Sorry we took off last week. We had Timmy's Blue and Gold Luncheon for the Cub Scouts. Fun day. Timmy had fun with his fellow scouts, and Tara and I got to catch up with some old friends.
The Cub Scouts have been a godsend for Timmy. After my father in law died, we were all obviously devastated, and Timmy especially so. I have no idea if he will go on to be an eagle scout like he says he wants to, or if his interest will eventually die out as new interests emerge. But I'll always be grateful for how this helped him get through these tough times.
OBITUARY: Father Pete:
I'm way late to the draw on this one, but the legendary Fr. Peter Colapietro, dubbed the Saloon Priest by Steve Dunleavy, (amongst others) and considered the patron saint of Elaine's, died two weeks ago of emphysema at age 69. Mike Lupica, Phil Mushnick and scores of other New York columnists and reporters wrote stories reminiscing about the priest with the outsize personality.
I was lucky enough to have met him, but it wasn't through any of my newspaper contacts or even my city saloon peeps. No, I got to meet Fr. Pete through Tara.
Tara met him from the days where she was working her way through nursing school at Ryan McFadden's. The first time she met him was when he came in to McFadden's to give ashes to the afternoon bar crowd on Ash Wednesday.
The first time I met him, was the Friday before Thanksgiving, 2004. Every year, he hosted a pre Thanksgiving bash at the Holy Cross rectory on 42nd and 8th. Tara was on the preferred guest list and she told him she was bringing me. Well, when I got there, I couldn't believe the crowd. And the food and drinks. It was the hottest party in the city that night I can guarantee you that. He took a few minutes to grill me. Much more than Tara's dad would about a week later, that's for sure. All I can tell you is that he threatened to break the 5th commandment if I did anything to his Tara.
If I didn't realize how big a deal Fr. Pete was then, I would after Tara and I got engaged.
"OK, we need to have a meeting", he told us. "We'll meet in the rectory after you do pre-cana, but why don't you meet me at Elaine's next week?" Yes, folks one of our pre wedding meetings with our priest took place at one of New York's most celebrity attended bars. And wouldn't you know, that as we sat chatting with Father Pete, Bill Bratton, between his two stints as NY's top cop came over to say hello. "How are ya faathha? he said in his thick Boston accent. "I'm good Bill, this is Billy and Tara, and they're getting married in December." "Congratulations and good luck" said the commish.
A few months later we were back at the rectory for the Thanksgiving bash, and my future brother in law, Brian, leaned over to me and asked "Is that the chick from Men in Black?" I didn't think it was but sure enough, a few minutes later, Linda Fiorentino came over to a) wish us luck for our wedding and b) tell me that her sister Rose, was a Post photo editor. I had read on IMDB that she was "Difficult to work with" but man, she couldn't have been nicer to Tara and I. Talked to us like we'd all been friends for years.
Father Pete had that effect.
He married Tara and I, and baptized Timmy (and our niece, Finley) I didn't get the feeling he was my biggest fan, probably thought Tara could do better, which let's face it, she probably could. Still, we got along fine and I'm grateful to have met him and for the big parts he played in my life.
Another piece of NY gone.
2018 Winter Olympics
You ever notice how the further we have to go to compete in the Olympics, the worse we do? We kicked ass in Salt Lake City and Vancouver but not so much in Nagano and now wherever the hell we are in South Korea.
Things aren't going well. We're tied for 5th in overall medals as well as 5th in gold medals. And even when we win, there's controversy. After Shaun White won his medal in the halfpipe the other day, he was questioned about a sexual harassment suit he settled with a former member of his band. Some of the stuff he was alleged to have done was really disgusting. He used to be easy to root for, now he's just another spoiled jock.
The NHL decided not to send players to the Olympics this time around, and while I can't say I blame them, it really screwed us over. Watching that game on Saturday morning against the "artist formerly known as Russia" or whatever the hell they are calling themselves was ugly. But I could forgive that, the Russians much like they did during the Cold War are using their pros against our kids.
But how did they lose to Slovenia the other day? That was just awful. Now the US is one loss away from getting booted. Since hockey is one of the few sports in the Winter Games I enjoy, this will be a rotten development.
NHL: Rangers wave white flag
After the Rangers 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on February 3, I declared their season over.
I did that to the Mets back in 2015, and they ended up in the World Series, so maybe part of me was hoping for that same karma.
But alas, 5 days later, their president Glen Sather and GM Scoot Gordon released a letter to us fans pretty much saying the same thing.
As a member of the Blueshirt Faithful, we consider you a part of the New York Rangers family, and always want to ensure we share important news about the organization directly with you. Today, we want to talk to you about the future. As you know, since the 2005-06 season, we have been a highly competitive team. We have played 129 playoff games, won the Presidents' Trophy, reached the Conference Finals three times, as well as the Stanley Cup Final. While we're proud of all those accomplishments - we didn't reach our ultimate goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to New York.
......... As we approach the trade deadline later this month and into the summer, we will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character.
This may mean we lose some familiar faces, guys we all care about & respect. While this is part of the game it's never easy. Our promise to you is that our plans will be guided by our singular commitment: ensuring we're building the foundation for our next Stanley Cup contender.
.......We do not take your support for granted. We appreciate that you have always stood by us, and we ask you to remain by our side as we undertake this exciting new chapter filled with promise and change.
In other words, we're going to sell anything we think we can get something back for and start over again next year. I have to admit, I appreciate their honesty. Still, with the Knicks going nowhere fast and the Mets a huge question mark, the Rangers have been the one team I could hang some hopes on to see another championship sometime before I die. Now even they are starting a rebuild and mailing it in.
After they were bounced from the playoffs last year, I wanted them to send coach Alain Vigneault packing. I didn't like many of the decisions he made in the series against Ottawa and he also annoyed me with his stubborn refusal to dress more gritty players during the playoffs.
The calls for AV to be shown the door have become much louder since the team began to falter, but as much as I wanted him out, I can't totally blame him for whats gone on this season. The talent just isn't there.
I think he's a good coach and from all accounts a hell of a nice guy. It's still probably time for him to hit the road, but I also don't think there is someone out there who can turn them around. They need some new players too. It's sad. I didn't expect them to go to the Finals in 2014 and they did. I expected them to win it all in 2015, and that's the one that still hurts. But like I said, they have been the ones I could count on for a fun postseason run.
Not this year, and maybe not for a while.
If you happen to be off this week, like I am, make it a good one. Regardless...
have a Great Week!
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