Top 10 Things of the Second Half of Summer (Mid July-Sept)

Labor day is winding down which means beer hangovers mixed with summer hangovers. An optimist would point out that we can appreciate the weather for a few more weeks, but a pessimist would counter with the idea that true summer mentality exists from Memorial to Labor Day, and everything else is just poseur-ism. I subscribe to the latter camp and without further ado, will reflect on the Top 10 Things from the second half of Summer 2008 (in no particular order).


Dustin Pedroia- In the dog days of summer, the Red Sox won a bunch, lost a bunch, and kept afloat in the AL playoff push. It seems the like Sox have gone through everything, Manny maybe leaving, Manny maybe staying, Manny actually leaving, injuries to everyone. Basically the only rock has been last year's rook: Dustin Pedroia. In the last month he's the number one fantasy player, and has 6 homers, 20 RBIs, and 5 SBs while batting .376 (1.081 OPS for the baseball nerds!!!). Last week he helmed the team during a 2 outta 3 series against the White Sox when he was the only opening day starting infielder not injured; all he did was go 9 for 12 in the series. Pedroia is the levee during the Sox tumultuous hurricane-season summer.


Mad Men- Word of mouth to the rescue again! The buzz in my office for AMC's Mad Men was strong I subsequently dove into the kool-aid pitcher head first (double metaphor bonus!) by DVR-ing a marathon and plowing through it in a week. Maybe you've seen the commercialss for it, touting it as the Emmy whore, and it hasn't impressed you much, that's understandable. It seems a lot like a bunch of 1950's businessmen sharing a smoke talking business, but it would be naive to quit on it after a boring ad. Here's what Mad Men is: It's The Wire set in mid 20th century Madison Avenue. Like The Wire it is more of a miniseries driven by strong character developments rather than plotlines. Characters aren't clearly good or bad, but ARE always scheming in extramarital affairs, enjoying midday drinks, and dropping hilariously chauvinistic lines from an era when men told women what was up.


Hilton Head Golf- Picture this: an entire island full of golf courses, and not just muni's but nice, well-groomed, fairly inexpensive courses. Such a place actually exists and not too far away. We're talking about Hilton Head Island, the site of Bard Family Summer Vacation 2008. Also coincidentally the site of Josh Bard Golf renascence 2008. The island is so full of great courses that most are offered for half-price as last minute tee-times, its like they're giving it away. 3 beautiful courses, 3 beautiful scores (94, 92, 91) in one week. The 2008 golf revival even carried on with a few more rounds in the same range. I am ready to pitch a show for Golf Channel called I Love the 90's.


Chicago- Rewind


Fantasy Football Drafts- Some things, like New Years' Eve and the Belmont Stakes, are guaranteed wah wahhhs. Fantasy football drafts, on the other hand, like episodes of How I Met Your Mother, are consistently living up to the hype, no matter the build-up you give it.

Fantasy football drafts are the cornerstone of enjoyable things: catching up with friends (read: making fun of your friends), crossing things off lists, and pretending that you know more than you do. There are always a couple winners in a given draft: there's the guy who picks the best team, there's the guy who is always has the funny retorts to odd picks, and there's the guy with the best team name (this year's nominees: Orton Hears a Boo, The Clay Davis All Stars, and Jews for Purple Jesus).


Heirloom Tomatoes- I'm gonna go from getting all Mel Kiper on you to getting all Martha Stewart on you now. Bit of a change of pace here but something that must be mentioned. Heirloom tomatoes are those horrifically ugly , multi-colored, elephantitis-y looking tomatoes. If you're shallow enough to get over the look of them, an award of a delicacy awaits for you. They are sweet and delicious and are to tomatoes as Filet Mignon is to steak. Blogger General's Warning: Consumption of heirloom tomatoes can lead to one becoming a tomato snob, or the tomato equivalent of that guy at the bar who will only drink Stella Artois or Red Stripe or something. Don't be that guy.


Anticipation of Fall TV- Will Sarah Tancredi return to Prison Break? Will Jim and Pam's romance bloom? Will Robin ever win a Real World/Road Rules Challenge? Will Ted and Barney's reconciliation work? Will Scrubs still suck? With no girlfriend, these are the questions keeping me up at night.


Sarah Palin- The more I learn about her the more I don't like, so I'm trying not to read anything else about the Republican VP Nominee. Only pictures from here on out. I think the real debate here is whether we are labeling her as a Cougar or a MILF. Can't you just see her as a stripper who is doing the whole "Naughty Teacher" bit. She loses the glasses, shakes the hair out, Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" plays. U-S-A!! U-S-A!!


Brew Thru- Ever feel like you want to pick up beer without leaving your car? The Brew Thru makes such lofty dreams possible. Welcome to the Outer Banks' drive-thru liquor stores; essentially a gutted car wash lined with fridges, cases of beer, and drinking paraphernalia. They even load it all into your trunk, so make sure you get that dead hooker's body out before you get there.


