Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee

132 comments:

ndspinelli said...

Hilarious. We can poke fun @ ourselves because we know who we are and realize many folks, if given a choice, would be dagos.

Trooper York said...

You are so right pasian.

Fuggedaboutit.

The Dude said...

Where was "gabagoo"?

Good to see Paulie still workin', and T's shrink, she's-a fine, eh?

That's almost as funny as a North Carolina spelling bee.

ndspinelli said...

Sixty, The "gabagoo" scene in The Office made me wet my pants.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

The Spike of Bensonhurst? Actually Spike probably lives in Manhattan, but he is also a little bitch.

blake said...

I barely recognize Ripa.

ricpic said...

Who spells marinara madinad? Hell, who even pronounces marinara madinad?

I see Dr. Melfi has lost her looks. Eh, time.

Titus said...

This is similar to Boston speak.

My italian friends call horses husses.

chickelit said...

Trooper calls finocchi, fanooks, no?

This happens in other languages/cultures, not just Italian. German in Milwaukee Wisconsin for example: link

chickelit said...

...many folks, if given a choice, would be dagos.

I had an Italian bike in the late 70's. Whenever I got a flat, the tire would go: hissssssss.

AllenS said...

Small world. I also had an Italian bike, and when it got a flat it would go: wop, wop, wop...

ndspinelli said...

Chick and AllenS, Like I said, we can take it. Keep it coming!

AllenS said...

Spinelli, my mother was Sicilian, her first name was Vicenza. Which makes me half a wop.

Titus said...

I had a dream last night that Mama was on a huge turkey. She was wearing nordic wear and had a silver helmet on with horns. She had long blonde braided hair that was in pigtails on each side of her face. She had a long nose. Behind her was a military of turkeys. Thousands of them in perfect lines marching, high step like the North Koreans.

Mama had a huge sword and kept saying, "charge" which was directed at the rare clumber and myself.

Her tits were huge and steel plated and shot out torpedoes at us.

It was awful.

tits.

Anonymous said...

Chickie, I still catch myself saying "make the light out". Also I still hear "lets go by" here or there. But with so many transplants from out of state in Waukesha County, I can hear a distinct California sound in some of the words my 9 and 11 year old grandkids say. They pick it up in school and from playmates. Soon our distinct Milwaukee sound will be lost.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

A twofer.

The Dude said...

Here in NC locals say "Cut the lights on" - which puzzles me - I figure you can cut the lights off, but cut something on?

Another one is "won't" for "wasn't" - it won't there.

Well alrighty then...

Throw pappa down the stairs his hat. Now that's talkin'!

Titus said...

In my dream when MamaM said Charge she sounded like a demented opera singer.

ndspinelli said...

AllenS, I can see it. I learned when I moved to Wi. that many Italians made their names Anglo in the earlier 1900's so as to try and fit in their very Teutonic/Norwegian/Irish neighbors. Ex UW b-ball coach, Dick Bennett is really Benedetto.

AllenS said...

Out here in wild Jesusland, we say, "shoot the lights out."

AllenS said...

Nick, my mom went from Vicenza to Jennie.

ndspinelli said...

And for all you Cheeseheads. I'm going over by the show house, it's just past the stop n' go light..ya hey.

AllenS said...

Also, my mom and myself were born in Detroit, MI.

ndspinelli said...

AllenS, I married into a German family from Wausau. I never knew my brides grandfather but it didn't take much to see he would not been able to abide his grandaughter marrying an Eyetalian Catholic. When the inlaws would come over and smell garlic they would marvel @ how good it smelled. You see grandpa didn't allow garlic in their home. To varying degrees, all ethnics had to put up w/ that kind of shit when they were the most recent immigrants.

You can trace the most recent immigrants via boxing. That's the toughest way out of poverty. First there were the Irish boxers, then Eastern European Jews, Italian, Hispanic.

ndspinelli said...

Detroit is a good place to be FROM!

chickelit said...

You dream sounds dark and Wagnerian, Titus.

Do you drink a lot of Rheingold?

Titus said...

In Boston liquor stores are called Packy Stores.

And vagina's are called meat curtains.

tits.

chickelit said...

And vagina's are called meat curtains.

Vorhang aufmachen!

MamaM said...

You see grandpa didn't allow garlic in their home.

I'm still surprised when I look at the weird carry overs and cultural perceptions that formed from God-knows-what ancient animosity or personal/national experience.

Garlic to this day is not considered an acceptable flavoring agent by my 90 yr old mother. No "noodles" served for dinner either during our growing years, except in a bland form of spaghetti made from Campbell's Cream of Mushroom and Tomato Soups, plus one can of store brand tomatos. This, from someone with shelves full of cook books.

