6/08) Words and Actions. When one becomes a parent, these two words are in constant conflict. Put another way, the lessons you teach are not always the deeds you practice. Last week, my daughter blurted out the word "shit". She probably heard someone say it that day, and it meant nothing to her. Nevertheless, I spent some time explaining to her that it was indeed a bad word and put her to bed a little while later. Not ten minutes after the baby went to sleep, the Yankees brought in Latroy Hawkins, and my living room sounded like the last half-hour of "Scarface". Words and Actions.
Fortunately, when your daughter is three years old, you rarely get called out on your hypocrisy. Rarely. The other day, Kathleen and I were watching a documentary on the Brooklyn Bridge, and I promised her I'd walk her across the bridge this weekend. Well, for two days, all I heard was "Brooklyn Bridge", "Brooklyn Bridge", until I finally swore that I would take her on Friday morning. Well, as anyone who was in New York yesterday can attest, I could not have picked a hotter, stickier, heavier day to trek five miles with my little girl. Add in the stroller, the backpack, the four bathroom breaks for Kathleen, and, of course, the firetruck-red sunburn for yours truly, and I think both of us learned something yesterday. My daughter learned that a promise made is a promise kept. And Daddy learned to watch the weather report before opening his big fucking yap.
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is today, and since there's just some things my daughter will have to learn for herself, we'll be staying inside. Tomorrow night at THE SPRING LOUNGE, I'll be icing up some classic Summer Ales, since the season is clearly here. Tuesday night I will be giving out free fatherly advice, which isn't very easy to take, as well as some brown liquor, which is. So meet me this week at THE SPRING LOUNGE. Did I mention our air conditioning?
Dermot
The Lineup: Brooklyn Summer Ale Blue Point Summer Ale Sierra Nevada Summerfest Avery White Rascal
2/08) On Thursday, February 14th, hearts all across the U.S. will begin to thaw and loved ones will come together on a day that is as beloved as any on the calendar. And, while the various media outlets and special interest groups have sought to cash in on this special day, nothing can tarnish the romance and good feeling associated with this uniquely American holiday.
Thursday, of course, is the day that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. And after a long, cold winter, baseball fans can once again resume their love affair with America's pastime. As a New York Giants' fan, I must say that this winter seemed shorter than most, as the boys in blue capped off an improbable run that saw them beat the mighty Patriots in last Sunday's Super Bowl. That being said, there is nothing quite like the sights and sounds of Spring Training. From the smell of the freshly cut grass in Lakeland, to the sound of baseballs popping in unison to a row of mitts in Clearwater. Or even the sight of the rookies running wind sprints in Tampa. The return of baseball is a return to spring. And that's enough to warm even the coldest of hearts.
There's another distinctly American holiday on February 14th. One that uses guilt and insecurity to get your money. But here at THE SPRING LOUNGE, we focus on the positive. That's why Monday night, we'll be talking baseball and drinking beers from the Smuttynose brewery in New Hamshire. See you there!
By the way. The Yankees are opening their new ballpark in the spring of 2009. And in honor of this occasion, they've decided to retire a few more numbers. They are... $4 $5 $6
See you Monday night!
Dermot
The Lineup: Smuttynose I.P.A. Smuttynose Robust Porter Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Smuttynose Portsmouth Lager
11/07) Earlier this week, after some questionable campaign decisions, former GOP frontrunner Rudolph Guiliani was forced to tighten his belt. After skipping all of the earlier primaries in favor of the larger, voter rich states like Florida, the former NYC mayor was faced with the very real possibility of his campaign going broke. The situation came to a head on Tuesday, when staffers at the Guiliani '08 team were asked to temporarily pass up their salaries. In effect, to work for free.
To many of us here in New York, this is nothing new. If you can remember, a similar request was made by Mayor Guiliani to the Fire Department, Police Department and the Teacher's Union, with varying degrees of success.
All kidding aside, these next ten months should prove to very interesting, particularly if Mike Bloomberg decides to run. If he does, America faces the very real possibilty of a New York Jew, a New York Italian, and a New York woman(by way of Illinois and Arkansas) squaring off for the top job in the U.S. This begs the question; Will anyone in the South even vote in the general election?
Since politics and bartending go together about as well Jameson's Irish Whiskey and a happy marriage, I've said all I'm going to say about the 2008 presidential race. However, one election result from Tuesday night truly represented the will of the people. Richard "Goose" Gossage, to many of us, was the very picture of what a closer should be. Big, strong, intimidating. When Gossage stared you down, you were already at a disadvantage. Couple that with a hard, rising fastball and a late breaking slider, and you had no fucking chance.
Monday night at THE SPRING LOUNGE, I will be honoring Hall of Famer Rich Gossage with, what else, some badass beers from the Goose Island Brewery. I was hoping to invite Ron Cey, and then fire a 100 mile an hour fastball into his face when he walked in the door. But it seems the Penguin was unavailable. So I guess we'll just go with the Goose Island. So meet me at THE SPRING LOUNGE tomorrow night.
Congratulations, Goose!
Dermot
The LineuGoose Island Honker's p: Ale Goose Island I.P.A. Goose Island Nut Brown Ale Goose Island Bourbon County Stout(13% abv)
Most Populous Cities of the World:
1.
Mumbai (Bombay), India
11,914,398
2.
São Paulo, Brazil
11,016,703
3.
Shanghai, China
10,996,500
4.
Moscow, Russia
10,101,500
5.
Seoul, South Korea
9,820,171
6.
Delhi, India
9,817,439
7.
Karachi, Pakistan
9,339,023
8.
Istanbul, Turkey
8,831,805
9.
Beijing, China
8,689,000
10.
Mexico City, Mexico
8,591,309
11.
Tokyo, Japan
8,483,050
12.
Jakarta, Indonesia
8,389,443
13.
Shenzhen, China
8,277,500
14.
New York City, U.S.
8,085,742
15.
Tehran, Iran
7,796,000
