Six Ways To Celebrate The Holidays

With the holidays now in full swing, so comes the most stressful time of year. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, turkey dinners and an occasional holiday carol. But let’s be honest. Amongst the joys of the holidays come some unwarranted headaches. I’m not sure who finds enjoyment in fighting crowds at the mall while trying to figure out gift choices for those impossible to buy for relatives. Maybe I’m missing something. Especially in New England, where the temperature begins to drop and the days become shorter, and we’re all reminded of the tough couple of frigid months that lie ahead.

Although as the calendar flips to the winter months, a whole new batch of seasonal beers hit the market. On the heels of Oktoberfest and some of the best seasonal brews of the year, winter beers have a tough act to follow. But here is a six pack that will help you cope when the in-laws come over to visit.

Long Trail Hibernator

Long Trail has a reputation for putting out quality beers, and that’s exactly what you get from this Scottish style ale brewed in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont. This dark auburn selection is made with caramel and chocolate malts, but is rather hoppy and relatively easy to drink. It lives up to its name, being a nice brew to sip on when you’re hanging in and avoiding the cold.

Troegs Mad Elf Ale

If there’s one good thing about February, it’s when this Hershey, Pennsylvania brewery releases its Nugget Nectar. It’s so good that your local liquor store has trouble keeping it on the shelf. But their holiday selection is also a nice surprise. Brewed with hints of cherries and honey, this crimson shaded ale brings a nice jolt to your taste buds. With the alcohol by volume at 11%, grab a 22 oz. at the end of a tough day at work or the mall.

Sam Adams White Christmas

This limited release has the qualities of a white ale, or Belgian style witbier, with an unfiltered, hazy golden appearance that you can’t see through if poured into a glass. But the brewers of Sam Adams throw in hints of cinnamon and nutmeg to give it that holiday appeal. Even if you’re like me and not a fan of a natural wheat beer, it’s worth a try. And if you’re still not a fan, pick up a Sam Adams Winter Classic twelve pack, which also includes Old Fezziwig Ale and the classic Winter Larger, both solid beers for this time of year.

21^st Amendment Fireside Chat

This post would have been completed a week ago if I had only found a store that carried this beer sooner. I recently become a fan of this San Francisco brewery’s Brew Free! Or Die IPA, so when I found out about this winter selection, I had to try it. I was like Captain Ahab on a mission, and my search was well worth it. It’s a classic winter style ale, with a dark complexion and a nice blend of spices that aren't too overpowering. It’s only available from October through December, so do yourself a favor and grab a six pack while you still can.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

It wouldn’t be wintertime without an abundance of stouts and porters to choose from, so it would only be fitting to include one on this list. Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout is one of the better choices you’re going to find. It’s an Imperial stout style of beer with a rich chocolate flavor, and available throughout the winter months. Instead of a piece of pie, crack one of these for dessert after your holiday dinner. Or just have both.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

If none of the previous suggestions suit your fancy, stock up on this beer for your holiday party. Sierra’s seasonal selections are all good, but their Celebration Ale might be at the top of the list, and it’s as good as any winter ale you’re going to find. It almost makes the winter months bearable. Simply one of the best.   

Bad Guys We Tend To Root For

It’s a defining moment in a series that has so many. Walter White, the chemistry teacher turned meth cooker, stands in front of a rival group of drug dealers. He is out in the middle of the Albuquerque desert, where so many of his meetings with associates have taken place.

“Say my name," Walter orders.

“Heisenburg,” the group’s leader reluctantly replies.

“You’re goddamn right.”

Heisenberg. Walter White’s drug kingpin alias. Heisenberg is more of a myth in the criminal underworld, but it’s the identity that Walter has morphed into over the course of five seasons of Breaking Bad. His initial intentions for entering into the meth business were all about providing for his family when he received the news that he was dying of lung cancer. Eventually Heisenberg made Walter lie to his family, manipulate his associates and murder people that might bring him down. Soon all of his actions and decisions were that of Heisenberg’s, and not that of family man and teacher Walter White.   