America the Beautiful- The 5 most beautiful women of the US Olympic Team...
Jenny Finch- A silver medal athlete and a gold medal hottie.
Natalie Coughlin- Owns the Water Cube and my heart.
Kim Glass- Can't find a photo to do her justice, but she's better than May/Walsh, take my word for it.
Lola Jones- Hotness like Rashida Jones but somehow they aren't related.
Lauren Cheney- Narrowly edged out Hope Solo, Heather Mitts, and Tobin Heath on the hottest US Olympic team

Top 10 Things of the First Half of Summer (June - Mid July)

Summer is half over and I haven't left DC much, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been good. In my 5th straight DC summer, I have been introduced to some new things, found some other gems on my own, and re-established contact with a couple other old favorites. Here's the top 10 things of the summer, part 1, as I've embraced them chronologically.


MLB Extra Innings Package
Technically I had this in April and May but it has been my second favorite thing on TV (not counting Around the Horn) these days. For those keeping score at home, first thing not technically a summer thing, we're a rocky start but... Not only can I watch Red Sox games nightly, but I can also check in with my fantasy baseball crushes like Evan Longoria and Geovanny Soto at the same time. I used to get excited to watch the hometown NESN feed, but that "gift" has become more of a pandora's box with the ®emdog at the helm. Still, summer feels more like summer with the Sox on in the background during dinner.

Beer Softball
So I've played in a bunch of intramural leagues in DC since graduating (kickball, a few basketball leagues) but this was my first softball experience. Going in I knew about half the players on the team and assumed my skill level might be enough to get by; basically just hoped that the entire experience was decent. Turns out its been the highlight of the summer. I get to look forward to some good, healthy competition and subsequent weekday belligerence once a week. The games are fun and the teammates even better (one guy bagged a 46-year old cougar postgame!). We take turns bringing 30's to the field like soccer moms bringing oranges on gamedays. What could be bad?

Leinenkugels
I have to give all the credit here to my roommate Meghan, who introduced me to the citrus-y goodness of Leinenkugels Sunset Wheat Beer. This may have displaced Sam Summer Ale for official beer of summer. I am not sure what the circulation of this beer is but I feel like if this is all you get from me this year, it will be well worth plodding through the rest of my crap. I've even included the logo here for you too find it at the local watering hole. If you like Blue Moon, there is no question this is for you. Go buy a six-pack and I promise you'll like it and if not, I will take the rest off your hands.

Tacklebox
Tacklebox is also a Meghan pearl of wisdom, and for those who don't know about it, its a new restaurant in Georgetown. Basically its like every little clam shack on the way to the Cape, but with a Georgetown attitude, decor, and price (nobody's perfect). I've only been once, but based on reviews by others, I can vouch for it. First of all, best french fries in DC. Secondly, great lobster roll, great friend clam roll, and awesome asparagus (that's all I've had there). No doubt that the summer Cape feeling is part of the glory at 3245 M St.

HBO's Movie Line Up
Oceans 13, Knocked Up, The Simpsons Movie, Shrek the Third, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are just a few of the many premiers HBO has given us so far this summer. They're calling it the Billion-Dollar or Million-Dollar Summer or something and so far its lived up to the billing, whatever it is. These movies don't replace the absence of summer regular Entourage, but are perfect for hung over Saturdays, a staple thus far. I like Ocean's 13 the most so far but just having the options make Netflix seem unnecessary.

Pat Green
Most people know Pat Green for singing "Wave on Wave," a country music radio standard and generally awesome tune. My love for "Wave" fooled me to getting tickets for a Pat Green concert at a small venue near my apartment, before I realized I only knew a couple other songs. Thanks to a CD from my brother played on repeat for a couple weeks, I ended up getting into Pat Green in a big way. "Baby Doll", "Cannonball", and "Texas in My Mind" are all rated 5-stars on my iPod now. Granted I dont remember most of the show (consider me THAT DRUNK GUY) and I can't remember what songs he played, I also can't remember not having an awesome time... did that make sense?

Bringing Back Asshole

This old favorite entered my life again during the Pat Green night, you could even convince me he opened for Pat. We also got a game going July 4th, and a few blurry times in between. Let's face it: there was a reason we learned this card game first. It was the most fun and the easiest way to go from sober to stumbling without a funnel. Asshole makes me think of high school summer nights just like McGolf and the Industrial Park basketball court.

Angelina Jolie's Semi-Nude Scene in Wanted
I can't find a screenshot on google no matter how much I search... and I've searched enough that carpal tunnel might be a looming issue. This partial picture is the best I could do for you. But between that scene and the insane action scenes (Wanted is like The Matrix in how revolutionary it is compared to its predecesors) this movie is worth deferring student loans so you can afford a ticket and then come back for a few encores. That is if you like lower back tattoos, breath-taking heinies, and crazy shoot-em up scenes.

Wipeout

The answer to the question: what is my favorite thing on TV these days? See this entry. Since then things have only gotten better.

The New Nationals Stadium

It's just a quick green line trek from my hood (road soda recommended) to the ballpark, and a five dollar ticket will get you through the gate and your choice of 30,000 unclaimed seats. With a monstrous HD jumbo-tron, more food choices than a cruiseship, and the possibility of a no hitter every game thanks to National League offense, you can't go wrong. The park has received a little too much early praise but it is a great park with even more potential. And even though the Nats suck, they keep the capacity and ticket prices manageable for us young professionals who have no money left because we spent it on beer at the park the last time we came. Seven fifty for a beer? I guess they lost their "privilege" to sell High Life.