Nealmeister

Nope, Neal didn't fall off the face of earth

I've been thinking long and hard for a while whether I really want to blog any more. Blogging was great as a student; the medium naturally dovetailed from my daily journaling habit--a habit that I started in the 5th grade. That was 1991. This is 2009, when, more than ever, the personal lives are becoming ever more public. Social norms are changing -- at least somewhat -- and the minds of that Zuckerman kid and the rest of the crew at Facebook are foaming at the mouth, waiting for the day that we all jump the private-public divide and provide people with all of the intimate consumer data that they've so desperately wanted. When that day comes, I hope I can take part in the Facebook IPO. And when that day comes, I'll be just a little sad, because it means that shows like "The Real World" and the idea of living a private life might be bookmarks in history.

I digress. Really, since the last time I've posted, I've moved to Chicago, feeling out the new bearings, training for (and successfully running) races, playing host and feeling great being hosted. I now have a beard -- that won't be lasting for much longer -- but I think the point that I'm trying to make is that I've outgrown blogging just like I felt as though I needed to grow out of Boston.

Alas, good things are too hard to give up. So I'm going to give this whole thing another try. Rework the medium. So stay tuned.

In the meantime, here's something that will do the trick: every single status update from yours truly on Facebook between the end of August (when I left Boston) and yesterday (when Jess and I finished up our nice little urban adventure in Chicago). My life is not any more interesting as yours. The thing is, I guess I'm willing to put it out there for you to judge.

On Facebook, Neal Boyle...

