February 17, 2006

Hey:

So how did you all handle the big snow? I have to tell you something, bad as it was, it sure
didn't look like 26.9 inches. You would think that 26.9 inches would hang around for a while,
but at least from where I'm at, it's practically gone. I remember the big storm in 1996, that was
the worst I ever remember. I wasn't even around for a week after it happened, (I was in of all
places Canada) but it didn't matter because that snow lingered for weeks afterward. Plus it
snowed on top of that. It seemed like it was close to June before all that snow was finally gone.
This has been one of the craziest weather periods I've ever lived through. 60 degree temps in
January followed by a snowfall that breaks a 59 year old record, that then melts away in less than
a week. Friday's forecasted weather, is a microcosm of what this winter has been like. It was 60
degrees and sunny when I got to the office. It's supposed to rain and then the low temps are
going to be in the teens Friday night. I wore my winter jacket to work and was sweating when I
got in. Tonight on my way home, I'm going to be freezing. There's no rhyme or reason, it's just
crazy.. This has got to be one of the strangest winters in the history of New York.


The Winter Olympics
I was watching the Opening Ceremonies last Friday night with Tara, and a couple of things
struck me funny. First of all, in a country that is world renown for its opera, the athletes marched
into the Olympic Stadium in Turin to the greatest hits of the 70's and 80's. As Bob Costas said,
"If they play Bettie Davis Eyes, my night will be complete." I know there was no rhyme or
reason, but they avoided playing disco inferno while Denmark was coming in.
Speaking of Costas, it was he and Brian Williams doing the commentary as the nations were
marching in, and Williams was playing the role of Debbie Downer to Costas' positive play by
play. For example, when Denmark marched in, Costas would talk about their Olympic history
and Williams would be like "of course Denmark in the news for their role in the Cartoon
controversy.." And when Iran marched in, Costas noted how unusual it would seem Iran to have
anyone in the Winter Games, Williams was quick to remind us how Iran may be starting up their
nuclear program. I was surprised when Germany came in, after Costas talked about their medal
victory in Salt Lake City 4 years ago, that Willams didn't add, "yes but they also started two
World Wars and killed millions of Jews." I don't blame Williams, he's a news guy, but NBC may
have been better served with someone with a little more upbeat. But far be it for me to tell NBC
how to program the Olympics right?
As for the events themselves, I don't much give a crap about anything besides the hockey, but I
have to admit the whole Michelle Kwan episode has piqued my interest somewhat. I like Kwan,
but she never should have been over there in the first place. She was injured all through the
Olympic trials and then petitioned the Committee for a spot on the team, presumably for old-
times sake. Problem was, it caused the USOC to cut Sarah Hughes sister Emily from the team,
even though she had skated well enough to qualify for the Games. So Emily Hughes sat at home
in Great Neck watching the Opening ceremonies with a broken heart while Kwan got a free trip
to Turin, and now she can't skate anyway, meaning Hughes has to fly out having missed precious
practice time and having to adjust to Italy time.
Brilliant.
I'll never understand the attraction, its all arbitrary BS to me.


Wayne Gretzky gambling scandal.
Funny thing is, the last time I wrote about Wayne Gretzky, it was during the 2002 Olympics,
when the usually classy Gretzky turned into a whine bag after Canada lost its opening game,
basically blaming the loss on the American media. I was one of the few people, if any, to take the
Great One to task on this, most people just ignored it.
Now 4 years later, he's back in the news, and this time is taking heat for a gambling scandal.
Gretzky, who owns and coaches the Phoenix Coyotes, has been under fire because his assistant
coach, Rick Tocchet was arrested for being the leader of an illegal gambling ring that Gretzky's
wife actress Janet Jones Gretzky (The Flamingo Kid) frequently placed bets with.
Whenever you have athletes gambling on sports, it raises red flags. The last thing any sport wants
is another Pete Rose scandal. But so far there has been no evidence of either Tocchet or the
Gretzky's betting on hockey. Wayne Gretzky hasn't been implicated at all, only that he told the
press that he had no knowledge of any gambling ring, the day before sources said that he was
caught on a wiretap, asking Tocchet how they could keep Janet out of it.
If Gretzky's biggest sin here is lying to the press to protect his wife, then I see no need to hang
him. Most athletes lie for far less noble reasons. Sports gambling in most states is illegal, but so is
crossing against the light. Unless Tocchet is funneling some of those funds to al-Qaeda, I don't
see the big deal there either. I know its illegal, and there are tax issues, (the real reasons the Feds
are involved, without a doubt.) but I also think in the grand scheme of things, this is a mountain
being made out of a molehill.
Four years ago, Gretzky accused the US media of being out to get him and Team Canada. If he
says it this time, I may be inclined to agree with him.


RIP: Grandpa Al Lewis
I meant to write this story last Friday, but it slipped my mind.
Back in my Baskin-Robbins days, I worked with a girl named Stacey, who despite having one of
the worst work ethics of all time, was also one of my favorite co-workers. I worked with crazy
Stacey from 1990 till 1995, when she surprised my boss by telling her she was quitting to go
work at Stan's Downtown Sports Bar as a waitress. Some of our friends played darts at Stan's
which was a few blocks away from the World Trade Center.
Stacey later told me that she was actually going to be waitressing at New York Dolls, the strip
club downtown, next door to Stan's.
Stacey assured all of us that she was going to work as a waitress and not a stripper (or a dancer).
But of course, I needed to find out for myself.
So I enlisted Karl and Ray to come down to New York Dolls with me one Saturday night to see
if Stacey was there. We walked in and immediately a waitress demanded to know what we
wanted to drink. There was no cover charge at NYD's, but you had to buy a 7 dollar beer or else
they tossed you out. So to get this waitress off our backs, we bought a beer and kept looking.
There was no sign of Stacey, but there was a banner saying Grandpa Al Lewis was going to be
making an appearance. The thought of an 80 something year old man cavorting with strippers
was both terribly disturbing and very very funny. I wanted to stick around and see this, but
money was tight back then, so I didn't get to see Stacey or Grandpa Al. But every time I hear his
name, especially when he was running for office, I think back to that night. I wonder if he was
there to raise campaign funds?


EDITORS NOTE:

The Weekly Mail's that you have been getting have mostly been generated from work. The reason
they have been going out on Friday is that its the only time I have been able to mail it. Tuesday
and Friday I have access to a work computer and usually a few extra minutes to write it out.
But that's about to change.
Tara and I got a computer this week, and amazingly, I was able to do the self installation for the
cable modem, so now I'll be able to write up WM, from the comfort of my home, meaning I'll
probably get it back to earlier in the week. Just so you know, if you get a Weekly Mail (or any e-
mail) from WildBG1230@aol.com, it's safe to open, that's the free AOL I'm getting for 6
months.
We'll also be heading out on phase one of our honeymoon in 2 weeks. We're heading down to
San Antone for four days. I'll try to do an on location e-mail from deepintheheartof Texas. I love
doing those.

Hope everyone has a safe and healthy weekend.
Wild Bill