If you're a Cubs fan or not.
http://hirejimessian.com/2008/12/19/yellon-strikes-back/
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Bud Diesel to the Rescue
Sitting in the business class lounge in Tokyo's Narita Airport makes me appreciate what America can offer. Sake's fun, but nothing beats the Diesel after five days of weak drinkers and raw fish.
I admit to particularly enjoying the envious looks I get from other Americans in the lounge. Cowards.
I admit to particularly enjoying the envious looks I get from other Americans in the lounge. Cowards.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chuck E Cheese, Den of Iniquity...
Lewis, apparently, you shouldn't have any more birthday parties at Chuck E Cheese!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Santa Exposed
Now we know how Santa gets all the toys delivered. Now, I don't expect for you SPA types (not to mention SOC, or, god forbid, SIS) to understand the math behind Santa, but I think we can all appreciate the truth from someone on the inside.
Monday, December 01, 2008
A World Without...
Several years ago, while working at a certain firm, I walked into the office on December 1 -- my birthday. I was feeling good. It was a Friday, and I was looking forward to getting through the workday and commencing long-planned birthday celebrations.
This firm had been founded by a man from Manhattan who liked for his firm to reflect his "Manhattan sensibility" -- including the furnishing of the office with art from a local gallery, and hosting gallery shows one Friday a month.
Not long after I arrived at work, I noticed a strange woman placing black, cloth shrouds over every picture and sculpture in the office.
I was immediately angered -- this was my place of employment, where I frequently spent long stretches -- often 12 hour days or longer -- and not only were the artworks I enjoyed looking at (they took some of the sting off of staring at computer monitors all day, and some of them were quite beautiful) being covered over, but there were so many works of art, and therefore so many shrouds, that the office was beginning to look like a funeral parlor.
On my birthday.
Eventually, I tracked down our VP for HR, who told me that the unknown woman was a gallery rep. She was covering the artworks "in honor of" World AIDS Day, and its corollary, "A Day Without Art". It turned out that A Day Without Art is an initiative associated with World AIDS Day in which "...the creative community observes A Day With(out) Art, in memory of all those the AIDS pandemic has taken from us, and in recognition of the many artists, actors, writers, dancers and others who continue to create and live with HIV and AIDS."
She saw nothing wrong with our office being converted into a virtual funeral parlor, used to make politically infused statements about the state of the anti-AIDS movement. I did, as did several of my colleagues, and we let her and other firm leadership know about it.
Ever since then, I have hated World AIDS Day. I hate that my birthday has been converted from a happy day, just after Thanksgiving, and looking forward to Christmas, to a sad day. It now obsesses with a fatal, incurable disease. I hate that A Day Without Art essentially assumes that all artists are gay, and that a world with AIDS means a world depopulated of gay men, and therefore a world depopulated of artists, and therefore we should cover all art because if we don't cure AIDS, we'll never have art. Bullshit.
I hate that you can't turn on the news on my birthday without seeing coverage of World AIDS Day.
I also hate the proliferation of "awareness" days/weeks. There are so many now, for so many random and insignificant purposes, as to render them all pointless -- we have Salt Awareness Week, Food Allergy and Intolerance Week, National Potato Day, National Impotence Day, International Noise Awareness Day, National Stop Snoring Week, National Eczema Week, and on and on and on. They don't raise awareness except for those members of CNN and MSNBC who have to write and read copy covering the latest "Some Cause Awareness Day/Week".
If I were a freshman member of the incoming Congress, my first act would be to introduce a bill cancelling all previously established Awareness Days/Weeks and placing a 10-year moratorium on the creation of any new ones.
Except for Brian Chapin's Birthday Awareness Day.
This firm had been founded by a man from Manhattan who liked for his firm to reflect his "Manhattan sensibility" -- including the furnishing of the office with art from a local gallery, and hosting gallery shows one Friday a month.
Not long after I arrived at work, I noticed a strange woman placing black, cloth shrouds over every picture and sculpture in the office.
