On vacation next week. Taking a drive and getting out of town. Thank you gas stations of America. Couldn’t leave the price alone, could you? Prices jumped about 20 cents since I filled up on Tuesday. No biggie, I guess. The cost is still a buck less than it was last year and I drove then too. Still…it would’ve been nice to NOT see the price surge before a holiday weekend. Not the case usually, but at least this time around I’ll have enough left over to get a Snickers bar too, and maybe one of those obscure 3 dollar CDs that has bootleg recordings of The Osmond Brothers Greatest Hits, or Tammy Wynette sings Sinatra, or…a CB radio. Yeah…who needs a TOM TOM when you’ve got one of those beauties of communication and direction. Talk back at ya on July 13, good buddy!

Tough day in Hollywood. Two pop icons pass on the same day. Tough day in radio too. No way you can make the masses completely happy. Some will say we didn’t talk about Farrah enough. Some will say we talked about Michael Jackson too much. Why didn’t we play more MJ music? Why didn’t we have more clips on Farrah? In an internet society where so much information comes at us so quickly and so often, its hard to determine what ultimately is the “right call.” On a personal note, I have appreciation for what they both brought to the table. Michael Jackson’s musical legacy is an unparalled one; the Elvis Presley of our generation. Farrah was also a pop icon of unparalled influence. From a cheezy cop show to the best selling poster EVER, to a substantial actress who took the opportunity to make films that not only showcased a talent that no one bothered to give her credit for, but also brought to the forefront important women’s issues that made the public take notice. Both will be missed for what they gave us and sadly for what they possibly still had to offer.

The Steelers are NFL Champs. The Penguins just won the Stanley Cup. Now, if we can just get the Pirates organization to spend some cash and put together a winning team, all would be right in my sports world. However, inspiration must’ve come from the hockey game in some manner. The Pirates beat the 1st. place Detroit Tigers over the weekend. Nice goin’ Pirates.  But…come the fall I will once again “carry the flag” and root on our Columbus Blue Jackets. My friend brought me back a Stanley Cup Champions t-shirt. I’ll wear that with pride till October.

It’s no secret. I love movies, and in the last couple of years have started making them, too. The first effort of NEVER THE LUCK PRODUCTIONS, THE FUNNY MAN, a story about middle-aged writer/comedian who sees his life and career spiraling downward has been made an OFFICIAL SELECTION of Indie-Fest 2009 in Anaheim, CA. We’re heading out to the fest August 22-28 and obviously hoping for the best. If you’ve got friends in the area, give them the heads up. Our film will show on Tueday night the 25th. More details to come as we get closer, but yeah…I get to say it- “I’m goin’ to Disneyland!

Living to 50 years of age has been quite the accomplishment for me. And the next 50? No way to predict those years effectively. Decisions on how to live the next fifty will obviously come into play. Situations I put myself into will also factor into the mix. Touch choices will also play a role, but I think the secret there is to not make them appear as such. Under the guise of a new lease on life, I think turning 50 can give you the opportunity to get away with a lot of fun stuff. Hedonistic endeavors can be interpreted as “living life to the fullest.” Laziness could be explained away as a “rest well earned.”

Going into the next fifty years could truly be like starting over. Each time you confront something in the form of opposition, try flashing the “50 card” and maybe ask for a pass. Remember though, with every great plan some cautionary tact needs to be observed. Most will tolerate your new found “lust for life” but there’s a good chance it will also aggravate those closest to you. Also, those who DO become aggravated will be the first ones to rain on your parade of new found life. No worries. You can follow my lead and always claim an early case of dementia.

The SKINS GAME at The Memorial is always a popular attraction.  Here’s how you make it even MORE of an event.  When we used to play a pick-up basketball game (back in the day when I could still fade to my right) it was shirts and skins.  “Skins” had to take off their shirts and then- GAME ON.  I say the golfers go “true skins” when the play that charitable round of golf.  Unsightly in some cases?  Yes, without a doubt.  Seeing The Golden Bear actually bare?  A little disconcerting.  John Daly without a shirt.  Disturbing.  But I’m attaching a dollar value to the event.  In these tough economic times where corporate sponsorships are drying up for events such as The Memorial, The Skins game is the perfect opportunity to get the Coppertone people on board with their variety of sunscreen and tanning products.  See?There is a method to my madness.  Granted, a method that may hurt concessions for that day, because a shirtless, sweaty John daly doesn’t exactly scream “hot dog” but I’m trying to think of the bigger financial picture.  Your welcome Muirfield.

