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What's On My Mind
When the Press-Republican editorial staff hired me to write the newspaper's first blog, I asked Bob Grady, "What will I write about?"
He smiled and said, "Foxy, just write what's on your mind." Little did he realize, that sometimes that could get me in trouble. But, otherwise, during the course of a typical day a lot of little things wander across my mind. So, in keeping with what the boss ordered, I'll let you in on a few things that are on my mind today:
How many fair-weather New York Giants' football fans put on their Giants sweatshirt or dusted off the Giants cap on Monday morning? I saw more Giants attire on Monday than I had seen during the regular season.
And the Yankees now take a back seat to the Giants, who earned their championship the hard way -- rising from the dead after more than a few Giants' fans had buried them after the first few weeks of the season.
Now that the Super Bowl is over, Blogoteer LaPoint commented yesterday that baseball spring training is only a few days away. Indeed, there are only 53 days until Opening Day. Baseball fans will surely enjoy a website that I've been using for a few years. It houses total baseball history and up-to-date records of all current players, and many many more categories: http://www.baseball-reference.com.
As happy as I am that baseball season is around the snowy corner, I have to admit I cringed the other way -- February 1st, to be exact -- when WIRY Radio began its promotions for New York Yankees baseball coverage. I get sick when I hear John Sterling's bombastic home run call of "another A-Bomb -- by A Rod!" Calm down, John. You haven't won a World Series title since 2000. I just can't imagine the great Vin Scully rattling the microphone like that.
Recently, Blogoteers The Carver and Miney agreed that Mr. O'Connor, Mike's Dad, was the Civil Defense Director. An e-mail from my pal Sal concurs. Sal's been around longer than all of us, and he writes, "Jim O'Connor was the Civil Defense Director for the City of Plattsburgh for many years. His offices were located on the third floor at City Hall. Each shelter in the city had dry food supplies, canned water and it was Jim's job to maintain them. When I started teaching at Monty Street School in 1959, Civil Defense had supplies locked in the furnace room."
The Stowaways Reunion 2007 was a musical extravaganza and a ride aboard the Nostalgia Train. In the middle of plans for the 2008 Re-Reunion of the Stowaways, the group has hit a stumbling block. The site of last summer's concert is no longer available. Some have suggested the renting of the Crete Center. There are always complications involving insurance and a liquor license and vending fees, and all the other business essentials that I wouldn't know about.
Can we close off Saratoga Court? Is that legal? Can we party all night on my front lawn? Hey, doesn't the Mayor have a big backyard?
After watching The Beverly Hillbillies for over forty years, something just occured to me yesterday. Several episodes showed Jed's unbelievable skills with a rifle, able to hit a bug 200 yards away. Word was he was the supreme sharpshooter. However, the whole premise of Jed striking oil was that he missed his quail a few yards away and the bullet struck the ground, delivering millions in oil. On that day he was a klutz with a rifle.
Makes me question everything there is about that television show now, including Elly May's ability to effectively use her bra as a slingshot.
Remember the Spice Girls? Remember New Kids on the Block? Remember 'N Sync? Or, Britney Spears? Hey, we had Elvis or the Beatles. Since then every once in awhile some young singing stars come along and become not only musical successes, but commercial successes as well. Oh, if only I had saved my Beatles school binder or my Elvis plastic guitar.
Now we have Hannah Montana! Or, Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old televsion and music star who portrays Hannah Montana. The daughter of "Achy-Breaky Heart" singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley has become a Disney Channel phenom. Have you joined Miley World yet? At WalMart you can buy Hannah Montana clothing, books, blankets, watches, purses, toothbrushes, wigs, song cards, collector trading cards, blankets, napkins, paper plates and even Hannah Montana cakes.
Guess there will never be a Foxy Gagnon bobblehead or a Foxy Gagnon microphone or a Foxy Gagnon fake ponytail cap. Anyone want to join Foxy World?
Comments
Hi Foxy!
Been so busy with events this last month, I send you my very best wishes.
Just wondering if you have anything planned this July for a bloggers' reunion. We'll be landing in Albany July 5th, staying a few days with my daughter in Albany and plan on visiting the Plattsburgh area (with my son) and Wilmington (with my sister) through July 17th when we head back to Little Sin City!
Passports are poised and set to go. I want to show Bart Montreal and savor a Rias mild Corolla Cuban cigar! Getting so excited. It's been 4 years since I've been back. Sometimes it all seems like a dream.
Amazing atricles and reflections you have written ... Mike Mannix ... Johnny Podres. Speaking of the Beverly Hillbillies ... I have contacts with people who are good friends with Max Baer - would love to have him speak to our group. He's a very generous gentleman from what I hear.
And, say .... HOW ABOUT THEM GIANTS!!!!!!!!! Yee Haw! It's about time!
Lynda
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from you, Lynda, and thanks for the comments. No Blogoteers reunion planned yet, but sure would like to get something going. Anyone with a plan?)