I was immediately angered -- this was my place of employment, where I frequently spent long stretches -- often 12 hour days or longer -- and not only were the artworks I enjoyed looking at (they took some of the sting off of staring at computer monitors all day, and some of them were quite beautiful) being covered over, but there were so many works of art, and therefore so many shrouds, that the office was beginning to look like a funeral parlor.
On my birthday.
Eventually, I tracked down our VP for HR, who told me that the unknown woman was a gallery rep. She was covering the artworks "in honor of" World AIDS Day, and its corollary, "A Day Without Art". It turned out that A Day Without Art is an initiative associated with World AIDS Day in which "...the creative community observes A Day With(out) Art, in memory of all those the AIDS pandemic has taken from us, and in recognition of the many artists, actors, writers, dancers and others who continue to create and live with HIV and AIDS."
She saw nothing wrong with our office being converted into a virtual funeral parlor, used to make politically infused statements about the state of the anti-AIDS movement. I did, as did several of my colleagues, and we let her and other firm leadership know about it.
Ever since then, I have hated World AIDS Day. I hate that my birthday has been converted from a happy day, just after Thanksgiving, and looking forward to Christmas, to a sad day. It now obsesses with a fatal, incurable disease. I hate that A Day Without Art essentially assumes that all artists are gay, and that a world with AIDS means a world depopulated of gay men, and therefore a world depopulated of artists, and therefore we should cover all art because if we don't cure AIDS, we'll never have art. Bullshit.
I hate that you can't turn on the news on my birthday without seeing coverage of World AIDS Day.
I also hate the proliferation of "awareness" days/weeks. There are so many now, for so many random and insignificant purposes, as to render them all pointless -- we have Salt Awareness Week, Food Allergy and Intolerance Week, National Potato Day, National Impotence Day, International Noise Awareness Day, National Stop Snoring Week, National Eczema Week, and on and on and on. They don't raise awareness except for those members of CNN and MSNBC who have to write and read copy covering the latest "Some Cause Awareness Day/Week".
If I were a freshman member of the incoming Congress, my first act would be to introduce a bill cancelling all previously established Awareness Days/Weeks and placing a 10-year moratorium on the creation of any new ones.
Except for Brian Chapin's Birthday Awareness Day.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving...
...to all the denizens (and occasional readers) of ye olde Malt Shoppe.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Damn....
From this column by Kathleen Parker:
"Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can't have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting."
"Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can't have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
What's Going On Here?
What, I drop off the 'Net for a little while, and this place goes dark? What is it, all of you McCainiacs and Palinites too depressed to post on ye olde Malt Shop Logic?
Anybody check out a certain company's stock price lately? How about it was $0.04per share earlier today, and now NYSE has initiated delisting processes and will suspend trading of its shares prior to the opening bell on Monday. Maybe it can get a piece of that $700B bailout....I'll be calling in my $75 marker with the Obama campaign.
Yeah, baby!
Anybody check out a certain company's stock price lately? How about it was $0.04per share earlier today, and now NYSE has initiated delisting processes and will suspend trading of its shares prior to the opening bell on Monday. Maybe it can get a piece of that $700B bailout....I'll be calling in my $75 marker with the Obama campaign.
Yeah, baby!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Return of the Office Linebacker....
I'm Terry Tate, and I approve this message.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Move On already
As anyone who's seen the boxes I use for my Magic cards knows, I like to collect stickers. And whenever I see Moveon.org adds online, I figure it's the least I can do to have them pay a nickel or whatever for my click. So a month or so ago, I signed up for them to send me an Obama sticker (which I still haven't received, BTW). I also get silly emails from them, hyperventilating that racism will defeat The One, and so forth.
Today's was like a dream come true. If only my vote could really do this:
Today's was like a dream come true. If only my vote could really do this:
Monday, October 20, 2008
Maggie's
I mentioned this in my facebook status, but if you didn't know what I was talking about there's a group on facebook called Maggie's New York Style Pizerria Tenley Circle. It appears to have been founded by people who used to work there.
