You need Java to see this applet.
PUNCH
DRUNK
I am surrounded by a group
of guys watching the replay
of the middleweight bout
who were cheering and
celebrating the knock out.  I
am the odd man out sitting
among the group -  not
knowing anyone so I figure
humor would be a good ice
breaker.  “Lucky punch”, I
say causing the raucous
celebration to come to a
dead silence.
Favorites
Shane Mosley lands a crushing left hook and Fernando Vargas
crumples to the canvas.  Las Vegas July 20, 2006.
Last night I was sitting at my favorite bar - my only bar really where I go 2 or 3 times a month, Jimmy’s Corner.   This is a
boxing themed bar that I have written about before.  There are always sports on the multiple TV’s usually a Mets or Yankee
game. Last night though I was watching the TV showing a boxing match on HBO between Shane Mosley and Fernando
Vargas.  Throughout the fight Mosley is beating up his opponent and finally in the 6th round he knocks him out cold.

I am surrounded by a group of guys watching the replay of the bout who were cheering and celebrating the knock out.  I am
the odd man out sitting among the group but not knowing anyone so I figure humor would be a good ice breaker.  “Lucky
punch”, I say causing the raucous celebration to come to a dead silence.  Well, that happens a lot when I tell a joke so I
didn’t think about it too much.  Just then Jimmy ambles up to me,  points at the guy sitting next to me and says “that’s him”.  

Huh? I was confused.  I looked at the guy next to me and then the TV screen at the post fight interview. Guy. TV.  Guy. TV.
Oh Crap.  It is the guy.  I am sitting next to the guy who just beat the crap out of a professional boxer on HBO and I say
“lucky punch”!  Gulp.

His “people” (bodyguards) were cool and he was even cooler.  I explained my feeble attempt at humor and THEN everyone
laughed. By this time there was a line of autograph seekers but after that I chatted with him for a few moments and got an
autograph for myself.

So I learned the lesson of watching what you say when watching a taped sports program in a New York Bar.   You never
know who will be sitting next to you. And just so my position is clear, Shane Mosley is a gracious fellow, a nice guy and the
first boxer I will root for since…well, the first boxer I will root for. And none of his knockout punches are lucky.
GEEZE IT'S HOT!
When they say New York City has a
"change of seasons" they're not
kidding.  It has been unbelievably hot,
humid and hazy - which seems to be the
new word for smog.  It's hot walking to
the subway and even hotter on the
platform. The subway cars are air
conditioned but you are squished in
with so many hot bodies (not as sexy as it
sounds) that it's just one big sweat-fest.  

Because so many people are around
you see some pretty creative ways of
cooling off.  I lot of people use wet
clothes on the head or neck, popping
into eateries to re moisten. There are
always quite a few folks who walk with
umbrellas.  Yesterday I saw an older
Chinese couple on the subway.  The
woman pulled out this old rickety folding
hand fan and started flapping away. It
really worked! I felt the breeze from
across the car (slight exaggeration). I opt for
the shorts and floppy shirt but it doesn't
really help. Maybe I'll stop in Chinatown
on the way to work tomorrow.
Comments
A COOL Q.C. FOR MTV
MTV started 25 years ago today.  Wow!  I
remember day 1 and really can't believe it's
been a quarter century.  I remember the
first video I saw (Pat Benatar) and the blast
of English New Wave (it was new then)
which motivated me to visit England. While I
rarely watch MTV now - it sure changed my
life way back then.  It opened my eyes to
new music and the world.  It planted the
travel bug in me which I still think I carry.  
Back in 1981, music videos were rare and
glimpses into other cultures were few and
far between.  I was the perfect MTV viewer
back then.  Excited, enthusiastic and
insatiable in my desire for music videos.  A
lot has changed in the past 25 year, MTV
definitely included.  But back in the 80's
this channel was indeed revolutionary and
a much needed shot in the arm for music
lovers everywhere.  Happy Birthday MTV.  
Thanks for the memories.
WHAT THE
HELL?
As from what I can gather, this
is a photoshop job - created by
someone who wanted to
ridicule Joe Lieberman.  It is in
very bad taste but I am happy
that Bill & Joe did not really
dress like this for a picture.