This final season of Breaking Bad has been a tumultuous roller coaster, with some of the most intense episodes of the whole series. We found out this past week that Walter was hiding in a cabin in the woods of New Hampshire. We already knew from previous episodes that he does return to Albuquerque, with an M60 machine gun in the trunk of his car. It doesn’t look like it will end well, be we will learn the final fate of Walter White on the series finale this Sunday.

The underlying question is what does Walter deserve? Throughout the series as we’ve watched his progression, the more difficult decisions became easier for him to make, all for the sake of protecting himself and his family. But we never would root against Walter, even though deep down we all knew our protagonist was turning into a conniving sociopath.

This has been a central theme in many popular dramas in recent years. This past spring the passing of James Gandolfini brought his most popular character Tony Soprano back to the forefront. Tony, struggling to find the balance between his family and his role as a crime boss, eventually became one of the more significant and recognizable characters in the history of television. His list of evil deeds was so extensive, but we would still tune in every Sunday to see what he would do next. The final scene of The Sopranos is open to interpretation, but most signs point to Tony meeting his fatal end.

Gandolfini’s untimely passing was right around the time that Mad Men concluded its sixth season. Another protagonist, Don Draper, finally opened up to his co-workers about his troubled past and was placed on leave from the ad agency he worked so diligently to develop. His actions were so unlike the whiskey swilling, cheating and client manipulating Don we’ve grown so accustomed to. Has Don’s history of being an unfaithful husband, questionable father and poor behavior finally caught up with him? Is the sudden dismissing from the craft he’s so passionate about a deserving punishment?

Whether it’s Tony Soprano, Don Draper, Nucky Thompson, Jax Teller, Ray Donovan, Vic Mackey, Tommy Gavin or Dexter Morgan, we can’t helped but be drawn to their deceit, lies and distasteful behavior. Some of the best drama series television has ever seen has revolved around it. We seek it out and can’t get enough of it. As a fan, I don’t want to see Breaking Bad end. We would all like to see more of Walter White and what he can get away with next. But I am also brimming with anticipation. If these last few episodes can determine anything, we are in store for an immense and suspenseful conclusion. There hasn’t been a point in the series that has ever disappointed, and I don’t see the finale being any different. I’m sure it will be what Walter White deserves.         

Betting on the Emmys

My father and I are in a NFL pool. Every week we make sixteen picks against the spread on Sunday’s games with a couple of over/under picks thrown in depending on how many teams are on a bye. We’ve been doing it for several years, and every year we seem to be getting worse. We base our pick on how a team played the week before. We lose. We base our pick on how many points a team averages scoring a game. We lose. We base our pick on a dome team with a lousy quarterback making a cross country trip to play a road game outdoors. We lose.

Why can it be so hard to pick NFL games? Damned if I know. I like to convince myself that I come up with a logical reason for each pick, but sometimes it doesn’t always pan out. So can this concept and reasoning be applied to other areas of entertainment and leisure besides sports? And can it be just as difficult? Let’s find out.

Along with a full day of football, this Sunday will also mark the 65^th Primetime Emmy Awards, where the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will hand out its annual honors. So I though what better way to enjoy the Emmys than to look at the odds, make some picks, and see if I can choose some winners in some of the major categories. Hell it can’t be worse than trying to pick football.

(Odds figured by Bovada)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad: 4/7

Maggie Smith, Downtown Abby: 2/1

Emilia Clark, Game of Thrones: 13/2

Christina Hendricks, Mad Men: 9/1

Morena Baccarin, Homeland: 14/1

Christine Baranski, The Good Wife: 14/1

If you want to take a chance, the best odds for your money are probably with Smith, who won the award last year. But Anna Gunn is going to begin a trend here. As Breaking Bad approaches its end, all of the actors are putting in top notch performances, and they’re all going to be recognized. Look for Gunn to take home the trophy.

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad: 1/2

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland: 7/4

Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad: 12/1

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones: 14/1

Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire: 25/1

Jim Carter, Downtown Abby: 30/1

I’m a big fan of Dinklage and Patinkin and both their characters. If this was last year, I would have bet heavily and with confidence on Dinklage’s Tyrion Lannister. His performance in the ‘Blackwater’ episode alone is one for the time capsule. And I would have lost big time. Aaron Paul took the Emmy home as Jesse Pinkman, the meth cooking junkie with a conscience. As the odds on favorite, your money is safe on Paul to win back to back awards.

