Friday Football

Well, here are my picks for this week in the NFL. I must say that I'm not crazy about all my teams having a bye week so early in the season ... makes for a very boring Sunday. (But, no fear! I am going to the Phillies game with Willow tomorrow ... that should be a blast!)

Minnesota vs Tennessee
Denver vs Kansas City
San Francisco vs New Orleans
Arizona vs NY Jets
Green Bay vs Tampa Bay
Atlanta vs Carolina
Houston vs Jacksonville
Cleveland vs Cincinnati
San Diego vs Oakland
Buffalo vs St. Louis
Washington vs Dallas
Philadelphia vs Chicago
Baltimore vs Pittsburgh

I have been fighting a nasty cold, thus my negligence in posting over the last few days. I will be back on track next week.

I Guess Good Things Don't Change ...

Tuesday Trivia #2

Question: Tommy and Gina are named in three songs ... Living on a Prayer, Its My Life and _________? (post your answer below)


I didn't want to say it in this way
I didn't want to see the day
I'd say these words to you.
I didn't want have to explain,
Sometimes heroes have to lose...

Everybody knows the promise of the river.
Everybody goes with the fire in their eyes.
Everybody knows you can lead a horse to water.
But there's nothing anybody can do,
Rivers run dry.

Bon Jovi - 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong
listen to the song

What a great line ... everybody goes with the fire in their eyes. This is one of those "why the hell didn't it make the record songs" for me. I loved it from the first moment I heard it and it continues to be one of my faves.

My Music Monday

People are always surprised that I'm a classically trained musician, considering the music I tend to listen to and the concerts I attend. So, I thought I'd take Mondays to focus on some of the music that has shaped my life and continues to inspire and excite me. And, surprise surprise, it is not ALL Bon Jovi - though today's album does actually have a Jovi connection (more on that later.)

You were standing at the station
That rainy night I left
You looked so fine, baby

I couldn't catch my breath.

Once I started running,

I never asked the cost.

Too many years and miles

To find out what I'd lost.

Some things can't be bought.

Everybody's colder now

lt's everywhere I go

I'm getting tired of living

In a world that's got no soul.

Coming Back

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
Often referred to as the Grandfather of the "New Jersey sound", Southside Johnny has been a staple in my listening library for longer than I can remember. What makes this band so great ... a few things -- the songs are timeless, Southside's voice and that horn section. I love Southside's voice ... its that "been around the block - seen it all" roughness that gets me. And I must repeat THAT HORN SECTION. Oh what I would give to play bari sax in that band!!

It is no surprise that Jon Bon Jovi was so influenced by SSJ and you can see it in Jon's performances - not imitation, but certainly influence. I highly recommend seeing the Jukes if they are performing in your area. Lots of energy. A little craziness and a sound you won't forget.

SSJ's "Better Days" album is one of my all-time favorites as well as "Reach Up and Touch the Sky" which has live tracks of all the classic Jukes tunes. For you Jovinuts, Jon makes an appearance on two tracks on "Better Days" including singing harmony on the absolutely fantastic "Soul's on Fire."

After three decades, the band is still doing shows and making records. Southside is just as crusty as ever (it really is part of his charm) and the musicians in the band are of incredible quality (maybe that's why Jon keeps stealing them ... LOL.)

For more, visit http://www.southsidejohnny.com/.

LET'S GET SIRIUS! SIGN UP HERE!

The radio saved my life tonight
The old song that the DJ played
Made me feel alright...

Driving down that lonesome highway
Just me and my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight.

The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
Bon Jovi


Sirius Radio announced that there will be an AC/DC channel .. yep, those crazy guys 24/7. Now, I have nothing against the Aussie rock powerhouse, but when-oh-when will we get Bon Jovi radio?!

(For those who aren't already aware, there is a great internet radio station out of Poland that does probably 90% Jovi ... they do play some wonderful rare and live tracks ... you can find them here .. simply click on the speaker icon on the right side under where you see Always-BJ Radio)

We need Sirius to step up and create a station for the boys ... so here's your chance to allow your voice to be heard ...

