tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80957024520910495322024-03-09T21:45:43.128-05:00Dave's Daily T-ShirtsMy name is Dave and I wore a different t-shirt each day of 2010 and blogged about them here. They are all on sale now and all the profits will benefit Skating for Hope! Please contact me to see if I still have the t-shirt!Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.comBlogger365125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-76933585769250733472010-12-31T15:57:00.004-05:002010-12-31T16:00:37.143-05:00T-shirt #365: IRISH TUX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wKXZV9yRDRhUgc4Shyqr1QrYVQXiI5UGtJQUNnZFKBrzMcbXRPIDa9lyVKYwg4XBfiESs3Za6XiERtxjEY5O0-CJdeELYzNiM2OCZZX07cAJMdSPYQD1QzH_CZnje1YmHG6CJ3J8M3Y2/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-31+at+15.12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wKXZV9yRDRhUgc4Shyqr1QrYVQXiI5UGtJQUNnZFKBrzMcbXRPIDa9lyVKYwg4XBfiESs3Za6XiERtxjEY5O0-CJdeELYzNiM2OCZZX07cAJMdSPYQD1QzH_CZnje1YmHG6CJ3J8M3Y2/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-31+at+15.12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556954159572364066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bJniZh8pqx7sL4eV08EQuZT6bmGHdX4Tcq5O_kNCiqfL4sbEIGlobqdgJlr1ftz6mD6pwEtljbR5llSjsu2GjTuspy6KxhhzHc_TUfEdnav1SC5frmOTgjXKUOEXOj1ib_0aTTwBOfcj/s1600/davestaxi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bJniZh8pqx7sL4eV08EQuZT6bmGHdX4Tcq5O_kNCiqfL4sbEIGlobqdgJlr1ftz6mD6pwEtljbR5llSjsu2GjTuspy6KxhhzHc_TUfEdnav1SC5frmOTgjXKUOEXOj1ib_0aTTwBOfcj/s400/davestaxi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556953553841250066" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Holy crap, I made it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And like I have written before, I did not get here alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My family, friends, Facebook friends, Hope Lodge guests, internet sponsors, and local businesses all helped me get here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thanks to everyone who donated t-shirts and read this blog during the year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">22 years ago I was getting back from the hospital after a 4 hour surgery, 11 day stay, and Crohn’s Disease diagnosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think tonight will be a bit better than that night in 1988.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think due to the fact that I was getting back from the hospital helped me to remember every New Year’s Eve since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a peek:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1988-1989: Quiet night at my parents’ house after getting back from the hospital<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1989-1990: Party at my cousin Katie’s house<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1990-1991: Party at a (then) friend of a friend’s house (his parents were away) in Grafton who is now a Worcester police officer<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1991-1992: Party at a friend’s in Westboro<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1992-1993: Party at the same place as 91-92 (this is when I got my David Way sign)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1993-1994: Quiet night watching movies at a friend in Westboro<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1994-1995: Party at UMass – the only New Year’s Eve I ever drank!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1995-1996: Road trip to NYC to be with my girlfriend<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1996-1997: Phish concert at the Fleet Center<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1997-1998: First Night in Boston<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1998-1999: Home alone in Waltham, watched Return of the Jedi<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">1999-2000: Drove “Dave’s Millennium Taxi” (Mom’s minivan) to my roommate’s friend’s party<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2000-2001: Took limo and saw Barenaked Ladies at Fleet Center<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2001-2002: Party at Andy’s in Grafton<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2002-2003: In Buffalo with girlfriend<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2003-2004: Went to JJ O’Rourke’s with roommate<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2004-2005: Quite night with a girl I was pseudo-dating<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2005-2006: Party at a friend’s in Westboro<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2006-2007: Made an appearance at a friend’s party in Westboro, was back at apartment watching a movie when it was midnight<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2007-2008: Working at Hope Lodge<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2008-2009: Working at Hope Lodge<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2009-2010: Watching Mark’s band (Catch and Release, Dirty Fever?) at G. Willikers <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">2010-2011: End of blog party!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">There will be much more to report later...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Happy New Year’s everyone and I hope you come up with and stick to a great resolution!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I will have another blog for 2011, stay tuned for <a href="http://mylifescanned.blogspot.com">http://mylifescanned.blogspot.com</a>! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-3356412816297584502010-12-30T12:27:00.004-05:002011-05-31T12:30:04.327-04:00T-shirt #364: MAY THE MASS TIMES ACCELERATION BE WITH YOU<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzsk-q-cexR5dpRpQsOeqAlOMaiakfK-uQ-OnEqIqnED72LkJ1CU-4HPkf_ScyowmFzIlP67vxeRcwxXXCOzvyK6rgyI2cV9X4kX4STnUYaz3l0d37eex0Tv0CYTe-G8A1o6klQG54CZb/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-30+at+08.34.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzsk-q-cexR5dpRpQsOeqAlOMaiakfK-uQ-OnEqIqnED72LkJ1CU-4HPkf_ScyowmFzIlP67vxeRcwxXXCOzvyK6rgyI2cV9X4kX4STnUYaz3l0d37eex0Tv0CYTe-G8A1o6klQG54CZb/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-30+at+08.34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556528743073742834" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="Courier New"font-family:";">When <a href="http://www.snorgtees.com/">Snorg Tees</a> said they would donate t-shirts to my blog, this <a href="http://www.snorgtees.com/may-the-mass-x-acceleration">one</a> was a must have. What better way to change my label from Star Wars dork to Star Wars dork with a basic knowledge of physics?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="Courier New"font-family:";">This is the 15<sup>th</sup> Star Wars-related t-shirt that I’ve worn this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For a list of the others you can check out this <a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-shirt-334-empire-strikes-back-if-you.html">Empire Strikes Back</a> t-shirt that I designed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="Courier New"font-family:";">I do love the original Star Wars movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I even started a Facebook page (Dear Mr. Lucas, please make a Star Wars Theme Park) because I think going to a Star Wars them park would be amazing…can you imagine walking past a life-sized AT-AT? But then I heard they were releasing the Star Wars movies in 3D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think I might enjoy watching the originals in 3D, but I refuse to give any more money to George Lucas by seeing these movies in the theatre again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="Courier New"font-family:";">How many more times does he have to “re-imagine” these great flicks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How important is trying to climb that all-time box office gross list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How much money does Lucas need to make from people going to see these movies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, I started another Facebook page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This one is called “Lucas should donate Star Wars 3D profits to charity”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="Courier New"font-family:";">George Lucas is worth $3.5 billion according to <a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/54/PNOV.html">Forbes</a>. Come on, Mr. Lucas, I think you can do something good with the future 3D release of the Star Wars movies. Tell me all the profits are going to charity, and I will gladly give my money to see them again. May the Force be with us all…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="Courier New"font-family:";">PS- ONLY ONE MORE T-SHIRT TO GO!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Courier New', serif;">Off to Carl's for some end-of-the-year video game hockey!</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-70240615778623125812010-12-29T20:12:00.002-05:002010-12-29T20:14:04.333-05:00T-shirt #363: Etnies Ryan Sheckler Autograph (#3)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbH59lHtQLSjNrrYlgjLhISd2or-YqlZcgGO9JJ4WJgoCIgb2XzIjtW9A4sl2eW-P_2bxJ9OU9lhmR_fjem1QixsdqRrODddQ65l0tX-PVMl9R6NzlgDkplZ4y1tb1FkK6MWEAAxnH2Kk/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-29+at+19.00.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbH59lHtQLSjNrrYlgjLhISd2or-YqlZcgGO9JJ4WJgoCIgb2XzIjtW9A4sl2eW-P_2bxJ9OU9lhmR_fjem1QixsdqRrODddQ65l0tX-PVMl9R6NzlgDkplZ4y1tb1FkK6MWEAAxnH2Kk/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-29+at+19.00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556277309706212882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyZhSfr5vE_ATMfEWz3X84Qg72629Xn8an-McjQf8UAjS_9A1P5zcnClm_KlAjLg3sU7J8LpOh5fd9TWn0laORCIqx5vKWd9BSFvRvXn-v9sHWD7OdxlbCVZ02Yhleg1HdWqPqbl0m8NS/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-29+at+19.00+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyZhSfr5vE_ATMfEWz3X84Qg72629Xn8an-McjQf8UAjS_9A1P5zcnClm_KlAjLg3sU7J8LpOh5fd9TWn0laORCIqx5vKWd9BSFvRvXn-v9sHWD7OdxlbCVZ02Yhleg1HdWqPqbl0m8NS/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-29+at+19.00+%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556277243285791586" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">One thing is for sure: I couldn’t have started or finished this blog without help from other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My friend Glen gave me the MacBook I have been posting these daily entries on, and my sister Megan gave me the idea to start it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">During the summer when I figured out I wasn’t going to have enough t-shirts to complete 2010 wearing a different t-shirt each day, more people helped me make sure I did. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">My family and friends helped, which wasn’t much of a surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few Hope Lodge guests were happy to pitch in and help the Lodge. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Then, people I didn’t expect started helping out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Website after website said they would donate. <a href="http://www.80stees.com">http://www.80stees.com</a>, <a href="http://www.benjerry.com">http://www.benjerry.com</a>, <a href="http://www.bustedtees.com">http://www.bustedtees.com</a>, <a href="http://www.chowdaheadz.com">http://www.chowdaheadz.com</a>, <a href="http://www.crazydavestshirts.com">http://www.crazydavestshirts.com</a>, <a href="http://www.foulmouthshirts.com/funny-t-shirts/">http://www.foulmouthshirts.com/funny-t-shirts/</a>, <a href="http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Homepage.jsp">http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Homepage.jsp</a>, <a href="http://www.lastexittonowhere.com">http://www.lastexittonowhere.com</a> (out of England!), <a href="http://www.letterfromjohn.com/">http://www.letterfromjohn.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeisgood.com/">http://www.lifeisgood.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">http://www.nerdyshirts.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.psychoreindeer.com/">http://www.psychoreindeer.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.snorgtees.com/">http://www.snorgtees.com/</a>, <a href="http://store.theonion.com/">http://store.theonion.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.threadless.com/">http://www.threadless.com/</a>, and <a href="http://www.topatoco.com/">http://www.topatoco.com/</a> all donated t-shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Facebook friends I hadn’t seen since grade school and others I had never met in person sent me shirts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Then, a brother of one of my Facebook friends said he would donate Etnies t-shirts autographed by Ryan Sheckler. Even though all of the website donations were unbelievable to me, this Etnies donation really blew me away. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I really can’t thank everyone for all of their support for this blog enough. You all made it possible, and you all are helping Hope Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you again to my family, friends, and all the websites and businesses that donated t-shirts to me. And thank you especially today to Christi and Robert Brink, Etnies, and Ryan Sheckler!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You can see this t-shirt listed on Ebay here: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250749136629#ht_500wt_1156">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250749136629#ht_500wt_1156</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">And for more info on Etnies and Ryan Sheckler:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://www.ryansheckler.com/bio">http://www.ryansheckler.com/bio</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://www.ryansheckler.com/videos/post/sheckler-skates-at-x-games-16">http://www.ryansheckler.com/videos/post/sheckler-skates-at-x-games-16</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://etnies.com">http://etnies.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE, ALMOST AT 365!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-54482228464958027382010-12-28T23:53:00.003-05:002010-12-28T23:54:52.826-05:00T-shirt #362: Hockey Night in Canada<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3ju9IItxoEwx4xFFTWiHsCt0Ip5v-D3m2PUJcasalwrXs1_0rcYPJCuxvlpLI2SAfaoneNbzL6RUO6IpuiKgLmI44Vnn_Qm2ibZ8GuT2l45_igxgXh4azz7sQ0K9YcPFg1_eMBxKQ7Lw/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-28+at+18.45.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3ju9IItxoEwx4xFFTWiHsCt0Ip5v-D3m2PUJcasalwrXs1_0rcYPJCuxvlpLI2SAfaoneNbzL6RUO6IpuiKgLmI44Vnn_Qm2ibZ8GuT2l45_igxgXh4azz7sQ0K9YcPFg1_eMBxKQ7Lw/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-28+at+18.45.