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep: 1/3

Tina Fey, 30 Rock: 4/1

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation: 5/1

Laura Dern, Enlightened: 12/1

Lena Dunham, Girls: 20/1

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie: 50/1

Poor Edie Falco. If this was ten years ago and this nomination was for a drama series, I’d be all in. This year I’m going to roll the dice on Fey. Louis-Dreyfus is great as our Vice President Selina Meyer, but this is the last chance for Fey to be recognized as the quirky and endearing Liz Lemon. Fey’s performance throughout the series established its smart and original brand of comedy, and she should be rewarded for its brilliance.

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Louis C.K., Louie: 4/7

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory: 2/1

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock: 9/2

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes: 25/1

Jason Bateman, Arrested Development: 25/1

Don Cheadle, House of Lies: 50/1

Who would have thought that Matt LeBlanc would be receiving acting accolades after his success on Friends? I guess playing yourself must be really hard to do. It’s also great to see Jason Bateman on this list in his return as Michael Bluth. But if I’m going to lay my chips down, it’s going to be on Jim Parsons to win his third Emmy. I could make the same argument for Alec Baldwin as I did for Tina Fey, but for some reason everybody loves Sheldon Cooper. This is the one category that I could also see long shot Don Cheadle sneaking away with the award.

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Claire Danes, Homeland: 1/3

Kerry Washington, Scandal: 13/4

Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel: 15/2

Robin Wright, House of Cards: 12/1

Elizabeth Moss, Mad Men: 25/1

Michelle Dockery, Downtown Abby: 50/1

Connie Britton, Nashville: 50/1

If there’s one sure bet, it’s Claire Danes. Nobody brings obsessiveness to the extreme more than CIA agent Carrie Mathison, who is played perfectly by Danes. It’s not going to be a huge payout, but at least your money is safe. None of the other odds are even close.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad: 4/7

Damian Lewis, Homeland: 12/5

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards: 7/21

Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom: 20/1

Jon Hamm, Mad Men: 25/1

Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey: 66/1

I never thought the odds would be so stacked against Don Draper. But when you’re going up against a drug kingpin, more than likely you’re going to lose. Damien Lewis could bring a nice payout as the conflicted Nicholas Brody, but the praises for Breaking Bad are going to continue. Cranston has the chance to take home his fourth straight Emmy as his portrayal as chemistry teacher turned meth dealer Walter White. I see this is as much of a sure thing as Danes.

Best Comedy Series

Modern Family: 1/2

The Big Bang Theory: 7/1

Louie: 5/2

30 Rock: 8/1

Girls: 30/1

Veep: 25/1

Your money will be safe with Modern Family, which is going for its fourth straight Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. But I might throw a side bet on 30 Rock. I have written in a previous post that 30 Rock was smart and original, and there are not many comedies of its quality. Similar to Fey, it should be recognized one last time.

Best Drama Series

Breaking Bad: 4/11

Homeland: 4/1

Game of Thrones: 9/1

House of Cards: 6/1

Downtown Abbey: 20/1

Mad Men: 40/1

It doesn't make sense to me that Mad Men has the worst odds here. These are all qualify shows, but these past two seasons of the AMC drama have shown some of its finest moments, and I would feel more confident with Mad Men winning the award over House of Cards and Downtown Abbey. With all of the twists and turns on Homeland, it could also come away with its second straight Emmy. But the night belongs to Breaking Bad. The final season has been nothing short of intense, sustaining its crown as the best drama on television until it unfortunately ends in a couple of weeks. All hail the king.

NFL Preview

September in New England. There’s really nothing quite like it. About 250,000 students invade the city of Boston as they make their way to college. There's early signs of fall, where the leaves begin to change color and the temperature starts to cool down. The local breweries are putting out some of the best seasonal beers of the year. And if we’re lucky, the Red Sox are making a late season push to play in October.

But most importantly, football returns.