NFL Week 3 Picks

Kansas City vs Atlanta
Oakland vs Buffalo
Tampa Bay vs Chicago
Carolina vs Minnesota
Miami vs New England
Cincinnati vs NY Giants
Houston vs Tennessee
Arizona vs Washington
Detroit vs San Francisco
St. Louis vs Seattle
New Orleans vs Denver - sorry FM, you know I love ya and the Saints, but Cutler is hot this year
Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
Jacksonville vs Indianapolis
Cleveland vs Baltimore
Dallas vs Green Bay - ok, it kills me to have to pick Dallas, but I am not convinved Rodgers is gonna stay as strong as he started
NY Jets vs San Diego

Jon Nominated to NJ Hall of Fame

TRENTON, N.J. — Actor Jack Nicholson, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal are among 30 nominees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Members of the public will help select the 10 inductees for the hall's second class by voting online through Nov. 30.

"As with our first class of nominees presented in 2007, this assemblage of New Jersey Hall of Fame nominees is indeed impressive," Bart Oates, chairman of the hall's board of commissioners, said Tuesday in announcing the nominees.

The nominees are from the fields of arts and entertainment, sports, history and enterprise. Only people who lived in the Garden State for at least five years are eligible, though current residency is not required, hall spokesman Don Smith said.

Last year, the hall inducted 15 members into its inaugural class, including Bruce Springsteen, Yogi Berra and Frank Sinatra.

(Associated Press)

Tuesday Trivia

I drove all night down streets that wouldn't bend.
But somehow they drove me back here once again.
To the place I lost at love, the place I lost my soul,
I wish I'd just burn down this place that we called home.

Its Hard Letting You Go
Bon Jovi - These Days


TRIVIA QUESTION: What movie inspired Jon to write this song?

(ain't that just a breathtaking picture ... ahhhhhhhhhh)

These Days. Damn, I love that whole album. Easily, another of my "if stranded on a desert island" records ... ha ha Island Records ... okay ... not funny ... well maybe just a little funny ... c'mon! (For my non-Jovi friends, that is the label the band currently records on ... actually, the same company they've always recorded for ... just the name has been changed more times than anyone can keep track of ... some combination of the words Mercury and Polygram and Island.)

In any case, its Tuesday so that's trivia day (see question above.) That also means that football for the week has come to an end ... in this case except the Texans game which will be played sometime later in some place with some people.

MMQ (Part 2)
Record for Week 2: 10 of 15 ... should have been higher ... Saints should have won. And I knew I was taking a chance picking the Eagles, but you gotta support your home team, right? (Well, okay, maybe not if you're living in Oakland - ha ha ha) I must say, though, the Eagles/Cowboys game WAS something. Lots of long bombs. Moronic moves. Exciting turnovers.

So the Yankees have decided to finally start winning ... ummm ... hello ... couldn't have done this two months ago?!?

"In the Studio" with Jon and Richie

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary (can you believe it?!?) of their New Jersey album, Jon and Richie were guests on "In the Studio" to speak about the writing and recording of this spectacular record.

In my opinion, this album - which sold over 18 million copies worldwide and spawned hits like Bad Medicine, Lay Your Hands on Me and I'll Be There for You - solidified their place forever in rock-n-roll history, showing that their previous record (a little one named Slippery When Wet), was not a flash in the pan.

Bon Jovi on "In the Studio"

once you are on the site, click on Bon Jovi in the list at the left

MMQ - Week 2 (part 1)

Greetings friends! I am taking coffee intravenously trying to wake up after watching 10 hours of football yesterday. See ... the pain I go thru just for this blog ... LOL

So ...where do we even start with MMQ? (for those non-football people, that stands for Monday Morning Quarterback)

CRAZY PLAY OF THE DAY
By far, the game of the day to talk about is ... believe it or not .. Denver vs San Diego. OMG - the last two minutes were like an arena game - complete with bad officiating (you are sure to hear more on that once we hit Soul season...) In any case, so the blown call. The two-point conversion. The almost successful "hail Mary" pass. Dang!

HARD HITS
The hardest hit of football this weekend wasn't on the field ... it was on the sidelines. If you have a weak stomach, don't watch the video of Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis getting taken out on Saturday during the game against Michigan. Result? Torn ACL and MCL ... now he and his buddy Tom Brady can get a group discount on a physical therapist.

OTHER WEEKEND NEWS
So, my beloved Yankees are not going to make the post-season. That stinks particularly because I'd like to have a reason to watch TBS ... of course, its a Jovi thing ...

New Bon Jovi Baseball Video

How great that they used footage from the Central Park concert in July. Mistress, Willow and Hath ... yes, I have watched it repeatedly trying to see us.