1. walked 9.17 miles through Chicago with Jess Stankus today. Urban adventures=major success. (11 hours ago)
2. and Jess decided to go down and visit The Bean in Millennium Park at about Sunset. Then, we decided to walk to the Magnificent Mile, which lead to a walk to Rachie's Starbucks, and which finally resulted in a walk all the way back to Andersonville. 9.17 miles. 1320.5 calories burned. I'm impressed with ourselves. (Yesterday at 21:20)
3. will be putting some Charlie's Ale House into his belly. The sun is shining in Chicago. The Bears are owning the Browns. ND is climbing in the rankings. The occupants of 1350 West Winnemac are relishing in another amazing Halloween. So much to be happy about; so little space to express the glee.(Yesterday at 14:20)
4. Halloween has turned into something made for TV... seriously... (Sat at 22:35)
5. Go Irish! Beat Cougars! (Sat at 08:47)
6. Hands-down quote of the night @Bessye: "It's not about getting it right; it's about getting it easy." (Fri at 21:02)
7. feels and looks like he belongs on That 70s Show... and it's only B-list Halloween costume night!
8. (Fri at 18:06)
9. Evacuate the free weights floor, people! There is a Neal Boyle twin on the floor, and the real one will be damned to let the impersonator out-do him in the medicine ball push up contest... (Fri at 15:37)
10. has a yummy-smelling pumpkin... (Fri at 12:09)
11.  doing up more touristy Chicago stuff in the Loop with the East Coast girls. Sears Tower Skywalk it is!
12. (29 October at 13:22 )
13. called 312-867-5309 (29 October at 01:10)
14. This Boyle is (too shy to be) made for live Karaoke @ Cubby Bear... (28 October at 23:49)
15. @ Goose Island BrewCo w/the Boston (and VA) girls, doing up TGIW in Wrigleyville. Go Phillies!!! (28 October at 19:33)
16. Korean BBQ followed by Chicago Brauhause in Lincoln Sq = getting set up for a wicked amazing night on the far north side! (27 October at 19:28)
17. is happy that the 6-year old inside of him continues to live the dream and never grows tired of the way 2700 series Budd subway cars race along elevated tracks in the north side of Chicago...(27 October at 17:31)
18. clerked for a Bankruptcy Court judge. Is "Introduction to Federal Court" really necessary? Can someone please slam me with a Federal Rule Book? Ok, not really... but the hyperbolic Facebook nonsense is irresistible, especially during Illinois MCLEs! (27 October at 08:04)
19. earnestly awaits the arrival of Kristyn+Denise in the Windy City, but first, not without 10 more hours of Illinois CLE amazingness. If only Mitch from Old School would show up, too. Life would be nearly complete. (27 October at 00:15)
20. Oh, CTA, how you can't be trusted during rush hour. Thank God Neal got on the Red Line before it decided to run express to Lake... (26 October at 06:50)
21. wonders when the Red Line will ever roll on in to Argyle station... (26 October at 06:33)
22. thinks seasonal influenza is--like a couple of logs in the fire or a fresh Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie--a special gift from God that Neal just needs to snuggle up with and enjoy. (25 October at 23:27)
23. along the brittle treacherous bright streets / of memory comes my heart singing like / an idiot whispering like drunken man / who(at a certain corner suddenly)meets / the tall policeman of my mind. (25 October at 09:56)
24. watching the Undertones at the Notre Dame Bookstore with Kev+Jess. Booyah! (24 October at 19:43)
25. Go IRISH! Beat Eagles! (24 October at 11:52)
26. Are you questioning my badassedness? I mean have you seen my guns??? (22 October at 23:18)
27. Thoughts+Prayers are with the Hoells and the Santosuossos right now... (22 October at 10:18)
28. has got two extra BC/ND tickets, courtesy of Jess. Anyone want to make a trip from Boston and/or any Domers in need? (21 October at 20:18)
29. can rock the beard in a pinstripe suit, a form fitting shirt and a Brooks Brother tie. Bad, Neal, very very very bad (albeit, delicious, haha)! (21 October at 13:34)
30. Are you a coffee, or are you a slice of pumpkin pie? You're too delicious to be just a latte. You're pie. I love you. (20 October at 17:41)
31. is looking for another race to train for. All you runners and triathloners were right: the adrenaline rush is... addictive. (19 October at 20:19)
32. might have run the Urbanathlon, but man, oh man, that massage followed by some old school pampering needs to be scheduled ASAP. Neal=can't walk="hilarious". (19 October at 00:41)
33. Notre Dame, what a shame. Whatever, I still am crazy in love with the alma mater... (17 October at 19:34)
34. Men's Health Urbanathlon 2009. What? WHAT! Thanks to all you folks who kept me running, to all the causes that kept me inspired, and all the other runners who kept things honest. Now, it's time to celebrate Domer style. GO IRISH! BEAT TROJANS! (17 October at 12:19)
35. Here it comes. 12-mile course. 1-mile Soldier Field stadium stairclimb. 5 challenging urban bootcamp obstacles. There's only one Neal. There's only one Men's Health Urbanathlon. And holy cow, racer #2081 is going to tear her up tomorrow morning! (16 October at 16:31)
36. Based on Facebook, I gather that (a) it's blizzarding in Boston, (b) everyone's traveling to South Bend (Go Irish; Beat Trojans!) and (c) Falcon is awesome because he hid in the box and not the balloon. Me? I'm Facebooking. (16 October at 07:22)
37. and Rach finally broke down and turned on the heat. It is a little chilly in Chicago, after all... (15 October at 18:01)
38. What? Bob Saget is the voice of "How I Met Your Mother?" But I've been watching HIMYM for how many years now? Doh! Neal, oh Neal... (14 October at 23:30)  
39. ...planning on a walk through Andersonville, right after CPK and Glee. Pre-MH Race, no-caffeine, no-beer Nealski = no funski. (14 October at 20:59)
40. Woot and Woot! The Townies are headed to the Windy City come December! Go Celtics! (14 October at 12:31
41.  Illinois plates on the Corolla. Goodbye Bay State; Hello Land of Lincoln. Next up: Illinois Supreme Court swearing-in... followed by plotting a strategy to acquire a Jeep Wrangler. (13 October at 16:24)
42. Tuesday, Tuesday, so good to me... (13 October at 08:38)
43. got to Chicago just in time for the 'L' fare hikes, which seem to be whole heck of a lot less merciful than those going on at the 'T'. (12 October at 11:32)
44. ...capping off a wicked awesome, random Columbus Day weekend marked by, among other things, a Bartling visit, a visit to Das Boot, and that little 26.2 mile race with some Phillies baseball (not really sure where or when I became a Phillies fan, but it seems to work), a little more meatloaf, and whole heck of a lot of grape soda... (11 October at 23:15)
45. cheering Jim+Colleen Bartling and the St Greg's HS kids on at Mile 8 of the Chicago Marathon! [p.s.--it's 29 degrees here!!] (11 October at 07:00)
46. So, The Cranberries are playing in Chicago @ The Riviera Theatre on November 25th. Anyone want to go with Nealski? You know you want to sing along to Linger followed by Zombie... (08 October at 20:59)
47. ...with so much going down, he often wonders what really is up... (08 October at 01:12)
48. forecasting snow in Chicago on Sunday. But wait, the foliage is still (basically) green! This is penitence for Neal's shortcomings... (07 October at 21:42)
49. Alas, networking and catch-up coffees. I've got Mr Holte and Ms Martinez to thank for the plenteous rain! (07 October at 14:46)
50. is witnessing music being made @Tonic Room, 2447 N Halsted. Chicago's music scene beats Boston. Sorry, kids, the Bean just don't compare... (06 October at 22:52)
51. Life as a Corporate Attorney on sabbatical is wicked stressful, thusly, I'm off to the gym (and later, to Tonic Room on Halsted, if anyone's interested or inclined). (06 October at 16:31)
52. can't decide whether he wants to keep the faux beard or lose the faux beard. These are times when polling the Clery's TGIW crew would be necessary and appropriate. (06 October at 06:43)
53. Lie to Me, baby (and Brett Favre, grrr, you're making Lauren Lynch go madddd)! (05 October at 22:27)
54. The Bears, followed by Lake Shore run, St. A's, and then legs day @ Cheetah Gym. Perfect autumn afternoon in Chicago... (04 October at 14:09)
55. Holy crap... squeaked that one by! Go Irish! (03 October at 18:46)
56. On the Indiana Toll Road en route to the 'Bend. Go Irish! Beat Huskies! (03 October at 10:00)
57. Great job, Rio! "Now the village elders can come home [to Chicago] and take care of the kids being killed on [Chicago's] streets and focus on getting [Chicago's] schools in order..." (02 October at 12:00) ·
58. Go Cubs Go! (Hopefully no rain delay) (01 October at 18:27)
59. When in Chicago, do as Chicagoans do!?!?! (01 October at 18:16)
60. It's official— I passed the Illinois Bar. Thankfully, because of the love + support of all you friends, family, fans, and even enemies. Y'all put up with a lot this summer, including that horrible prayer for perpetual summer rain . But, alas, ring in Fergie + the Black Eyed Peas... and Go, Cubs, Go (with John, Hillary + Alan)!!! (01 October at 11:42)
61. just wants to vomit. It feels less like Christmas morning and more like the moments before the elementary school spelling bee. C'mon Illinois bar examiners; post July's results already! (01 October at 08:21)