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555963114303928882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RBv2cNzOD2XEhdlmfCInQhlLYlK-70F98JuVPwOQ1kKyf3labrYluGu6HvD30QMKSzY-DAJCBcqPka_wzX1bMe-ig8wtpQq8NDMRW5iejDy6wWdgX73ew8a6875GYb2u0xspA6_RYj-p/s1600/bruinscorner1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RBv2cNzOD2XEhdlmfCInQhlLYlK-70F98JuVPwOQ1kKyf3labrYluGu6HvD30QMKSzY-DAJCBcqPka_wzX1bMe-ig8wtpQq8NDMRW5iejDy6wWdgX73ew8a6875GYb2u0xspA6_RYj-p/s400/bruinscorner1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555963038278335698" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">First of all, thanks to my awesome mom for getting me this t-shirt! (I don’t think they sell it anymore, but you can see others here: <a href="http://bit.ly/hnicshirts">http://bit.ly/hnicshirts</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">This is me standing near the “Bruins Corner” in my parents’ house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do your parents have a Bruins Corner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh, they do? Does it have a picture your father took of the last goal scored at the Boston Garden autographed by the player (Adam Oates) that scored it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This one does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pretty cool, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve mentioned it before and I say it again proudly: I am from a hockey family…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">Yes, we McGraths love our hockey and we love our Boston Bruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even though I wasn’t there, I’m sure both of my parents (and perhaps my sisters) were yelling with joy after Mark Recchi scored the game winner with less than 20 seconds left. We don’t hold back when it comes to our beloved B’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">Even though most of my career BWMs (Bruins Watching Minutes) have taken place at my parents’ house with family, many of my career HPMs (Hockey Playing Minutes) have been with people outside my family. Even though I never played in organized leagues growing up, I loved to play and I played as often as I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think my junior year in high school I played pond hockey 2-3 times a week from December through the end of February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I would venture to say that 95% of those times, I was playing with one of my best friends, Andy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">Even though our “Pond Hockey Days in Massachusetts” weren’t going to get us scholarships to BC or Harvard, they were always great times (okay, there were a couple of times Andy had to break up "chippiness" between me and a Grafton kid) and they were a big part of starting what I know is a lifetime friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I bring up Andy today because it was one of the rare days of the year that I actually got to hang out with him. I wish it could be more, but I take what I can get…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">Andy was #2 in our high school class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He wasn’t #1 because that guy had one more A+ than him. I personally think Andy would have made a much better Valedictorian (he not only got A’s, he rowed crew, ran track, could play guitar, and was (dammit) better than me at hockey!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, he’s “wicked smaht”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He went to Harvard, got his PhD at Harvard, and is now a professor of anthropology at the University of California. Oh yeah, he also published this book: <a href="http://amzn.to/andysbook">http://amzn.to/andysbook</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">But Andy is not a brainiac with no social skills.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The guy is hilarious, witty, and one of the few who laugh with me when others might shake their heads and think “well at least he’s entertaining himself…” He’s also one of the kindest people you will ever meet. He supported me through my cancer and struggles with drinking, and is always there for me if I need someone to talk to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Definitely someone I’m lucky to have in my corner.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">That’s the great news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The not so great news is that I only get to see Andy about once a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His schedule only allows him to come back to Massachusetts during the holidays, and for most of that time (understandably) he is with his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have visions of the day I can afford to fly out to California (or Oregon to see my friend Glen) on a weekend whim, but for now those are just daydreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I’m not one to harp on the negative.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Corbel Bold"">I hung out with Andy today, and it was great (as always).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love the guy like a brother, and cherish every minute we get to see each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We saw Tron today, and one of the themes of the movie was trying to create the “perfect world”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My vision of a perfect world has many things, and one of them is enough hockey rinks so you can play anytime anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The other is a world where I get to see my close friends more often (and yes, play hockey with some of them!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No matter what world I live in, I know I’ll have Andy as a close friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For that I am very thankful, no matter how many times I get to see him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Love you, man!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-29853954640460616832010-12-27T17:49:00.001-05:002010-12-27T17:52:14.163-05:00T-shirt #361: Employee of the Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpODJakElGv8TnrntDHdWZFzInmzs-hrJEtld9e9e4Cm20a22lysFVS66Nuee1EijGU-Bq8jEFii9zMfbQihmkGJuhhGHHfluYEMD6a4eBqaM1mCeiW1f5-w_Azi5X1pO1IsVYLmCqZhb9/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-27+at+16.33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpODJakElGv8TnrntDHdWZFzInmzs-hrJEtld9e9e4Cm20a22lysFVS66Nuee1EijGU-Bq8jEFii9zMfbQihmkGJuhhGHHfluYEMD6a4eBqaM1mCeiW1f5-w_Azi5X1pO1IsVYLmCqZhb9/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-27+at+16.33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555498509866953218" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">This shirt is one of many that my wonderful sister Carolyn got for me…thanks, Ca! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Although I have never been honored as Employee of the Month at any of my jobs, I did get the “Staff Star” a couple of times when I was the lead teacher of a residential program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">At Hope Lodge there are only two fulltime employees, so I like to think that my boss and I swap this title every other month.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Even though I have never officially been an employee of the month, here are some tips that might get you that title someday:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Get to work on time every day – if this is a problem it means you don’t know how to use an alarm clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you keep hitting snooze, put the alarm clock on the other side of your bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Don’t leave work at the earliest time you are allowed to (I admit, I did do this a lot when I was a teacher).<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Bring in cookies or other treats for your supervisor and co-workers – rule of thumb: the “chocolatier”, the better<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Be nicer than usual to anyone you think wants to be your enemy – if you throw negativity back in their face, it almost always comes back to haunt you<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Don’t come up with lame excuses as to why you can’t cover for someone – supervisors should remember this stuff<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">If you are really sick, STAY HOME – getting other people sick will not help the workplace<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Don’t complain about work when you are at work: Be happy you have a job in the first place and if you need to vent about it, do it elsewhere (NOT on Facebook!)<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Be honest – Only take on more responsibilities if you think there’s room on your workplate for them<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">If you’re in a meeting, it’s much better to bring up good ideas than to keep looking at your watch<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Unless you are a rock star, professional athlete, or other celebrity – do NOT let your sex tape get into the wrong hands! <o:p></o:p></span></li> </ol> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-24992255950644815552010-12-26T23:22:00.002-05:002010-12-26T23:23:19.749-05:00T-shirt #359: IRISH STUD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCx5ld_ZCbqNBk9AL4ygRFIdgl2x5umItHz2lMdhZfGyv4236JU3McD4MC305hdawsbEyRpOJI3cHb4qhIoRSI37B_eLeICZRq57VuW2I8cGcU0ecpMySj-8-QhWaEd-1op2NfymRNuou/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-26+at+19.25+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCx5ld_ZCbqNBk9AL4ygRFIdgl2x5umItHz2lMdhZfGyv4236JU3McD4MC305hdawsbEyRpOJI3cHb4qhIoRSI37B_eLeICZRq57VuW2I8cGcU0ecpMySj-8-QhWaEd-1op2NfymRNuou/s400/Photo+on+2011-12-26+at+19.25+%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555212823228881698" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">I will make no statements as to whether or not what this t-shirt claims is true. That’s for everyone else to judge…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">But, here is a list of the Top Ten Things That Make Being Irish The Best:</span></p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Drinking – whether you want to drink a lot or drink none at all, Irish heritage is a great excuse<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Music and step dancing – Along with the drinking goes traditional music, sessions, and dancing. Irish people know how to party!<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Irish writers – The list is long but includes James Joyce, Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, William Yeats, Oscar Wilde, and Jonathan Swift.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">St. Patrick’s Day – Yup, we have our own holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">John F. Kennedy – We proudly claim one of the best presidents of the US.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Irish sayings and blessings – Here are a few of my favorites: “May you be in heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you’re dead.”, “May you live to be 100 years, with one extra year to repent.”, “As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.”<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Sunblock – Being able to brag about how high your SPF is: I want to come out with my own line of sunblock that just says “Irish” on it. <o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Potatoes and stew – Even though Ireland isn’t known for it’s wonderful cuisine, I will never get tired of eating potatoes and beef stew<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Humor – Have you met an Irish person with no sense of humor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t think I have.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Family – Even though everyone may not agree on everything and there may be that “crazy relative” you always worry about Irish families tend to love each other no matter what.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">(Our list goes to 11) Irish names are better – Liam, Conor, Brendan, Patrick, Colin, Colleen, Shannon, Maura, Cailin, Kiara, etc., etc.</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">PS- This shirt was donated (thanks, Mrs. T!) so I’m not sure where it’s from, but I found it here: <a href="http://www.shopirish.com/Irish-Stud-T-Shirt">http://www.shopirish.com/Irish-Stud-T-Shirt</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-61894296090899139172010-12-25T14:37:00.001-05:002010-12-25T15:47:43.355-05:00T-shirt #358: Holy Bible, TLDNR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45G77VWK_1MY8W698Xj10PWWucWd-4CQiMkFAw-2X5ShY3W7b4qIrw7Ai5oZY0mWQm-hQqOtbTD-dLxS8TaQCBrmUrtxo05I1abU192JHiD8p_kwf-UZTWwhO8VDNvb8hsRL9qEWHqL3n/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-25+at+14.18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45G77VWK_1MY8W698Xj10PWWucWd-4CQiMkFAw-2X5ShY3W7b4qIrw7Ai5oZY0mWQm-hQqOtbTD-dLxS8TaQCBrmUrtxo05I1abU192JHiD8p_kwf-UZTWwhO8VDNvb8hsRL9qEWHqL3n/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-25+at+14.18.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554724376025784098" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">If you don’t know, TLDNR stands for “Too long, did not read”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Luckily, I know God has a sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And He also knows that, thanks to my St. John’s (<a href="http://www.stjohnshigh.org">http://www.stjohnshigh.org</a>) education, I have read the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I may not be able to quote chapters and verses, but I do remember (what I think is) the main message…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">I love Christmas, but I can’t honestly say that I believe Jesus was God in human form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do think that it’s amazing that after 2,000 years people are still talking about and worshiping the son of a carpenter. And I think Jesus’ message was great and simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He wanted people to love each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Like I wrote for my “Coexist” t-shirt (<a href="http://bit.ly/coexistshirt">http://bit.ly/coexistshirt</a>), he preached the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. But I see many “Christians” not doing that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I see them preaching hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I see them excluding others. I don’t see them acting like Jesus. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Christians said this t-shirt was sacrilegious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But like many religious groups, it’s the extremists that you hear about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not all Christians are hateful excluders just like not all Muslims believe “jihad” gives them the right to kill non-believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">What I don’t understand is why the loving/understanding/peacefulness of Christmas can’t be applied to the other 364 days of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Little acts of kindness, generosity to strangers, and Love can happen every day of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If everyone lived by the Golden Rule every day, it could be like Christmas all year long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">People decide to fight and be selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Religious zealots choose to take their beliefs and turn them into hate, war, and exclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Leaders have not figured out a way to live in peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are not taking care of our earth home or our family of humankind.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">To me, Christmas is not a religious holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I go to church, but it’s more for my mother than for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do believe in God, but my God doesn’t care what you call Him or who/what you think is divine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My God just wants (like Jesus) everyone to get along and take care of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My God wants no one left behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My God doesn’t like people using His name for hateful acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My God <i>does </i></span><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">want people to act like it’s Christmas every day, but doesn’t care if it’s December 25<sup>th</sup> or June 25<sup>th</sup> or a religious holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">To me, the real Christmas and Christian thing to do is very simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Love, and do it all year long. You certainly don’t need the Bible to do that…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">PS- thanks to Busted Tees (<a href="http://www.bustedtees.com/tldnr">http://www.bustedtees.com/tldnr</a>) for donating this shirt!