Posted by: Lynda (Bouyea) Bevins | February 12, 2008 2:21 AM
Hey Foxy,
Just wondering about Miney wanting to go to "Betty Page World":.......Yeah she was the queen of pinups but I think Miney may be dating himself here (no pun intended).
Kern's idea to hold the reunion at a hanger on the base & cater the event sounds like a great idea! Not sure how many have been out to the base in a while, but I know I'd love to go out near the runways where they used to have the great airshows in the '60s!
Posted by: woody | February 9, 2008 9:53 AM
Better be careful about jumping on Bullet's great ideas. The field house staff is still trying to recover from the one where he collected and released 1000 pigeons in the field house before a Section 7 Final years ago. That produced what can best be described as some messy basketball on that day.
As for the t-shirt modeling, I'd much prefer the models be named Elle and Tyra. Maybe Mr. D could slide in the middle. He probably deserves a little comfort for all his hard work at the games.
Posted by: rubble | February 9, 2008 7:45 AM
Foxy,
I've got an idea. Contact Jon Rebideau about slingshotting some of those T-shirts into the stands at the Fieldhouse during the Section Seven Finals on Feb. 29 and Mar. 1. What a PR event that could be. You could use the Big 3 to fire them, Spruce, Goose and the Big D. What do you think (PS. Do I get a free shirt for such a great idea?).
Bullet
Foxy's note: Bullet, what a great idea! Plenty of room to fire those shirts in the Field House. We can warm up the crowd with you, Spruce, Goose and Big D modeling the tee shirts for the crowd. Sounds like a great half-time show! Your tee shirt is now reserved -- just let me know what size! Just so you know ... we are all out of smalls!)
Posted by: Bullet | February 8, 2008 7:15 PM
What’s on my mind…
I am finally getting over my depression from the Patriots’ defeat by the New York “football” Giants (as opposed the New York “baseball” Giants). As an avid Pats fan and supporter, I will honestly say that the Big Blue played an excellent game against a unimpressive Patriots squad. Not to make excuses or downplay the Giants victory, but I definitely saw a lot of faults in the Pats’ strategy. The offensive line was horrible to say the least; in 18 games prior to the Superbowl, I never saw them play so poorly. Oh sure the Giant “D” is one of the best in the league, but the Pats have played against and beaten better. The secondary got caught on their heels one too many times, thus Burris’s touchdown; and the ability to “finish the play” (i.e. recover fumbles, make interceptions, make catches, etc.) is what ultimately cost them the game. Maybe next year!
The baseball season is upon us and once again it appears that steroids and big-money contracts are going to dominate the headlines. It used to be batting averages and strike outs. Now since controversy sells newspapers, steroids, contract negotiations, tainted-records, and billion dollar empires make headlines and are now defining baseball. I still love the sport and enjoy watching it. It used to be great to go to Jerry Parc, the “Big-O”, or Yankee Stadium to watch games, but now it costs a weeks salary to get to a game, park, have a decent seat where you can even tell there’s a baseball game on the field, and God-willing, have something to eat and drink. Figure on two weeks salary if you bring the family!
Where did professional sports become exclusive entertainment to the rich and famous? Now middle class citizens are banished to minor league sports and facilities for their sports entertainment. With any luck you may see a rising star, but who really remembers who you saw two years ago while running between concession stands and the potty with your kid? Scalpers and online ticket brokers resell tickets for 100’s of percent more than the face value of the tickets. Aren’t there laws about this? Every ticket I have ever bought says “resale of this ticket is unauthorized by (the team). Unauthorized reselling of this ticket without the authorized consent of (the team) will result in immediate forfeiture of the ticket and no refund will be issued.” So in other words, the teams are doing nothing to stop this outrageous practice of ripping off its patrons and loyal fans.
As far as the re-reunion, why don’t you see if you could get a hanger out at the Base and bring in catering and bar service. That would be cool.
Posted by: Kern | February 8, 2008 10:07 AM
Hey! My big brother LaPoint gets honorable mention, Terrific! I think a Foxy Gagnon bobblehead head would be very popular to people who know you. You are quite a famous character in the north country.
Posted by: Don LaPoint | February 8, 2008 7:25 AM
I want to take a trip to Betty Page World.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | February 8, 2008 7:02 AM
I have a bobblehead of Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo sitting behind the NESN desk. How about a NCCN bobblehead of Goose and Foxy. Sell them at the various events. Produce a "limited supply" to make them worth more !! They will be worth more than those Expos bobbleheads given away in the final season. Anybody want a Gary Carter ??
(Foxy's note: Sounds like a great idea. I hear that my new "Foxy's North Country Cable" tee-shirts are bringing in big bucks on eBay. No wonder all the high school kids are diving over the bleachers to get them!)
Posted by: Rick K | February 7, 2008 9:29 PM