Blubbering

Last Wednesday night, Mom and I went to a dinner honoring Dad. He was inducted into the Cleveland CYO hall of fame. It was a nice evening (though a bit long. It started at 6:00. We didn't get home until 10.) The recipients were all invited to say a few words after their induction. Mom wrote something and said that if she couldn't finish it I would have to. I said that was fine. I used to be terrified of speaking to large groups. Ad Fed cured me of that. Now I kind of enjoy it. Believe it or not I like an audience. Anyways. Terry Flanagan introduced Dad and said a ton of great things about him and I lost it. I struggled to hold back tears without much luck. Mom got up there and read her piece as though it was nothing while I held the plaque whimpering. I'm glad she kept it together because I sure didn't. I didn't really expect that rush of emotion. It was pride and sadness. I still miss him everyday. Many of the other inductees came over and shared stories about dad. I'm still amazed at how many lives he touched. I'm also continually amazed at how mom rises to every occasion.

The Eagle has Landed a hundred bucks

I won the "best effort" category at work. The prize was $100. That was the prize in every category. They gave best of show to two girls that dressed up as two women from the movie "best of show."

I don't really care but unoriginal Halloween costumes really steam my beans. It's not creative if it's someone else's creation. I don't think it's creative if you're dressing up as someone else's creation. Every year someone dresses up like a SNL actor or something. I don't think it's amusing or clever. Just like you're not funny (or funnier) if you can quote lines from Austin Powers or whatever the crappy comedy of the moment is.

Neighbor's yard - as awesome as ever

The neighbor's backyard is just as awesome as ever. Fortunately, they put up some Halloween decorations in the front so now the whole yard resembles a hellhole.

More eagle awesomeness

You can see my entry here.

And here are some additional shots:

Suitable for framing

Eagles are Awesome!

And so is my halloween costume. In case you can't figure it out, I'm a bald eagle

It's for this contest.

Been a while

I have been SUPER BUSY lately. Here's the haps:
1. The push is on to get Toledo done and sold. So we've been driving the turnpike alot - SIDE STORY: B-I-L Mike was nice enough to come up one weekend and he shared a great tip he learned at work for when you find yourself telling a story that you realize isn't really going anywhere. Simply add the phrase "and then I found $20." Try it. People forget all about the crappy story you were telling up top. Kristen uses it well in one of her posts.
2. I've been getting interviewed by a bunch of media folks. More on that at a later date.
3. We had our clambake. It was a good time.
4. Watching Indians games. Stupid Indians.
5. Been busy at work which is good.
6. Been busy with my AAF-Cleveland duties.

They Might Be Darkness

More phone cleaning goodness. This is They Might Be Giants playing in the dark at the Beachland Ballroom because they blew a fuse. They're playing Particle Man.

Minimum pricing

Cleaning out the photos on my phone. I saw this on vacation in the Poconos. I've never seen this selling technique. Got 99 cents? Don't bother coming in here.

Chloe's a pirate

But still weird.

Still looking good.

Neighbor's yard overgrown with awesomeness.

Life on the on-ramp

I saw this yesterday on my way home. Someone has pitched a tent in the grassy area right off 14th st and carnegie between the on-ramps to I-90 and I-77. I wonder what their story is.

Garage Sale of the Century

We put Jill to work promoting our garage sale. We also thought she died that day while sitting on some the merch - she's 15. Turns out she's just a VERY sound sleeper. We made some cash but more importantly cleaned out a good portion of the crap we've collected.

Bug off, Yankees!

I was at the game with the Rally Bugs vs. the Yankees. It was awesome.

I was decked out in my shirt reading "Wrong Hat, LeBron." My section went nuts whenever I walked up the steps. I must've high-fived at least 100 people and several took my photos. And word has it that LeBron showed up in Shanghai in a Tribe cap.

Jack-o-melon

Progress!

They drained the water. The pool's still there.

Ticketmaster should be illegal

I never really enjoyed Pearl Jam. I did however enjoy their stance on Ticketmaster. (Which is a pretty apt name, seeing as how we're all it's slaves.) But I guess they moved on to other causes. Here's the deal:

Tribe's going to the post-season. Yay!
We're trying to buy tickets to game two of the ALDS. Yay!
They (I presume MLB) jacked the prices up for the playoffs - which I can deal with. So the seats in the nosebleed section that cost $7 are now $30.
Then TM screws us for another $6 fee per ticket. (multiply that by the Jake's occupancy of approx. 43,000 and TM makes a quarter mil a game!!! For what? Simply b/c they can.

Then to get the tickets, there's no option for the good 'ol will-call window. You can have them UPSed, mailed or print your own - and each one of those has a fee. The cheapest being print your own at $2. Two freaking dollars to use my ink and paper?! WTF?

Then on top of that there's a handling and convenience fee of $3.35 FOR TICKETS THAT DON'T PHYSICALLY EXIST UNTIL WE PRINT THEM?! It's all computerized no one is even handling and it sure as hell isn't convenient for me. What are they doing with the $6 per ticket fee?

So our 8 tickets to Game 2 of the Division Series cost us $293.35.

Go Tribe.

Go to hell, Ticketmaster.

Support your local venues. Like the Beachland.

Hot, Juicy Burgers!

Greg Bob loves Wendy's.

Go Tribe

The Indians could clinch a playoff spot today with a win and a Tigers loss. I went to the game last Saturday w/ Mariella, Kev, Jill, Vince, Carli and the two honeymooning Italians Patrizio and Marilena. It was Travis Hafner Bobblehead night - saweet. (I've collected quite a few bobbleheads without even trying.)

Also, I've started a new site and movement with Asdrubal's Amigos - in honor of the Tribe's stellar rookie sensation second baseman.

Chloe is

still weird.