Oh Well

 Get ready for the madness Sunday anywhere near MetLife Stadium. Argentina will be looking to win back to back  World Cups against Spain, who beat France in the semi finals, who by the way were favored to win it all. Tant pis!

Don't get in a tizzy, it means 'oh well'.

To tell you how difficult this back to back is, it has only happened two other times. Italy, 1934, 1938 and Brazil in 1958, 1962. Some pretty rarefied air!

These Argentina fans are all over. I was in Hoboken after the game Wednesday afternoon and the fans, all dressed in their traditional light blue and white jerseys were parading around First Ave by the bars. Cars were honking horns in celebration. Me, I was trying to pay the meter by my Park Mobile app. I needed to concentrate. Look, I once paid the app, but chose the wrong license plate and wound up getting a $50 ticket on top of my parking fee. You know how I feel about that.

"Tant pis".

What I don't understand about the traffic they keep talking about, is that no one is allowed to drive to the stadium. The only way to access the arena is by mass transit. So what, are people just going to drive there to say they were detoured away from what? A highway.

Argentina, by the way, beat England, who I was pulling for because we met a guy on our trip to Greece last year who sought of looked like Harry Kane. Well, at least I thought he did. And, are you ready for this, his name was Tom Jones. Yeah, pretty cool, right? And he sang karaoke! You got it, "My, my, my Delilah". Him and his wife were great people.

Sounds like a pretty silly reason right? Because I'm finding out how hard it is to bet against Lionel Messi and his teammates.

Since we are talking about England, on July 10th, I'm a little upset my bald head wasn't invited to London to be part of Pit Bulls latex bald head get together to beat the Guiness World Record of, how stupid is this, the latex plastic bald head challenge'. Anyway, they got the record.

Now, if I did go, I would have to take my authorized sized carryon luggage. Yep, finally, these ridiculous bags that people try to pass as a carryon will now be stopped by TSA screeners, because the new machines that do 3D images can only fit a bag measured 22x14x9. About freaking time.

Get ready New Jersey. Sunday, all eyes will be on us. If you are lucky enough to be attending the game, don't hesitate to call your local limousine service. Most of us though, me, will be in search of a watch party.

One more thing. Since the World Cup started about a month ago, I've been struggling with the announcers and all the new phrases I've had learn for this Football lover, not a Futbol fanatic.

Give me Tony Romo and his, "this is the biggest play of the game".

Be safe

John A Sutich

Just Another Story Blog

What is a Bennie

 USMNT, USA soccer team, didn't look too good Monday in our loss to Belgium. That hurt. Before you know it though, it will 2030 and we will ready for the next World Cup somewhere over there in another part of the world.

Something new I heard last week which I never remember hearing, but I am getting older, is "Bridge and Tunnel". This is a New York City slang term to describe suburbanites from the outer boroughs and NJ who make their way into NYC for work and the nightlife. Now, if I take the ferry, what I am now?

Apparently though, this phrase started in the 1970's and it is basically stereotyping people from outside the city as not being 'chic'. But, who cares how goofy I look on the dance floor of Studio 54, as long as I'm dropping my Benjamin's at the clubs.

Which brings me to another slang that I am working hard to erase. Bennie! Not Benny Hill! (the English comedian) For many years we had a home down the Jersey Shore, first in Toms River, then in Point Pleasant Beach which we presently occupy.

Well, a Bennie, if I'm spelling it correctly, are people whose primary homes are in the Northern NJ and NYC area, that come to the shore between May, the unofficial start of summer, to Labor Day weekend. Bennies come down here, crowd the beaches, restaurants, bars and roadways and make life difficult for the locals. My lord, how outrageous! 

Now, I'm sure this is not business owner making these, "oh great the Bennies are here" sarcastic smirk, because I Googled what these horrible people spend in a given summer and it is estimated to be $9.17 billion in Monmouth and Ocean Counties alone. Lose the attitude people.

For me and Doris, we are spending more time in PPB in hopes of losing that Bennie stigma and complain about people who park in front of my house. But, I will tell you this. PPB, gives overnight parking passes, so what most people do, myself included, is either late at night or early AM, the locals park in the spots by our homes, slap that placard in the window and gobble up all the parking spots, which force them Bennies to pay $40 to park in a pay lot. Hey, we need .17 to be 18.

