First and most important, happy birthday to J., who turned 8 today. He got this big Lego Star Wars Clone Trooper Tank, which has 800 pieces, He's about half way through putting it together. It's pretty cool. It even comes with a little Lego Mace Windu, complete with a purple lightsaber that lights up when you push Mace's head. We had a birthday dinner at Zaftig's deli with the in-laws, then we headed back to their house for cake and ice cream. Tomorrow we'll have the big birthday party at a laser tag place nearby, which should be fun.

World Series game 1 is underway, and the White Sox are up 4-3 in the last of the 7th. Roger Clemens left after only two innings with a sore hamstring, but young Wandy Rodriguez pitched in relief of Clemens and gave the Astros 3 and 1/3 innings, giving up only one run on a home run to Joe Crede.

I think this is going to be a great World Series. You've got two teams who really play the game well. Both teams have solid starting pitching, good bullpens, play good defense and can play smallball. The White Sox have more power, but the Astros have more post-season experience on the pitching staff, assuming Clemens can come back later in the Series.

I'm still sticking with my original prediction of a Houston win of the World Series. I can easily see this going seven games.

Hey neighbor, have a 'Gansett.

When I was growing up, Narragansett Beer was the beer in Rhode Island. It was what everybody drank. They sponsored the Red Sox games on the radio. My dad sold it in his drugstore. I even had a Gansett bumper sticker on my baby carriage (really!). I even drank Gansetts with Star Trek's George Takei at the Providence Holiday Inn after a Special Olympics event George was in town for.

Unfortunately, the brewery went under years ago. The brewery building in Cranston was demolished, and the beer consigned to history.

So imagine my surprise when I was coming home from The Hey's birthday celebration last week, and there was a big Narragansett Beer billboard along Route 95! I checked it out on the Web, and they are indeed brewing the beer again. A couple of places nearby are selling Gansett, so I'm hoping to indulge in a little nostalgia (and hopefully some good beer) as soon as I can grab a six pack.