Centerfield

Centerfield                                                                         1319

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

There's nothing like getting called off the bench to do a show, especially when it's 10 minutes to showtime.

My mother is visiting from Florida, and tonight, we decided to go out for a nice sushi dinner at California Rollin', a fun little Sushi place here in Rochester.  Also in attendance were my wife, daughter, and friend Ray Salah.

After dinner, we headed over to my mom's place, a house she's renting for the summer, over on Winton Road, the same road where my home club, the Comix Cafe is.  It was there that I got the call that the club had no mc, the regular host, WCMF radio personality Tommy Mule was out of town, and the club had neglected to replace him.  I hopped in the car, and minutes later, I was on stage at the Cafe in my casual dinner apparel; a black "Soapranos" T-shirt (it's a spoof show that I was in, mounted by Great Lakes Productions) and a pair of black cargo shorts.  I also was sporting white sneakers and white tube socks, rolled down 80's style.  I was quite the sight.

The show was fun, and I got a chance to work with pals Robert York and Cal Verduchi again, plus pick up a little extra bread.  The downside of the show was that the air conditioning wasn't working.  Even though today was a relatively cool day by the standards of the past couple of weeks, it was still mucho caliente in the club proper.  I didn't notice until I got the "under-the-manboob" sweat that is prevalent in gentlemen of my stature.

My wife dropped me off at the club, and my mother volunteered to shuttle me home.  As I was leaving the club, a drunk guy shook my hand and gave me the standard "nice show" thing, and then wanted to tell me a joke.  Just then, my mother honked the horn, and I politely told the guy that I couldn't listen to his joke just then, my ride was here and I didn't want to keep them waiting.  The guy got all offended and told me "Well, fuck you then!" like I was being really rude...I was somehow obligated to listen to his joke, that he also said "I could use in my act next time."  Is this behavior appropriate in any other sport?  Would it be o.k. to stop Tom Brady on his way to the Patriot's locker room and say "Hey good game...listen, I got a pass play you could use in your next game."

Probably not.

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to hear Brady say "It happens all the time."

Next stop, three days in Niagara Falls.  Have a good weekend.

Ralph Tetta

Rochester, NY