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-6192027015246557822010-12-24T22:15:00.003-05:002010-12-24T22:18:04.098-05:00T-shirt #357: Santa Costume<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOx39ZQIXqA0ZNZvr6mUzSYdpTHU6mOVMQLJZjuU-NJqdxMSIDnKun5vPCb4vqaTJsibeQT1uGl-qZcVNgZdmqz67lsoCRYsW8ecm0x36Xtl3t1zX9KvjsFWppizv9s2cscnGJGIp7Mkq/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-24+at+15.59.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOx39ZQIXqA0ZNZvr6mUzSYdpTHU6mOVMQLJZjuU-NJqdxMSIDnKun5vPCb4vqaTJsibeQT1uGl-qZcVNgZdmqz67lsoCRYsW8ecm0x36Xtl3t1zX9KvjsFWppizv9s2cscnGJGIp7Mkq/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-24+at+15.59.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554453428863350130" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">If this isn’t the perfect t-shirt to wear on Christmas Eve, I don’t know what is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And in the true spirit of Santa and Christmas, I am in the giving mood today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I have written often in this blog about how I can’t stand greed and how meaningless material possessions are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, I can’t really write that unless I do something to back it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These t-shirts are a nice start, but I am putting most of the rest of my belongings up for one big auction to benefit Hope Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t even know if I will get any bids, but you never know. Please forward it to anyone you know that might be interested!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Here’s the Ebay listing for "All my stuff to benefit Hope Lodge":<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250746982699#ht_1408wt_1141">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250746982699#ht_1408wt_1141</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">And the video that goes with it:</span></p><p></p><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VVHpy8ef_IY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VVHpy8ef_IY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I am so thankful to be happy and healthy on Christmas, and to be surrounded by people that I love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me, supported this blog, and made me realize that the most important thing in life is the people you have in it and not the amount of “things” you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Merry Christmas, may there be peace on earth!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-19326928135825122182010-12-23T19:26:00.002-05:002010-12-23T19:30:18.082-05:00T-shirt #357: Charlie Brown (with Christmas tree)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9DiP9GgwBgPhxN44WoovEn2UZ8nfxi2-UQeoTrbrvp1INJCnMxSvFacc-ZnNhz_KbgNjO78vnPQQOC-e0R-29z5pgXstq60EScFZt7DGPtwJXjfmC7d-8SslPehyMtGV9II-oN1jOU1T/s1600/chuckeve.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9DiP9GgwBgPhxN44WoovEn2UZ8nfxi2-UQeoTrbrvp1INJCnMxSvFacc-ZnNhz_KbgNjO78vnPQQOC-e0R-29z5pgXstq60EScFZt7DGPtwJXjfmC7d-8SslPehyMtGV9II-oN1jOU1T/s400/chuckeve.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554039544308017218" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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got this one from 6 Dollar Shirts (<a href="http://www.6dollarshirts.com/t-shirts">http://www.6dollarshirts.com/t-shirts</a>, <a href="http://6dollarshirts.com/t-shirts/Peanuts-p-11135.html">http://6dollarshirts.com/t-shirts/Peanuts-p-11135.html</a>) this summer, I knew today would be the perfect day to wear it.<span style=""> </span>It’s “Eve Eve” afterall!<span style=""> </span>Oh? You’re not familiar with that phrase?<span style=""> </span>Well, let me tell you a little more about some McGrath Christmas traditions…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Back sometimes in the 80s, my brothers and I thought it would be fun to celebrate Christmas by lip-syncing our favorite songs on “Christmas Eve Eve”.<span style=""> </span>Back then that meant Ratt, Poison, Cinderella, Bryan Adams, Twisted Sister, and Motley Crue.<span style=""> </span>My brother Tom and I made guitars with poster paper and a wood neck, careful to draw all six strings and fill the body with cool colors and things like “Eve Eve ‘85”. Older brother Jon was in charge of the audio and lighting.<span style=""> </span>In the earlier years that meant changing cassettes quickly, using flashlights as spotlights, and turning the room lights on and off quickly for a strobe light effect.<span style=""> </span>As technology and our budget increased over the years we graduated to making mix tapes, getting a real strobe light, and using a multi-colored flashlight.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">It didn’t take long for everyone to take their seats at the concert venue, which was one of our bedrooms.<span style=""> </span>The capacity crowd was usually just the two McGrath sisters, and a few years our cousins the O’Neills managed to scalp a couple of tickets outside. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Of all the years we did an “Eve Eve” Concert, a few memorable moments come to mind.<span style=""> </span>One was the year Tom was the lead lip-syncer for Twisted Sister’s song “The Price”.<span style=""> </span>Not far into the song, Tom forgot the words and made a quick decision to face away from the crowd for any lyrics that weren’t the chorus.<span style=""> </span>Another year, one of our neighbors (Scott O’?) came over during the show – I think he just needed a cup of sugar.<span style=""> </span>Apparently my father thought we were playing the music way too loud with company over. He opened the door in the middle of a song (Ratt “You’re In Love” is very likely), and told us we had to “Keep it down, we have company!”<span style=""> </span>Yet another time, I had picked up a Stryper tape that had their version of “Winter Wonderland” on it.<span style=""> </span>During the performance, my brother Tom and I threw out candy canes to our adoring fans. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">All I can say now is I wished we had pictures and videos of these Eve Eve concerts.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">After years of thinking we were “too old” for these concerts, my brother Jon started another pre-Christmas tradition.<span style=""> </span>He and his wife Jen started having people over to watch the Christmas cartoon specials.<span style=""> </span>I believe the first time was right after they got married 15 years ago, back at their apartment. Back then it was a little more casual – come hang out and we’ll watch a few Christmas movies.<span style=""> </span>Since, there have been themes (come dressed in your PJs), trivia contests (these stopped after I kept winning), and door prizes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Now, in addition to having 3 more McGraths running around, there is a whole voting process for which Christmas specials we watch.<span style=""> </span>My brother Jon hands out paper and pens and collects all of the secret ballots.<span style=""> </span>Each title (or quote or reference) is read and tallied to figure out the winner. Occasionally there is a tie and we must vote again, but with only two special to choose from.<span style=""> </span>And you never know what will win.<span style=""> </span>Two years ago, the He-Man Christmas special won a round.<span style=""> </span>Shrek the Halls has won a couple of times.<span style=""> </span>The Grinch usually gets in every year, while Charlie Brown sometimes gets the shaft. And I don’t think Frosty or Santa Claus is Coming to Town have been viwed in quite a while (There are a few more “adult” things we watch after the kids go to bed like SNL skits or the very homo-suggestive Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank (<a href="http://amzn.to/bingfrankxmas">http://amzn.to/bingfrankxmas</a>) – always a riot).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Which brings me to the other part of Eve Eve: lobbying.<span style=""> </span>Before each vote, anyone can address the room to try and pull for which cartoon they would like to watch next.<span style=""> </span>I’m hoping my get-up will have us all singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” at some point tonight.<span style=""> </span>This year, there were even emails sent out from “Frosty” to try and build up support for a Frosty viewing this year. Whatever we vote to watch, it’s always a great time!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">I must also mention probably the funniest Eve Eve moment.<span style=""> </span>It happened last year while we were playing a round of Holiday Mad Libs.<span style=""> </span>My sister Megan was writing in the words, and it came to my nephew who was thinking of a plural noun.<span style=""> </span>He was thinking and thinking some more.<span style=""> </span>Then someone told him to just say the first thing that came to his mind.<span style=""> </span>He yelled out “Vaginas!” and everyone in the room burst out laughing for about 10 minutes – especially my friend Glen and his wife Krissy who were at their first “Eve Eve” celebration.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">December 23<sup>rd</sup> is definitely a day and night I look forward to every year. It reminds me of the time when things (like Christmas cartoons or the Wizard of Oz) were only on once a year. You had to plan around it and if you missed it, you had to wait until next year – it was more special that way.<span style=""> </span>Eve Eve is a very special time to me. It’s time I spend with people I love the most and is always a laugh-fest. Looking forward to another great Eve Eve tonight, and many more to come!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">And thanks to JB for use of the tree!</span></p>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-15041155404713635412010-12-22T20:11:00.003-05:002010-12-22T20:16:03.333-05:00T-shirt #356: GRISWOLD FAMILY CHRISTMAS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7b-cdnVlzq5h3j2ZLCOsiLHYo6XbZwQu5wuqAefayAy-meJeLhvGSxU3cPGt3lMPGWmt1shsk7P8MuvTjltwSjmNAk3vlUbTm__6UsBg0tdxoS06zf5QCx4Jx2MrSp0bvu2HaB4F6Uo3G/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-22+at+17.11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7b-cdnVlzq5h3j2ZLCOsiLHYo6XbZwQu5wuqAefayAy-meJeLhvGSxU3cPGt3lMPGWmt1shsk7P8MuvTjltwSjmNAk3vlUbTm__6UsBg0tdxoS06zf5QCx4Jx2MrSp0bvu2HaB4F6Uo3G/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-22+at+17.11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553679231362607282" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'American Typewriter', serif;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'American Typewriter', serif;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Even though A Christmas Story is a classic, Christmas Vacation is my favorite Christmas movie (The Ref comes in second place). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Thanks to my brother Jon and his family for donating this (and many of the others) t-shirt to the blog!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Like A Christmas Story, it is hard to narrow down Christmas Vaction to my favorite parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to include the Clark Griswold “flipout” scene, but I guess there are copyright issues with having the audio online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every clip I found of it had no sound. Here’s the quote: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:ArialMT;color:#262626">“Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?” –Clark Griswold<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter""><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Below are a few other great moments from the movie – another one I highly recommend seeing Christmas Vacation if you haven’t yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Although the McGraths never had a SWAT team come busting into the house during the holidays, we have had our share of Griswold-like moments over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We did have adventures picking out our yearly family Christmas tree –but my father never got caught underneath a truck as we drove there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did “help” my dad cut the tree down the year my younger sister Megan was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, I was not even six at the time, but I definitely held the tree as my dad cut it down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Most of the drama during the holidays in out house usually revolved around taking the yearly Christmas card picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was the during the pre-digital age, so we had to deal with two things: One, the limited number of film rolls my dad had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Two, that we didn’t see what the pictures looked like until after they had been sent in for developing (1 hour photos existed, but were much more of a luxury back then).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That, and there were also 5 kids who all had to have something resembling a genuine smile on his/her face at the same instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Each year, there was usually one of us who stormed out of the room upset over something (I’m betting if we could look back at the footage I would lead the McGrath League in Christmas Photo Walk-Outs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, we did get the picture done every year – even if my father had to resort to desperate measures like the one year he mooned us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What can I say, it worked!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">The McGraths did have almost an exact replay of a Griswold family moment, although it was from the original Vacation movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We planned a trip to Williamsburg, VA and the highlight I was looking forward to the most was checking out Busch Gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But when we got there, we found out the park was closed. Luckily, my father didn’t go out and buy a BB gun to force a park employee to take us on the rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We opted for attraction number 2, Colonial Williamsburg, and had a really good time (but those roller coasters would have been sweet, I’m sure!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">We did have and have our own Christmas traditions , but I will write more about those tomorrow…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:ArialMT;color:#262626">“We're gonna have the hap hap happiest christmas since Bing Crosby tapdanced with Danny fucking Kaye!” – Clark Griswold <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter";color:#262626">For more info: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter";color:#262626">And The Ref on imdb: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110955">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110955</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ppwfxg7veq4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ppwfxg7veq4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bfFuc5X-nUw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bfFuc5X-nUw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4I9qmpe3eHA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4I9qmpe3eHA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-41545607442572948062010-12-21T21:30:00.005-05:002010-12-21T21:44:01.880-05:00T-shirt #355: I SHOT MY EYE OUT! (A Christmas Story, Ralphie)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTJGD4MIeaHLClgfXgL9yZvxrsCHK7kqXSrJ6gb6In19Nym0Dr7vkutPkHVpuxib1XTxPS-LwdQxG4bYTbnqnNrebItn5K5oHhUFxLbOXMBXNZ_CkAEdDmeHXsyKkv1wgUL00Hyj6e5LJ/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-21+at+17.58.