One the greatest things about the NFL is how unpredictable it is. Despite the match up, any team can go out and win on Sunday. Early season contenders can have a disappointing season and some teams can come out of nowhere to make the playoffs. This year looks to be no different. You have your contenders (Denver, San Francisco, Seattle), your up and comers (Miami, Kansas City, St. Louis) and the just plain bad (Oakland, Jacksonville, and the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!!!!).

It’s been said that defense wins championships, which has sometimes been the case. But on occasion a better offense trumps a strong defense. In the case of winning the Super Bowl, it’s usually a team peaking at the right time, and not necessarily a preseason favorite. The current odds-on favorites to meet in the Super Bowl are the Denver Broncos (great offense) and San Francisco 49ers (great defense), which is all well and good. But I’m going to go a little against the grain. Denver will play in the AFC Championship, but they will have to go through Foxboro, where Peyton Manning is 0-2 in the post-season. He is also 4-9 in his career against Tom Brady. That doesn’t bode well for Denver. In the NFC, I like a rematch of last year’s championship game, but this time Atlanta gets the best of San Francisco. In a New England and Atlanta Super Bowl, playing in the first outdoor, cold weather championship game in league history in the Meadowlands, I have to go with the Pats. But then again, a Houston and Green Bay match up wouldn’t surprise me either.

* Wildcard Team

AFC East

1. New England Patriots (11-5)

2. Miami Dolphins (8-8)

3. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

4. New York Jets (4-12)

Tom Brady

Both the Bills and the Jets have quarterback problems to begin the season. The Bills lost Kevin Kolb for the season to a concussion and promising rookie EJ Manuel to a knee injury. Depending on Manuel’s status, they might have to turn to undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel. The Jets defense should keep them in games, but their offense has too many holes in it, beginning at quarterback. We might see the end of Rex Ryan in New York before the season is over. The Dolphins made the most of improving during the offseason, acquiring Mike Wallace as another target for second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Their defense should be better, and they are the most improved team in the division. Tannehill is still developing though, and his progress this season could determine if Miami can push for a wild card spot. But the division still belongs to Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Brady might have lost some important parts of his receiving core, but he’ll bring out the best of the new receivers around him. Their defense is also on the rise, and the Pats should be in line for their fifth straight division title.

AFC North

1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) *

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

4. Cleveland Browns (5-11)

Joe Flacco

This is one of the toughest divisions that can be won by three of the four teams. The defending world champion Baltimore Ravens return with a reloaded defense that’s younger and faster, led by outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil. Joe Flacco needs to show he’s a leader and play up to his $120.6 million dollar contract after his remarkable postseason and Super Bowl run. The Pittsburgh Steelers have some question marks, especially in the running game with second round draft pick Le’Veon Bell having to miss the start of the season with a foot injury. Their defense is a year older, and Ben Roethlisberger will need to stay on the field if Pittsburgh wants to make the playoffs. Cleveland is still rebuilding and is heading in the right direction, but they will be the victim of the other tough teams in the division. I’ve never had much confidence in Coach Marvin Lewis, and part of me is surprised he has lasted as long as he has in Cincinnati. His Bengals are talented on both sides of the ball, but it remains to be seen if Andy Dalton can take this team to the next level and win a playoff game.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans (11-5)

2. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) *

3. Tennessee Titans (5-11)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)

J.J. Watt

The biggest question in this division is if Andrew Luck can make the leap in his sophomore season and lead the Colts to a division title over the Houston Texans. Probably not this year, but he is close. Luck should continue to improve with his college offensive coordinator coming to Indy, taking another step to become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. The Texans are still the best team in this division, with a balanced running attack and a strong defense led by Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. Matt Schaub needs to play more consistent than he did down the stretch last season if they want to make a deep playoff run. Both Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker need to prove they can be the answer at quarterback for their respective teams. It will be a long season for both Jacksonville and Tennessee if they can’t.

