The Awnings of Queens: Village Deli and Grocery

borkbork.jpgCorner of Fresh Pond Road and Elliott Avenue, Ridgewood.

“Okay, I’ve got your lighted sign order: 17 feet long, your logo, picture of breakfast platter, large sandwich, Swedish Chef, NY Lottery logo…”

“Wait, what was that last bit?”

“NY Lottery logo?”

“No, before that.”

“Swedish Chef?”

“Yeah, I didn’t order that.”

“You sure? I got it on the work order.”

“No, I don’t want the Swedish Chef on my lighted sign.”

“Okay, but how about we throw it on there anyway? It’ll look real classy.”

“How will the Swedish Chef look classy?”

“He’s from Sweden. It’s European. Exotic!”

“He’s not actually from Sweden. He’s a Muppet!”

“Look, our in-house artist, he does a really good Swedish Chef. He loves to throw it in his work. It’s like Hirschfeld and Nina. Except in this case, you don’t have to hunt for Nina, because it’s really huge.”

“No, I’m paying a lot of money for this thing and I don’t want a Muppet in it.”

“What if we knock $300 off the price?”

“…fine.”

“You will never regret this!”

Inappropriate Walk Up Music: 03.05.09

santo-shea.jpgFor the original Inappropriate Walk Up Music post, click here.

Every day until Opening Day, Scratchbomb presents three tunes that are completely, unequivocally inappropriate for use as major league walk-up music.

These are not necessarily bad songs–although that
certainly helps. They are merely songs that don’t evoke the fear and dread one traditionally associates with the walk-up song. In fact, they evoke the exact opposite.

Imagine yourself in the on-deck circle. Bottom of the 9th. Down by one. Man on second, two out. You hear the PA system blare, The centerfielder, number 20… The crowd roars at the sound of your name. And as you stroll to the batter’s box, you are greeted with the strains of one of these songs:

* “Closer to Fine,” Indigo Girls
Suggested by Cuzzin Loutie; we also would have accepted “Galileo”

* “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”: Paul McCartney
I like this song, but I’m amused by the thought of someone taking practice cuts during the jaunty Admiral Halsey section. Like, Albert Pujols staring down the pitcher while Sir Paul toots “He had to have a berth, or he couldn’t get to sleep…”

* Charlene, “Never Been to Me”
They used to reference this song all the time on Mystery Science Theatre 3000. In fact, I was unaware it was an actual song for the longest time; I just thought “I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me” was one of those touchy-feely Me Decade phrases. If you’ve never heard the song, it’s just as ridiculous as that line implies.

YET ANOTHER REMINDER: Submit to the Guild of Calamitous Intent!

guild.jpgYou have so little time, and you don’t even know it! Submit to the The Guild of Calamitous Intent, Scratchbomb’s official fantasy baseball league. Slots still available, IF YOU ENJOY PAIN!

If you’re interested in signing up, just comment on this post and I’ll send you an invite.

How will I track you down? Oh, the Guild has its ways.