62. scored Cubbies tickets with John, Alan and Hillary Thursday night. Pittsburgh Pirates are going down. Go, Cubs, Go! (30 September at 15:11)
63. might not be as cool as Brody Jenner, but Chicagoland bromance applications are currently being accepted. Apply herein. (29 September at 12:52)
64. Second City... let that wind blow. (28 September at 20:40)
65. apparently swapped hurricanes for tornadoes. When in the midwest, do what the midwesterners do, one must suppose. Good times. Now how about those fried cheese kurds at Culvers? That sounds like a better midwestern treat (and a half)...(28 September at 00:15)
66. Old St. Pat's or St. A's? This church shopping thing is getting complicated... (27 September at 12:29)
67. Jesus Christ, God Loves Us! GO IRISH! BEAT BOILMAKERS! This is what college football is ALL ABOUT!!!! (26 September at 22:28)
68. Another Urbanathlon training run. Mostly flat, but with some rolling hills and also with good variety of surfaces: asphalt, concrete, gravel, sand and grass.(26 September at 11:16) ·
69. Go Irish! Beat Boilmakers! Go Hokies! Beat Hurricanes! Go Bulls! Beat 'noles! (26 September at 07:58)
70. "my crocs make that manageable." (25 September at 20:46)
71. + Rachel present Friday Night Game Nite. 1350 W Winnemac #3W, Andersonville. Be there or square. You know you want in... so bring it already! [ps--GO HOKIES!] (25 September at 17:35)
72. Met my match at Cheetah Gym whilst dirty-doubling: the dude (yes, dude) who planned on using the 125 lb. dumbbells and kindly asked if he could use my bench. First off: yes, sir, you may. Second off: Steroids much?!? Third off: You can kill me with one swipe of your paw. That would hurt. I take the steroids comment back... (25 September at 14:52)
73. Just found out that Tedy Bruschi is half-Filipino. Guess what? So is Neal! The day is officially complete... (24 September at 22:10)
74. will be saying 'Aloha' to Hamburger Mary's with the Castrop sistahs and Ms. Lauck. If you want in too, hit the digits... (24 September at 18:06)
75. can no longer listen to The Beatles. They used to remind Neal of Sunday Brunch with the Boyles... or even "Across the Universe." Those are good, nostalgic, feel-good associations. Now, The Beatles are just associated with being stuck in the makeshift office (read: Andersonville Starbucks) and the baristas that keep on glaring in his direction (read: sexual harrassment). Yarghhhhh! (24 September at 15:25)
76. is marketing his goods+services to all of Chicagoland. (23 September at 09:01)
77. thinks that 80s music after a night of Taco Tuesdays is the perfect way to end the 21st day in Chicago.... (22 September at 23:58)
78. is listening to Joni Mitchell, drafting cover letters, scheduling coffees, and plotting on how this Illinois Sub-Teacher's and Prelim Teaching Certificate should get used... Oh, and figuring which passport beer should get consumed tonite @ Crew (disappointed that he can't have another Rogue Dead Guy). (22 September at 14:17)
79. misses having in-unit laundry. But at least he's just figured out his next photography project! (22 September at 12:28)
80. Hospital Scrubs, Orange Crush, Chocolate Ice Cream, Elios Pizza + watching "Role Models." Neal may just have morphed into a chicita... (21 September at 23:20)
81. Didn't think anyone could beat Meg Hughes' "Tour de France" spin class, but alas, in Chicago reigns a spin instructor who has fine-tuned that form of torture... (21 September at 19:47)
82. Funny how whether you're in Boston or Chicago, the Red Line always has got its (endearing AND annoying) quirks. Woot public transit! (21 September at 08:56)
83. Bear Down, Chicago Bears! Craziness... (20 September at 18:18)
84. Beautiful fall day in Chicago=perfect sweatshirt weather, perfect Parish "shopping" weather, and perfect flag football weather... (20 September at 09:58)
85. Thank you, Lord. Irish fans will gladly take that (lucky+undeserved) ND win over MSU. Makes for an easier ride back to Chicago, too... (19 September at 20:27)
86. Got an extra ND/MSU ticket. Anyone want it? Let Neal know. Go Irish! Beat Spartans! (19 September at 10:48)
87. Oh, Notre Dame. What beautiful things my eyes see before me. Go Irish! Beat Spartans! (19 September at 10:24)
88. Go Irish! Beat Spartans! (19 September at 07:34)
89. is a tad homesick+missing boston, at least... (19 September at 02:38)
90. Chicago-style dinner party=success. Thank God (and Jewel-Osco)! (19 September at 00:28)
91. and Rach are hauling @$$ trying to get this dinner together. Woot woot! Go Game Night in Chicago!!! (18 September at 19:36)
92. After seeing "Across the Universe," rereading "The Year the Title Forgot to Come," and partaking in bike adventures w/the Citymate, I think MaryBeth Burke was right: being the candle in "Beauty the Beast, the Musical" is a noteworthy goal (even more so than being staff@ Crew). (18 September at 01:51)
93. Lake Shore-A'ville-Lincoln Sq run: 8.25 miles. Clark/Foster to Montrose Hrbr to Hollywood Beach to Winnemac Pk. 30 days to the Mens Health Race. Run, Neal, Run! (17 September at 19:14)
94. That's right, there're big waves, seagulls+plenty of sand at Lake Michigan. Oh, and a beach at the end of my street. Chicago=wicked amazing. Neal approves... (16 September at 14:42)
95. The Jehovah Witnesses found me at Starbucks. They are aggressive. I think they were sent. Someone confirm or deny these suspicions! (15 September at 09:56)
96. Good Morning, Chicago. The sun has yet to rise, but somehow, somewhy, Neal is already rarin' to go. Not sure what's going on here, but let it roll... (15 September at 05:17)
97. "You're too stupid to have a good time." Thank you, Patrick Swayze. RIP. (14 September at 23:19)
98. Tom Brady is back tonite! Anyone else up for Monday Night Football @T's Bar & Grill in Andersonville? Hit the digits... (14 September at 13:41)
99. Spending the morning working out of the Starbucks in Andersonville. How yuppie cliche of Neal... (14 September at 08:56)
100. Lauren Lynch wins, and she has Jay Cutler to thank for that. Grrrrrrr... (13 September at 22:50)
101. Inaugural Lake Shore Run. Clark/Foster to Belmont Harbor and back. Let's see how Chicago's trails treat old Neal's feet... (13 September at 17:58)
102. Got it, folks. Bear Down. Off to O'Hare with Lady Martinez... (13 September at 15:21)
103. Since I've moved Chicago, no drop of rain has fallen sky. Keep the blue skies shining down on me (oh, and Bear Down, Chicago Bears!)... (13 September at 14:43)
104. En route to U2... at Soldier's Field! (12 September at 19:43)
105. = p.o.'d Irish fan. Armando Allen was in bounds. Big Ten refs, Neal's got a bone to pick with you. (12 September at 18:19)
106. Go Irish! Muck Fichigan! (12 September at 00:14)
107. Calling Allen out of bounds was the worst official review I've ever seen. (12 September at 15:22)
108. The quest for a desk continues... and all these furniture stores in Andersonville do the trick (at least for ideas)! (10 September at 18:03)
109. Whether in Boston or Chicago, still finding myself listening to KISS-FM. Breaks up assembling all this stuff from Ikea... Oh, Neal! (10 September at 12:47)
110. The Chronicles of Narnia wardrobe is taking forever to reassemble.. Lucy better pop on out when I'm done with some Turkish Delight! (10 September at 14:08)
111. T's Bar+Restaurant in Andersonville w/the Castrop Sistahs! (09 September at 21:53)
112. can't get Green Day's "21 Guns" out of his head. Thank you, Mix 101.9... (07 September at 23:34)
113. Wine cups? Yes, Chicago! (06 September at 22:49)
114. after dropping Will+Chris off at O'Hare, this kid is kicking off his freshman year in the Windy City by unpacking (because boxes don't unpack themselves...) (06 September at 10:09)
115. Went up for push ups for 21 (again), courtesy Lynch. Irish 21, Wolfpack, 0. (05 September at 16:00)
116. Went up for push ups for 7, courtesy Lynch. Irish 7, Wolfpack, 0. (05 September at 15:22)
117. Go Irish! Beat Wolf Pack! (Obviously, in South Bend for the day...) (05 September at 10:29)
118. Crew in Uptown... with the Comiskey Field hopefuls... (04 September at 13:48)
119. ...hoping someone wants to help a Nealski and has got an extra ND-Nevada ticket... (04 September at 11:53)
120. is scouring for tickets for the White Sox/Red Sox game. And 1500 others things to be done in Chicago right now. (04 September at 08:53)
121. "#220, you have no game. But there's something cute and adorable about you. Make a move. --#113." Alas, life at Durkin's. Definitely an "I" + not an "E"... (04 September at 01:09)
122. Hopleaf with Chris+Will. Amen for Andersonville (which=new home) (03 September at 23:09)
123. made it to Chicago. Let the fun begin! (02 September at 23:52)
124. En route to Chicago, via I-90, with Chris+Will. ETA, 8:45pm CDT. So long, Boston. Neal will always love that dirty water. (02 September at 03:42)
125. Boston will always be home, but heading west, oh boy, this has never felt so good and so right. Chicago or bust, baby! (01 September at 06:14)
126. Oh, move to Chicago, Neal hopes his arrival to your grand city is nothing like his departure from Boston, which has been nothing short of wicked wicked WICKED aggravating. (31 August at 17:22)