MY PICKS
So .. how'd I do ... more on that later ...

Week 2 - Half-Time Update

Uh-oh ... my teams better start getting it together ... I'm prayin' here!

Ain't this a beautiful pic ...

B in Germany ... was this yours?

Week 2 Picks ...

Okay. Here I go. I'm putting it in writing ... my picks for Week 2.

Chicago vs Carolina
Tennessee vs Cincinnati
Green Bay vs Detroit
Buffalo vs Jacksonville
Oakland vs Kansas City
Indianapolis vs Minnesota
NY Giants vs St. Louis
New Orleans vs Washington (yes, Fiction Mistress! ... LOL)
San Francisco vs Seattle
Atlanta vs Tampa Bay
Miami vs Arizona
San Diego vs Denver
Baltimore vs Houston - POSTPONED
New England vs NY Jets

Sunday Night Game
Pittsburgh vs Cleveland

Monday Night
Philadelphia vs Dallas (this was a total toss-up. But, considering where I live ... and that Willow might kick my ass ... I had to go with the Eagles.)

Bill ... what's playing on your iPod?

Bounce. Bounce.
Nothing's gonna bring me down.
Bounce. Bounce.
Stand up. Shout it out.

Bounce. Bounce.
I play hard. I play to win.
Count me out.
Count me in.
I'll be bouncing back again.

Bounce
Bon Jovi - Bounce

Everybody knows that Jon dedicated this song to Bill Belichick. Bet Coach was listening to it a lot this week.

I know many a fantasy football participant whose season went down in a Blaze of Glory with the injury to Tom Brady last Sunday. And now, believe it or not, the Jets, yes the New York J-E-T-S, are actually favored to win by several sports analysts.

Yea, so its been 3,217 days since Matt Cassel has started a football game ... and sure, he's going up against one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in recent years. But, don't count out the New England Patriots just yet. When you have receivers like Randy Moss you can just throw the damn ball into the air and he'll go get it - especially when you have a rookie corner trying to contain him. Still, you can expect play-calling will favor the run game more than if Brady were in ... but have you seen Maroney? The man can run (ok ... maybe not with the take-no-prisoners steamroller approach of the Giants Brandon Jacobs, but still ...) And, then there's Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi ...

But the real reason to keep the faith ... Bill Belichick. Regardless of what you may think about the Spygate scandal or the fact that he has the public relations skills of a garden rock, the man will lead his team to rise above the situation and focus on the task at hand. It may not be this week but I have no doubt they will come out the other side stronger and better.

Bad news for the rest of the NFL.

PS Still to come later today, my picks for Week 2.

You Know What Friday Means ...

I like it. I like it.
I can't get enough.
I like it. I like it.
I get a rush.

I like what I like.
And I like it too much.
You know what I like, yeah.
I get a rush.

I Get A Rush
Bon Jovi - 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong




Time for Football Fridays!
As I alluded to in my welcome post, I'm a bit of a sports nut ... mostly its football - both NFL and AFL ... but also baseball, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, golf, basketball, hockey, volleyball ... just about anything. Needless to say, I'm still catching up on sleep after watching the Olympics 24/7.

There's one thing, though, I have never been able to get into. That's college football. Sure I might watch Notre Dame every once in a while, but that's only because I have met Charlie Weis at a Jovi show or two.

Maybe the college game doesn't resonate with me because I didn't go to a school with any sports. Correction! Juilliard actually did have a hockey team. Yes, a hockey team. The Juilliard Penguins. I gotta say ... the team wasn't very good, but the pep band rocked. Ha ha ha.

In any case, there was a bit of college football news this week that caught my attention ... that was the actual naming of the upcoming OSU/USC game. For those who didn't know, its been named "Collision in the Coliseum." I love how the media has this overwhelming need to label things.

So, of course, Thursday morning on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike, the incomparable duo of Greeny and Golic, explored the topic by choosing an upcoming game and re-naming it. What did they choose? The Stony Brook - Maine game. Some of the potential names?

Commotion by the Ocean
Lashing at Lobsterland
Rumble for the Humble
Mobsters versus Lobsters
The "We'd Rather be Playing Lacrosse" Bowl
The LL Bean Bowl

This got me thinking. There's a big rivalry being played out at the Meadowlands this weekend. Of course I'm talking about the Patriots/Jets game.

So, what should we call this one? How about ... Mayhem in the Marsh, Torture on the Turnpike, Jousting in New Jersey ...?

