Hey Wild Card, As Eric Clapton once sang, "Hello old friend, it's really good to see you once again." A five game losing streak is not the greatest way to back into a playoff spot, but hey, it's still a playoff spot. I thought last night's game had a Big Papi walk-off written all over it, which would have been the highpoint of his comeback this season, but alas, it was not meant to be. At least now Terry Francona can rest whoever he needs to this week and do whatever else needs to be done to line this team... Read more →

I am so the master of useless information. Melanie was telling her mom about a story about the screenwriter for the classic film, "Sister Act," and everything that went into the production of the script, and how he finally ended up making a name for the the screen credits because the final version no longer had any connection to what he wrote. I responded that there was an official name that directors used when they wanted nothing to do with their film. After a brief pause, I thought the name was "Alan Smithee," and that there was once a movie... Read more →

There's so much Clutter to clear. Where do I start? You'll have to indulge me for a minute. I know we just talked about this yesterday, but here's one more article about Big Papi's comeback this year. I particularly want to highlight the first sentence: After the season’s first two months, when the notion of David Ortiz reaching 100 RBIs seemed unthinkable, Red Sox manager Terry Francona believed something few others did: Ortiz was still Ortiz, and his season could - and would - be salvaged. Tito, I was right there with you, and it was a blast. That's just... Read more →

.237Avg. 27HR 94RBI These are pretty good season statistics for a typical baseball player. The batting average could be higher, but 27 home runs and 94 runs batted in is still a solid year for a slugger. However, considering depths from where he started this year, these are incredible numbers for Big Papi. One more hot week to end the season, and he could conceivably end up with 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Almost all of this happened since May 20th. Imagine what his numbers could have been if he had not been ice cold up until... Read more →

Four. Is it the magic number until the Red Sox clinch a playoff spot? Is it the game of the American League Division Series that I now have tickets for, thanks to help from my outstanding boss? Is it the number of Horsemen who seemed like bad asses when I was a kid? Yes, it's all that and then some, but it's also how many weeks remain until the big event! Our friends and former co-workers Melissa and Erik were kind enough to do a test run for us, as they got married on the 25th, just one month before... Read more →

I'll be away for the next few days and just wanted to say hi before I go. Governor Patrick announced the appointment of Paul Kirk as our new interim senator until January's special election. Kirk, former chief of Staff for Senator Kennedy, was heavily pushed by the Kennedy family as their preference. Not much seems to be known about Kirk's positions on anything, but I can't imagine he could be drastically different from Ted Kennedy. It will be interesting to see how severe the backlash is for not appointing former Governor Mike Dukakis instead. Of course, we'll have to resolve... Read more →

I had to give a talk in Worcester this week called, "Sexual Health in the Age of Obama." I had two weeks to write it, and plenty of time in those two weeks to review, edit and practice it. The subject matter is something I'm very comfortable with and could probably do in my sleep. I went over it in my head several times as I drove out there. As I stood there looking at my notes as I was being introduced, a very familiar thing happened. I forgot the entire speech. I mean every single word. It was like... Read more →

There is almost no "must see" television for me except for the Red Sox. In fact the only other show is probably House. As soon as the opening detox sequence began last night, I wanted to know how he was doing and what the next set of adventures would be. I'm sure that anyone who is a mental health professional can list at least 25 things that were wrong with this episode. I thought the granting of his letter by Andre Braugher (who I really hope will be returning) was particularly rushed. However, it's a TV drama and not a... Read more →

Just clearing some clutter while my ear and stomach continue to wage war on me for reasons unknown at this time. Watching the Patriots this weekend was extremely painful. I'm a fan, and I'm there one way or the other, but I hope this was just the growing pains of a new and suddenly much younger team, and not a "oh dear God, are we screwed this season," kinda thing. Holy wow. In better news, I survived Week Two of the football pool. In even BETTER news, half of the pool did not. I"m sorry about the Pats, but goodbye... Read more →

Yes folks, the magic number is five. In just five short weeks, the day many thought would never arrive, will be here. In five short weeks, there will be a gathering. In five short weeks, we will have the event of the year. Call your mother, the news is true. That's right, in just five short weeks, Melanie and I are getting hitched! Bets are being paid up in disbelief across the country. So, I'm warning you all now that there will be no Clutter for about two weeks after October 25th. I give you this advance notice now so... Read more →