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTJGD4MIeaHLClgfXgL9yZvxrsCHK7kqXSrJ6gb6In19Nym0Dr7vkutPkHVpuxib1XTxPS-LwdQxG4bYTbnqnNrebItn5K5oHhUFxLbOXMBXNZ_CkAEdDmeHXsyKkv1wgUL00Hyj6e5LJ/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-21+at+17.58.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553328711262961506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zoXQASgxo1A_4ZJhyw0GTbuKAlHDg93-oqM9ccDjm38xjZg2jUc0_Acp7SjeCk2LvLmL3eiqGc4MY628V44DOGymuXugo8kZp-lln2Vqdf1enVriRumP3Q7jLvCoMPCzHy44amNRcJLh/s1600/Death+Star+Space+Station.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zoXQASgxo1A_4ZJhyw0GTbuKAlHDg93-oqM9ccDjm38xjZg2jUc0_Acp7SjeCk2LvLmL3eiqGc4MY628V44DOGymuXugo8kZp-lln2Vqdf1enVriRumP3Q7jLvCoMPCzHy44amNRcJLh/s400/Death+Star+Space+Station.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553328539382975538" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, serif;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">No doubt about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As far as Christmas movies go, A Christmas story (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334</a>) is a classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are so many funny scenes and funny lines; this blog simply can’t cover them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you haven’t seen it, take the time – it’s worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And don’t wait until the TBS 24-hour marathon; it’s much better if you watch it from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">After some IMDBing, I found out some things I didn’t know about Peter Billingsley, who played the lead role of Ralphie (from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0082526">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0082526</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He appeared in episodes of Little House on the Prairie, Who’s the Boss, Highway to Heaven, Punky Brewster, and The Wonder Years (which always reminds me of A Christmas Story)<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He was Co-Producer for the movies Made and Zathura: A Space Adventure<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He was Executive Producer for the movies The Break-Up, Iron Man, and Four Christmases<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He directed the movie Couples Retreat</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The one thing I did know about him was that he was “Messy Marvin” from the Hershey’s Syrup commercials:</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7-b_dRLrEvI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7-b_dRLrEvI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I also found a story about a Christmas Story Reunion:</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T_jwsrTJQBU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T_jwsrTJQBU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I never wanted a BB gun for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For me, as a budding Star Wars dork, the Holy Grail of Christmas presents was the Death Star Playset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then one year, I got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although it didn’t shoot my eye out, you can see my disappointment after my attempts to show my Death Star to my brother Jon fall short.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-sBMS5zu83Q?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-sBMS5zu83Q?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">About ten years ago we were watching all the movies my father took of all the McGrath kids every Christmas morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My sister Carolyn noticed all the Star Wars presents I got when I was a kid and said, “It’s 20 years later Dave, and you’re still getting the same things for Christmas!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Correction Ca, it’s now 30 years…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Looking forward to another awesome, laugh-filled Christmas with my family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, serif;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Oh, and I had to include at least one clip from the movie…</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ld36IkitU8Q?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ld36IkitU8Q?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-39276796905800832172010-12-20T22:54:00.003-05:002010-12-20T22:57:44.946-05:00T-shirt #354: Smile if you love someone with Crohn's Disease<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzGUGa-KAwNLFTDN8W3EIw0XaTRJ8HSkahOJffCzN4tbJaNjg9im3K-0m9wD3DF2AG_Q0Vk2gLBMKhQ1L8L63JNqbJo8ov5skY-A3WAf3x-GxKpytduYBoQetjgk-gdwa_grrvjWJBFjp/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-20+at+17.46+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzGUGa-KAwNLFTDN8W3EIw0XaTRJ8HSkahOJffCzN4tbJaNjg9im3K-0m9wD3DF2AG_Q0Vk2gLBMKhQ1L8L63JNqbJo8ov5skY-A3WAf3x-GxKpytduYBoQetjgk-gdwa_grrvjWJBFjp/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-20+at+17.46+%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552979252678346818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Of-poWuUWUL3Gjvm8KrJAdAt_aWfPA60oijfecJwr10rjdZrurrbqM3NcsjBUMQ8jvdkJx-lLe58r3JRplpagGtU1iZ6fgZu_1oXJypWO_twRNV4l4k19N48JJNw3h0SXmsBBAG9wAdq/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-20+at+21.23.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Of-poWuUWUL3Gjvm8KrJAdAt_aWfPA60oijfecJwr10rjdZrurrbqM3NcsjBUMQ8jvdkJx-lLe58r3JRplpagGtU1iZ6fgZu_1oXJypWO_twRNV4l4k19N48JJNw3h0SXmsBBAG9wAdq/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-20+at+21.23.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552979170948905666" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">It was 22 years ago today (you can see on the page I opened to in my medical record binder). I was having pain on my right side that was so intense I couldn’t stand up straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had been having symptoms for a while, but at 14, I guess I didn’t want anyone to think I was a “wimp”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After one doctor visit, I was still lying down and not able to eat much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My neighbor, Dr. Thomas (a.k.a. Dr. Bob), came up for a much needed 2<sup>nd</sup> opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After examining me, he thought my appendix was about to burst and said I should go to the ER that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, on December 20, 1988, my parents took me to the emergency room at UMass…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">My side seemed to hurt more with each bump we went over on the ride to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks to Dr. Bob’s assurance that the surgery was a “routine one”, I wasn’t scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I really just wanted the pain to stop. I toughed it out for the Westboro to Worcester trek, and we made it to UMass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">The last thing I remember was the nurse putting something into my IV and asking if that’s what was going to make me go to sleep. It did, but what was supposed to be a 45-minute appendectomy turned out to be a lot more. In the middle of the surgery the doctors let my parents know it wasn’t my appendix, and would end up working on me for over 4 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The surgeons found holes in my bowels and removed 1 ½ feet of my small and large intestines. Although I wouldn’t get an official diagnosis until after I woke up, they had discovered my Crohn’s Disease.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">I remember waking up after my surgery and seeing my parents who had been waiting for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I couldn’t talk because there was a tube down my throat, but I successfully mimed to my mother for her to put the head of my bed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Later, a priest from St. Luke’s arrived to see how I was doing. I immediately grabbed my religious medals (which had been taped to my wrists), and he performed the anointing of the sick on me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">My parents finally got to go home and let the rest of the family know what was going on (this was long before cell phones).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When my mother told my sister Carolyn what was going on, her choice of words put some fear into my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She told her “Dave’s probably not going to make it home for Christmas”, but Carolyn was holding her breath after hearing “Dave’s not going to make it…”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">I don’t remember much of the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was in the intensive care unit and remember seeing the Bruins game out of the corner of my eye at one point (they beat the Whalers 4-3: <a href="http://www.hockeyfights.com/teams/3/schedule/reg1989">http://www.hockeyfights.com/teams/3/schedule/reg1989</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, I was too out of it to even watch hockey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">When I was ready for company, my whole family came to visit me and surrounded me with love and humor. I remember the stitches from my surgery hurting a lot when my brother Jon made me laugh – he made some joke about the doctors taking out my intestines and wondering how many farts had passed through them. I whispered to my mom about the kid across from me who was always whining about how much pain he was in. She looked at him and said, “Well he must not be a “Bruin” like you are…”. My younger sister Megan was concerned about what Santa was going to do on Christmas Eve – would he bring my presents to the hospital or the house? My aunt and uncle also stopped by to say hello, and left me a copy of Hoosiers to watch (Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it was the first of many times I would use movie viewing as a way to help myself through a sickness).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">I wasn’t too excited to be in the hospital on Christmas, but having my family there helped a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They brought all the presents Santa had left for me, which made me temporarily forget where I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My brother Tom gave me a Ray Bourque rookie card, which I have cherished to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My brother Jon gave me a copy of Guns N’ Roses GNR Lies and told me to make sure I didn’t “leave it around for anyone to look at” (there were very explicit pictures and words inside).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The presents were great, but being with my parents and siblings is what really made that Christmas as normal as it could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And if my brother Jon promising he’d take me to see the Naked Gun movie as soon as I got out didn’t help speed up my healing, nothing would!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">After 10 days of the doctors telling me Crohn’s was all about, being taken care of and appreciating nurses, and visits from my family and friends, I went home on New Year’s Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our dog Murphy was so excited to see me, he ran right past me as I walked inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t even think I made it to midnight, but I didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was home and I was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wasn’t worried about having Crohn’s or thinking of what might happen to me health wise in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was just happy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Since that first hospitalization and diagnosis, I have dealt with the ups and downs of Crohn’s Disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have had good days and bad days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have been on various medications with some working better than others (the initial Folic Acid and Sulfasalazine didn’t seem to make much of a difference).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I became more aware of the prevalence of Crohn’s including the following year, when my father had NHLer and Crohnser Kevin Dineen sign a picture for me and wish me “healthy holidays”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I learned which foods sometimes made me “Crohnsy” and tried to avoid them or just took a chance and dealt with the consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got used to doctors sticking their fingers in places that weren’t too enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I ran into people who were understanding and others that had no clue…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">One person in particular, I could not believe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The year I was teaching in the public school system (I won’t mention the town, but it rhymes with “Shopkinton”), I started having some really bad Crohn’s symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was in a lot of pain, and knew I needed to see my doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After examining me, he ordered a GI scan (the fun one where you drink Barium) and told me what he thought was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He said the area where my surgery had connected my small and larger intestines was most likely scarring up and causing my bowels to back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The test would show exactly how bad it was, and would let him know if I needed more surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I relayed this to the principal of my school, she said “I’ve never heard of anyone needing surgery for Crohn’s…”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I said nothing to her then, but now I say I hope you’ve gotten an f’n clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Yes, some days are worse than others when it comes to Crohn’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stress doesn’t help and neither does Mexican food (but it’s so tasty!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have cut down a lot on the caffeine intake and “just said no” to most vegetables – especially the green leafy ones! Some days are “many trips to the bathroom” days and some are “can’t get out of bed” days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I just take it day by day and remind myself that I am on the lucky side with this disease.