Tour de Francing it... to the Illinois Bar Exam (and the Men's Health Urbanathlon)

By now most folks here in Boston know that I'm heading west to Chicago come September. For all the cynics (including myself) who thought I'd never pack up and leave Boston -- let alone Charlestown -- it's actually happening. For all of the optimists and the Domers west of I-495: yes, indeed it's happening.

So, this means I'm taking the Illinois Bar Exam. What not a better time to pick up little athletic goals like spinning every week or training for a major race than now, I say. The former goal happened kind of by accident; I never really did spin class much, but the roommate got me into it and now I'm hooked. The latter goal (the Men's Health Urbanathlon) was something that I've wanted to do for two or three years. When this Chicago move started to turn into a reality, I figured that I might as well make this race happen too.  Now you'll get to track these two things for the rest of the summer.

I hadn't considered how much training for a race can start to consume your whole life. I've always been a big fan of short 8k sprints because it's just like jogging the Charles with a little bit of a push. Once you get to running 10.5 miles and doing stadium steps at Soldiers' Field, well, that's something that I know I just can't do after a night of putting down a couple of Harpoons. It all means that you end up putting a lot of work into preparing for the thing, a lot like the bar exam works. That's how spinning fits in; I realized that I needed to step up the cardio, because God only knows that a run sandwiched with obstacle courses up and down Lake Michigan in Chicago is going to be more than a run in the park.  Right now, I'm finding myself spinning four times a week, doing bootcamp two times a week, going on two runs (with multiple trips up and down the "40 Flights" on Bunker Hill in Charlestown) and then fitting in two really good lifting sessions. Basically, I'm dedicating myself to two-a-days while studying for a bar exam. And it's been fun; I don't think I've felt this good since... well, 2006.

You're probably trying to figure out how the Tour de France fits in to this? Here's the thing: Meg -- the head fitness instructor at BSC @ Downtown Crossing -- has a whole Tour de France spin series going. I've never really thought about the Tour de France and following recaps on a daily basis. But now that I'm spinning, this has become cool... and competitive. I'm finding myself listening to recaps instead of falling fast asleep because I'm starting to get interested in how different stages of the Tour translate into what we're doing in spin class. There are all these terms I have to learn (like what is a Domestique?).  And let me tell you, for the recreational fitness "bro" (I hate that term, I know), the class is intense! No cheating here; just full out turns on the bike.

Of course, with a themed class comes fun stuff like trivia!

Q: When's the last time Lance Armstrong rode the Tour de France?
A: 2005 (site: Wikipedia)

Q: Before the Yellow Jersey, what did the Leader wear?
A: A Green Arm Band (thanks the Meg Hughes)

Eli Manning--Wha?! Wha?!?

Errr, ummm, what just happened? I know, Notre Dame football blew this year, so I've been a hater when things have come to Patriot's football.  But wha???  TNY Giants win Superbowl XLII in a score of 17-14 over the New England Patriots. Quarterback Eli Manning was the game’s MVP but it was the Giant’s defense that really secured the win.  Ughhh.  I never win (and I didn't even get to do a keg stand at MW's Super Bowl partayyy).

It's one big Fiesta

Well, Notre Dame isn't in a college football bowl game this year.  Oh well.  I've already suffered enough heartburn and heartache over it, not to mention being completely traumatized by the Fiesta Bowl.  Instead of being completely bitter, though, I'm throwing all my support back to my Big East roots and rootin' the Mountaineers, big time!

Go Mountaineers! Beat Sooners!

Moving, Lonergan, and Seventy-Five Days

An agent through which vital powers are exercised.

Fall is finally becoming fall in Boston, in November.  Crisp and cool, just the way November should be.  I always thought that this type of fall weather lends itself to the nostalgia that replays inside my mind and supports the frustrated writer that lingers inside of me.  That's what I thought about when I was walking up Walker Street after I got off the bus this evening.  I was thinking about how much I really love my street, and how cool but strikingly red the fireball glowed from the utility pole at the top of my street, and how much I really loved what I do--even though I bitch and complain about it at times.  It's that new slug of a slog that I have to fight out and figure out.  I could quit.  But I love the playing field.

Beneath that fireball, though, I bumped upon Todd and Meg's U-Haul.  Todd and Dan were in it, amid all of the Todd and Meg's life that was getting squeezed into a 17-foot U-Haul.  Now, I always get really funny with change, especially moving.  I play things off like I'll see someone tomorrow.  I try to keep things "normal."  I laugh a bit and [/MESSAGE CLIPPED/]

Today's an Adam Vinatieri Three-fer

So the Colts play the Pats tonight, and I'm hauling ass trying to get as much work done as possible so that I can at least do stuff in front of the television (and with some warm apple pie, courtesy of party animal, e-co, and e-co's new love) so that I can actually get to watch some of the game (unlike the notre dame game yesterday--where I was being really lame and watched on ESPN gamecast).

The Colts and the Pats just bring a smile to my face.  Everyone knows that I'm all about College Football.  I could really give two shits about NFL ball.  Most of the time, if I had to chose between being locked in the library at school and watching pro ball, I'd willingly go to the library... and stay there.  But the Colts and the Pats.  Maybe all the "spiteful hating" that I've learned to love to do has brought me to love watching this match-up for the sheer comedy because it's so, well, drama-filled (as I MTV-ize pro ball).

Take Peyton.  It's always a ton of fun watching him squirm like a kid in junior high.  So whiney.  So much like Rudy when he was playing football on the lot.  I just love laughing at him, and actually, I'd really love it if CMart could come up from DC and watch with me so that we could hate on together.

There's tons more to hate on, but I'm feeling like a bad broken record.  Let's go for the Adam Vinatieri roll call today, because he's the reason I'm actually blogging right now instead of drafting pleadings.  And note, out of my need for nostalgia, this is brought to you by Papa Gino's...

"It's good!" ... I actually passed the Massachusetts Bar, thanks to the likes of the brain trust, multi-colored flashcards, the loverly staff at BarBri (especially Paula), Professor Judge and Dean Keenan (for helping me call two questions on the essay portion), Robert Feinburg, Esq., my mom and dad, and friends and lovers and fwbs, and viewers like you.  You can find evidence of my passage here.

"It's good!" ... I've donated more of my income since September to charitable purposes than I have to any other combined personal cause.  Thank you Microsoft Money for auditing my checkbook.  But with charity comes love.  That's why I'm hanging the autographed Snow Ball picture of Adam Vinatieri that I won in an auction at Best of Charlestown in my office at work.

"It's good!" ... because I really could use some Papa Gino's pizza right now, but let's face it, the Triple Play and Adam Vinatieri's pizza deal last year were better than Teddy Bruschi's ...

"It's good!"  ... ok, enough.  I've stopped laughing enough now.  But I do have to announce, my son, Neal, will become a kicker as well.  I couldn't have him be a pouty bitch like the other QBs in my life, could I?

Ok, this needs to stop.  Now.

Love thee, Notre Rutgers?

I really love Notre Dame.  That should not be in dispute here.

