March 31, 2008 - 11:58 AM | Comment
For every phase in life, it seems people become focused on some kind of beverage.
When you're in your younger kindergarten days, you're sipping apple or orange juice during snack time. As you move up to middle and high school, Gatorade or vitamin water become necessities in refueling after a tough sports game.
College brings about the introduction of kegs, hard liquor and the names of too many mixed drinks to remember.
Now that I've moved on to my next life stage, I've decided that I want wine to become my drink of choice. It's sophisticated, it's classy and after wandering around in Premier Gourmet long enough, I've discovered that there are so many vineyards and choices that I'm bound to find something I can enjoy.
The problem is, I'm having trouble getting past the taste. I've narrowed down my options a bit; I know I definitely like red wine over white, and I find myself enjoying Merlot over Cabernet.
When it comes right down to it though, the only wine I've fallen in love with is my boyfriend's grandpa's homemade wine. For years now, he's been making gallons of his own red and white wine so that he can later give them out to family and friends as a treat. With an almost grape-juicy flavor, the wine is so sweet and not dry at all - my perfect combination- and I can easily drink it with dinner or just have a glass by itself.
I'm going to further investigate the wine-making process in the coming weeks, but until then, any suggestions on how to go about choosing a type on the shelf?
-- Molly Hirschbeck
Two quick things while I come up with a mind-shatteringly good post on saving money:
1) You know how I said yesterday that Jonathon Roy brawling like a Don Cherry tirade personified was just like his father? Well, according to Heathens Online's Top 12 goalie fights, I was so right. The Butterfly King himself takes spots 4 and 1. Jerk.
2) The profane minds over at Kissing Suzy Kolber are holding an NFL mascot tournament, and the Bills' own Buffalo Bill is in the second round, pitted against Tennessee's Titan. I think anyone who has scars from this ought to get over there and vote. Now. (Naughty language alert.)
So, seriously, I promise I'll have some sort of topical post that has nothing to do with sports or profanity tomorrow. And if you hate Buffalo because of me, relax. I'm from Rochester. That place breeds smug jerks.
UPDATE: Criminey, Eliot Spitzer had ANOTHER prostitute?! I mean, I'm not shocked, but man, he likes 'em pneumatic, right?
-Evan Parker Pierce
I know I've been slacking here lately, but I'm still busy so I'm going to share with you guys some links:
1) I was going to act like last night's game didn't happen, but there's some fun hockey stuff on the Internet today, such as Brian Campbell's (R.I.P.) hit on RJ Umberger from a few years ago in the finals for the Greatest Hockey Hits of All-Time.
1a) Molly might not have liked this, but I did: Here's the video again of Patrick Roy's kid brawling like Rob Ray on speed. Sure, it's inappropriate that his father encourages this stuff, but if you know the Roy family history, it's not at all surprising. I'm sure he'll never make the NHL.
2) I don't think she's a new kid on the block, but there's a Buffalo blogger that I've developed a mild Internet crush on. The So-Called H writes Hitler Loves You But I Never Will, which is the funniest Buffalo blog I've read in a while - more light-hearted than the Beast Blog, but biting nonetheless. And she still loves Ryan Miller. (If you work in a convent or something, there's some salty language in there. Just warning you.)
3) Yeah, more hockey: There's going to be a movie on Canadian television all about Don Cherry. It will either be intentionally awesome or unintentionally hilarious, I can't decide.
4) AllThingsJennifer made me happy with this colorful confectionary-sweet set of pictures.
5) Have you ever Rick-Rolled someone? God I hope not. Anyway, the origin of the lamest web meme chimes in on the spoof of his infamous song in the LA Times.
6) If I haven't mentioned it before, I am obsessed with the BBC series "Planet Earth." I have the DVDs and I throw them on whenever possible. Well, the BBC might have another HD hit on their hands with this.
7) It's like Starbucks for drunk people - ETS opened its new location, and I'm pretty sure it's the nicest place to get a chicken finger sub anywhere. (Extra hot, bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, hot peppers. If you add provolone, God help your heart.)