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos (11-5)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)

3. San Diego Chargers (6-9)

4. Oakland Raiders (2-14)

Peyton Manning

Philip Rivers will need to have a strong campaign this year if the Chargers are going to have a chance at making the playoffs. The offensive line needs to protect him better than they did last year, where Rivers was sacked 49 times, the second most in the league. If he continues to struggle this could be his last season in San Diego. Kansas City has the potential to be one of the most improved teams this year with new quarterback Alex Smith and Coach Andy Reid. Oakland will struggle to win games, and should be in line for a top draft pick next season. That leaves the Denver Broncos, an early season favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning has a loaded receiving core, adding Wes Welker to join Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. Losing linebacker Von Miller for six games could hurt them early, but their offense is too good for any other teams to compete with them for the division.

NFC East

1. Washington Redskins (10-6)

2. New York Giants (9-7)

3. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

4. Philadelphia Eagles (5-11)

RGIII

Michael Vick is being given another chance to run the Eagles offense. The question will be if he can stay on the field, where Vick has missed nine starts in the past two seasons. New Philly coach Chip Kelly will look to make the transition from the college game to the pros, and he will have his work cut out for him. As always, expectations will be high in Dallas. The question will be which Tony Romo will show up on Sundays. If he’s on top of his game and not turning the ball over, he can lead the Cowboys to a postseason berth. With Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin still running the ship for the Giants, they will still find a way to contend for the division. But all eyes will be on RGIII and his surgically repaired right knee. If he can stay on the field, he will improve in his sophomore season, and the Redskins should win their second straight division title.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

2. Chicago Bears (9-7)

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

4. Detroit Lions (6-10)

Aaron Rodgers

The Bears will miss linebacker Brian Urlacher and his leadership, but most of the defense that scored nine touchdowns off turnovers last season will be returning. They should be able to come close to duplicating last season and make a run at the playoffs. Adrian Peterson had a season for the ages last year, but inconsistencies at quarterback will make it tough for them to reach the postseason again. If Christian Ponder struggles early, look for the Vikings to turn to Matt Cassel. Matthew Stafford will continue to put up passing yards in Detroit, but his touchdowns and completion percentage dropped last year from 2011. He needs to play as a top-notch starter if the Lions want to win games. That leaves the Green Bay Packers. With Aaron Rodgers still in his prime, the Packers are one of the best teams in the NFC. The offensive line needs to protect Rodgers more, where he was the most sacked quarterback last season. The running game should improve for the Packers, which will help open up an already efficient passing game.

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)

2. New Orleans Saints (10-6) *

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

4. Carolina Panthers (6-10)

Drew Brees

Josh Freeman’s time in Tampa is running out. He is in a contract year, and has plenty of weapons around him to succeed. The acquisition of Darrelle Revis should bolster the secondary and the defense. Cam Newton turned it on during the second half of last season. He needs to continuously play at that level if Carolina is going to compete in the division. The return of Coach Sean Payton can only mean good things in New Orleans. The defense might have some question marks, but this team should be motivated and they will score a lot of points while Drew Brees is running the offense. The best team in the division, and possibly the NFC, is the Falcons. The offense is already loaded, and they’ve upgraded at the running back position with Steven Jackson. Atlanta has its eyes set on not only winning the division, but making a trip to the Super Bowl.

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

2. San Francisco 49ers (11-5) *

3. St. Louis Rams (7-9)

4. Arizona Cardinals (6-10)

Russell Wilson

The Cardinals made a smart upgrade by bringing in Carson Palmer at quarterback. Larry Fitzgerald should be happy for the first time since Kurt Warner retired in 2009. The Rams might be another surprise team. They are well coached and have an underrated defense. The question will be can Sam Bradford continue to develop and give St. Louis a chance to make the playoffs. The 49ers have some injury concerns and will miss wide receiver Michael Crabtree. But they have a competent quarterback in Colin Kaepernick, a good running game and a solid defense that still make them a favorite in the NFC. The advantage has to go to Seattle, who play in one of the toughest stadiums for road opponents in the NFL. Second year quarterback Russell Wilson will only continue to improve, and the defense is one of the game’s best. They should live up to expectations and contend for the Super Bowl.