     Before you complain about my language, know that DRAG ME TO HELL is a movie.  But not just any movie.  Director Sam Raimi is back with a horror film, the genre that put him on the map.  Okay, maybe I’m only speaking to the movie geeks like myself, but the man who gave us EVIL DEAD and EVIL DEAD 2 has returned to his roots, and I couldn’t be happier.  Honestly, horror films are not my favorite type of film, but a Raimi flick puts the fun back into a genre that these days seems to be more about gratuitous violence than anything else.  So, yeah- big popcorn, Rasinets and the hopes of being delightfully disgusted is definitely on tap for the weekend.  Oh, and there’s a new Disney/Pixar movie out there too.  Whatever.

     This will be a Memorial day Weekend to remember!  I have no one I have to see and no place that I have to go.  That, my friends is the best kind of weekend to have.  Now, I know I’m probably in denial to some extent.  I don’t really believe for a minute that I’ll be able to spend the entire weekend knee deep in books I haven’t gotten to.  Nor do I envision a weekend that has me at my local multiplex watching 3 movies back-to-back.  That world no longer exists.  Because grass grows, friends call, TARGET has sales, and significant others come up with “great ideas.”  But still, as of now…the weekend is still open for interpretation and a man can dream, can’t he?

Ah, the transition from Spring to Summer.  As baseball goes into it’s full swing and basketball and hockey wind up their seasons, my sporting life makes a transition as well.  Last night was the last official poker game of the season at my house.  The Monday night tradition has been intact for close to 15 years and it will continue, but a short break is necessary to make room for Monday Night Bocci at The Columbus Italian Club.  I know what you’re thinking- how do I make the smooth move from one athletic endeavor to another?  I’m just gifted that way, I guess.  Staring on June 1st, I’ll go from a table of eight to a team of 4. I’ll switch from cards to balls but the desire to win will be just as important, just as challenging and just as psychologically taxing.  I’m also a captain this year.  It’s up to me to draft a winning team this year that possesses the skill to roll a ball in one hand and eat a sauasage sandwich in the other.  The matches will be heated and competitive, spirited and controversial.  The beer will be cold, and the sandwiches will be spicy.  The arguments will be plentiful.  Insulting comments will abound.  New friendships will be forged.  Old friendships will be tested.  And before it’s all said and done someone (the winning team) will get a lovely, shiny plaque to hang next to all of those other accomplishments that don’t much matter in the larger scheme of life.  It’s BOCCI TIME!  Time to bring your balls and play!

It was humilating.  Demeaning.  Insulting.  And absolutely hilarious! For my 50th birthday, my friends (and I use that term loosely) put together a Birthday Roast at The Funny Bone At Easton.  The buddies- who are also known as The Monday Night Poker Guys- spared no expense to embarass, ridicule and tear away at anything that resembled an accomplishment in my life.  The night consisted of video tributes from comics I’ve worked with in the past, live “roasting” from a hilarious panel of comedian friends and the icing on the tainted cake- the The Infamous Poker Boys Video which was shot in my absence- in my home!  And when I say they spared no expense, I also mean that literally.  A two-camera shoot from OZONE VIDEO captured the night’s festivities and will soon be available for purchase on DVD, with the proceeds going to The Columbus Dog Connection.  Two versions will be available.  An edited “SUNNY” version and an unedited version which we’ll call the “CLOUDY” version.  Either way, this one ain’t for the kids. But if you want to see the LOVE, the DRAMA, the ABSURDITY, then go to http://roastofdino.com and put yourself down for a pre-order.  As mentioned, the proceeds go to a great charity, The Columbus Dog Connection.  Just consider it one old dog, helping some other dogs.