December 14, 2004

Hey  

    Saturday night, was Danielle and Melissa's annual Christmas party in Astoria. This has probably
become my favorite holiday get-together. For starters, every one there is really friendly, and I usually get
a huge welcome when I come in.
    But this year a couple of things happened. Number one, Tara and I were one of the first ones there, so
only Sheila did the Billy G chant. Then, I had some of Tara's spinach dip, but when I put the knife back, it
fell out and splattered all over Danielle's Aunt Cathy's green pants. I went from the penthouse to the
doghouse, just like that.
    Still, the party itself was awesome as usual. The food was outstanding and there was plenty of beer.
And I got to talk to Mr. Colucci, whose helping Joe with their new bar downtown. They also had a grab
bag, similar to the one that I have every year with Karl Ray and Mary etc., with gag gifts and trades. Tara
and I put a bottle of wine in there, which I picked out myself. I had the number 2 pick and I figured if I
picked something decent, I would lose it anyway. I know that sounds stupid, but it is what it is.
    I usually get to a few holiday parties a year, but because I work on the weekends, I can't get to as
many as I'd like to. Danielle and Melissa's is one I can't ever miss. It's always an absolute blast, and this
year's was no different. Thanks again ladies for a wonderful time. And I promise, next year I'll avoid the
Spinach dip.

News Item: Bernie Kerik withdraws his nomination.

    When I first heard about the reason that Kerik withdrew his nomination as Homeland Security
secretary, I wondered what a nanny had to do with securing America's homeland, the same way I
wondered why that prevented Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood from becoming Attorney General for Bill
Clinton.
    But at the same time, I wonder why people who are as successful as the above named people are,
can't afford legitimate legal nannies. And in the case of Kerik if you're employing an illegal alien to take
care of your kids, how do you keep someone out who wants to blow up New York City?
    But it's beginning to look as if the nanny issue was the least of Kerik's headaches. Several reports
says that as Chief of Corrections and even as Police Commissioner, Kerik may have engaged in
inappropriate behavior. And in today's Daily News, Kerik has been linked in extra marital affairs with a
subordinate and with writer Judith Regan. These are issues that would have sank his nomination anyway.
    Its a shame. I really was pulling for him. But the President needs to get someone who has a law-
enforcement background and who can coordinate several agencies. I don't know who that person is. It
will probably be an elected official.


                    OBITUARY      OBITUARY         OBITUARY    OBITUARY

    Dimebag Darrell Abbott- Dimebag was shot and killed on stage by a deranged fan at a concert in
Ohio on Wednesday night He was 38.
    I have to plead ignorance here, I had never heard of Dimebag or his band Pantera. I got a sampling of
his their music from my good friend and coworker Dennis Gorman, who played me Pantera's big hit
Walk. Once I heard that song I realized why I had never heard of them. As someone who was also
listening said "They sound like my dog when he throws up."
    I'm sorry if I have any Pantera or Dimebag fans in the audience. I'm trying to respect the feelings of
others. But how can you not crack up hearing about someone who goes by the name of Dimebag?
    Someone else at work pointed out that Dimebag was shot on the same day John Lennon was
killed. Said it with a straight face too.

NFL 2004

    Well, I said it before and I'll say it again, unless the Jets can figure out how to put points on the board,
they won't be able to beat the good teams. Yesterday, they played my 3rd favorite team in the NFL and
were beaten 17-6 in a game that probably wasn't that close. (I didn't get to watch it) I'm really hoping that
the Steelers can keep this up so that they can knock the Patriots out of the playoffs. I don't have enough
faith that the Jets can do it.
    And the Giants were beyond awful yesterday. Eli Manning ended up with a 0 quarterback rating. You
can get that by holding the clipboard.
    And Charlie Weis was named head coach at Notre Dame. I'm torn about this. He's a good coach, but
he's also a lying scumbag. If they get to a BCS bowl game, I'll forgive his dishonesty, I'm sure.

AT PRESS TIME: Scott Peterson was recomended for the death penalty and Pedro Martinez had agreed
in principle on a contract with the Mets. More on that later in the week.

Happy Birthday's this week to Michelle (Monday) and Ace (Friday)
Everyone else Have a Great Week
Billy G