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are many people who have Crohn’s that are in and out of the hospital all the time. Since my first hospitalization, I have only had to stay in the hospital one other time for my Crohn’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That was in April of 2008 when I was having similar (but worse) symptoms to the whole “non-sympathetic principal fiasco”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That time after the doctor explained all the possibilities to me (including possible surgery) he asked me if I had any questions – I asked him if I was going to be able to watch the Bruins game that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was in the hospital less than a week, and didn’t need ay more surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Crohn’s does suck, but I have been very fortunate with how little it has affected my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">When life gives you a chronic disease like Crohn’s, you have a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can sit there and complain, moan, whine, and spread the misery it is causing you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or you can take it in stride, get through the bad days, keep your humor, and remind yourself of the positives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I may have Crohn’s, but Crohn’s doesn’t have me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What I do have is an amazing support system made up of my awesome family and wonderful friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And thanks to that Christmas in 1988, I know what really counts during the holidays…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">PS- I got this shirt on Zazzle! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">And My other Crohn’s shirt - <a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-235-it-passes-here-with-song.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-235-it-passes-here-with-song.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-71173933992785523832010-12-19T21:07:00.002-05:002010-12-19T21:08:43.583-05:00T-shirt #353: EAT SLEEP HOCKEY - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IJv7R9dyJax3Fr6V4dXPoYhT00ZT80BIjwj_ieM9zG403XTVNwVDitG4oTiv3ABW1fow1vdyBXYURnPrESSHXFWStRwtE6-FDUyaKtR2SpNxSLSV95g6EvOWoMsy5ZLkv6nf5isPmGub/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-19+at+17.53.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IJv7R9dyJax3Fr6V4dXPoYhT00ZT80BIjwj_ieM9zG403XTVNwVDitG4oTiv3ABW1fow1vdyBXYURnPrESSHXFWStRwtE6-FDUyaKtR2SpNxSLSV95g6EvOWoMsy5ZLkv6nf5isPmGub/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-19+at+17.53.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580370596206562" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Well, there are a couple more things that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But hockey is definitely towards the top of my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">This is the 27<sup>th</sup> hockey-related t-shirt I have worn this year (see links below).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Thanks to my wonderful mom for donating this one (and many of the other 26 hockey t’s)!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">So with all of these hockey t-shirts, I guess I should back it up with some words of support for hockey.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Here are my top ten reasons why hockey is the best sport on earth:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">You have to be highly skilled as a skater to even think about playing it.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Every goal is huge – it could be a 1-0 game or a 6-5 game.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">If you’re good enough and/or fast enough, you can play at the NHL level and be only 5’5” (see Nate Gerbe, Brian Gionta).<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">If someone on the other team is being an asshole you can fight them, take a 5 minute break, and return to the game.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">It has the best trophy – The Stanley Cup has all the players’ names that have ever won it, and the players who win each get it for a day.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">The sportsmanship – After every playoff series, the two teams line up and shake hands (and they mean it).<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Powerplays and penalty shots<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Sudden Death Overtime in the Playoffs – It’s better than any MLB, NBA, or NFL overtime playoff game and 99% of the time there’s no bad call, missed foul, or coin flip that affects the outcome.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Toughness – Hockey players are the toughest professional athletes out there, period (I guess you could argue pro fighters/boxers are tougher, but they are fighting, it’s not a game).<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17;tab-stops:list .5in left 47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can you imagine trying to get a group of people together at 9AM on Thanksgiving morning to play any other sport? We’re playing on Christmas Eve morning, too!</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">So, yeah, I love hockey. I love playing it, watching it, going to it, and video gaming it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Arial Bold', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Here are my favorite hockey sites:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://www.nhl.com">http://www.nhl.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://www.uscho.com">http://www.uscho.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://bruins.nhl.com">http://bruins.nhl.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-hockey/bc-m-hockey-body.html">http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-hockey/bc-m-hockey-body.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://www.sharksahl.com">http://www.sharksahl.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://www.hockeyfights.com">http://www.hockeyfights.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">Hockey Fights Cancer: <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25343">http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25343</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold"">And my hockey t’s:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/01/intro-and-t-shirt-1.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/01/intro-and-t-shirt-1.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/01/shirt-4-rangers-suck.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/01/shirt-4-rangers-suck.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/01/t-shirt-8-boston-college-superfan.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/01/t-shirt-8-boston-college-superfan.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/02/t-shirt-32-boston-college-old-time.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/02/t-shirt-32-boston-college-old-time.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/02/t-shirt-37-jesus-saves.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/02/t-shirt-37-jesus-saves.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/02/t-shirt-42-holy-cross-hockey.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/02/t-shirt-42-holy-cross-hockey.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/03/t-shirt-61-canadiens-suck.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/03/t-shirt-61-canadiens-suck.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-95-hockey-fights-cancer.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-95-hockey-fights-cancer.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-107-bruins-hockey.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-107-bruins-hockey.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-109-canada-is-hockey.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-109-canada-is-hockey.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-111-bruins-michael-ryder.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-shirt-111-bruins-michael-ryder.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/05/t-shirt-130-rock-em-stock-em-crew.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/05/t-shirt-130-rock-em-stock-em-crew.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/06/t-shirt-161-i-bleed-black-gold.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/06/t-shirt-161-i-bleed-black-gold.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/07/t-shirt-199-worcester-sharks.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/07/t-shirt-199-worcester-sharks.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-217-wisconsin-hockey.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-217-wisconsin-hockey.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-220-boston-college-national.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-220-boston-college-national.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/09/t-shirt-249-new-jersey-devils-1995.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/09/t-shirt-249-new-jersey-devils-1995.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/10/t-shirt-278-ft-wausau-hockey.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/10/t-shirt-278-ft-wausau-hockey.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/10/t-shirt-282-born-into-it-boston-bruins.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/10/t-shirt-282-born-into-it-boston-bruins.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/10/t-shirt-294-boston-bruins-i-believe.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/10/t-shirt-294-boston-bruins-i-believe.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-shirt-313-hockey-east-20th.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-shirt-313-hockey-east-20th.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-shirt-325-wanna-go-worcester-sharks.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-shirt-325-wanna-go-worcester-sharks.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-shirt-338-boston-bruins-phil-kessel.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-shirt-338-boston-bruins-phil-kessel.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-shirt-341-mcquaid-fight-club.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-shirt-341-mcquaid-fight-club.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-shirt-350-canadiens-suck.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-shirt-350-canadiens-suck.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Bold""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-50396716363890104112010-12-18T15:58:00.002-05:002010-12-18T15:59:37.733-05:00T-shirt #352: BOOBS ON A MISSON<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNq9_6XEz_YxSxfv0WmWw6B8p5i01PmZ3whCdFqrxXqAzYfOwkTiPwudEEvQEvo-NTT6XzRPCH0sSlnyrU9Lf5O10ycKlfklxxHw0l1G-mbzjVJsC9u7dXnJCu5vbj1_GNWz_96LsjOi_/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-18+at+15.11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNq9_6XEz_YxSxfv0WmWw6B8p5i01PmZ3whCdFqrxXqAzYfOwkTiPwudEEvQEvo-NTT6XzRPCH0sSlnyrU9Lf5O10ycKlfklxxHw0l1G-mbzjVJsC9u7dXnJCu5vbj1_GNWz_96LsjOi_/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-18+at+15.11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552129766083028962" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold"">When I saw a picture of my friend Kris wearing this t-shirt, I knew I had to have it for the blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks for getting me one, Kris!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold"">Kris was part of the “Boobs on a Mission” team that participated in an event to benefit the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold""><b>(From the website <a href="http://support.gloriagemma.org">http://support.gloriagemma.org</a>): The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation</b></span><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold""> was established in 2004 in memory of our mom and in honor of her courageous fight against breast cancer. Our mission is to raise breast cancer awareness, increase breast health education, and generate funding for critical breast health programs that are in desperate need of being brought to fruition. <b>Our promise</b></span><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold""> is that 100% of the net proceeds will remain right here in our local community. We recognize breast self examination as a critical tool in the fight against breast cancer. We also recognize all of the breast health care providers as essential partners in the war against this disease.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold"">Ironically, our quest to help other women and men cope with this disease would force us down a road too often traveled. Not only did our mom Gloria suffer from breast cancer, but our sister Gloria was recently diagnosed with this horrific disease. At the young age of 41, our sister was faced with enduring this disease…again. Because of our proactive approach to breast self exam and early detection, our sister was fortunate to have found her cancer early. Her courage and determination have prevailed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold"">Chances are you are visiting our site because you or someone you know has been affected by breast cancer. You’ve come to the right place! The simple facts are that one in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and one woman dies from this disease every 13 minutes in the U.S. Did you know that men can get breast cancer too? Over 2,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and over 450 will die from this disease. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold"">For more information:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Britannic Bold""><a href="http://support.gloriagemma.org">http://support.gloriagemma.org</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-62248909103865633182010-12-17T12:32:00.004-05:002010-12-17T12:38:42.029-05:00T-shirt #351: Tragic Comic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w30C_qFplKXcfPPHKpER1Ch1U0YbmnmysT45XaAnurg6HRlmehw8mOSQXJQuGZFkm0oeogBpTYEzIpjSVMrYhyhyphenhyphenx3M4H0H6yaLsvsBmmxBXEAjZ8psdogH88mtSl0bUKxm0CSOhUqnA/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-17+at+12.26+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w30C_qFplKXcfPPHKpER1Ch1U0YbmnmysT45XaAnurg6HRlmehw8mOSQXJQuGZFkm0oeogBpTYEzIpjSVMrYhyhyphenhyphenx3M4H0H6yaLsvsBmmxBXEAjZ8psdogH88mtSl0bUKxm0CSOhUqnA/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-17+at+12.26+%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551706653982951394" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">I made this shirt specifically for today because I knew I was going to be hanging out with my awesome friend Carl later…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Carl and I didn’t meet until our senior year of college.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As fate would have it, we were taking the same psychology practicum and ended up sitting near each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We hit it off so well that sometime in October one of our classmates asked us how long we had been roommates.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That was (ugh) 15 years ago, and I’ve been very lucky to have Carl in my life ever since…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Carl and I share similar tastes in many things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We like the same sports teams, love many of the same TV shows and movies, and (as I’ve mentioned before) enjoy the “occasional” round of video game hockey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our musical tastes overlap quite a bit, but when it comes to Extreme and Queensryche, it usually just ends up with circular arguments about who has the better guitar player (answer: Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme) or who has sold more albums (answer: Queensryche, but using that argument the Bee Gees are better than both Queensryche and Extreme). We just agree to disagree, and we have fun doing it (And yes, Carl has a Queensryche tattoo and I have a Tragic Comic tattoo). