan on resuming my hunt for a new job in 2010, as this year is about three weeks away from being over. Since I last posted something, the Phils lost the World Series, I went on the Pocono trip and Ed's been on call twice. Normally I stay at my parent's house when this happens, but my mom has a cookie thing on Sunday and has a lot to do and I don't wanna be in the way. I will be going over tomorrow for dinner and I have to watch my nephew so my sister can get some stuff done. I also love the fact its December 7th and i'm like 90% done my X-mas shopping.
Speaking of X-mas(thats right, X-mas, like in Futurama), two events next week directly related to that. On Thursday is the annual Guys Shopping Trip. I haven't gone in a couple of years so i'm really excited about it. Basically the guys go to Hooters for dinner, then if we need any last minute shopping needs we'll head to the closest mall and then onto the bar for a beer or two. Then on Saturday is Kelly's Pollyanna Party. I like the new format of being drawn a person beforehand and getting them a gag gift. Last year I got Krissy and Gregg got me. I don't wanna give away who I got but i'm thinking of hilarious gift ideas. I'm also glad that this is the 1st time since 2006 that i'll be home for X-mas Eve and New Year's Eve. The last few years, i've been stuck on night shift.
The Pocono trip was last month and it was an awesome time. We got there on Monday and the house was nice. There were a lot of rooms but I settled on a couch bed upstairs near the upper deck. The bed was a little broke and I found a steak knife among other things inside. I made dinner for everyone on Tuesday. Shake and Bake Chicken, rice and stuffing. I was a little worried because i've never made rice and stuffing for more than one before. Everyone seemed to like it so that was good. I liked the idea Tom had about kegs instead of bottles or cans. We went through 2 kegs the whole week (Keg #2 we got Thursday and it was kicked by late Friday night). I was also the President in the majority of hands of asshole I played. The big game of the week was scrabble. And I also rediscovered how funny Maury is. The only bad parts of the week were April putting on The Ugly Truth, which made the guys scatter and Amanda calling me retarded, which is fine for everyone else to call me but i'm a little annoyed when strangers do it. Other than that, it was a great week and I can't wait for the next mountain trip.
The weeks are going fast and it will be 2010 soon. But before that, Dennis' party weekend is this weeekend. Dennis is calling his birthday party Kill Dennis Vol 2. Ed did a pretty good job of it last year, I can only imagine what he has in store for him last year. He picked Smokeaters this year, which i'm growing to like. I was there a couple times last week and I liked it fine. Not to steal an Ed idea but below are a few of my own lists of 2009. I'll try to write another blog before the end of 2009.
Top 5 bars of 2009
1. The Ashburner
2. Smokeaters
3. Slates/Hooters
4. The Grotto at Guido's
5. Coaches
Top 5 vacation spots of 2009
1. Poconos
2. Penn State
3. My parent's in NJ
4. Baltimore
5. Irish Weekend
Speaking of X-mas(thats right, X-mas, like in Futurama), two events next week directly related to that. On Thursday is the annual Guys Shopping Trip. I haven't gone in a couple of years so i'm really excited about it. Basically the guys go to Hooters for dinner, then if we need any last minute shopping needs we'll head to the closest mall and then onto the bar for a beer or two. Then on Saturday is Kelly's Pollyanna Party. I like the new format of being drawn a person beforehand and getting them a gag gift. Last year I got Krissy and Gregg got me. I don't wanna give away who I got but i'm thinking of hilarious gift ideas. I'm also glad that this is the 1st time since 2006 that i'll be home for X-mas Eve and New Year's Eve. The last few years, i've been stuck on night shift.
The Pocono trip was last month and it was an awesome time. We got there on Monday and the house was nice. There were a lot of rooms but I settled on a couch bed upstairs near the upper deck. The bed was a little broke and I found a steak knife among other things inside. I made dinner for everyone on Tuesday. Shake and Bake Chicken, rice and stuffing. I was a little worried because i've never made rice and stuffing for more than one before. Everyone seemed to like it so that was good. I liked the idea Tom had about kegs instead of bottles or cans. We went through 2 kegs the whole week (Keg #2 we got Thursday and it was kicked by late Friday night). I was also the President in the majority of hands of asshole I played. The big game of the week was scrabble. And I also rediscovered how funny Maury is. The only bad parts of the week were April putting on The Ugly Truth, which made the guys scatter and Amanda calling me retarded, which is fine for everyone else to call me but i'm a little annoyed when strangers do it. Other than that, it was a great week and I can't wait for the next mountain trip.
The weeks are going fast and it will be 2010 soon. But before that, Dennis' party weekend is this weeekend. Dennis is calling his birthday party Kill Dennis Vol 2. Ed did a pretty good job of it last year, I can only imagine what he has in store for him last year. He picked Smokeaters this year, which i'm growing to like. I was there a couple times last week and I liked it fine. Not to steal an Ed idea but below are a few of my own lists of 2009. I'll try to write another blog before the end of 2009.
Top 5 bars of 2009
1. The Ashburner
2. Smokeaters
3. Slates/Hooters
4. The Grotto at Guido's
5. Coaches
Top 5 vacation spots of 2009
1. Poconos
2. Penn State
3. My parent's in NJ
4. Baltimore
5. Irish Weekend
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