Rudy II

If you have ever seen the film Rudy, then you know that it’s about a kid who wills his way onto the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team against incredible odds. Rudy is a 1993 film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles. It was the first movie the Notre Dame administration allowed to be shot on campus since Knute Rockne, All American in 1940. In 2005 Rudy was named one of the best 25 sports movies of the previous 25 years in two polls by ESPN (#24 by a panel of sports experts, and #4 by espn.com users).
In the movie, the main character Rudy Ruettiger defies all odds to make the team. He doesn’t have the grades, so he goes to another college to get them, and he doesn’t have the money, but he works his tail off to get to the necessary funds. Rudy wasn’t a very good football player—he was slow and undersized—but he wouldn’t take no for an answer and eventually made the team at Notre Dame. He gets in for one play late in a meaningless game and his teammates pull for him, because the one thing he has cannot be denied—and it’s called “desire.”
This movie is significant to me because I happen to know a real-life Rudy. His name is Christopher Gurries, and he is the son of my best friend from high school. Chris walked-on at Notre Dame and miraculously made the team. A star at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, he was a very good football player. Since no major Division I colleges recruited him, he decided to not play football and attend Notre Dame.
During his freshman year, Gurries walked on and although he didn’t make the team that time, he didn’t give up, either. This off-season, he worked hard and trained like crazy. Well, it all paid off; because Gurries made the team as one of the few walk-ons to successfully make the varsity.
Whether he gets significant playing time is another question entirely. But, it doesn’t matter—because he made the team and will be able to tell his kids and grandchildren that along with Knute Rockne, Joe Montana and the Gipper, he played for the Fighting Irish and made the squad.
Congratulations to Christopher Gurries. You’re our Rudy and we admire your passion. Look for him this year if you ever get the chance to watch a Notre Dame game. He’s number 38, a 5’10” 180 lb. long snapper and wide receiver with a heart bigger than South Bend.

Leptitrex is a Miracle Diet Pill

There is a drug out there called Leptitrex that has been so popular that it's soemtimes difficult to find. Leptitrex has been very successful for people who want to lose weight without ever changing their diet one iota. The overwhelming response has people clamoring for this stuff. Leptitrex will help you lose weight immediately--I have heard of people losing more than a pound per day. Remember: I have tried many of these diet pills, and I always warn my readers--do not use these unless you talk to your doctor first. That's very important, because you never know how your body will react to these drugs.

It's Not So Bad Being Mr. Box

Mr. Box woke up in a funk. He had been out all night, celebrating with all the other shape celebs, like Rudy Rhombus and the Triangle Triplets.

"It sucks being me," he said, his box-head resting forlornly on his non-existent knees.

"Hey, it could be worse--have you seen the kid they call the Octagon? This poor sap is eight-faced and in high school. That has to be tough!"

"Ahhh, I remember high school. I was popular. But, now I'm so has-been. I even lost my job selling skin care products on TV. Everybody used to love me. I was the toast of the town. Now everyone loves the new shapes, the Tommy Pentagons and the Opal Ovals of the world."

"What can I say, Boxy? That's the shape of the world nowadays. Hey, it could be a lot worse. You could be an integer or an adverb. Now, that would suck."

"Yeah, I guess it's not so bad being Mr. Box."

Getting Old and Loving Life

Now that I am 50, I'm starting to think about things like old age and all that comes with it--bad knees, bad skin, bad flatulence, a bad back, bad hips, a balding scalp, rotting teeth and a whole lot more. The one thing they all share is the operative word "bad." Things I have never even thought about before--like Bingo, life insurance rates, knee braces, the cost of good chirpractic, the value of getting a good night's sleep, the pleasure of a complete bowel movement, eating without choking and watching a whole movie without falling asleep--these are my new values since I passed the half-century mark. Aging sucks, but what can you do? I plan on getting old with a sense of humor. I plan on having fun right up until the end.

How Healthy Are Your Dogs?

My friend's dog Magic died recently and I when I found out about it yesterday, I was quite upset. He was a great dog and a good friend of my buddy's for a long time, going with him everywhere. It made me think about I much I cherish my dogs and how bad I am going to feel when they finally pass on to another place. But, like they say--all dogs go to heaven--so hopefully if I can make it up there and re-join them at some point. That's why it's so important to get the right pet supplies for your pets. Keeping them healthy means they'll be around longer and will live better lives!

Rocky Horror in a Home Theater

We sat in Tico's home theater watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I have seen it over 50 times, but never tire of it. As I laid back, relaxing in the incredibly comfortable home theater seating, I looked at Tim Curry and marveled about how good he looked as a woman. Kind of like Bugs Bunny and Bob Hope.

"I love the part where Susan Sarandon gets semi-naked," Tico offered.

Who doesn't? I thought to myself.

"This is the scene where Meat Loaf almost cuts his hand off with a chainsaw."

The best part about watching Rocky Horror at home is that you don't have to put up with all the nerds in their ridiculous costumes, yelling stupid stuff at the screen and throwing things. One time a guy blew fake vomit all over me and another time I got squirted with some fake blood,

"Let's dance!" Tico said.