The 'Southeastern' Experience

I should probably start from the beginning. A few Saturdays ago I was at my friend Jeff’s place for one of our gatherings of typical summer behavior, which involves hanging out, barbequing and having some beers. The conversation came around to music, as a lot of times it does when we get together. There had recently been new albums released by some of the rock bands we like, including Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, and Black Sabbath’s first studio album with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years. I asked Jeff if he had a chance to check out to any of these new records. Instead he gave praise to the new album by Jason Isbell, a former member of the cult Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers. Considering that Jeff and I share many similar tastes in music, I decided to give it a listen.

I downloaded the album, titled Southeastern, and listened to it once to gain a feel for it. Then I listened to it a second time because I enjoyed the first listen. After the third time I knew it was a keeper. Eventually it was all I was listening to, being continuously on shuffle on my iPod. Southeastern is full of mostly laid back ballads with some somber themes, but the songs are catchy as hell. The songwriting is personal, honest and packs an emotional punch. It’s an album that you can listen to without skipping any songs. I can’t remember the last record I can say that about.

Fast forward to the present day. This past Monday Isbell was scheduled to play at The Sinclair in Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA. Jeff and I, not thinking the show would ever sell out, waited until the last minute to buy tickets. That was a mistake. The night before and the whole day of the show, I was shut out on Ticketmaster. We decided to make our way to the venue and try our luck with anyone that might be looking to sell extra tickets. When we arrived at The Sinclair, we were informed by a girl soliciting for a ticket with a sign made out of a Starbucks coffee sleeve that the box office already sold all the tickets they had available. Things weren’t looking too promising.

We went to another bar to have a beer and kill some time. When we returned to The Sinclair about half an hour later the girl was gone, but a guy in a Big Lebowski t-shirt had found her sign. The doors had just opened, and people were starting to file into the venue. I had a feeling we needed to find tickets soon, or we’d be going home.

The guy in the Lebowski t-shirt quickly scored a ticket, and he kindly gave the sign to me. I was having flashbacks to my first Phish show in 1995 in Worcester, MA, looking for the same “miracle” outside the arena. But eventually our patience paid off. I bought the first single ticket from a fellow patron heading into the show, and Jeff inherited the coffee sleeve. The sign must have been good luck, because Jeff scored a ticket about ten minutes after I did. We passed the sign on to the next hopeful fan and made our way inside.

The show was definitely worth the effort. Isbell opened with “Flying Over Water,” one of the heavier songs from Southeastern, and continued to mix it up from there. The crowd favorites were definitely his work with the Drive-By Truckers, such as “Decoration Day,” “Danko/Manuel” and “Goddamn Lonely Love,” but he played much of Southeastern as well as selections from his 2011 release Here We Rest (another solid record, by the way). At one point between songs Isbell told the audience that during a show when a band announces they’re going to play a song from the new album is usually the time people bolt for the bathroom or hit the beer line. That was not the case here. Fans were as eager to hear material from Southeastern as much as his stuff with the Truckers.

By the time we left The Sinclair after the show, most of the venue had already cleared out and there wasn’t much of a lingering crowd. Outside just happened to be Isbell himself and the rest of his band enjoying a post-show cigarette. We told him we enjoyed the set and that he made a great new album. He came across as a real down to earth guy, and thanked us both for coming to the show. A little mesmerized, we made our way to the train to head home.

Jason Isbell and Jeff

I have said in a previous post that in today's music world many rock acts are lacking, which is somewhat evident if you peruse Billboard’s single and album charts. It also doesn’thelp when many rock radio stations are being shut down and converted to different formats. But I’ve been told many times by another friend that there is great rock music out there. You just have to go out and find it. I'm starting to agree. Popular music isn’t dictated as it used to be by radio play and MTV. I learned about Southeastern by word of mouth, the way that a lot of music is discovered these days. That and the Internet. So with the prospect of going to the show, I began streaming Isbell’s other solo albums Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (the name of his band) and Sirens of the Ditch along with Here We Rest. I can tell you they’re all really good. This guy just has a knack for songwriting. But Southeastern is Isbell’s finest work to date, and the album is beginning to earn its accolades. It definitely deserves the recognition.