8) I sit at a computer all day at my job, which means I should probably have a ton of posts for you to read. But as a Web copywriter, my other projects bump Twentysomething a lot, and moments of inspiration are lost. If you have links you'd like to share, or ideas of stuff I should write about, e-mail me at epptwentysomething (at) gmail (dot) com. Or leave notes in the comments. Or facebook friend me. I'm the only pretentiously-named Evan Parker Pierce out there.
-Evan Parker Pierce
Finally, the Eliot Spitzer/Emperor's Club hype is starting to calm down. Everyone had their fun with it, but enough is enough.
But, just when I thought New York State was getting back on track, I have to constantly hear about Gov. David Paterson's personal life.
He and his wife had affairs with other people; he used drugs in college, blah, blah, blah.
It's not as if I voted "Paterson for Governor," really, I didn't have much of a choice. Spitzer screwed up and Paterson was next in line, end of story.
I think he needs to stop thinking about himself, and start thinking about the State of New York. Marriages have problems; kids in college will act like kids in college, but, deal with it already.
Paterson was sworn in a little over a week ago, but I have yet to view him as a governor. I feel like he is interviewing for Star magazine and US Weekly. We need a leader, not a celebrity. In all honestly, I could care less about what happened in his life, whether it was 20 years ago, or 20 days ago.
Paterson needs to stop dwelling on the past, and start looking toward the future. This state can't afford to deal with another arrogant, self-centered, politician.
- Kelly Boquard
Famed hockey goaltender Patrick Roy recently made headlines after his 18-year-old son Jonathan instigated
two separate and brutal brawls during the playoffs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The catch? Though he denies it, the elder Roy is now facing speculation that he not only supported his son's fights, but encouraged them.
Where do you draw the line with parental involvement in youth sports? It's a topic I hold close to heart since I wrote my senior thesis on the subject this past year, and despite extensive research and numerous interviews with local coaches, refs and parents, I still don't know the answer.
While most parents will argue that they truly have their child's best interests at heart when they sign Little Johnny or Suzie up for little league, I've seen too many reported incidents of overzealous parents becoming over-involved at youth games to the point where they become a violent embarrassment.
I'll admit: I am a little biased when it comes to the issue; my dad has been coaching kids for the better part of 30 years, and has always emphasized the idea that having fun and developing fundamental skills takes front seat over tallying up the scoreboard. I happily realize there are some truly wonderful parents who provide nothing but encouragement, support and best wishes for their young athletes.
The problem is, it seems a lot of kids these days aren't being allowed to play sports without constantly hearing a parent whisper "advice" into their ear, or worse, yell at an opposing parent or unsuspecting referee.
As a twentysomething who used to be a competitive swimmer in my pre-teen years, I look back on my early sports days without remembering pushy parents, overly-strict coaches and competitive teammates. I would be mortified if my mom or dad ever got into a yelling match with another parent, or if they tossed out nasty remarks to a competitor.
All I remember is swimming IM after IM, practicing flip-turn after flip-turn, ultimately shriveling into a raisin after hours in the pool. At the end of the day, I reeked of chlorine because I - not my parents, or my friends, or my coaches - but because I loved it.
I wonder how many kids these days are participating in a sport because they really love it, or because they're afraid of how others will react if they don't love it enough?
Have you ever experienced violence at a youth game, as a player or as a parent?
- Molly Hirschbeck
March 20, 2008 - 11:53 AM | Comment
Today has got to be the greatest day in sports. Why? MARCH FREAKIN' MADNESS, BABY!
My favorite sport is baseball, I bleed Bills Blue & Red and Sabres Blue & Gold, but there is no sporting event that gets me excited like the NCAA tournament. I mean, watch this video and TELL me you didn't get goosebumps at least 11 times.
Add to that yesterday's ludicrous (I mean LUDACRIS) comeback by the Sabres, and you'll understand why I am currently sitting at my desk, twitching with excitement.
So I'm going to be following the tournament all day, via the Internet, and after work beelining it for the nearest bar (I'm in Amherst...any suggestions? COME DRINK WITH ME!) to catch up on the action.
On a no-money wagering sidenote, I've got Pitt going to my Elite Eight and Kansas winning it all - I seem to do this every year, as I always place those teams further than they deserve (Though Kansas, this year, is TRUTH). There are two reasons for this: 1) I used to live in Pittsburgh and 2) William S. Burroughs retired to Lawrence, KS.
