LIFE CAN NOW CONTINUE

Hi folks:
It's been over a week since my last post. Last week started out great with varied fun activities and a win in my Fantasy football league against my #1 rival. Then the week ended on a low note as my beloved baseball team's bats went to sleep when most needed in Game 7 of the NLCS. So, life can now continue.

THE WEEK BEGAN REALLY WELL...
Last Thursday, the 12th, my week began very well. Game One of the NLCS was supposed to have begun Wednesday night the 11th, but heavy rains in the NYC area forced MLB to postpone the game till Friday. My good friend Fred was able to procure a few tickets to Game Two, which now became Game One because of the rainout. Well, I don't have to tell you that Shea Stadium was ELECTRIC and jumping. We were thrilled by Carlos Beltran's 2-run homer that eventually won the game, and were really happy that Tom Glavine pitched so well and we got to see a win. While drinking a couple of beers in the parking lot after the game, waiting for traffic to die down, we met a guy from Brooklyn who was walking through the parking lot. He asked us for a beer and tried to pay us $1 for it. It was worth at least $2, but we didn't take his money. Actually, Fred DID take it, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, the guy was really impressed that we drove down from Albany for the game, and were driving right back. Called us "Die-Hards", and said "God Bless you guys." It was at that point that I started to dislike him. No, actually, he seemed pretty friendly. He went on his merry way and we got on the road.

THE NEXT DAY (THE 13TH)
Friday the 13th brought my son Connor's 13 birthday. How quickly time flies. We bought Connor a new bowling ball, a Nintendo Gameboy DS, and a Virgin Mobile cell phone, as gifts. For his "party", we took him, Jackson, and a few friends to an arcade and let them have fun with video games for an hour or so, then went to a local restaurant, (the Orchard), for pizza and the like. One of Con's friends is a Rainman-like nerd who has some strange little quirks. After we had finished our mozzarella sticks appetizer, and while we were waiting for the rest of our food, this kid decided he was really hungry and instead of using one of the plates on the table, started sprinkling Parmesan cheese on a napkin and licking it off. I was, like, "Dude, what the hell are you doing?" He says, "I'm really hungry." "Well, you could at least pour it on a plate. You look like a retard liking cheese off of a napkin. Do you do this kind of stuff when your parents are around?" He says, "Sometimes." "Well, stop. Mr. Tollerton doesn't like to be embarassed in public, okay? At least use a spoon, Rainman, alright?" Anyway, it was a nerd-fest to be sure. One of the nerds was on a sugar buzz and had to be scraped off of the wall. One of the kids was my sons' friend, The Holy Roman Emperor of Nerdland, and he was dorking it up like the world-class dork that he is. Then we stuffed them with cake and ice cream and sent them home.

METS AND CARDINALS
Just some other observations about the NLCS. First, can anyone tell me how Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan quieted the Mets bats? I mean, come on. Jeff Weaver? Jeff Freakin' Weaver? He was shit-canned from the Angels to make room for his little brother, after mediocre tenures with the Dodgers, Mets, Tigers, and Yankees. He couldn't give you two good starts in a row with the good steroids. Now, the guy becomes a baffler? And Jeff Suppan, who is better than Weaver, but eminently hittable, gives up 2 hits over 8 innings in Game 7? It was bad luck Aaron Heilman gave up the 2-run homer in the top of the 9th to lose Game 7, but the Mets should have had that game in hand much earlier. Especially...

...after one of the greatest defensive plays ever seen in Playoff history. Endy Chavez, the Mets left-fielder, robbed Scott Rolen of a 2-run homer by going over the wall to snag the ball in the end of his glove's webbing and then threw the ball back in to complete a double play and get the Mets out of the 6th inning. It would probably go down in Playoff history as one of, if not the greatest catch ever in the clutch......had the Mets won the game. In the bottom half of the inning, Chavez came up with men on base and 2 outs. So often, we have seen a guy make a great defensive play in the field, then come in and get a big hit to propel his team onward to a win. But Endy popped out to end the inning and I knew in my bones that they would probably lose because they didn't cash in on the momentum they got with Chavez's catch.

When Carlos Beltran struck out looking, and the Cardinals were the NL champs, I realized that I had no interest in this year's World Sries, and can only hope that Mets GM, Omar Minaya, can land a power hitting outfielder and sign, or bring up some young pitching talent for 2007. Too many old guys eventually break down over a long season. It was a real shame that Pedro Martinez and El Duque were not available for the playoffs. If they were able to pitch and were in good health, I believe the Mets walk into the Series and give the Tigers a real tough time. I think the Tigers will win in 5 games. I also think that maybe it's time for the Mets to say thank you and good bye to Pedro, Cliff Floyd, and El Duque. Older, injury-prone athletes don't end up winning championships, normally (though don't tell that to Willis Reed and Kirk Gibson).

ASSASSINS CRUSH HORSELESS HEADMEN
Just a quick note. The Assassins of Shadowland kicked the crap out of arch-rival, the Horseless Headmen, 106-53 in the BBSFFL (my fantasy football league). The Headmen are owned by by my good friend, Chuck, the Edge O.D. There was initially a $50 bet on this game which turned in to a wager of a round of golf and lunch. 3 words for Mr. Luce...Pay the man!! The Dark Tide Rolls, baby. Chant for me, Helsinki..."ASSASSINS!! ASSASSINS!! ASSASSINS!!"

THE BATHROOM PROJECT IN IT'S FINAL STAGES
I began painting the bathroom last night. We're going with white walls and purple trim. I've got to do 2 coats of Primer/Sealer before the actual paint goes on because it's new drywall and paint gets absorbed like a sponge. I'm thinking of using a little artistic flair later and painting some kind of design on the walls (stripes, or something like that just to give it some uniqueness). Mrs T. isn't so sure. We'll see. I'd like to do something to put my signature on it. Something that says..."The Asshole DIDN"T build this!!"

It'll just be nice to be able to pee upstairs from now on. Jeeez, this thing has taken a long time to complete. As long as the wife is happy, you know what I mean? Cause if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

And you know that LEN IS RIGHT.

Thanks for stopping by.
I am,
Len Tollerton