But I did think, for my love of the game, how extremely awesome it would be if Rutgers could pull some BCS shiat off.  Come on, think about it.  It's a perfect Cinderella story.  So I copy from ESPN.com, a bit of Craig James and all, love ND, NB, JR, and other Charlestown guys who have made it to 46556 from 02129.

A Rutgers run would add fuel to the college fire

By Craig James
ESPN.com
Archive

Give me a show of hands from all those who would love to see Rutgers go undefeated and play for the national championship?

I've got my hand up. What a story it would be.

College football is on a monster run in popularity, and this would be nothing but jet fuel on the already hot fire.

Why? Because tons of casual fans, not to mention serious college football fans, would be pulling for the mighty underdog Rutgers to pull off the unthinkable. One of the original college powerhouses would have made a monster stride to compete with the big boys of college football.

The Scarlet Knights are 7-0 and have these remaining games:

Sunday vs. Connecticut (ESPN, 8 ET): Rutgers will win this one with defense.

Nov. 9 vs. Louisville: An emotional and physical challenge for the Knights, but I think they can do it. The Cardinals are good and physical, but I think Rutgers has the power to stay with them. Not many out there realize how hard Rutgers' defense plays. We all know about the running game and Ray Rice. Rice wouldn't be doing what he's doing without a physical offensive line and blockers in front of him. It's a home game unlike any they've seen on campus in a loooong time.

Nov. 18 at Cincinnati: Should win here, too.

Nov. 25 vs. Syracuse: Again, at home and a better team than the Orange.

Dec. 2 at West Virginia: Gulp. Here's where Cinderella's slipper either stays on or gets blown right off. For those of us who've been to a game at WVU, well, it ain't a place for the weak-hearted. Rutgers will have to force turnovers, win the time of possession and get just plain old-fashioned lucky here.

Bottom line: Louisville and West Virginia are going to be tough opponents. But those two have been so focused on each other that perhaps Rutgers can slip past them.

Especially the Cardinals, who will play host to the Mountaineers next Thursday in a much-hyped game.

I wouldn't be presenting this scenario if Rutgers had bad breath. Umm, some of you will know what I'm talking about. Rutgers isn't a team with warts on the nose, droopy jeans or many other nasty traits.

Rutgers is a good, solid and well-coached team. 

So there you have it. Rutgers taking on Ohio State for the national championship. What the heck, crazier things have happened in this sport. Or have they?

 

Heisman update

Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State: still the man of the best team in the country. It seems as if Smith keeps getting better. I've said for a few weeks now that he's a QB now and not just an athlete. Smith's starting to look like a future Sunday QB, too.

Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers: Cinderella team led by this young man. The charging runner has 12 TDs and is an inspiration to his teammates, too.

Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia: Big national TV platform coming up against Louisville. Slaton's really fast and the offense is balanced.

In a nutshell, it has been a long time since the Heisman race has been so lackluster. There aren't many voters out there who aren't thinking about Smith as the guy. Rice has a shot if he can get to 2,000 yards and Rutgers goes undefeated. Of course, something really strange would have to happen for Smith to fall off the perch.

Then again, Rutgers staying unbeaten would qualify in the really strange department.

Craig James is a college football analyst for ABC Sports and ESPN.

Go Irish! Beat Blue!

Well kids, I'm back blogging again. 

After a very very long hiatus, an admission to myself: all of these unfinished posts that I have unpublished are never going to be finished, so screw it, they're not going up.  Part of me feels bad because I felt like I had some awesome leads -- rafting in Maine, this whole "thank you god for this most amazing" feeling while I was down in NYC, and a bunch of other things.  But ohhhh well...

To the important shiat: Notre Dame football.  I don't try to replicate good football rundowns because I suck at communicating it.  The Blue-Gray Sky has got a pretty good post: Handy Household Tips for scUM removal.

All of this, and I gave away my Michigan tickets at home this weekend.  So Ro, Will, Joe and Travis roadtripped in my little Corolla from Boston to South Bend, and I guess they're meeting up with my sister's fiance (that sounds wicked weird!) to do what I wicked want to do: tailgate, drink cold duck like I'm ghetto-plat'num, and of course watch Notre Dame dominate Michigan!  I'm wicked jealous!!!

But you know what... watching at GameOn! will be wicked awesome after my first week of work EVER!

Muck Fichigan!

A time-honored tradition

... especially after taking a final that's left you with a bruised big fat muscle in the palm of your hand (what's that called again?) -- watching Leno.

The Kentucky Derby and Lindsay Lohan.  What do they got to do with the Equitable Remedies final?  Nothing really, except Mo Rocca at the Kentucky Derby was absolutely hilarious.  I can see me, the ND mofos, the Suffolk mofos, and Jeff Colombo rocking it out at the Kentucky Derby, with the gentry and with the common folk.  It would be cool to drink with Peyton Manning and Christina Aguilera, don't you think?

I laughed way too hard though... and I don't want to spoil things for my readers on the West Coast who are going to be watching Leno later on. 

But I have to warn you: Lindsay Lohan looks like she's a 35-year-old strung out whatever.  Poor girl.  And I used to love her.  Ehhh, she's still cute.  I can't get over her being on crack.  I could help her, right?

[related link: Lindsay Lohan does radio quip for D.A.R.E.]

Red Sox, 1915 Style

Adam at Universal Hub has got this really cool post about the Library of Congress and all of these really neat antique baseball photos in the Bain Collection.  All the info's this way.  Talk about cool!

Just think... some day we'll have pictures of other Red Sox who defected to the Yankees (cough, ahem, Johnny Damon, among others...)

MADE: I need to learn how to Golf

This is actually quite embarrassing, but I may as well out myself while I'm ahead: I don't know how to golf. 

I've been meaning to do this forever.  At Notre Dame, I knew that I needed to sign up for the Golf class in PE, but I never got a chance to.  (Hence, the Abe quote "What do I do with this stick?")  Back in Boston, I always thought I'd learn, but nothing but broken promises to myself.  Supposed to learn with MW--no follow up on my part.  Then, I started making excuses, along the lines of: "I'm a city kid.  I grew up in the Projects.  The largest patch of green near me is the Eden St. Park, and dogs do their business there... so OH WELL..."

Well, now life is catching up to me.  I keep on getting invited to Golf foursomes and such.  I don't know what to do.  "Sorry, I've never touched a golf club in my life.  Except for minigolf putters.  Yeah, those are cool."  That won't cut it, I don't think, in the world of finance.  It's now or never.  To be made or not to be made.  Deal or no deal.  Damn...

So I guess during bar review, and the month of August, I need to take extreme measures and find some amigos who want to haul me out there and start at square one.  I'll give you all of the production rights.  I'm sure it's going to be just as hilarious (and annoying) as an episode of MTV's MADE.

Neal's Running the Boston Marathon Today! [Redux: the Potpourri post]

Pshaw!  Yeah right...