As for the Sabres' win last night - they're like that old crazy girlfriend: They were crazy and unreliable, but it was those inspired moments of insanity that made you love them...and make it easy to go back. I'm a sucker.
Sabres' Rock.
March 19, 2008 - 11:38 AM | Comment
I have recently been scanning over the 2008 calendar trying to pick out my vacation weeks and personal days that I need to take off from work.
Well, forget personal time. My boyfriend and I have been trying to juggle around all the weekends we need off, not for ourselves, but for all the weddings we have to go to.
I love a good wedding, but it seems crazy to me that some of my friends are ready for the next step.
I am all for getting married and having a family, but not for a good five years or so. It has nothing to do with finding the right person, or "Mr. Right." That's a whole other ballgame.
To me marriage isn't just about love. It's about being ready mentally and financially as well. Sharing a life with someone isn't just about commitment, it's also about balance and stability. And while I may be getting to a comfortable point with my expenses, I am nowhere near the point where I could support another individual.
It seems at every family get together, someone is looking for a ring on my finger, or my mother starts whining about wanting grandchildren. In my head I'm thinking, "Don't hold your breath."
Kudos to those who are ready to move forward, but at this point, I think I need to sort out my life before I consider truly sharing it with anyone else, and I think that's being fair to both parties involved.
- Kelly Boquard
It's unfortunate, because this is a worthy event, but are they really counting on Eliot to attend this event? And do they really want him?
(Click to enlarge)
Thanks for the tip, "Married Life is Great"
-Evan Parker Pierce
So I'm a little late on the Spring Break bandwagon but am still hoping to escape somewhere for a relatively short break from this snowy paradise while I have the chance.
I'd like to avoid Florida as an option, and am looking for some place different to enjoy a few days away from school and work. My friends and I have even considered going up to Ottawa or Quebec for a weekend, although then I wouldn't really be escaping this great weather we have here. But being someone who has never been to Boston or NYC, I'm considering sacrificing the spring break sun for a first-time experience in a big city.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a non-traditional spring break?
-Lauren Mariacher
Snow all day, slick roads, grumpy, anxious drivers. Any other Friday snowstorm and I'd want to drive directly from work to my bed and hibernate away the gloomy forecasts.
But not this Friday. Because the Boss was back in town.
After reading several reviews of Bruce's show Thursday night in Rochester, I was on cloud nine with excitement. He'd played Rosalita at a fan's request - an extreme rarity - and affectionately declared Rochester "Number One!" (Ok, I'll give him a break on that one.) If anything, I was thinking the snow might actually be a bonus for Buffalo on Friday - maybe it would inspire Bruce to take pity on a cold, blizzardy city, go back to the glory days and play an all out, old-school three-and-a-half hour rockfest.
I owe it all to my dad. I was one of the rare, lucky ones; although I admit to singing along to the occasional Backstreet Boys ballad, the majority of my childhood was spent bopping along to my dad's tapes of Springsteen's 'Born to Run,' U2's 'Joshua Tree' and R.E.M's Green album.
While my friends openly despised their parents' musical tastes, citing them as old-fashioned and un-hip, I ravaged my dad's CD collection like a hungry scavenger in search of the latest and greatest musician. Over the years, I drifted more towards hippy trippy singer-songwriters like Matt Nathanson and smooth-crooners like John Legend, while my dad found Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams, but we continue to love the classics that brought us together.
Friday night was no exception. It was fists in the air, all-out gut singing till your vocal cords are silent strings and your legs are strands of wet spaghetti from standing for three hours in anticipation. My dad's friend was able to get us absolutely incredible seats, 5 rows up a section away from the stage, and it was heaven. From the first notes of the surprise opener "Ties that Bind" to the other-worldly guitar solos in "Because the Night" to the eerily moving "Devil's Arcade," the show was an incredibly enjoyable, exhaustive arm-flailing sing-along. Of course powerhouse anthems "Born to Run" and "Dancing in the Dark" were happily delivered, but the best treat of the night by far was the tour premiere of "Detroit Medley," which included a heart-stopping cover of "Good Golly Miss Molly."
Bruce prefaced songs with dedications all night long, but that one needed no introduction.
Was anyone else there?
-Molly Hirschbeck