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">The one thing Carl and I do the most together is laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We make fun of each other, trash talk during video games, and bring up funny and/or embarrassing moments from our past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When one of us is down, the other one brings him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even when Carl is helping me with legal issues (which he has done on numerous occasions including a landlord that tried to screw me over), we laugh our way through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And yeah, sometimes it’s just me laughing at myself and Carl asking “What’s wrong with you?”, but I’m okay with that.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">I am very lucky to have him as a friend and am looking forward to more good times tonight…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">So, onto “Tragic Comic”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Extreme’s third album III Sides to Every Story came out just as I was finishing my last hospital stay for cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I remember my older brother letting me borrow his CD and Discman so I could have a listen as the last of my cancer-related IVs was stuck in my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After I returned to BC, there were two albums I began listening to just about every day: III Sides and Denis Leary’s No Cure for Cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There must be something about being that age and going through what I did, but these became two of my favorite albums of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As my freshman year went on and I was introduced to alcohol and more BC females, “Tragic Comic” became my favorite song on III Sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I not only related to the song lyrics, but I identified strongly with the title itself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And even though my drinking didn’t always bring out my “comic” side, I still did my share of laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Since that freshman year, Tragic Comic has become more than just a song to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is in my email address, the title to my first book of poetry (<a href="http://amzn.to/poemsfromatragiccomic">http://amzn.to/poemsfromatragiccomic</a>), and is now permanently part of my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It really is part of my philosophy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Laughing got me through cancer, it gets me through Crohn’s, and it is what helps every guest at Hope Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you don’t have humor, I don’t know how you handle any of life’s challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am re-reading Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man's_Search_for_Meaning">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man's_Search_for_Meaning</a>) right now, and even he and the other concentration camp prisoners had humor in their lives (If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend checking it out – it will give you perspective on what true suffering is and how thankful you should be even when life throws you crap).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not sure if this is what Extreme meant by Tragic Comic, but I am one and to me it means trying to laugh no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily for me, my family and friends (like Carl) make laughing a very easy thing to do…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_44jokODfzM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_44jokODfzM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">"Tragic Comic"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">Flowers, I sent,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">were found dead on their arrival<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">The words, I said,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">inserted foot in my mouthful<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">So when, we dance,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">My lead it ain't so graceful<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">(Isn't so, not ain't so)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">I'M A HAPLESS ROMANTIC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">ST-T-TUTTERING P-POET<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">JUST CALL ME A TRAGIC COMIC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">CAUSE I'M, IN, IN LOVE WITH YOU<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">And when, we dine,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">I forget to push in your seat<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">I wear, the wine,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">spilling hearts all over my sleeve<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">A stitch, in time,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">proposing down on my knees<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">(Splitting between the seams)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">I'M A HAPLESS ROMANTIC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">ST-T-TUTTERING P-POET<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">JUST CALL ME A TRAGIC COMIC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">CAUSE I'M, IN, IN LOVE WITH YOU<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">Nobody, can know the,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">trouble I've, seen<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">Nobody, can know the,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">trouble I, get into,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:ArialMT">when I'm with you</span><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-17360935204276572422010-12-16T21:10:00.005-05:002010-12-17T00:22:56.342-05:00T-shirt #350: CANADIENS SUCK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8bxdP3sMH8Ic2_zAOTYriaxlg36gzDsuAF2AHKPN8CNS74cNY6BjgFlCNokLc9O_tTNjDwaUfZvO0OAwOAw_vrCB-Q1CjH30FF2xPx49OoR2aXkDP3oi-ifeYitwtmDNV0Qyj4irfqDJ/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-16+at+17.48.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8bxdP3sMH8Ic2_zAOTYriaxlg36gzDsuAF2AHKPN8CNS74cNY6BjgFlCNokLc9O_tTNjDwaUfZvO0OAwOAw_vrCB-Q1CjH30FF2xPx49OoR2aXkDP3oi-ifeYitwtmDNV0Qyj4irfqDJ/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-16+at+17.48.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551467882811752370" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">I have worn 289 t-shirts since this one: <a href="http://bit.ly/habssucktshirt">http://bit.ly/habssucktshirt</a>, and I still think the Canadiens suck! I wore this one (which I bought outside the Fleet Center years ago) today because my beloved B's are playing the "Hated Habs" tonight...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">And very much like the Yankees sucking (<a href="http://bit.ly/yankssuck1">http://bit.ly/yankssuck1</a>, <a href="http://bit.ly/yankssuck2">http://bit.ly/yankssuck2</a>), it doesn’t matter what place the Canadiens are in – they suck.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">I am a huge fan of their captain, BC grad Brian Gionta, but they still suck.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">They just scored on a penalty shot, but they suck.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">They just went up 2-0, and they still suck.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">They have only 8 fighting majors this season…‘nough said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">Where does all of this anti-Hab sentiment come from?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, like this PSA claims about drugs, “Parents who hate the Canadiens have children who hate the Canadiens…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y-Elr5K2Vuo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y-Elr5K2Vuo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">The best thing about the B’s/Habs rivalry is that (no matter what they say), the players seem to be into it just as much as the fans:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QR0Tnh01qC4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QR0Tnh01qC4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/suYsb12Wf1I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/suYsb12Wf1I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SuFeDmhJgaY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SuFeDmhJgaY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">Hoping the B’s can comeback tonight…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:Chalkboard;">PS- CANADIENS SUCK!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-49770822462627268702010-12-15T21:58:00.001-05:002010-12-15T21:59:50.927-05:00T-shirt #349: There is no love in the heart of a city...ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVWtw55FRfATdzN78T-gon5_aI2rgGOpK6NEY7xG2FyHXqxuS9EhhUBDuce3YAFKl6yo-zcML_ndj5vfAtCLKKndaBdc8jOm0O8qaWIHdZPqx1eSzU84D2dPrRmhtJ07fyjZwLd-yIkZO/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-15+at+17.52.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVWtw55FRfATdzN78T-gon5_aI2rgGOpK6NEY7xG2FyHXqxuS9EhhUBDuce3YAFKl6yo-zcML_ndj5vfAtCLKKndaBdc8jOm0O8qaWIHdZPqx1eSzU84D2dPrRmhtJ07fyjZwLd-yIkZO/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-15+at+17.52.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551109409079417506" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">This shirt is another one donated by Letter From John (<a href="http://www.letterfromjohn.com">http://www.letterfromjohn.com</a>), which takes graffiti from bathrooms and prints it on t-shirts…Thanks, John!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">Although the t-shirt suggests pessimism, I have found evidence of a city that has love in it…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">Worcester, MA is the second largest city in New England.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">As I wrote for my Worcester, MA t-shirt (<a href="http://bit.ly/woostahtshirt">http://bit.ly/woostahtshirt</a>), there are a lot of helpful people and businesses in Worcester who enjoy giving back by helping Hope Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since I wrote that, Hope Lodge has also received a donation from Table Talk Pies (<a href="http://www.tabletalkpie.com/home.htm">http://www.tabletalkpie.com/home.htm</a>) - and all I had to do was email and ask!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">With this t-shirt blog, the Worcester media has helped reassure me that what I am doing does matter. Channel 3 did a story about it (<a href="http://bit.ly/blogontv">http://bit.ly/blogontv</a>) and there is going to be an article about my blog in the Towns section of the Worcester Telegram (<a href="http://www.telegram.com">http://www.telegram.com</a>) tomorrow, December 16<sup>th</sup>. Thanks again to these organizations for helping me out!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">Even with all the awesome help Hope Lodge has received from people and places in Worcester, the real love I see is at the Lodge itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most of the guests come here with spouses, siblings, relatives, or great friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s easy to see how much these people care for each other and how having someone with them helps the guests with their healing process. But, even guests who stay at Hope Lodge by themselves stay here surrounded by people that care about them...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">One of the most valuable aspects of Hope Lodge is that cancer patients get to live with other cancer patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their diagnoses, treatments, and histories may differ, but they all share that cancer bond – and it’s a powerful bond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No matter where they are from, what they have been through, or what they are going through, Hope Lodge guests are all pulling for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, I have witnessed disagreements between guests over the years, but that is expected in every living situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the most part the guests live, laugh, and love during one of the most difficult times of their lives (for a story a wrote about a guest, go to: <a href="http://bit.ly/hlguest">http://bit.ly/hlguest</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">There is love in Worcester, and my job at Hope Lodge lets me witness it every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you to everyone who supports Hope Lodge and everyone who supports this blog!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">For this shirt, go to: <a href="http://bit.ly/loveincityshirt">http://bit.ly/loveincityshirt</a> and see the original graffiti here: <a href="http://bit.ly/lovecitygraf">http://bit.ly/lovecitygraf</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">For more about Worcester and famous people who are from or lived in Worcester:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New""><a href="http://www.worcesterma.gov">http://www.worcesterma.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New""><a href="http://bit.ly/worcelebs">http://bit.ly/worcelebs</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New""><a href="http://www.worcestermass.com/famous.shtml">http://www.worcestermass.com/famous.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-52327138619409078532010-12-14T19:15:00.003-05:002010-12-14T19:20:53.902-05:00T-shirt #348: VOTE BILL BRASSKY IN 08<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKLWTrBxuqwcFtBdsoG_1tKsyPC46O2H2MwpuywJPaiQIrpbGTHPtiMG21XT7W6k5sWgr4cVDrMSh2TjWtJ_3Oae0NqWcMmewkoVhdaR9sLFts8SHyfpfWrWHozJ1Gss1gyuMebkphJkg/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-14+at+19.09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKLWTrBxuqwcFtBdsoG_1tKsyPC46O2H2MwpuywJPaiQIrpbGTHPtiMG21XT7W6k5sWgr4cVDrMSh2TjWtJ_3Oae0NqWcMmewkoVhdaR9sLFts8SHyfpfWrWHozJ1Gss1gyuMebkphJkg/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-14+at+19.09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550696673432984946" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">My awesome friend Ian made this t-shirt for me a couple of years ago…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I see so much of myself in Ian, it’s kinda scary.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">As far as disease, tough times, and getting screwed over by people, Ian and I could go round for round on who has been through the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">But, we were there for each other when times were tough.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We supported each other, talked to each other, and just hung out with each other. And more importantly, we never forgot how to laugh with each other…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">We watched Outside Providence, Grandma’s Boy, and Eddie Murphy stand-up until we were quoting just about every line (guys do this a lot, in case you didn’t know).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">And, we watched a lot of Saturday Night Live….a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I think our most quoted skits were from Chris Farley, Alec Baldwin (especially Zinger vs. Burns: <a href="http://snltranscripts.jt.org/03/03fzing.phtml">http://snltranscripts.jt.org/03/03fzing.phtml</a>), and Adam Sandler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">One of Ian’s favorite skits was Bill Brasky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I won’t tell you what it is, you can see for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <br /><object width="512" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/LtRrTh2G_ZBn0PaDHnInJg"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/LtRrTh2G_ZBn0PaDHnInJg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><object width="512" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/i4h93Vj_2_X1ulbERnvdzg"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/i4h93Vj_2_X1ulbERnvdzg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><object width="512" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/-or3lj52S-xvKHjoaV8Gyg"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/-or3lj52S-xvKHjoaV8Gyg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">For more on Bill Brasky:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Brasky">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Brasky</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://www.psychonoble.com/subpages/quotes.html">http://www.psychonoble.com/subpages/quotes.