But I did run 4 1/2 miles on pavement on Saturday.  To my surprise, no shin splints.  It must be the Adidas running sneakers.  There's some things in life that should never be changed.  One of those things is sticking with the good old Response trail runners...  So good to me for city running... I never should have doubted you, good old A-D-I-D-A-S, even though I have this inexplicable loyalty to New Balance.

Well, what else?  Patriot's Day is today.  Yet another holiday for we people from Massachusetts and North Massachusetts, ahem, Maine.  Today commemorates the Battle of Lexington & Concord.  It's the day the Revolutionary War basically started, because our badass forefathers and foredaughters (no, this is not a John Mayer song) rose up and decided to fight the man.  Other loyal biatches didn't follow along, so the stories go.  They eventually would flee to New Brunswick, which at the time was a bastion of British-lovin'.  Those crazy Canadians... but I shouldn't talk... I really like England...

Getting back to Patriot's Day, though, some cool things have sprung out of it here in Massachusetts.  The whole Battle of Lexington & Concord thing totally influenced Howard Fast's book, April Morning.  I remember really liking that book as a 7th grader at Boston Latin.  Others detested the fact that we had to read it, under the supervision of a 24-year old Harvard Ed School grad (I still need to figure out how the other 12-year-olds conjured up such hate for the dude, but in retrospect, it must have been the parents)... but I liked it a lot, especially since the book was sequenced into the first 10 days of April.  To be honest, though, I don't remember too much about the book, except for maybe the images that I created in my head of the guerilla-style fight scenes in which the Minutemen (and Minute-kids?) kept on shooting the red coats along the way.  Oh yeah, and learning about quartering soldiers and the Constitution. 

A lot better than "Johnny Tremain: The Boy With the Deformed Hand."  (see the Ramseelbird review, it's funny...)

The Boston Marathon plays itself out on Patriot's Day observed.  I was actually training to run the Boston Half Marathon in October.  Training until I kept on hurting my ankle playing CYAC Ultimate Frisbee (although not as bad as Mr. Reed) and running on it because "injuries don't happen to guys."  Pshaw #2--that biatch hurt forever! 

The Marathon, though, is such a cool thing to get wrapped up into around here in Boston.  I remember being a little kid--maybe six or seven--and going with my mom, some of her friends, my sister Ro and my bro Will, to the festivities in Copley Square.  People were strewn in cramps on the ground, whelping and crying and puking.  Others were in blankets.  Of course, there were sketchy people in short shorts.  I remember thinking: "what is wrong with these people?"  Normal people would come through as well, and I recall thinking how cool it was to have 15 or so people cheer you on and surround you after you basically fell into someone's arms.  I remember, too, kind of feeling sorry for the people who just finishing, looking for someone, and then walking away.  Of course, the highlight of the day had to be riding the Green Line on the T.  I was such a geeky 6 year old.  I absolutely loved those trains and buses!  It's weird how I keep these weird, random memories framed in my head in History-channel voice-over style. 

Take away some Wikipedia links on the Boston Marathon...

• Official Web site of the Boston Marathon
• Ultimate Guide to the Boston Marathon
• Runner's Guide to the Boston Marathon
• Share your Boston Marathon Inspiration
• Boston Marathon Photos-2005
• Boston Marathon Course Map with Elevation

Ok.  That was a long-ramble.  The whole post was going to be able this one post secret postcard that I thought was really cool (see below) and why Josh Beckett is one bad as mofo for the idiots (the Red Sox, for all you Chicago people).  Of course, I never got to writing about that.  Go figure.

Some days are just Escalator days (btw, damn, in 2010, I'll be 29)

/CHALLENGE TOKEN NULL/

Thank God that I am not Chris and Matt...

but the laugh was oh-so-good.  If anything, it got me out of this crap-happy mood that I've been in.  I've never laughed so hard in my life.  And the fact that Texas A&M forward Chris Walker is involved makes me LMAO (sorry for the IM lingo!).  It kind of reminds me of the drunken Moulin Rouge sing-a-long that we had at Hill, Heather, & Laura's place up in Castle Point back in 2002/2003.  I got a night off duty from my Resident Assistant gig at Siegfried... and what a better way to pre-party for Heartland than do shots to Moulin Rouge and act out the musical???

It makes me scared, though.  What if that Joe Schwartz video from Freshman Dis-o in Siegfried, from 1999, resurfaces.  Or Dan Masse releases the "I can be a Belle too" pictures? I can be wicked screwed.

Blog-Review (not to be confused with LAW review!)

Blogs, blogs, and more blogs.

These days, when I'm not busy (when's that... ehhh... yeah), there's a whole blog roll of blogs that I like to check up on.  Blogging has become a new passion.  I now longer journal, but blog. Subscriptions to National Geographic, Time, the Economist, the London Book Review, the New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, and Muscle & Fitness come into my home, pile up, and languish.

All replaced by blogs. Some of these people, I know EXTREMELY well (so wonderfully you've made me) while with others, I check in with just because I had randomly bumped upon their blogs for some alterior reason or motive (i.e., I bumped upon Brenner's blog when I created one of my "most endearing" posts: "Axe that ass up (will you have sex with me?)).  Then, of course, there's Pink is the New Blog and Post Secret, piquing my need-for-gossip side and the dark and pensive side.

So, to look on the bright side (the Herald reports that Imette St. Guillen's mom and Claire Higgins, thank God, had a chance to do some good laughing..., although it kind of sucks that I'm finding out through the Boston Herald, but oh well...), here's what's going down.

PostSecret
With PostSecret, I always find myself gravitating to the more serious postcards and emails that Frank receives.  But the funny ones always give me a good laugh-

Not Only But Also
If I had to be in grad school for Journalism, I'd want to be this guy.  I don't even know him, but his writing is hilarious.  Some days, I feel like I continue reading as a means to vicarious stay connected to Andy Gomez, and a lesser extent, Kevin Romero. 

This one post, on Girl Scout Crackies, an Addict's Tale had me laughing.  I can totally relate... not only with the Samoas/"Carmel Delights"... but my own crack tale that gets lived out at Dunkin Donuts.  Girl Scout Cookies would be a close second, especially now that those little paratroopers have begun to slowly dominate street corners and offices spaces around me, driving out the prostitutes.  Temptation is too great... I have to remember that summer (think beach not bar exam), is close at hand.

Here's a quip:

I'm no fool. I know that there are 16 cookies in a box, but I also know that once a box of Girl Scout Crackies is opened that they are almost always consumed in one sitting. That means only three binges  before I can score more next week. That's at minimum four days without any Carmel Delites. My palms began to sweat. When I got to school, I opened a box under the pretense of sharing with the group. "Here, have some," I offered after shoving four down my throat. I was satisfied long enough to let them out of my hand. Ten minutes later I went back to get two more. Then two more. An hour later they were gone.

Damn! Goodness!

Pink is the New Blog
What would I do without Trent?  I found him when I was trying to find pictures of Lindsay Lohan on her crack diet.