My favorite part is their discussion topics, the best of which, by far, is called "youngest child I ever served alcohol". Here is the only post so far:
Topic: Youngest child I ever served alcohol.
Displaying the only post.
Post #1
B. Wade Coleman (Washington, DC) wroteon October 17, 2008 at 8:29pm
I once served a couple of kids that had skipped out on there 2nd day of kindergarten. At first I said "not a chance," but it was a Monday day shift in August. I hooked them up and the slid me a 20 spot on there way out to catch their bus.
That's hilarious. But what's really hilarious is how rooted in truth it is. Though I don't recall ever having to overtip to get served. I guess that's just reserved for kindergartners.
My favorite part is their discussion topics, the best of which, by far, is called "youngest child I ever served alcohol". Here is the only post so far:
Topic: Youngest child I ever served alcohol.
Displaying the only post.
Post #1
B. Wade Coleman (Washington, DC) wroteon October 17, 2008 at 8:29pm
I once served a couple of kids that had skipped out on there 2nd day of kindergarten. At first I said "not a chance," but it was a Monday day shift in August. I hooked them up and the slid me a 20 spot on there way out to catch their bus.
That's hilarious. But what's really hilarious is how rooted in truth it is. Though I don't recall ever having to overtip to get served. I guess that's just reserved for kindergartners.
Can't win if you don't hit...
Damn.
We Red Sox fans got so used to watching the Sox win in dramatic fashion, you figured it would happen again. Down 3-1 in the ALCS, the Sox came back to tie it 3-3. Then, tonight, Jon Lester held the Tampa Bay Rays to 3 runs, no mean feat considering that coming into Game 7, the Tampa Bay Rays had scored 40 runs in 6 games, an average of nearly 7 runs per game. You had to think that if Lester and the bullpen held the Rays to as little as 3 runs tonight, the Red Sox were nearly guaranteed a victory and berth in the 2008 World Series.
The game started promisingly enough, as Dustin Pedroia hit a pitch into the left field bleachers in the first inning to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. As a fan, I thought, "Here we go, this is it!" Instead, the Red Sox bats fell silent after Pedroia's home run. The Red Sox didn't score another run. Jon Lester pitched an outstanding ballgame, but it wasn't enough.
Still, I can't complain. The Red Sox have now been to the ALCS 4 times in 6 years, and have won 2 World Series titles. It's a good time to be a Red Sox fan.
We Red Sox fans got so used to watching the Sox win in dramatic fashion, you figured it would happen again. Down 3-1 in the ALCS, the Sox came back to tie it 3-3. Then, tonight, Jon Lester held the Tampa Bay Rays to 3 runs, no mean feat considering that coming into Game 7, the Tampa Bay Rays had scored 40 runs in 6 games, an average of nearly 7 runs per game. You had to think that if Lester and the bullpen held the Rays to as little as 3 runs tonight, the Red Sox were nearly guaranteed a victory and berth in the 2008 World Series.
The game started promisingly enough, as Dustin Pedroia hit a pitch into the left field bleachers in the first inning to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. As a fan, I thought, "Here we go, this is it!" Instead, the Red Sox bats fell silent after Pedroia's home run. The Red Sox didn't score another run. Jon Lester pitched an outstanding ballgame, but it wasn't enough.
Still, I can't complain. The Red Sox have now been to the ALCS 4 times in 6 years, and have won 2 World Series titles. It's a good time to be a Red Sox fan.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
One game for all the marbles...
The Red Sox have come back from the dead. After being down 3-1, the Red Sox have now tied the ALCS, 3-3. More importantly, they've stolen momentum. Now, the AL pennant and a trip to the World Series for the third time in five years rest in the hands of Jon Lester, who gave up 0 earned runs on 10 hits in 14 innings in his first two postseason starts during the ALDS against the Angels, but then got blown up for 5 runs on 8 hits in only 5 and 2/3 innings against the Rays earlier in the ALCS.
