Howdy all! I hope everybody’s week was as good as mine (but less intoxicating, my liver wants to kick my ass right now). It was a week full of music, sports, and barbecue’s (damn I love summer). Anyway, it’s time for another installment of Jay’s Mailbag. The emails have been coming in more in more consistently to shatmeself@yahoo.com, so if I don’t get to them this week I promise I will next week, so keep them coming. Let’s see what this week has to offer:
I recall a couple months ago you talking about quitting smoking. How’s it going and do you have any tips to help me quit smoking?
Tyler – Philadelphia, PA
Hey Tyler,
The smoking isn’t going as I planned. I did get down to a couple cigarettes a day, but then I was out one night drinking and I jumped back on the horse. I then tried smoking menthol butts (I’ve never been a menthol guy), but now I’m just a menthol smoker. I am down to under a pack a day, but tend to smoke a lot more when I’m writing or socializing (which obviously is often).
Just remember, quitters never win and winners never quit. That whole lung cancer thing is just a myth.
I know you support the return of hockey to Winnipeg. Have you heard any rumors on a name and when it might happen?
Leslie - St. Paul, MN
The Winnipeg TBD’s are an official Riot! team and we’ll always have their back (I think Chris and I have made that abundantly clear).
I’ve heard a couple rumors from the Jets name returning, the Falcons, and even the Moose. All of these names I’ve heard came from fan sites, which are highly unreliable, so no one really knows what the name might be.
As for when it’ll happen, that’s more speculation. The most recent thing I read was in yesterday’s Winnipeg Sun saying there probably will not be a team name at the time of this weekend’s entry draft.
Jay,
Are you okay? I haven’t heard from you in quite a while.
I hope you got my email a few days ago letting you know that you had a week to lock into your spot in ForteBuilder. We’re down to THREE DAYS now. I don’t want you to miss out on this.
I know you have SOME interest in making money from home since you have been getting my emails for almost three months now. So let me tell you something…
More People are making more money than EVER BEFORE!
Jay, the bottom line is THIS BUSINESS WORKS and we have the BEST TRAINING in the industry to teach YOU how to get results FAST.
We have been working very hard to place all those people before in your Streamline.
You can see them by logging into our website at (I’m not providing it).
WELCOME ABOARD.
Patrick (last name provided to remain anonymous) – Anywhere, USA
Hey Patrick,
Sorry about no response but I’ve never received any emails from you until now. I do appreciate you having concerns about me making money from home. Making your own hours gives you the freedom to make money and do other things throughout the day (I write from home daily, so I understand that).
In saying all this I’m going to have to politely decline your offer. I’m not a big fan of pyramid schemes. Maybe it’s a personal thing, or maybe it’s just that I’m a little to smart for fall for some random shyster’s email promising me money.
Pat, you might be better off emailing old people saying you’re a Nigerian Prince and you have millions for them if they only provide their checking account number. That’s the
kind of email scheme I can stand behind. If you want I know a sucker in Queens named Wilpon, he has some money (not musch these days) and might be interested in this type of thing. All the Best.
I have a bone to pick with you regarding your bar rules. I agree with having some respect, but you might be a jukebox Nazi. It’s my money and I’ll do what I want with it.
Rich – Mystic, CT
If you read the jukebox section, it clearly states it’s your money and “you can do what you want” (okay Cartman). I just gave some simple suggestions (which a lot of people agreed with), so you don’t look like an asshole at the jukebox. Play entire Journey, Bon Jovi, and Dashboard Confessional records all night that’s fine, but when people do look at you like you’re a total douche, picture my bad Long Island accent saying “I told you so.”
BTW, Mystic has a bitchin’ aquarium.
I know you like the Phillies but does Placido Polanco deserve to start for the National League in the All-Star Game?
Danny – Ozone Park, NY
Absolutely. While on a face value Polanco doesn’t appear to be your typical starter at third base because it’s not as sexy a pick as David Wright or Ryan Zimmerman, Polanco has the stats to back up his case. He’s currently ranked second among third basemen in average, first in RBI’s, first in hits, and first in runs scored.
To me that justifies a start at third base. Given the Phillies stagnant offense the first half of the season, he’ll probably be the only offensive player on the team (although a case could be made for Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard).
Are you gay?
Rob – Utica, NY
Only for you sailor. I’ll look you up next time I’m in Nowhereland, NY.
Where do you think Jose Reyes will end up next season? Any shot the Mets resign him? And if not do you think they should trade him?
Boozie – Staten Island, NY
First, I pray your real name is Boozie, and it now might be my first child’s name, mainly because my kid will sound like a white ,blue-eyed, rap guy.