One more thought about NYC. Mayor Mandami created a map, "NYC Immigrant Enclaves" as part of guide for tourism for the people coming in for the World Cup. Pretty cool to see all the different areas and I guess if your looking for your favorite food, just pop out the map and it saves a lot of time not having to ask people in the hotel lobby.

A slight problem though. If you're looking for some Italian food, you better hope your cab driver knows where Little Italy is, because it is not on the map. Wow, are the creators of the map not into some spaghetti and meatballs with plenty of garlic. 

Hey, I'm sure the "B&T" and "Bennies" know where Mullberry Street is. Also, the San Gennaro Feast, which will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary will be starting on September 17th. Get them hot zepp's ready!

Be safe.

John A Sutich

Just Another Story Blog

A Red Card?

 "Take me home, country road, take me home".

Go USMNT. On Wednesday night, America's soccer team, moved on to the round of 16 to face Belgium, after beating Bosina and Herzegovina 2 to 0. It wasn't easy after one of the stars got a red flag, which was very questionable, and was ejected from the game. The US had to play the final 31 minutes plus 10 minutes of stoppage time with only 10 players against 11.

So, to see them celebrating in the stadium singing John Denvers' song along with the fans was fabulous. On to Seattle to take on the Belgium's on Monday.

Okay, other big news today is the "Wedding". Is this all a smoke screen from Taylor and Travis about a wedding at Madison Square Garden? I can't really tell, because I spilled coffee on the watermark on my invitation and the best I can make out, is it will be in Middle Village, Queens.

With all the festivities going on with Fourth of July, why in the world would they decide this is the ideal time for a wedding in NYC. Last night, Thursday, though was I guess the rehearsal party where only about a 100 people were partying in tents outside the Garden. Now, thats the party if you're a somebody!

Well, it's here, for all us other people not invited to the 'wedding'. America is celebrating 250 years. Big celebrations for the holiday, but basically the whole year there is stuff to do to enjoy the moment.

Think about this for a second, I remember when Fourth of July, 1976 was the party. Crap, that was how long ago! I do remember it though. That is the year I first started dating my beautiful bride.

In 1976, I lived in North Bergen but hung out in Gutenberg right down the block from the Galaxy Towers. There was a huge party in the towers and I happened to run into some people who gave me a pass to get into the building. In I went, only to be tossed out on my ass before I got on the elevators! What gave it away, the t shirt and flip flops?

Now, 2026, I live in a building in West New York, just past the Galaxy Towers. Deciding if I want to be in the building or with friends at the Jersey Shore, the decision was made when we were given notice that Port Imperial Blvd would be shut down from 10 AM on the Fourth. No exceptions! No, "but I live here". Closed to all. Even the workers in the building need to find a way to get to work. The only way to go out is to do like our forefather's did. Walk.

The good news about the lock down, is I wouldn't be tempted try and sneak out and head to Nathan's Hot Dog in Coney Island to take on 17 time champ Joey Chestnut in the famous Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest. I didn't think he would be there tomorrow, because he is presently in Indiana on a 180 day probation because of a misdemeanor felony charge. Some judge though, signed off on him making the trip to compete in the contest. Just when I thought I had a chance.

How you doing with all this heat? I enjoy it myself. After all, we complain all winter about the cold, then when the heat is here, what do we do. "Oh, I love Spring".

With this thinking in mind, I was in Lowes Wednesday, you know, 100 degrees. I  was checking out at the garden center cashier, which is outdoors. An older woman was at the register and she wasn't the most pleasant worker at Lowes. I figured it was the heat that was making her act a little curt. Anyway, I innocently asked if she will get a chance to move indoors and work in the air conditioned building.

Well, was that a mistake. She informed me that she enjoys the heat and why complain because we wait all year for the heat. Sound familiar? I hope I'm not wrapped as tight as she was?

Enjoy the weekend and don't to cheer like heck on Monday for our Team.

Be safe.

John A Sutich

Just Another Story Blog