Feel free to post your idea in the comments section.

Tune in tomorrow for my take on that game and my picks for all the games for week 2. Man I love this time of year!

P.S. I must give a shout-out to my blogging partner in crime, The Fiction Mistress. Its Mistress Mail Friday and Samantha always has something fun to say. The link to her site is on the left.

I Remember

That was my brother lost in the rubble,
That was my sister lost in the crush,
That was our mothers,
Those were our children,
That was our fathers,
That was each of us.

Undivided
Bon Jovi - Bounce


I can still remember like it was yesterday. It was the most gorgeous New York day. The sky was so incredibly blue. Today is actually eerily similar.

I remember that as I got off the subway at Columbus Circle, there was an announcement of no service south of Houston due to a police investigation.

I remember the uncertainty in our administrative assistant's voice as his father, working at One Police Plaza, abruptly ended their phone conversation with the news of the second plane.

I remember sitting at my desk in the office completely numb as we heard of the towers falling.

I remember calling every friend and colleague that I knew worked in or near the World Trade Center.

I remember going out to get a sandwich and Seventh Avenue being completely silent ... then the sound of a plane overhead, low and loud, and the quick moment of fear that flashed across people's eyes.

I remember the collective sigh of relief as we saw it was one of "ours" ... they had started military fly-overs.

I remember my boss wouldn't let us go home. I now realize that was probably the best thing he could have done. At least we were all together.

I remember opening the door to our office and seeing our administrative assistant's father in his uniform, covered head to toe in soot, standing at the door ... a look of exhaustion and profound sadness in his eyes.

I remember sitting on the subway going home and the incredible sense of connection between this random group of strangers.

I remember the funerals.

I remember.

The Power of Words

I've been staring at the page
For what seems like days.
I guess I'll put this one down.
For a while.

Did I see a tear fall
From your eyes?
Or did you laugh so hard
That you cried?
When I served my secrets
On a silver tray to you.

Every Word Was A Piece of My Heart
Jon Bon Jovi - Destination Anywhere

This song is one of my all-time favorites. I remember the first time I heard Jon's Destination Anywhere album. It was so different than what I heard from the band - many of the songs seeming like a truly personal expression of the writer's innermost thoughts.

I have always loved words - words of songs, words in books, words on signs.

It probably comes from my mom, who is one of the most avid readers I know. I remember one year when she set a goal of reading 52 books ... I think she ended up at more than 75 by the end of the year.

But, our lives get in the way and at a certain point I found myself only reading things that applied to school and,then later, to work. And writing ... well, that became more about composing compelling paragraphs to gain support for whatever orchestra, theatre, charity or project I was working with.

But, recently, I've started really reading and writing again. For those of you Jovinuts, here's the link to my new story, The Things We Do for Love. Yes, I took the plunge. Much thanks to Mistress, Goddess and Willow who have been my support group.

Anyway ... I digress ... words. Yes, words can lift us up or give us perspective. They can calm our fears or even illuminate them. In the end, words are what we have as a tool to express ourselves ... perhaps the best tool we have been provided. So ... use them wisely.

Welcome

After some coaxing from friends (and you know who you are!), I have decided to bite the bullet.

So ... this is it ... my little corner to muse on the crazy, unpredictable, delectable and downright disastrous. Here you will find a daily smattering of news, thoughts, memories and, of course, opinions about the people, places and events on this journey that is my life.

I can't promise it will always be smooth and polished ... my friends know I'm a big fan of James Joyce and so stream-of-consciousness is inherent in my nature. I can promise that I will be honest - for the good and the bad of it. I can also promise that there will be lots of references to Bon Jovi (the man and the band), music, sports, books and booze.

Why Bon Jovi? Because over the past two decades, this band has inspired me, consoled me and educated me. Their music has made me laugh and made me cry. Their performances have entertained and exhausted me. And maybe most importantly of all, this band has helped me forge friendships that will last a lifetime.

Thanks for stopping by ... and I hope you do so often.

P.S. One of the fabulous features here at Jovi Junction will be my pick for Bon Jovi Song of the Day. Going forward it will be at the top of each Daily Dish, but for this first day, I'll just include it here.

I guess I would have to go with Livin' on a Prayer today ... mostly because that's how I feel about this whole foray into blogging ...hmmm ... or maybe because that's how I felt about the Patriots season when I heard Tom Brady was out for the year ...