I am damn near giddy from the last 48 hours -- and in fact, about midnight on Thurday/Friday, I was giddily jumping up and down in my living room as the Red Sox scored 8 runs in 3 innings to take Game 5, 8-7.
If past is prologue, tomorrow promises to be a bad day for Tamp Bay fans. In 2004, the Red Sox came back from an 0-3 series hole, tied the series, then whipped the Yankees on the road at Yankee Stadium, 10-3. Last year, after trailing 3-1 in the series, the Red Sox tied it, then destroyed the Indians at Fenway, 11-2, in Game 7. So in the last two ALCS Game 7's, the Red Sox have beaten their opponents at home and on the road, and have outscored their opponents, 21-5.
Now, I'm not predicting that kind of blowout. My prediction for tomorrow is , 7-5, Red Sox over the Rays.
GO SOX!
I am damn near giddy from the last 48 hours -- and in fact, about midnight on Thurday/Friday, I was giddily jumping up and down in my living room as the Red Sox scored 8 runs in 3 innings to take Game 5, 8-7.
If past is prologue, tomorrow promises to be a bad day for Tamp Bay fans. In 2004, the Red Sox came back from an 0-3 series hole, tied the series, then whipped the Yankees on the road at Yankee Stadium, 10-3. Last year, after trailing 3-1 in the series, the Red Sox tied it, then destroyed the Indians at Fenway, 11-2, in Game 7. So in the last two ALCS Game 7's, the Red Sox have beaten their opponents at home and on the road, and have outscored their opponents, 21-5.
Now, I'm not predicting that kind of blowout. My prediction for tomorrow is , 7-5, Red Sox over the Rays.
GO SOX!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Victory dance victory dance victory dance...
victory dance victory dance victory dance victory dance
JIG ON OLD BROOKFIELD ROAD. YEEEEE-HAAWWWW!
JIG ON OLD BROOKFIELD ROAD. YEEEEE-HAAWWWW!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Five Guys
Little things in life count. When I was living in DC, a little annoyance was that you couldn't get a decent hot dog there. Now that I'm in the Chicago area, it's not a problem - order the char dog.
Of course, now that I'm out here, I have been denied a Five Guys cheeseburger since aught-six. Fortunately, our long national nightmare is at an end. Five Guys is coming to Chicago.
Though the quality of the place certainly must be diminished from when it was just a few stores in DC to now more than 330 places, I will be there as soon as they open.
Of course, now that I'm out here, I have been denied a Five Guys cheeseburger since aught-six. Fortunately, our long national nightmare is at an end. Five Guys is coming to Chicago.
Though the quality of the place certainly must be diminished from when it was just a few stores in DC to now more than 330 places, I will be there as soon as they open.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
We have a home.......
After Cherie's promotion (and associated transfer back to DC), the major milestones became:
1. Find a job (for me)
2. Find a home
3. Find daycare
As posted previously, I was able to find a job within my company very quickly. Tonight, we achieved milestone #2 -- we have a house!
We are the newest renters of a beautiful, 3-level townhome in Alexandria, VA. It's in a hidden gem of a development called Loftridge about a mile south of the Beltway, about evenly split east-west between 395 on the west and Route 1 on the east. It's 2 miles from Old Town, it's on a piece of property surrounded by forest and parkland, within easy walk/drive of a brand new baseball field complex, and it has great history -- including the property being the former residence of a Virginia governor and Lee family member, Fitzhugh Lee.
It has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half-baths, finished basement with fireplace (aka the future guest bedroom/den), living room with french doors out onto a beautiful deck, hardwood floors throughout, nearly new appliances in the kitchen, and a small, fenced yard that leads out to a huge common area -- a groomed field where the kids and dog can run around.