MLB Mid Season Awards

There have been a few good surprises so far in the 2013 MLB season. The biggest story has to be Baltimore’s Chris Davis and his torrid home run streak. His 37 home runs at the All-Star break tie Reggie Jackson’s American League record from 1969. If he continues on this pace he should reach 60 home runs, and would be the first player to do so since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in 2001. Cincinnati’s Homer Baily threw the first no-hitter of the season on July 2^nd, and was also the last pitcher to throw a no-hitter in 2012. And everyone seems to have Puig fever.

Of course there’s always the bad, which is MLB’s investigation into the Biogenisis clinic and the latest doping scandal to shroud the game of baseball. Twenty players are tied to the now closed anti-aging clinic, including Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun, and they could face suspensions. It’s unfortunate this story is rivaling the All-Star game, but we’ll just have to see how it’s going to play out. Overall it’s been an entertaining first half, and it’s time to hand out some mid-season awards.

AL Rookie of the Year – Jose Iglesias, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Iglesias began the season on a tear, only to be sent down to Pawtucket after eight games to make room on the roster of Stephen Drew. He continued right where he left off after his call up at the end of May, leading all American League rookies in hits, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging. A natural short stop, Iglesias has performed well filling in at third base for the first place Red Sox. We’ll see how he will be used when Drew makes his return from his latest stint on the DL, but Iglesias has shown that he deserves to pay every day.

NL Rookie of the Year – Shelby Miller, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

Nobody is really talking about Shelby Miller as one of the top rookies in the National League because everyone is captivated with the Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig. And they should be. So far Puig has lived up to the hype, hitting for power while also showing off his speed and his arm from the outfield. He has all the makings of a 5-tool player. But if the season ended today, the award would go to Miller. He has quietly been one of the top pitchers on the team with the best record in the National League, posting a 2.92 ERA while being fourth in the NL with 9.63 strikeouts per 9 innings. If Puig keeps up his level of play, he will pass Miller for the award by the end of the season.

AL Cy Young – Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

At the beginning of the season I thought this award would be going to another pitcher from Detroit, but Scherzer has been the most dominant pitcher in the American League so far. He is second in both strikeouts (152) and WHIP (0.98), and holds a staggering 13-1 record at the break. He is one of the main reasons the Tigers sit on top of the AL Central.

NL Cy Young – Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

There should be consideration for both Clayton Kershaw and Matt Harvey, but I’m an advocate of awards going to players contributing to winning teams. That’s why I have to pick Wainwright. The St. Louis pitcher leads the NL in innings pitched (146.2), is third in strikeouts (130), tied for first in wins (12) and has a 2.45 ERA. Plus he’s only walked 15 batters all year. He’s the best pitcher on the top team in the NL.

AL MVP – Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers

You have to like what David Ortiz, Chris Davis and Josh Donaldson are doing for their perspective teams, but Miguel Cabrera is having another top-notch season.  He leads the AL in hits (132), average (.365) and RBI’s (95), and is only second in home runs to Davis. If he keeps up this pace he will be in the running for his second Triple Crown in as many years.

NL MVP – Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

There are many candidates for this category, including Joey Votto, Carlos Gonzales, Andrew McCutchen and multiple players on the St. Louis Cardinals. But I’m going with Goldschmidt. He’s in the top five in hits (110) and home runs (21) and leads the NL in RBI’s (77). In a division where many picked the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants to win the division, the Diamondbacks are sitting on top in first place, with Goldschmidt being a major contributor to their succes.

AL Manager of the Year – John Farrell, Boston Red Sox

Farrell took a 69-93 team from a season ago and has them in first place in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. He has done it without any of the high-priced free agents that the Red Sox are used to signing, but with a group of hard working ball players who are finding ways to win. There’s no doubt that Farrell’s return has influenced the overachieving pitching staff. This team has exceeded most critics’ expectations, and Farrell deserves a lot of the credit.

NL Manager of the Year – Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates

Hurdle has done it again. This time last year he had Pittsburgh thinking playoffs, and has the team believing again this season, leading the Pirates to the second best record in the NL at the break. The team will need to do better in the second half than they have in previous years under Hurdle if they want to erase 20 consecutive losing seasons.