Chris made a case for Reyes on Monday (you should check it out), and I like his take on it. Reyes has had some issues in the past, but is flat out having a stellar season (coincidentally in a contract year). He’s going to get a big contract this offseason and since Bernie Madoff raped the Mets ownership, like Tim Robbins was in Shawshank Redemption, I don’t see them having the money Reyes wants. I still think he’ll be a good fit for the Phillies, but I’m not entirely sure if they have the money to sign him either (sure Brad Lidge, Raul Ibanez, and potentially Jimmy Rollins and Roy Oswalt are coming off the books at seasons end, they have to re-sign Ryan Madson, possibly keep Rollins at shortstop, and Cole Hamels, is looking at a big payday after the 2012 season).
Given the payrolls and restrictions teams currently have the Red Sox might be a good fit, otherwise I’d say the wildcard might be a team like the Nationals who are looking to increase their payroll.
As for a trade, I’m not sure if that will happen. The Mets are a bit of a surprise and only five games out of the Wildcard. Unless they fall apart before July 31st and get blown away by an offer, the Mets would be better off getting a first round pick should he sign elsewhere in the offseason (there’s no doubt he’ll be a Type A free agent.).
Thank you for your article on Bar Etiquette. It does seem obvious about some of the rules you mentioned, but I have to disagree with you when it comes to children. My husband and I have a three year old daughter and just because we have a child doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to enjoy happy hour like everyone else. Babysitters aren’t cheap so we go out for a couple drinks it’ll cost us an extra $30 to pay a babysitter. Here in New York it’s more and more popular to have children’s happy hours, so more and more people are agreeing with the parents’ stance then you.
Lucy - Brooklyn Heights, NY
Lucy,
I stand firm on my stance for children in bars. They simply don’t belong there. If you choose to expose your children to people getting drunk, cursing, smoking, and hitting on women, that’s your choice, but I still find it to be bad parenting.
You chose to have a child, and once you do you give up the rights that people without children have. I understand $30 might seem like a lot for a babysitter but if you and your husband want to have a few pops it’s the price you must pay.
I’m sure there are bars that are children friendly. We live in a capitalist society and it’s a way to make money for the bar. But bars aren’t the most wholesome place in the world so you can’t really think they have the best intentions for you and your child.
Let me know what bars they are so next time I’m in New York I’m sure not to give them my business.
What do you think about the Indians chances for the rest of the season? They seem to be keeping it up.
Tyree – Shaker Heights, OH
I am surprised how well the Indians are still playing. On paper they don’t have a playoff caliber team. I’ll get into this a bit more in my “Major League Surprises” article but part of the current success of the Indians is the stagnation of the rest of the division. Chicago and Detroit cannot get their shit together and the Twins have just begun to turn things around. Barring a late season surge by Minnesota (which they have been notorious to do), the Indians are in the driver’s seat and playing .500 baseball the rest of the season should give them the division.
What’s the last band you added to your iPod?
Glen
The Have Nots. They’re a punk band from Boston, who I first heard of Friday night when they opened for the Swingin’ Utters. They have a very catchy sound and inspired me to buy their latest CD. I recommend it to any music enthusiast.
Jay,
I loved the Bar Etiquette piece. I can’t count how many times I go to the ladies room and there’s some jerk in my seat. I’m happy you pointed that out. One thing I would like to add is when you give your seat to someone.
Tara – Philadelphia, PA
Hey Tara,
Thanks for the kind words. Nothing pisses me off more (aside from rug rats in bars), is when I come back from a cigarette or the head and someone in is my seat. It’s something you shouldn’t have to explain to people. Hell, when I first go in a bar and I see an empty seat I always ask the person in the nearest seat if anyone is sitting there because I don’t want to be that guy.
As far as giving your seat up, I give it up in certain situations. If I’m meeting a girl at a bar and there’s no seats, I’ll stand so she can sit down, but I don’t use the standard “give your seat up for the lady or pregnant woman”, like I would on the subway. If I saw a pregnant woman in a bar she might get a seat though because I’ll get up and leave because pregnant broads in bars disgusts me.
Another case would be is if a group comes in and if I move over a seat they can all sit together. That’s just a common courtesy.
Well that’s a wrap for this week. Again, if I didn’t get to you this week I will next week. Keep the emails coming to shatmeself@yahoo.com and I’ll make sure I address them on The Riot! Also, follow us on twitter at The SportsRiot!, where you’ll find random comments during my daily gallivanting and Chris’s takes on what’s good (yes, I am whoring us out through shameless self promotion).
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