I plagarize off of Pink is the New Blog every once and a while.  Here's some goodies:

Ryan Seacrest usually grosses me out ... but never more than in this picture:

Excuse me, I'm going to go gouge my eyes out and then stomp on them now. [Source]

Ack ... I need something to cleanse that icky sight from mine eyes ... I need something really hot to wipe away the ugliness ...

...

This is SERIOUSLY the worst photoshoot L. Lo has ever done. Her hair is a big mess of nast. That wig should be burned. I love ya Linds, but this shoot sucks. [Source]

Speaking of burning wigs ... hahahahahahah ... oh man ... I don't even know what to say ... check out these pictures of Victoria Beckham on the cover of Vanidad magazine:

I'm not sure what the hell happened at this photoshoot ... but doesn't one of the pictures look strangely out of place? [Source]  LMAO!

. . . .


Awww ... it's been a while since we've seen little Violet Ann Affleck out for a stroll ... check out these cute pictures of Ben and Jen taking their precious little girl out for a walk:

Expect to see a picture of this little lamb knocking back a Corona Light in a few short weeks. [Source]

Gwen Stefani looks amazing as a pregnant woman ...

She's actually glowing ... it's a beautiful sight. [Source]

So wonderfully you made me
Hill's blog. I had to choose between Hill, Vin, Marcia, and Kiki, and I chose Hill because I know that once I go to Chicago (I'm thinking--Boston Marathon weekend?!) we need to make some of that Lemonade stuff that she's had visiting Rach down at Dayton.  I doubt that it's any better than Happy Punch, but I won't hate... that much...

Check out the collegiate action here.  Just want I was looking for!  (And Hill, for the record, I'm already checking Expedia for tickets-so I'll send you the weekend for when I'm making my way for some Lakeview loving, and let you and Alan know...)

Seek the Way
I've been meaning to blog about Ash Wednesday, but all of the draft posts just look yucky.  Luckily, Carlos is one of my friends from Boston Latin School who is now at Saint John's Seminary.  As of late, I've been bumping into him more and more.  He has a good, short post, and I quip part of it here:

Ash Wednesday has been one of my favorite days for a long time. It's kind of hard not to act like a Christian when there's a big black ashy cross on your forehead. It makes people wonder, what is it that you believe that would make you do that, and then how does it reflect in your actions. Though it's explicit today we should live every day as if that cross were there, because it is, we may not see it, our brothers and sisters may not see it, but our Lord does.

Blue-Gray Sky
What is life without Notre Dame football?  I don't know either.  And now that these guys have dedicated themselves solely to the football team of "that school" in northern Indiana, life is bliss... and my Sports Illustrated subscription, for the most part, gathers dust unless I'm on the shitter...

So there it is,
a good dose of a little bit of everything.  I'm going to take a walk for a while.  It's a crisp, clear, cold night in Boston, and I think I'm in the right mental state to take a walk around Charlestown and maybe sit up at the Monument for a little while and do some thinking.  But this is a good kind of thinking.  In the words of Jimmy Cliff/Johnny Nash (I can see clearly now [the rain is gone]): "it's gunna be a bright (brig-hh-ii-tt), bright (bright and sun shiny day-hehhh)..."

Hospital pants, Notre Dame Drumline sweatshirt, Reindeer knit hat, Cell Phone, No problem...

-Neal

Letting go of a grudge/Remaking the fan

Kinda-sorta.

Anyone who really knows me knows that, although I have a sworn allegiance to Red Sox Nation, I wasn't exactly die-hard.  Notre Dame Football: die-hard.  Red Sox: that's cool.

So I was reading the Herald sports section, and I was thinking-"huh, Spring Training. Right."  Mindset goes into being 12 years old again, a 7th grader at Latin School.  I LOVED the Red Sox then. Park of the kicker to being able to go to BLS (aside from being able to take the T to school) was this crazy idea that one of my 6th grade teachers at Saint Catherine's, Sal Caraviello, put in my head: "kid, in the Spring, you get to go to Red Sox games.  Fenway's literally right down the street!"

And so the Summer of 1994 set itself into motion.  Without a doubt, it was my coming of age summer.  New found love.  New house.  Awesome new summer job (which created a new source of income).  New ideas.  Just like "wow, the world is great! It is wicked awesome to be alive!"  Then, in August, the baseball strike started.  And as the lazy days of August signaled the end of summer, my young and impressionable self got some messages.   First, the lifeguards up at the pool gave me my first real micro-macro economics lesson: the strike wasn't about the love of the game; it was about dinero.  And next, in the midst of being asked if I would be trying out for the Men's swim team at Latin, my Uncle Danny casually commented "the players and the owners... they don't care about you... look at them!"

And there it began "I hate baseball."  And you know how you get at that age; you can get stubborn at your age.  I decided football was the way to go, permanently.  And it made sense.  Everyone at Saint Catherine's Elementary School knew I was all about college football, so why not just stick with it through the 8th grade and beyond.  My Domer destiny permanently sealed itself inside of me as I started to reject America's favorite pasttime.  In retrospect, it's all really crazy and stupid.  But then, it made complete sense.

So I always digress. The whole point is that I think this year is the year to really get back into baseball again.  I'm not bitter anymore.  And there's really no fear in getting mislabeled a bandwagon jumper onto Red Sox Nation.  (Besides, I was always there... just ask Ann Powers about driving back from the Notre Dame-Navy game down at the Meadowlands, which was also Game 3 of the ALCS.  We were driving back to Boston from New Jersey in the hooptey.  It is downpouring along I-95.  And we were only getting the Yankees Sports Network.  The whole time I'm scream "WHAT THE FUCK!" "Turn this shit off!" "Goddamn Yankees Sports Network!"  And Ann goes: "Neal, calm down! You're going 15 miles an hour! Drive!")

I just thought I'd let everyone know.  It will make people like Andrea McClure, Party Animal, and Brendan Greally happy...

Yeah Steelers (and if the Super Bowl taught me anything, I now know how Hummers are "born")

/CHALLENGE TOKEN NULL/

Recruiting with a school twist: looks like Suffolk Law isn't the only place to have an oppressive curve

"I've told everyone in this class that this was going to be the class that started Notre Dame back to the top. That doesn't mean we don't have a chance to compete this year and next year. I'm talking about perennially being at the top.

It's easy for a team once in a while to have a good year. A lot of times they flounder afterwards. That's not what we're shooting for here. We want to be a top team every year. I think this team sets the foundation."
-- Charlie Weis, signing day, 2-1-06

(via Blue-Gray Sky)

I couldn't help but laughing when I was procrastinating on ESPN College Football.  Yeah, I know, it's February.  When I was taking a look at Tom Luginbill's top 25 recruiting classes, I noticed two things:  (1) Damn Charlie!  Talk about a return to glory for Notre Dame!; and (2) holy shit, #25's at a B-!