It is just about perfect -- out of the 16 or so houses we visited in a whirlwind 2.5-day househunting trip we took last week, it was #1 on our list. And, we got it. We'll probably make the physical move around the last week of October. Lewises, stand by for your first weekend cookout invite!
Hot damn. Now it's on to daycare -- and we're making progress there, too.
1. Find a job (for me)
2. Find a home
3. Find daycare
As posted previously, I was able to find a job within my company very quickly. Tonight, we achieved milestone #2 -- we have a house!
We are the newest renters of a beautiful, 3-level townhome in Alexandria, VA. It's in a hidden gem of a development called Loftridge about a mile south of the Beltway, about evenly split east-west between 395 on the west and Route 1 on the east. It's 2 miles from Old Town, it's on a piece of property surrounded by forest and parkland, within easy walk/drive of a brand new baseball field complex, and it has great history -- including the property being the former residence of a Virginia governor and Lee family member, Fitzhugh Lee.
It has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half-baths, finished basement with fireplace (aka the future guest bedroom/den), living room with french doors out onto a beautiful deck, hardwood floors throughout, nearly new appliances in the kitchen, and a small, fenced yard that leads out to a huge common area -- a groomed field where the kids and dog can run around.
It is just about perfect -- out of the 16 or so houses we visited in a whirlwind 2.5-day househunting trip we took last week, it was #1 on our list. And, we got it. We'll probably make the physical move around the last week of October. Lewises, stand by for your first weekend cookout invite!
Hot damn. Now it's on to daycare -- and we're making progress there, too.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Beer Goggles 2.0
Google has implemented a feature that helps you prevent sending those drunk emails. I've often joked that BlackBerry's should have a breathalyzer feature. We're just one step closer now.
Monday, October 06, 2008
YES YES YES YES!
Oh the drama. Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, man on 2nd, Jed Lowrie eaks out a single just beyond the outstretched glove of the 2nd baseman, Jason Bay sprints home from 2nd, and RED SOX WIN! RED SOX WIN! RED SOX WIN!
So long, Angels. We own you.
It's on to Tampa Bay and to the battle for the American League Pennant!
So long, Angels. We own you.
It's on to Tampa Bay and to the battle for the American League Pennant!
Dear Terry Francona...
Your team is up 2-0 in the top of the 8th.
Your starting pitcher has shut out the Angels through 7, is humming along, is just over 100 pitches, has a strong, 24-year old arm...and then you yank him. Huh?
Then, you're on defense, your opponent has 1 man on and 2 out, and you feel the need to make another pitching change -- though your current relief pitcher only walked 1 after getting 2 outs, and has been solid all season after performing like a hero in last year's playoffs.
You have a bullpen filled with veterans with outstanding postseason performance records
So, what do you not do? You do NOT -- DO NOT! -- put in an inconsistent and sometimes wild rookie to get the final out in a pressure-packed 8th inning of a crucial playoff game.
That is BAD MANAGEMENT.
How do I know?
Because that rookie just walked a batter, threw a wild pitch (after getting the pitch signal wrong), then gave up a 2-run single. Now it's 2-2. Way to go...ASS.
Gaahh!
Your starting pitcher has shut out the Angels through 7, is humming along, is just over 100 pitches, has a strong, 24-year old arm...and then you yank him. Huh?
Then, you're on defense, your opponent has 1 man on and 2 out, and you feel the need to make another pitching change -- though your current relief pitcher only walked 1 after getting 2 outs, and has been solid all season after performing like a hero in last year's playoffs.
You have a bullpen filled with veterans with outstanding postseason performance records
So, what do you not do? You do NOT -- DO NOT! -- put in an inconsistent and sometimes wild rookie to get the final out in a pressure-packed 8th inning of a crucial playoff game.
That is BAD MANAGEMENT.
How do I know?
Because that rookie just walked a batter, threw a wild pitch (after getting the pitch signal wrong), then gave up a 2-run single. Now it's 2-2. Way to go...ASS.
Gaahh!
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