Toxic Bash

The site is up, and directions are posted.
Saturday is the day.
I expect to see you all there in time to watch the Winston Churchill Trio do amazing things with music.

What? No white glove or moonwalk?

This was too funny not to share, especially if you're a child of the '80s. The Kid 'n Play two-step is almost too much. I wish I knew which wrestling "league" this is from.

... And go! You're looking at me eating. I'm telling you, those sandwiches were bigger than they look. Thanks to Matt Davis for the great pictures. 

I am such a tool. Here's me posing when I'm announced as a "celebrity guest" in the Reuben eating competition. I'm not sure which is bigger: My huge guns or my second chin. 

Defeated by the Reuben

Today was the day. I hadn't eaten in more than 12 hours (Itself an accomplishment for me.) and I felt ready to eat my weight in Pastrami Joe's Reuben sandwiches.
It was a great crowd in Marshall, and my family was there to cheer me on.
My five minutes started, and I was off. Well, I started eating my first Reuben.
The toasted rye bread, the Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing dripping, and all of that Sy Ginsberg corned beef.
I was loving every bite, going as fast as I could, ready to see that second plate with a fresh sandwich fall in front of me. I AM GOING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD, ONE REUBEN SANDWICH AT A TIME!
I only ate one sandwich, and the guy who won the amateur competition -- Jake "The Butcher" Casey -- ate three.
I am such a disappointment to those who love me.

Yeah, golf!

So, 39 days until Tony and I are golfing at Boyne. 72 holes in two days. I CAN'T WAIT!
I also can start posting videos on "The Script," so in honor of the upcoming golf trip, the first video on this blog is of my favorite golf shot.

The Eagle may take (Red) Wing

I know Manny's career as a Red Wing is over, but oh, dear God. Not this.
Eddie Belfour in Detroit? What the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on?!
I understand the Wings are looking to put someone between the pipes until Jimmy Howard is ready to be the next starter, but Belfour is 41 years old and is coming off a back surgery.
Eddie would be an average goalie at best and likely will get more penalty minutes than Chris Chelios. Not to mention the fact his penchant for off-ice antics will make for a public-relations nightmare.
The Wings have signed Chris Osgood for two more years, but will he and Belfour battle for the starting job? Talk about the lesser of two evils.
The good news is the Red Wings don't appear to be interested in Dominick Hasek, even though his people are lobbying hard in Detroit for a deal.
I may have to start cheering for the New York (Shutter... Gulp...) Rangers.

Reuben, anyone?

Only four days until chow time, kids, and I can'’t even begin to tell you how excited I am.
For those of you who haven't read Robert Warner'’s column from Sunday, Cranky Bob and I will be donning bibs to compete in Pastrami Joe'’s first ever World Reuben Eating Championship on Saturday in Marshall.
Starting at 2 p.m., I will be eating as many of P.J.'s delicious Reuben sandwiches as I can in eight minutes. I'm guessing two sandwiches, which I don't think will be enough to win the amateur contest I'm in.
I say amateur contest because after we rookies are done, there's a professional eaters contest, and these cats are thinking they'll eat seven or eight of these Reubens in eight minutes.
I guess I'm more of a distance eater than a sprinter.
I wrote a story about the event. You know, FYI. It's a fund-raising event for the Child Advocacy Center of Calhoun County.
Pastrami Joe'’s has started a blog about the competition. It makes for fun reading.
Hope to see you there. Click here for directions.

No more jigs for Shanny

First Yzerman retires, now Brendan Shanahan is leaving for Broadway.
What's a Red Wings fan to do?
I would be more upset if it was a money thing or if Shanny just couldn't find it within himself to get along with coach Mike Babcock, but it's none of those things.
Mitch Albom's column makes it clear that Shanny just felt his time in Detroit has come to an end.
It'll be hard to watch him get to the golf course early next year when the Rangers don't even make the playoffs.

Stevie, Why?

A great column about Steve Yzerman's retirement.
Well worth the read.

Some fond memories

Here is a great collection of Steve Yzerman videos.
This is one of my favorites.
And here is Yzerman's announcement.

It's a sad day

I knew it was coming.
I guess I just hoped it wouldn't come this soon.
#19 forever will be my favorite Red Wing. He was more than an all-star player and a exemplary team leader. He was one of hockey's greatest ambassadors of all time. A true class act.
Here's to you, Stevie Y.