Now, I know, there's no curve for College Recruiting classes.  No one's trying to stick schools at somewhere between a 2.67 and a 3.0.  But the only other place I know where that happens is Suffolk University Law School -- work hard, get yourself a C!

Anyway, on the recruiting news, it's not like there was anything new.  The guys over at  Blue-Gray Sky have been keeping me informed the whole time (makes me think: maybe renewing ESPN insider wasn't worth it). 

* * *

Well, needless to say, I need to be on the phone again.  My computer returns, but now it won't turn on.  Ughh.

Texas ARE the National Champs

Well, Anna Maria, Josh, Chiu, and all of my other Texas types must be happy that the Longhorns won the National Championship.  I still can't believe it.... Well, yes I can.  For my own selfish reasons, I wanted USC to win just because, well, ND almost beat them, so we'd be on par (before Ohio State? maybe?) is Texas almost beat them too. 

It makes me wonder: what if the Matt/Reggie push didn't happen at the USC/Notre Dame Game?  What would life be like?  What if Charlie Weiss didn't feed the Irish tons of Dunkin Donuts doughnuts before the game?  Maybe you needed to be in New England to get that inside joke.

In any case, Cabin 37 has come up with our final top 25 college football rankings.  Note... this is caulked full of human error, Googling for the latest rankings and all of the bowl results on our cell phones, and just being stupid.  Some of it shows favoritism.  In other cases, hate.  So like Pat Forde (although he's looking way into 2006), here the boys go:

1. Texas
2. Penn State
3. Ohio State
4. USC
5. Virginia Tech
6. LSU
7. West Virginia
8. Georgia
9. Oregon
10. Notre Dame
11. Alabama
12. UCLA
13. Wisconsin
14. Florida
15. Auburn
16. TCU
17. Miami
18. Texas Tech
19. Boston College
20. Oklahoma
21. Nebraska
22. Louisville
23. Florida State
24. Clemson
25. Michigan

So I guess we'll find out.... soon.....

So there's stuff to do, but I'm tired

Boston College survived the MPC Computers Bowl.  Too bad for Boise State; but I guess the O'Brien's should be in good spirits, especially after Sunday Mass at Saint Mary's... if they're there.  And by then, one day plus some before Notre Dame goes Fiesta-ing on Ohio State...

And the YVC Reunion.  Such good times, and they're all documented at Suprette (Ann & Dabney's Blog).  I guess we are no longer kiddos anymore.  And by looking at my picture, I need to lay off on the Dunkin' Donuts Coffee (and donuts), continue getting some sleep, and start that running/lifting/swimming routine again. 

Because I need to fit into my suits again soon...

yummy

'Twas the night before (a ND) Christmas

coming here via Heather Enlow (the mofos/NDPerpetualKeggers' esteemed Georgetown Law 3L):

'Twas the night before Christmas, When all through South Bend
Not a creature was stirring, neither rooster nor hen

The banners were hung on the stadium with care,
In hopes that St. Charlie soon would be there

The alumni were nestled all snug in their beds,
With dreams of Leahy and Holtz in their heads;

While the students at the Grotto, down by the lake,
Were just giving thanks for a long winter break,

When out on those quads arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter,

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The Dome with a crest of new-fallen snow
Gave luster of mid-day to a campus below

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
A high-powered offense: the champions next year!

With a large and proud leader, so friendly and nice
I knew in a moment it must be Coach Weis

As fast as Four Horsemen, onward they came
He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now Hoyte, Now Samardzija, Walker, Fasano
On Stovall, On Shelton, Wooden, Anastascio!”

To the top of the rankings, to the top of them all
“Now throw a-way, run a-way, and dive for the ball!

We will move like the wind, our runners will fly
And just for balance, we’ll take to the sky!”

So up to the top of the rankings they flew
With a big book of plays, and Brady Quinn too

And then in a twinkling, to the sound of the cleats
The scoring and wins, I forgot past defeats

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney, Coach Weis came with a bound

He was dressed with his rings, and headset to boot
And his clothes were all drenched with Gatorade and soot

A number of victories he carried on his back
And he smiled as he turned and presented a sack --

of trophies -– how they twinkled! Like heaps of gold treasures
His cheeks were like roses, his wisdom past measure

Weis commanded the team on fourth downs to throw
Through hail and through fog, through sleet and through snow

His genius caused points in the forties and fifties,
To hearten alumni and keep our stats spiffy

Weis had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed, like BCS bowl-ful of jelly,

He was chubby and plump, and so sure of himself,
That I cheered when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know, that Ohio State would be dead

He boasted not a word, praise makes not his day
But all now know, for the title we’ll play

And laying a finger to the side of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the rankings we rose

At his departure I heard Trooper McCarthy say;
“If your sleigh flight looks fishy, you’ll be the catch of the day!”

Weis sprang to the roof, to his team gave cheer
And away to a victory in the Fiesta next year;

And I heard him call plays for winning the game
“Merry Christmas to all. And love thee Notre Dame!!!”

(Written by John Rosemeyer)

GO IRISH!!!!
BEAT BUCKEYES!!!

Some Johnny Damon Catch-Up

Some of my friends are pretty upset that Johnny's gone.  People in Boston seem depressed.  Me?  Well, I guess I really don't care.  I was, perhaps, more depressed when Theo waltzed away from the Red Sox.

To cut to the chase (the Community Center Christmas Party is DONE and now I'm going to go boozing at Charlestown's favority neighborhood bar, SULLY'S), I needed to hate on someone, and people seem to hate on Johnny Damon in this one post on Deadspin.  Johnny Damon, It's Shearing Time.

Hating on the Yankees for something other than baseball

Not that I would consider myself an absolutely die-hard Sox fan, but seeing the Yankees build an $800 million stadium to die for hurts a bit.  The thing is architecturally gorgeous.  Planners for Soldiers Field in Chicago should have taken note... BRA working with Fenway people, time to continue cleaning up Kenmore-Fens-Fenway.

In the end, nothing beats places like Fenway or Wrigley, even though at Fenway you need to take out a mortgage and sell 1/2 of your right nut (think of it as a security deposit) to sit in the upper bleachers.  But to my Yankee-fan friends, I give ya'll props.  Your new stadium with be f-ing beautiful... you will Greg, Scott, and all those other dirty Yankees lovers... 

Red Sox v. Cubs

Ok, I'm broke, and I should be working on my paper.  BUT, I see that on Bunker Hill Day Weekend, the Red Sox play the Cubs @ Wrigley!  [Thank you Siegfried Hall now Suffolk 1L Matt Leonard.] 

Is this a sign??? 

That I should fuck the Bunker Hill Day Parade and Road Race and fly out to Chicago in the middle of June to hang out in Lakeview/Wrigleyville w/some special mofos???  Hmmmmmmm....  This is extremely tempting...  After all, I DO love my Diamond Preferred Citibank Mastercard!

MARCH

Hear ye, Hear ye! It's march and it's snowing in Boston. But basketball madness is just about starting...