CHECK OUT HUDSON VALLEY SPORTS REPORT!

Haven't updated this in a looooooooong time, as you can see, but there's a reason.

I've started a new online venture that is set to debut on Monday, July 6. It's called Hudson Valley Sports Report, a web-based daily sports page for high schools, colleges and pros in the Hudson Valley.

Please check it out at www.hudsonvalleysportsreport.com.

THE FAMILYHOOD -- TV, or not TV?

So this is my first blog post in two weeks thanks to a major project at work, some rewrite on the book, and a weekend-long celebration of Tee's birthday.

But some exciting news: last night, the boys came down to the city and were part of a television commercial for my company, Grandparents.com. They were great, and it will be interesting to see if they make it off the cutting room floor and into the actual spot that starts airing next month (it's a new one centered around the holidays that will replace the one currently airing).

SPORTS -- Baseball playoffs start

It's October, which means it's time for the playoffs in Major League Baseball.

As lamentable as it is that the Yankees failed to even make it to postseason, I can't believe I'm about to write these three words -- Go Red Sox ?

Yes, Go Red Sox.

If my team isn't in it, then I look for great storylines. And, frankly, as warm and fuzzy as it might be to see the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs, having either in the World Series would be a major letdown.

To me, the best World Series potential matchups all involve Boston: Red Sox vs. Cubs (for obvious reasons), Red Sox vs. Dodgers (Hi Manny!) and Red Sox vs. Phillies. The fourth option is either Cubs-White Sox or Dodgers-Angles, although those same-city World Series tend to tune out the rest of the country.

So, Go Red Sox it is, at least until next April.

THE FAMILYHOOD -- Bingo!

So the wife had a big night out to herself on Saturday -- she went to dinner with a friend, and then the two girls went to ..... get ready for it ........ play Bingo.

I kid you not.

They went over to St. Augustine's in Highland and played Bingo.

Look, at 44, I personally realize I'm not at that age to go out and party three, four nights a week like I did when I was in my 20s -- ah, but if those nightclub walls could talk ..... :) But I'm sure as hell not ready to throw in the towel and go to Bingo, either. But, whatever turns you on, right?

So, then, you're probably asking what the boys and I did on Saturday? Partied like rock stars, of course. First, we caught the 4:10 showing of Space Chimps at the South Hills Mall in Poughkeepsie, which is really not a mall any longer but just a bunch of freestanding buildings as they renovate the place.

Then, after Space Chimps, we held a democratic vote on where to go for dinner, and as much as I tried to lobby for Gino's in Poughkeepsie, or even the Dutchess Diner, I was voted down, 2-1, in favor of Burger King. Following a lovely meal of chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers, we then headed to Cold Stone Creamery for an ice cream dessert.

And, for some reason, my 3-year old decided this was the perfect time to sing. Non stop. Out loud. It was some variation of his own monotone tune called "I love pizza," which he just kep repeating over and over. All of Cold Stone Creamery was cracking up, and the more we tried to stop him, the more he laughed that infectious giggle. It was quite the moment.

Of course, it must have been sensory overload. When we got home, I said to them, "OK, you guys get in your pajamas and we'll watch a movie on the big TV." Ten minutes into "Wallace and Gromit," Dan was down for the count. Thirty minutes after that, Joe was like "Dad ... I'm tired."

Yup. Partied like rock stars :)

POP CULTURE -- Beer Goggles .... It's true!!!!!!

Beer Goggles -- the metaphorical phenomena that occurs when, the longer you drink, the more attractive somebody gets -- is true !

Don't believe me? Then believe the brainiacs at Oxford Univesity, who conducted a study on the matter that can be found here.