Jumpin' At The Woodside

I just finished what has become a November tradition with me. I watched " The Fortune Cookie " the 1966 film classic with Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau, their first teaming, and directed by Billy Wilder. Wilder directed Lemon six years earlier in what has become a holiday classic and tradition for me " The Apartment ." I also find it very comforting to watch these movies, and older movies in general, right around dusk. Not sure why, but for me there's nothing like starting an old black and white film just before sunset, such as " Holiday Inn " which I'll probably watch in the next couple weeks, and then finishing when it's dark but still early in the evening. Don't know why this is, but for me feels like the best time to watch these movies. Speaking of holiday classics, I saw that TBS is airing " How the Grinch Stole Christmas " - the 1966 animated classic - tonight before a holiday episode of what has to be one of the most unfunn...

The air is cooler, the days are shorter and the festive brews are hitting the shelves. So far I've had the Sam Adams holidays brews, Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale and yes even the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale! Not all in one sitting, but over the course of the last couple weeks. I may be one of the few people who noticed, but they changed the photo of the cabin on the label of Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. It used to look like a cabin at sunset that had a fire burning inside , but I noticed now it looks very much like middle of a wintry day and the windows are darker. Don't get me wrong, I still love the brew and their label will always be one of my festive favorites, but for what it's worth I like the older version better. Speaking of the holidays, even the new Sirius XM channel lineup features the Holly channel that has already started playing holidays hits. I'm actually excited about the merging of the channels and getting to hear the best of both wor...

Phillies World Series Champs 2008! Booyah!!! - Salud!

My sister, we'll call her Momma Lou, is a huge Phillies fan. She's an Eagles fan too, basically a hometown sports girl - nothing wrong with that! She and a friend are as close to ground zero for the World Series tonight as you can get without being at the game itself. They're at Chickie's & Pete's , just a few blocks from Citizens Bank Park where Game 5 is about to get underway. She's been calling with updates and sending picts. The photo to the right is of Eagles head coach Any Reid who was at Chickie's for a Comcast SportsNet interview. The photo below is a collage of photos she sent to give you a flavor of the pre-game atmosphere - Chickie's & Pete's are famous for their crab fries. As for yours truly, I'll be watching the game on the ol' big screen. Got Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale and BBQ chicken on tap this evening. GO PHILS!!! - Salud!

Remember those old Budweiser "Wassup?" commercials, here's an update for our times.

Happy Autumn Eve to one and all! I'm listening to my very own Halloween Mix this evening - the 2nd CD is coming to a close - and enjoying a Stone IPA . It's got a very nice aroma and taste, a classic IPA from San Diego County, Calif. There's a gargoyle on the label so fits in nicely with the time of year! Today marks two rainy Fridays in a row. Last Saturday I swept all the acorns on the driveway and patio into the yard. Looks like I have to do it again this weekend. They're really piling up! The Halloween Mix has now moved on to the third CD. I never look on it as "finished." There is always room for improvement. For instance, I think the first CD is very strong, but probably could benefit with the removal of at least one song. Perhaps next year I'll re-work the entire mix, who knows? - Salud!   Halloween 2008 - Disc #1 1. Autumn Leaves (Harry Potter Mix) – Morbid Miles Davis (4:45) 2. Moondance – Van The Invisible Man Morrison (4:35) 3. Witchcraft – Frig...