Who am I to argue? I said to myself.

Tico danced like a bear who had just taken a tranquilizer dart.

He'd pass out soon enough I figured. And then I could eat all the Dreyer's.

Progress Lighting

What do you know about Progress lighting? Are you aware of the fact that it's some of the most beautiful, well-designed and contemporary lighting available today? Hey, we're in some economic tough times, there's no doubt about it. So, why not protect your inve$tment and kick some dollars back into your house or condo? Progress lighting shows you know about the very best. It will last a long time and hold its value, which is more than I can say about a lot of things in this world. Go the right way when it comes to new lighting--go Progress!

Harley Parts

I don't ride on motorcycles. I wouldn't even know how to drive one. I have been on the back of a motorcycle maybe three times in my life and is scared the living h-ll out of me. So, you won't ever see me on one. But, I do like looking at them, especially Harley Davidsons. They are so well-made, so expertly designed, and so well, loud. Any time a Harley comes through this neighborhood, let's put it thuis way, you never have problems hearing it. I happened to come upon a great Web site for those of you out there who need Harley parts, and it's called. http://www.rayprice.com/. Check it out...and keep on ridin'!!

The Sinatra Club

Salvatore Polisi, long time mobster and witness for the prosecution that imprisoned John Gotti, has walked away from Federal Witness Protection to tell his life story of organized crime. Risking possible retribution, Polisi is betting against the odds and performing in a one-man show, called “The Sinatra Club,” the tale of his climb to the top of the Mob and all of the repercussions that came with it. The show runs through September 27th at the San Francisco Playhouse (536 Sutter Street near Mason).
Polisi’s 75-minute performance spans his two decades as a member of the New York organized crime scene. The play follows his true life adventures as a professional criminal, mobster and father. His recollections involve some of the most infamous mobsters in New York during the seventies and early eighties, ranging from John Gotti and Attorney Roy Cohn and his associates, to Tommy DeSimone, Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke (portrayed by Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta and Robert DeNiro, respectively, in the film“Goodfellas”).
We saw a performance of “The Sinatra Club” the other night, and were enthralled by Polisi’s stories and the overall approach he took to relating his life of crime and redemption. Polisi is a wonderful story teller and his tales were spell binding and kept us glued to our seats. He speaks to the audience in a casual manner that made us feel comfortable from the very start, even though he was talking about killing people, beating up pimps, and other violent crimes. To think that this man was once associated with some of the most well-known Mafiosi of our time and has survived to tell us his stories is in itself amazing.
When I tell my New York friends about how Polisi ditched the federal witness protection program to act and write a book, “The Sins of the Father” their first question is always the same—“Is he crazy?” But, believe it or not, it’probably not that bad a move—let’s face it, the Mafia isn’t as powerful as it once was; and Polisi is probably safe from any form of retribution. The people he associated with back in the day are either in prison or dead.
“The Sinatra Club” moves along briskly as Polisi talks about his indoctrination into the NY Mob and all that went with it. Some of his more notable observations include his boredom with dealing drugs (“You hand some guy the stuff and he hands you the money; it gets old real quick). The ground rules the madam at the local brothel laid down to him about her girls (“No kinky stuff, bondage or threesomes.”) and his wonderful descriptions of all the strange and fascinating characters he encountered—people with names like “Roundy” (a 350-lb. degenerate poker player) and two old-time bank robbers he once worked with, both of whom had spent half their lives in prison.
The producers of “The Sinatra Club” are exploring the possibility of taking their show to either New York or Las Vegas. The wise guys in those cities will undoubtedly flock to this performance and it should be a big hit there. I highly recommend this show and if you get a chance, you should really go see it next week as it ends its run in San Francisco.

A Funeral Intervention

Bill had passed away suddenly and I was damned if I was going to let his brother Hector fall by the wayside as well. A funeral is not the best time for an intervention, but it had to happen. It was now or never, I thought. I pulled Hector aside and let him know the facts.

"Okay, Heck (we called him 'Heck') I know you're on drugs and I want you to get into a drug treatment center. I don't want you to die young like your brother did. I want you in a drug treatment center today. The dying stops here."

"But, I only have one addiction left. I got off the sauce and I stopped smoking, you know that."

"So, what's your remaining addiction? Meth? Coke? Wii?"

"Uh, I don't really want to say. At least not here."

"Wipe that silly grin off your face or I'll do it for you. I don't care if it's your brother's wake or not. Tell me what you're addicted to right now or I'll let everyone here know you're still using."

"But, I..."

"No excuses, man. Spill it or I start talking. Your mom won't be happy when she finds out...."

"No, way...I..." Hector was starting to tear up and his face was reddening at an alarming rate."

"Tell me...now!"

"Okay, okay. If you must know, it's Taco Bell. I'm addicted to Taco Bell! I love the Enchirito, and the new Fajitas! I'm hooked, I admit it. Now get off my back!"

Wow, I thought to myself. It was worse than I imagined.

I wasn't going to solve this today. So, I backed off. The kid had been through enough already. But, I'll never stoop trying. I love this poor slob too much to give up on him.

(...to be continued...)