Tomorrow is Groundhog Day.  The annual ritual of letting a furry rodent determine if Spring is coming sooner or later than expected.  Don’t know what critter’s record is, but I have a better method of determing the end of winter.

     Tomorrow in Tampa, Florida is also Christine Day.  This where we blindfold my mother, put her in a dark closet next to a large picture window.  After keeping in there, light deprived for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, we then walk her out of the closet, spin her around a couple of times, and then remove the blindfold.  Disoriented and somewhat angry at being put in a closet against her will, we then scream- “Do you see your shadow?  Do you SEE your shadow?”  My mother- now somewhat afraid- will bark out an answer of “yes” or “no” whereupon we call her sister, Angie in Ohio with the results.  She then contacts the rest of the family members with the news of either an early spring or a much longer winter.  Then we calm my mother down by “promising” that this will be the last year for the ritual, and steady her frayed nerves with a shot of whiskey.  Then we have waffles.  But hey- if you wanna stick with the groundhog for your predictions- suit yourself.

     Author Erich Segal recently passed away.  His book, LOVE STORY was a huge hit and was turned into a successful, tear-jerker of  movie.  It also put the ridiculous phrase: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” into the public consciousness.  Really?  If that’s true, can any of us ever claim to have been “in love?”

     A statistic on our show today claimed that women apologize on average, at least five times a day.  Men only three.  Why?  Do women have more to apologize for?  Are men just too stoic to say the words?  No and no.

     One of the rationalizations from the women in the studio was that women do it (apologize) more as a method of peacekeeping in relationships.  Apologizing is easier than continuing on with what they have have determined to be a “dead- end” discussion.  Some of the men claimed that they say it, just because “it’s expected” of them.  Both seem to lack the sincerity of what an apology is supposed to be about.

     I’ll admit it. I say it.  A lot.  And a good percentage of the time, I mean it because I’m not the easiest person in the world to be in a relationship with, but what comes to mind is- am I apologizing for “who I am” or “what I’ve done?”  It’s tricky, emotional territory.  I don’t think you should apologize for WHO you are be you man OR woman.  If you have a problem with that, ha- “I’m sorry.”  You should’ve read the brochure in its entirety when we met.  Apologizing for what you’ve done?  Well that’s a whole different matter.  We’ve all spoken a harsh word, committed a stupid act or in my case have managed to do both in one fell swoop.  (Yeah, I’m THAT good.)  That’s when an sincere apology definitely comes into play…along with dinner,  a small gift and the already broken promise that you will “never do that again.”  But here’s something to consider…

     My grandparents were married for over 50 years.  I lived with them for awhile as I was growing up.  I am not exaggerating when I say that not a day went by where they were not at each other’s throats about something.  After awhile, I didn’t think anything of the daily tirades.  In fact, I would be taken aback a bit when I would go to other people’s homes where seldom a harsh word was spoken.  It was weird and struck me as a bit surreal, and served as the only times where I saw television without the volume cranked to rise above the din of argumentative voices.  My roundabout point is this:  my grandparents, despite word after harsh word, never apologized to one another for any of it.  The truest and most sincere version of an apology came when my grandfather passed away.  My grandmother would sit in her late husband’s favorite chair on the front porch and just sigh and quietly say how much she missed her “Nicholas.”  I guess in this particular case, Mr. Segal got it right.  Staying married for over 50 years and missing that person everyday afterwards spoke for the volumes of apologies that were never uttered.  And this isn’t a cop out, but  I will note that my grandparents came from a different time, where the socialization of marriage and love was reflected and dealt with in different ways.  In 2010, can we still hold on to “love means never havingto say you’re sorry?”  Yeah…’cause now we can ”text” it instead.  Now, go play nice.

     Okay.  Time to start blogging again.  I haven’t for awhile because the holidays were hectic which led into a new year that was equally hectic, which also led to a mild case of apathy as I played a little catch-up.  Now as February is just around the corner, I feel I’m ready to rejoin my spot in the human race.  (I’m in 645th place by the way).

     In January, I made sure to make NO resolutions, but by saying that I realize now that I unconsciously made a resolution.  But I’m happy to report that as of this writing, I haven’t broken that particular vow, or I’ve kept it.  Depends on your perspective. 

     I know that exercise is on tap on one of these starts to the week, but I’m waiting for those who made that particular resolution to fail so I  don’t have to wait for a treadmill to open up.  Smoking is still part of 2010 for me, though I think another attempt to quit might be on the horizon.  There are other things on the list too, but I’m not going to rattle them all off right now.  I need to have something else to write about later this week.

My holiday book, THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COCKTAILING: ONE MAN. ONE MONTH. ONE VERY MERRY MISSION is available on amazon.com, but if you want to pick one up “live” (and save on the shipping and handling) the Bar and Book Tour kicks off on December 5th with a stop at The Dublin Village Tavern from 5 to 7pm.  On December 9th, we’ll be at The Liberty Tavern in Powell from 6 to 8pm and then on December 15th you can catch us at Gallo’s Tap Room just of Bethel Rd. from 7 to 9pm.  Hope to see you there.  Happy Holidaze and May All Your Christmas Drinks Come True.

A lot of love and spiked liver enzymes went into the making of it, but my mission to create 25 original cocktails for the holiday is finally here. THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COCKTAILING: ONE MAN. ONE MONTH. ONE VERY MERRY MISSION is now available for purchase.  If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer-look no further!  HAPPY HOLI-DAZE!!!

The book is available for purchase online and you can also follow along on our facebook page.

Last night after being a fan for 20+ years, I finally got to see Leonard Cohen.  Ask 10 peple on the street, 9 will probably say, “Who?”  But that tenth will be enthusiastic and happy to share in the Cohen.  A poet before he eever became a songwriter, it’s the lyrics that stand out most in his songs, but the melodies are equally haunting.  Never heard of him?  Get some.  And don’t worry, you probably have heard a lot of his songs.  Some of your favorite artists have had huge success with Leonard Cohen penned songs, but nothing beats the original crafting his own stuff.

     It’s the October Potluck at the Italian Club tonight.  We’re all supposed to make and bring something.  I’m going with a repeat: my Feta Cheese and Cucumber salad.  Easy to make and quickly devoured and yes there is more in it than just cheese and cucumbers.   The secret?  Ha!  Like I’d tell you.  What’s the best thing you can make or cook?

     We’ve been invited to an “ALTER-EGO” Halloween party.  It’s sparked some interesting conversation.  Who is your alter-ego?

     Last night I was at the Funny Bone for another roast.  Not me this time, though I did receive my fair share of “shots.”  Last night was a Roast for a radio competitor and a friend, Daddy Wags from Q-FM.  He’s celebrating his 30th year at the station which is an amazing accomplishment.  30 year at anything consecutively is impressive, but in radio- at ONE station- is virtually unheard of.  I’ve got 15 logged in here at Sunny.  Another 15 would put me at 65 years of age.  I’m all for keeping a good thought, but that scenario is unlikely.  Nonetheless, the roast was a success as is the career of DADDY WAGS.  Congrats, buddy.

30th Annual Italian Festival is this weekend.  Save up in the  “eats” department.  There will be more good food than you can shake a pepperoni stick at.  Speaking of “sticks” one of the offerings will be the antipasto skewers from The Columbus Italian Club.  They were a hit last year, so we’ll be doin’ ‘em again!  I’ll be working the booth on Sunday with some of my fellow members, so stop bye and say hello.  What’s your favorite local festival?