Today, I'll be known as Sam O'Sessa
Happy St. Paddy's Day, everybody!
Today is a day to celebrate the Irish in all of us, by drinking a Guinness, or a shot of Bailey's and Jameson.
Or, if you like, by dropping a shot of Baileys and Jameson into a glass of Guinness and chugging it -- a delicious concoction named after a despicable act of domestic terrorism.
Wherever people are drinking green beer, I'll be there ... to slap them on the backs of their heads for being such ninnies.
In case you missed it, here's a bloggy I did about St. Patrick's Day specials. Oh, and here's Owl Meat's column about the real St. Patrick ...
I'm half Italian and half European mutt, which means there's probably some Irish in me blood somewhere.
Growing up, my Italian grandmother kept an old wooden shillelagh in a big jar by the door. That way, if someone she didn't like tried to come in, she could grab the shillelagh and give 'em a good Irish thumpin'. I love my grandmom.
And now, a side-slapper from the Emerald Isles, courtesy of irishjokes.com:
A woman and a man driver are involved in a horrific collision, but amazingly both escape completely unhurt - though their cars are written off.
As they crawl out of the wreckage, the man sees the woman is blonde and strikingly beautiful. Then the woman turns to the man and gushes breathily: 'That's incredible - both our cars are demolished but we're fine. It must be a sign from God that we are meant to be together!'
Sensing a promise, the man stammers back, 'Oh yes, I agree with you completely!'
The woman goes on, 'And look, though my car was destroyed, this bottle of wine survived intact, too! It must be another sign. Let's drink to our love!'
'Well, OK!' says the man, going with the moment. She offers him the bottle, so he downs half of it and hands it back.
'Your turn,' says the man.
'No, thanks,' says the woman, 'I think I'll just wait for the police.'
(AP photo)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Posted by: Willy O'Dely | March 17, 2010 7:02 AM
One Irish Car Bomb and I'll need someone to drive me home. I'm fortunate, though, even in the suburbs there's a bar right at the end of my street. I don't care if it's the Peppermill and I'm 1/3 of the age of everyone else there. It's there.
Posted by: Tyler | March 17, 2010 7:48 AM
http://beerinbaltimore.blogspot.com/2010/03/national-amateur-drunkgreen-beer-day.html
Just Say No To Green Beer!
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | March 17, 2010 8:18 AM
Sam,
Come to The Emerald Tavern today....if you can find a parking spot! I'll buy you a pint!
Posted by: Seamus | March 17, 2010 8:21 AM
That man in the photo bears a striking resemblance to Councilman Bobby Curran.
Posted by: LiquorBoarding | March 17, 2010 8:32 AM
Since this is a blog (and in many respects, a forum) read by people with similar affinity's for St. Patrick's day as myself, I'll go ahead and just ask the question:
Is it "Paddy's" or "Patty's"? I'm betting on Patty's, though Paddy is a brand of Irish Whiskey.
The devil is still in the details....sorry to be petty, I've been drinking for 2+ hours.
Posted by: Frankie Sez | March 17, 2010 9:14 AM
Let me tell you, you're taking your life in your own hands if you order a carbomb or a black & tan in some Irish pubs. If they're not totally offended, they'll just assume you are clueless and not worth the time of day.
Posted by: baltimoregal | March 17, 2010 9:20 AM
I'm going to agree with Baltimoregal here. If your bartender has an Irish accent don't order those. I worked with some Irish gentlemen at a bar (Niall and Paeder) who were both vocally antagonistic to someone who ordered a black and tan.
Posted by: Josh | March 17, 2010 9:25 AM
@LiquorBoarding -- That's because it's his Irish doppelganger, Bobby O'Curran.
@Frank Sez -- Who cares? Cheers!
@Seamus -- I'd be there, but I'm too tipsy to type, let alone drive.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | March 17, 2010 9:37 AM
REPORTING LIVE FROM KEY WEST FLORIDA HERE - DOUCHERY IMPLOSION IMMINENT!! FULL REPORT COMING SOON
happy st. patrick's day everyone!!!
Posted by: Evan | March 17, 2010 9:55 AM
Excuse my ignorance- but what is the negative connotation concerning a black & tan? I can understand car bombs (which I get from O'shea's all the time)but what's up with black & tans? I'm black & tan and also part Irish.
Posted by: Tif | March 17, 2010 10:43 AM
From wikipedia "The Black and Tans (Irish: Dúchrónaigh) was one of two newly recruited bodies, composed largely of World War I veterans, employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland. Although it was established to target the Irish Republican Army, it became notorious through its numerous attacks on the Irish civilian population."
Posted by: Josh | March 17, 2010 10:59 AM
I know we're Americans and all but would it hurt to learn the histories of other countries? And not just the ones that make up our genetic background? Am I getting too deep here? I need a drink. Why can't we get a beer at lunchtime like every other civilized country in the free world?
Posted by: baltimoregal | March 17, 2010 11:10 AM
@frankie sez: It's "Patty" as short for "Patrick."
"Paddy" is generally a derogatory term for an Irishman.
@Tif: The Black and Tan was the nickname for a division of British soldiers in Ireland known for being particularly brutal to the Irish people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Tans
Posted by: Myles na gCopaleen | March 17, 2010 11:11 AM
@frankie sez & Myles na gCopaleen - I always figured "Paddy," as a nickname for Padraig, the Gaelic spelling of Patrick.
Posted by: BC | March 17, 2010 11:40 AM
@ Baltimoregal:
there are too many countries and they are waaaay too old to remember even a smattering of their sordid histories... just thinking about all the history makes my head hurt... Bartender? a double black & tan car bomb please!! Ahhh, much better!
Posted by: ss2 | March 17, 2010 12:27 PM
Wow kids-- there are a lot of folks out on the square, young and more mature-- wearing a lot of green beads, and likely have called in sick to work... it is a beautiful day to be drinking canton-- a little jealous of the mid-week-holiday-celebrating of those who can.
Posted by: Samantha Sessa | March 17, 2010 1:07 PM
ordering s black and tan from an irishman is akin to ordering a fizzy nazi from an israeli.
You say domestic terrorism, I say freedom fighting,
Posted by: michael fitzpatrick | March 17, 2010 1:19 PM
Paddy used to be a degoratory term for Irish BECAUSE it was a common nickname for Podraig (Patrick). Kind of like Guido for Italians
Posted by: patrick fitzmichael | March 17, 2010 1:21 PM
most the Irish bar workers I know run around spewing off color jokes all the time and I have yet to see them get offended even when I retalliated to one of the jokes with a potato zink
Posted by: Tif | March 17, 2010 3:49 PM
Tif, I'm just sharing my anecdote.
Posted by: Josh | March 17, 2010 4:05 PM
In an Irish bar, instead of a black & tan, you just order a half & half. Same thing, but no dirty looks.
Posted by: cozumel | March 18, 2010 10:16 AM
I feel like it would be akin to ordering a Patriot Missle shot in Baghdad.
Or maybe an IED shot anywhere in the USA...
Posted by: Frankie Sez | March 19, 2010 2:25 PM