End of Summer

The summer is rapidly coming to an end but that only means College/NFL football is a mere week(s) away. Tailgating will be in full swing soon, and meaningful gambling can commence. Truly a great time of the year. There are numerous betting options available to all BK members. 

This time of year always gives rise to stories about a secret society within the BK club that runs an over/under College Football pool. It's so secret nobody knows exactly who is in it. What I do know is Jim is dying to get in on this exclusive club. One rumor is that Jim has a blood relation in the club but Jim still can't get in. Jim - if I hear anything, I will put in a good word. Maybe they have a secret handshake. 

Today was a particularly pleasant meeting. I suspect it was because there was very little talk regarding politics. Everyone seems to be all talked out and totally disgusted with the options. Once the debates kick in I am sure we will be discussing politics again. A 3rd party may receive one or more votes from the BK club. Al was the trailblazer on this one. 

I sensed a little ethnic tension between Al DelPizzo and Tom Rooney. All I can add is Pizza goes down pretty darn good with a pint of Guinness. 

Today's highlight for me, if not the summer's highlight, was when Phil Steele, the best College Football analyst alive, responded to my tweet questioning his accuracy. They don't call him 'The King of College Football' for nothing. 
Record of Tweets;

@philsteele042 Phil - your slipping. On page 96 you have Carlton Agudosi at 6'. He's 6'6". Total disrespect to Rutgers.

@edwardabauer I just looked at my magazine and he is listed at 6"6" 220, what page 96 are you looking at?

@philsteele042 Phil - my apologies. I doubted the king. My breakfast buddies are killing me for doubting you. I mis-read it. Love the mag.

@edwardabauer No problem, appreciate you reading it that closely. Have a great weekend!

Movies of note:
Southside with You - A peak at the first date between Michelle & Barack Obama. 
You have to be kidding. To quote John Sheedy, "why would anyone want to see this movie?."

Sully - On Jan. 15, 2009, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) tries to make an emergency landing in New York's Hudson River after US Airways Flight 1549 strikes a flock of geese. Miraculously, all of the 155 passengers and crew survive the harrowing ordeal, and Sullenberger becomes a national hero. 
As shared by Al
"OK. Which runway would you like at Teterboro?" the controller says.
"We’re gonna be in the Hudson," Sullenberger says.

It was great seeing Patrick, Katie and Brennan. Patrick always brings his 'A' game around College Football season. I only spoke with Katie and Brennan for 60 seconds but I packed more craft beer talk in that 1 minute than I normally do in an hour.

The Olympics

Members present(in order of appearance):

Ed Bauer

Mike Hagerty

Tom Rooney

Perry Berrnochi

Jim Widdoss

Members absent:

Rick Black

Al DelPizzo

Mike Ballanco

Steve Bohnarczyk

Issues discussed:

1. What to do about the persistent lack of attendance by some of the members.
A few solutions were offered but I choose not to air them here. The penalties and fallout will be delivered at the appropriate time.

2.  Olympics
Ryan Lochte - Decorated Olympic swimmer and a complete idiot.
Is it really an international crime incedent? Some members felt so. I(Ed) appeared to be the lone wolf who thought this is a big to-do over nothing. He pissed on a wall, ripped a poster down and vandalized a gas station bathroom. That used to be called a night out with the boys. Yes, he should pay for damages but is this really worthy of the lead story on the nightly news? Is this really the same as OJ driving around in a Ford Bronco after he murdered 2 people? I think not.

Men's Basketball - nobody really cares.
Women's Basketball - is genuinely exciting to watch.
Track and Field - the only Olympic sport that really matters...ok, a little harsh, just get rid of Golf, Pro Basketball and even Soccer.

Men's wrestling - we would have loved to have chatted up with Rick, our local wrestling expert, regarding Jordan Burroughs, the favorite in 74-kilogram weight class. However, Rick wasn't present.
Burroughs, of NJ, fell way short of expectations.

3. Atlantic City - Why is Atlantic City such a shit-hole? All agreed the current condition is a disgrace.
To satisfy Coach Rooney, who is always hung up on a lack of factual data, has challenged me to back my statement that it is the governments fault. Perry has pointed out that AC has enormous untapped potential and is still closer to most of NJ than Bethlehem, PA(Jim has an unusual pronunciation of Bethlehem) and Mohegan Sun, CT.

4. Donald Trump - what is wrong with this man? Where do we begin?
Hillary Clinton - always states she did nothing different than Colin Powel and even was advised by him on how to handle email communication. CP claims he never advised her on email. As a matter of fact, the state department didn't have email during his tenure. He used AOL for non classified communication. Is it possible Hillary is not telling the truth? Are these two candidates the best we can come up with???

5. Football is starting to get mentioned.
A little talk from Mike regarding the QB position of the NY Jets.

6. Jim is always looking for someone to Golf with.

7. Misc. Those BK members who were present, feel free to add something that I may have failed to mention.

Health Section: this section is to share health issues that may be of interest to its members.
Ed Bauer - underwent a back operation to repair a herniated disk and a bulging disk.
Performed by:
Dr McDonnell of
University Orthopaedic Associates
2 Worlds Fair Drive
Somerset, NJ 08873.
I have a 3 inch incision on my back and can walk for the first time in 6 months without a painful limp.
Arrived for surgery at 6:30 AM
Surgery started at 7:30 AM
Ended at 9:00 AM
Woke up at 10:00 AM
Walking at 11:00 AM
Home at 11:30 AM

Residual pain, which I do have to a very small degree,  is expected but should go away over time.
I could not be happier with the outcome. My fishing and hiking days are long from over.