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Thanks for the shirt, dude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I miss ya and I love ya!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">PS- According to the web, it’s Brasky not Brassky, but I still love this shirt!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-13002637727595075132010-12-13T21:49:00.005-05:002010-12-13T21:52:07.508-05:00T-shirt #347: One Ball, Two Strikes - The Inaugural Greg Montalbano Golf Classic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AMgHZA0AJkTEQBeEYKRHMAUfSWZnbbJS3ixfH8o995EcmkmMJcpXfp_oia6hXilfseJ_M3bIGR9FHqHB2RGRI_cT4HBsLHwwVtrFWoysi-hoDhyphenhyphenM4J15yH1HaakCJme41tQv1voHkQtQ/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-13+at+18.05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AMgHZA0AJkTEQBeEYKRHMAUfSWZnbbJS3ixfH8o995EcmkmMJcpXfp_oia6hXilfseJ_M3bIGR9FHqHB2RGRI_cT4HBsLHwwVtrFWoysi-hoDhyphenhyphenM4J15yH1HaakCJme41tQv1voHkQtQ/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-13+at+18.05.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550365185161570946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68JfNoHgsH614Ys_37eoDfMpU8dICbbC5cVyNW-Zcpr-4FxVmwZH0Eij-DDvcPN2ftjJUFKAQlKkK10D7FTwcwHv0lSkkudrCUo0SQpDSrsiR59MRwxv21ZAysPHgvlSRd9nO8ZMe4guH/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-13+at+18.05+%25234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68JfNoHgsH614Ys_37eoDfMpU8dICbbC5cVyNW-Zcpr-4FxVmwZH0Eij-DDvcPN2ftjJUFKAQlKkK10D7FTwcwHv0lSkkudrCUo0SQpDSrsiR59MRwxv21ZAysPHgvlSRd9nO8ZMe4guH/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-13+at+18.05+%25234.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550365116653729074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhRbyTgXQleNKU-tJjjwS_c6-8H4XSIN7vTajDRqptn5nfCKEH2eZtimIv4mMxhRXJGJKPURQrgKr2JNYRkpJNlofz5qY_6OK1Aul2ydsFbgg6VxBH0JdZiaremX_QqY8AXFjmPyf3i2Q/s1600/card+front.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhRbyTgXQleNKU-tJjjwS_c6-8H4XSIN7vTajDRqptn5nfCKEH2eZtimIv4mMxhRXJGJKPURQrgKr2JNYRkpJNlofz5qY_6OK1Aul2ydsFbgg6VxBH0JdZiaremX_QqY8AXFjmPyf3i2Q/s400/card+front.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550365018986202002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhUM03j2EbJVIgJCXnh9FqZ9DWKKT8jLxM4DzXEZfiN2EZJcN0iDDKCOE0J8fTNPSHsnro5z6voeTsa3vQsRshtfUuMOSI41sNJgjPbqvhaswVpWe5sPk468pkGT6-T09nyxLVfFTEmFQ/s1600/cardopen.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhUM03j2EbJVIgJCXnh9FqZ9DWKKT8jLxM4DzXEZfiN2EZJcN0iDDKCOE0J8fTNPSHsnro5z6voeTsa3vQsRshtfUuMOSI41sNJgjPbqvhaswVpWe5sPk468pkGT6-T09nyxLVfFTEmFQ/s400/cardopen.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550364942614379234" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">When I was shuffling through old keepsakes to find things to include in my blog about my sister Megan for her birthday (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DudtXbvIDWg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DudtXbvIDWg</a>), I found this card Greg sent me when I was sick with cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I started crying, but I also laughed…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">The crying part was something that I am familiar with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know and can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a sibling, cousin, son, fiancé, or best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I do know how it feels to lose someone you know who was fighting the same battle that you fought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For me, it’s a mixture of loss, asking unanswerable questions, and wishing there was more I could be doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am a cancer survivor, and announce that fact proudly whenever it’s appropriate. But when I am reminded of those who have lost their battles, I begin asking why I am still here. I start getting flashes of “Survivor’s Guilt”.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">My junior year of college, two people I knew lost their battles with cancer. One was Danny, who I knew from high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was just a couple of days away from going home after his bone marrow transplant, but caught something before his body was ready to fight any more.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The other was a 13-year old named Justin who I had met while I was in treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was only ten at the time, and was one of the bravest people I have ever met. We requested to share a hospital room when we were getting treatment at the same time, and watched the Sox games with passion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Justin asked his mother to call me so we could hang out towards the end, but I was in the hospital having my stomach pumped and on my way to rehab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although the guilt of not being there for Justin is something that I don’t think will ever go away, I know his passing is something that gave me the strength to never drink again.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">When Greg was diagnosed, I began wondering if there was something wrong with the water at St. John’s (3 SJ students within 3 years of each other diagnosed with cancer?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I sent him a card to let him know I was there if he needed support even though I knew (like me) he was already surrounded by a very loving family and close friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was reminded of Danny and Justin throughout Greg’s up and down battle with this horrible disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were already two people I knew who were no longer with us, I did not want a third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Plus, I already knew Greg’s family and had grown up with his cousin Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He <i>had </i><span style="font-style:normal">to make it through, I thought…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">In 2004, my friend Matt lost his close friend Casey to cancer (see: <a href="http://caseymemories.blogspot.com/">http://caseymemories.blogspot.com/</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I got my flashes of guilt, there was now another person I thought about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, I thought of Greg and was glad when I heard news of him doing well and striking out a lot of batters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He had hit some bumps (small and large) in the road since his diagnosis, but I still was confident he was going to be okay.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">When I heard the news last year that things were going poorly for Greg, I didn’t want to believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I kept thinking something will happen, and he’ll be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even when he passed, I didn’t want to believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got sad, mad, and guiltier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I told my friend Matt that Greg was my “go to person” whenever I felt guilty about surviving, he told me that I was the person he thought about when Casey entered his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It helped, but I still wanted Greg to be here…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">I don’t know if many cancer survivors have the same feelings, but I do feel I owe it to those who have passed to make something special of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And not just “You work with cancer patients, that’s great” special, I feel a need to make my time on earth really count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For Danny, for Justin, for Casey, for Greg, and since Greg’s passing for my friend Aimee’s mom Linda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Danny, Justin, Casey, Greg, Linda, and the several Hope Lodge guests who have passed away since I started here 3 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think of them every day, and I ask them for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I tell them that I am trying my best to make my life extraordinary, and I need their strength to guide me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I know they are somewhere watching over all of us…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">Okay, that was enough serious stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did mention that this card made me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It made me think of Greg and all that guilty crap I just described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But then I looked at the card and all the birds and the message inside and I chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It just didn’t seem like a card that a freshman in high school would pick out (maybe I’m wrong?). I thought of Greg and what he’d be thinking of this card today, and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And it made me think of all the cards I got when I was sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The pictures on the front and the words already in the card aren’t nearly as important as the signature you read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got this card from Greg. It meant a lot to me then, and it’s really damn special to me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Greg, it’s been over a year since you left us, but your card from 18 years ago made me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You are a constant source of inspiration, and you will always be part of my life.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">Speaking of inspiration, this t-shirt (donated by my awesome Aunt a.k.a. Auntie) was part of the first Greg Montalbano Golf Classic – an event that is a testament to how much Greg’s life meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For more information, you can go to: <a href="http://www.1ball2strikes.org/index.html">http://www.1ball2strikes.org/index.html</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">And for my other Greg-related t-shirts:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/05/t-shirt-135-st-johns-alumni-baseball.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/05/t-shirt-135-st-johns-alumni-baseball.html</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/06/t-shirt-163-saint-johns-alumni-golf.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/06/t-shirt-163-saint-johns-alumni-golf.html</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-236-montalbano-31-st-johns.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-236-montalbano-31-st-johns.html</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">Greg’s Globe obituary: <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="color:#A5B3C3"><a href="http://bit.ly/gregobit">http://bit.ly/gregobit</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">Greg on Baseball Reference site:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Greg_Montalbano">http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Greg_Montalbano</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt">My poem for the guys…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><u>Danny, Justin, and Greg<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">I struggle to sleep every night<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Under a blanket woven with<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Kindred cancer threads,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Will I ever find reasons<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">For all this malignancy?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">The weight of four lives<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Is concentrated chemo in this<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Survivor’s guilt quilt,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">I owe it to them to show<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Why I’m the one still here.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">How long will I have to<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Listen to this Aerosmith song,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">I’ll keep hitting repeat until<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">I can no longer move my arm.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Danny, Justin, and Greg,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Every story,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Every line is dedicated<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">To you,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">My hospital brothers.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Please help me<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Bring this sick world<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">Closer to a cure…<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-35584337876874484762010-12-12T19:24:00.002-05:002010-12-12T19:25:29.193-05:00T-shirt #346: SUN MULTISPORT EVENTS 2010 Event Staff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTsaPiCQjAmvYRlV5O78zCdqBYFS8TkZdy8tEhy3tNQvLwDhzHaul_xghJsPuMeadNbM1cH5fMK6qrwuek3ZDFRlVlaCZUoLSF6r4lcchDV4iTwH0CqD9AMEnMv1uEmdjXHe9e2C4z_Bv/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-12+at+18.36.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTsaPiCQjAmvYRlV5O78zCdqBYFS8TkZdy8tEhy3tNQvLwDhzHaul_xghJsPuMeadNbM1cH5fMK6qrwuek3ZDFRlVlaCZUoLSF6r4lcchDV4iTwH0CqD9AMEnMv1uEmdjXHe9e2C4z_Bv/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-12+at+18.36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549956324518412162" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I got this shirt on August 15<sup>th</sup> this year when I volunteered at a triathlon in Westboro. Well, my dad asked me to “help out”, and I gladly did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although I mostly wore another t-shirt that day (<a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-227-i-think-we-should-start.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/08/t-shirt-227-i-think-we-should-start.html</a>), I did wear this one over it for a few hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">The most interesting thing about the event (<a href="http://www.sunmultisportevents.com/Westborough_Sprint.htm">http://www.sunmultisportevents.com/Westborough_Sprint.htm</a>) to me was the fact that every athlete had to have their age written on their body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have never seen so many women publicly admitting their exactly how old they were!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">My responsibility was to point athletes in the right direction coming to and leaving the bicycle area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can proudly say that none of the triathletes incorrectly exited the bike area during the entire event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I will give credit to Sun Multisport Events (<a href="http://www.sunmultisportevents.com">http://www.sunmultisportevents.com</a>); as they left, many of the athletes said they were impressed with the way the race was organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">It was a fun day, and day I got a free t-shirt! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-30172178239626271272010-12-11T17:54:00.002-05:002010-12-11T18:02:11.851-05:00T-shirt #345: iPood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaYITB8y3gd8XGuYdjFcQM3TlpSTGu285sR-RwcksO9Qa3F3FpYjYUeLuZjkTR82NBVt5-Xu2k4lydUZ2tGecsoaEN4mPlCzaKMPb6Tb5oDOrxdTEl5vCZ5iLTQ5yJOGZKrmDgFFDXRHA/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-11+at+15.17+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaYITB8y3gd8XGuYdjFcQM3TlpSTGu285sR-RwcksO9Qa3F3FpYjYUeLuZjkTR82NBVt5-Xu2k4lydUZ2tGecsoaEN4mPlCzaKMPb6Tb5oDOrxdTEl5vCZ5iLTQ5yJOGZKrmDgFFDXRHA/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-11+at+15.17+%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549562140969135602" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">This hilarious t-shirt was sent to me from my awesome sister Megan (along with a book she got me a while back!). It’s Meg’s birthday today, so rather than write about my “poo issues” (that’s for another blog),<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I thought I’d try something different and go with a little iMovie blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hope you enjoy it Meg, and it doesn’t embarrass you too much! We are all very lucky to have you in our lives!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Love you and Happy Birthday!</span></p><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DudtXbvIDWg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DudtXbvIDWg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-75200090081826105632010-12-10T16:58:00.002-05:002010-12-10T16:59:03.043-05:00T-shirt #344: WHAT IN THE FUCK ARE YOU LOOKING AT?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfWOXZP35ES4P1R7APxduI8TSfsDoEkueLPr2NqOgzTAPPP0TwDkUDArS5TvsDGk2U4Axw9YEpq1ddSOkH6OofeFC0Nz0UIheakn2v3eYfddRoDq8GCXQ9vq-qWUbmcvrEPl_fx1N6JAV/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-10+at+16.51.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfWOXZP35ES4P1R7APxduI8TSfsDoEkueLPr2NqOgzTAPPP0TwDkUDArS5TvsDGk2U4Axw9YEpq1ddSOkH6OofeFC0Nz0UIheakn2v3eYfddRoDq8GCXQ9vq-qWUbmcvrEPl_fx1N6JAV/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-10+at+16.51.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549176443817968114" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">This t-shirt is yet another “weekend t” donated from Foul Mouth Shirts (<a href="http://www.foulmouthshirts.com/funny-t-shirts">http://www.foulmouthshirts.com/funny-t-shirts</a>, <a href="http://www.foulmouthshirts.com/New-Shirts/WHAT-The-Fuck-Are-You-Looking-At-T-shirt.htm">http://www.foulmouthshirts.com/New-Shirts/WHAT-The-Fuck-Are-You-Looking-At-T-shirt.htm</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks, Foul Mouth!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">So, what are you looking at?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who has worn 344 different t-shirts this year, who couldn’t have done it by himself, and who is thankful for everyone who helped him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who loves his family, and can’t imagine where he would be without them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who is worried about his “Little Brother” because he was just put into the care of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who loves his job at Hope Lodge and wants to do whatever he can to help it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who loves hockey – Go B’s and Go BC!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who lives with Crohn’s, beat cancer, and has had 2 kidney stones.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who really wants to get paid to wear t-shirts next year.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who thinks it will be cool to see Star Wars in 3D, but thinks George Lucas should donate all the profits of the 3D release to charity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who doesn’t give a fuck if you swear around him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who is hoping he gets to Ireland sooner rather than later.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who still isn’t a fan of “W” and thinks if you make more than $250,000 and are worried about taxes, you should take a pay cut so you make “only” $249,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who doesn’t care about your religion, race, nationality, sexuality, or gender – just how you treat other people.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who hasn’t had a drink since May 7, 1995.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who admires Denis Leary, Cam Neely, Jon Stewart, Eddie Vedder, Oprah Winfrey, and Howard Stern.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who will never get tired of playing with toys.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who can take just about any situation or story and relate it to a moment or quote from Star Wars, The Simpsons, or Family Guy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who doesn’t mind that it’s getting cold and thinks you can only complain about one extreme in temperature.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at someone who thinks no one in the world (let alone US) should be without food, shelter, and health care.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">You’re looking at a guy who isn’t sure what he’s going to write about next year…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">(Feel free to comment on what in the f- you think you’re looking at!)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-31760904664196991802010-12-09T20:09:00.002-05:002010-12-09T20:11:59.368-05:00T-shirt #343: the office<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbRBaXfrSRjfVH38YvK5yTSaOvq00hJh14WAk_B4aPmUTPCR4U6LRk-ztxgvhMIP5H1Znq0dpsiZMsEXQ4PmuS5mH55MTic8Ym5rxn-20aMX4BACGdThkgVCp1c2gWz8EWUJtJxDGfIjL/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-09+at+18.34.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbRBaXfrSRjfVH38YvK5yTSaOvq00hJh14WAk_B4aPmUTPCR4U6LRk-ztxgvhMIP5H1Znq0dpsiZMsEXQ4PmuS5mH55MTic8Ym5rxn-20aMX4BACGdThkgVCp1c2gWz8EWUJtJxDGfIjL/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-09+at+18.34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548854689524262706" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'American Typewriter', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'American Typewriter', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Thank you to my friend Christi for sending me this t-shirt! If you don’t know why I wore it today, you must not be very familiar with the Thursday night TV lineup (good for you!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">When I mention The Office to people, most of them say they either love it or hate it. Much like Seinfeld, there doesn’t seem to be much in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And, as with Seinfeld, I think it comes down to the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you love the characters on The Office, you love the show.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You don’t care what kind of predicaments they get into; you enjoy watching them no matter what the situation. I have to say my favorite character is Michael, although Pam is a close second (partly due to the fact that Jenna Fischer is one of my celebrity crushes).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m sure if you watch The Office you have your own favorites, but I’m also betting no matter who they are you laugh a lot every Thursday night from 9:00-9:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">If you have never watched The Office, you should definitely check out Season 1 sometime (and keep in mind there is also a British version you can watch too!).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Fore more info:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter""><a href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/">http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter""><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Episode Guide: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/episodes">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/episodes</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Original show US Office is based on: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290978/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290978/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"American Typewriter"">Here’s some Office for you!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3Pw_eX97TUw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3Pw_eX97TUw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object width="512" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/RlVXDC7b6YmyCTmihB6pkA"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/RlVXDC7b6YmyCTmihB6pkA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-16406233613440498382010-12-08T22:35:00.003-05:002010-12-08T22:42:42.988-05:00T-shirt #342: John Lennon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzdTkWjg5tEGxezyKynZgpIBTCPng_syGN9n0Y0DpnMaFYVGiTOo2pRwN0xprD3zZUMSKsizbJt6jAQeb1vtAOTez5XOltqrqOlSiva2hwlrl2_aptE_qhb6uMP9mdA-VyQWbL9D4juMK/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-08+at+22.34.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzdTkWjg5tEGxezyKynZgpIBTCPng_syGN9n0Y0DpnMaFYVGiTOo2pRwN0xprD3zZUMSKsizbJt6jAQeb1vtAOTez5XOltqrqOlSiva2hwlrl2_aptE_qhb6uMP9mdA-VyQWbL9D4juMK/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-08+at+22.34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548521925648481794" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">I was only 6, but I remember. It was the morning after Mark Chapman had shot John Lennon, and my mom as really, really sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was the reason I already knew all the words to many Beatles songs, and why I was one of only two in my first grade class who knew who John Lennon was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was Todd D. and I, and we were trying to explain to our classmates who The Beatles were and why it was a sad day for a lot of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">I’m glad when it happened I was too young to realize how tragic Lennon’s murder was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although some might argue that Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder aren’t as important/influential/talented as The Beatles and John Lennon, I think the equivalent for me today would be if someone shot Eddie Vedder – something I don’t want to even imagine happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">I will never understand why it seems that the ones who stand for peace, understanding, and making the world a better place are the ones that people want dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was JFK, MLK, and RFK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even though John Lennon wasn’t a political figure, he stood for many of the same things that all of those men preached.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Like I quoted for my John Lennon “Imagine” shirt (<a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/03/t-shirt-82-imaginejohn-lennon.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/03/t-shirt-82-imaginejohn-lennon.html</a>), “Imagine all the people living life in peace…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">Thirty years ago, the world lost one of its best songwriters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>John Lennon was a peacemaker, dreamer, and inspirational figure. The world would be a better place if people lived by the words he wrote and his songs in part were inspiration for this blog. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">Right now, we are a world at war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We fight over oil, religion, and possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We kill over who owns what and who thinks their religion is better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>John Lennon was right: all the wars and all the fighting could be over if enough people wanted it (<a href="http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/06/t-shirt-170-war-is-over-if-you-want-it.html">http://davestshirts.blogspot.com/2010/06/t-shirt-170-war-is-over-if-you-want-it.html</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">Thank you for all the songs and inspiration, John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hope wherever you have been for the last 30 years that you have been writing songs, and I get to hear them someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"American Typewriter"">Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095702452091049532.post-21448279926050981172010-12-07T16:45:00.004-05:002010-12-07T17:01:51.840-05:00T-shirt #341: McQUAID FIGHT CLUB<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K4hl3Y0E-E0qs7ZxmMLxdKpn8KrHFBipsLdGDBpwzqiN35oFliWGatdE3QpzIo6FgZpjeygwPudiUEoRLlwW3ScfQe78K8wakAqYDHIYZ1quve6cmMTKhGxsOFGlSyCRqRN8ZYajzuQH/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-07+at+16.29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K4hl3Y0E-E0qs7ZxmMLxdKpn8KrHFBipsLdGDBpwzqiN35oFliWGatdE3QpzIo6FgZpjeygwPudiUEoRLlwW3ScfQe78K8wakAqYDHIYZ1quve6cmMTKhGxsOFGlSyCRqRN8ZYajzuQH/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-07+at+16.29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548063707286387698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0TdQcJ9rh7aVAuvk3Gw13dZoX1377Yn9TxD-IPxWQqCUZVU9iawcOcOQjb2mM9gwdFHOYD66GeHad50UvbuQHc9H2S2VYPUcoIGFA3Q3rVyftUnvEZMe98o6xA6Azgn-AKYevnPfybdo/s1600/Photo+on+2010-12-07+at+16.30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0TdQcJ9rh7aVAuvk3Gw13dZoX1377Yn9TxD-IPxWQqCUZVU9iawcOcOQjb2mM9gwdFHOYD66GeHad50UvbuQHc9H2S2VYPUcoIGFA3Q3rVyftUnvEZMe98o6xA6Azgn-AKYevnPfybdo/s400/Photo+on+2010-12-07+at+16.30.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548063643271539394" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:HelveticaNeue, serif;color:#434343;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:HelveticaNeue, serif;color:#434343;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I’m heading to the Bruins game tonight, so I wanted to make a t-shirt for one of my favorite Bruins players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">Adam McQuaid is a tough, hard-hitting, and hard-working defenseman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It also doesn’t hurt that he’s from PEI, and is one of the nicest hockey players I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">I’m off to the game, will write more later…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black"">For more info on Adam McQuaid:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://bruins.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471717">http://bruins.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471717</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Black""><a href="http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1877">http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1877</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:47.35pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:HelveticaNeue;color:#434343"><u style="text-underline:#434343"><a href="http://bit.ly/mcquaidstime">http://bit.ly/mcquaidstime</a><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cg00DOoa35c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cg00DOoa35c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Dave McGrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11852038941777676105noreply@blogger.com3