The 50's and early 60's were also good places to be "from" in some regards, but I don't want to go back.

Titus said...

My mom still makes chicken and puts campbell's cream of mushroom soup over it.

She calls it Chicken Ala King. Seriously, believing it is chicken ala king-isn't that sweet.

tits.

Hi Mama.

Michael Haz said...

Growing up in an ethnic family, I often heard the phrases "where the streetcar bends the corner around", "down by Shuster's store", "it fell rightside down", "throw mama from the car a kiss", and "we were sitting side by each".

I still lapse into it after a few beers, hey?

MamaM said...

Hi Titus. Repetition in dreams is serious stuff, often a sign or portent of something big, larger than MamaM herself! Perhaps an invitation to "read 'em and weep" or find a new nurse mother

From CarlS, another one of her fav's this meaty offering:

Death is stronger than all the governments
because the governments are men and men die
and then death laughs: Now you see 'em, now you don’t.

Death is stronger than all proud men
and so death snips proud men on the nose,
throws a pair of dice and says: Read 'em and weep.

Death sends a radiogram every day: When I want you
I'll drop in -- and then one day he comes with a master-key
and lets himself in and says: We'll go now.

Death is a nurse mother with big arms:
'Twon't hurt you at all; it's your time now;
you just need a long sleep, child;
what have you had anyhow better than sleep?

Titus said...

Mamam I am going to die?

How depressing.

tits.

Titus said...

Mamam are you telling me torpedoes don't project from you steel plated titties?

tits.

The Dude said...

We have a new radio station here that is all comedy, all the time. Have been hearing a lot of Richard Jeni - he was a funny sumbitch. He was from Bensonhurst, too. Sadly, like so many talented comedians, he died way too young.

MamaM said...

Yes and of course they do. It's okay Titus, take a cleansing breath and find center before the Nemasis of New Age takes up the TY invitation to enter the fold and upkick all downward facing dogs in their nutty nether regions. It'll be a whole new era than, with cracks and whistles and belle's that make what's gone before seem as bland and sweet as Chicken A'la King from an age gone by.

Titus said...

Thanks Mamam.

Tomorrow I am getting the newest hottest teeth whitening technology at my bleeding edge dentist.

It's called zoom and it is supposed to make your teeth Pop White.

I am so excited.

Lots of lasers and heat and shit like that. It is supposed to really painful but afterwards you will feel really hot.

chickelit said...

Here's a question for Sixty Grit (or any other armchair grammarians):

When do you use use "that" and when do you use "which"?

MamaM said...

Oh OH...A whole new era, with cracks etc..which will...

Not clear myself on the difference.

The Dude said...

You kin say "That witch done tooks muh 'shine", but it is less proper to say "which dat?" when trying to ascertain specifically which witch that was.

All of this goes to the point that I have no freakin' idea.

Perhaps if you gave us a bit more information, CL, someone more learned than I, me, whatever, would be able to assist you.

I'm a grampa, not a grammah.

Do we have any money riding upon whether or not Crack Head will show up here? Have odds been calculated?

windbag said...

Mamam I am going to die?

We all are, it's just a question of when.

Darcy said...

It's all Greek to me.

ricpic said...

Death isn't real to Titus as it isn't real to most of us till a certain landmark is passed. For some that landmark comes as early as the fortieth birthday. But they are a tiny minority. For most, providing they're in good health, death still isn't real in their sixties. But seventy is undeniable. You know it's all a gift from here on out. And yet death STILL isn't real. By not real I mean incomprehensible. Dailyness is all we know. How could the daily dailyness ever end? But it does.

Anonymous said...

I saw too many deaths in my nursing years and my personal life, it's all too real. Enjoy today, for we are not promised tommorow.

Anonymous said...

Oooo, here come the bats!

chickelit said...

I thought Titus believed "Live fast, die young and leave a pretty corpse"

I picture Titus as a Nietzschean tragic figure and we should all encourage him.

The Dude said...

I have faced death a couple of times. Also, I am old, within a few years of the longest lived of my brothers. Death is real to me. I try to keep busy and am trying to get my stuff done. Tomorrow is promised to no one.

Titus said...

I expect to die young Chick.

I am 40 and I give it another 5-10 years max.

tits.

Titus said...

I went to bed and awoke to a nightmare where Mamam's steel tits were pummeling my rare clumber and he was crying. Those tits were shooting everywhere and she was laughing with her head back while brushing her blonde pig tails out of her face with the big nose and horn steel helmet.

I was in a major sweat and screamed out no mamam!

I awoke to my rare clumber's huge head looking at me...and alive-thank God.

It was awful.

tits

blake said...

Because I could not stop for Death
He kindly stopped for me
The carriage held but just ourselves
And immortality

chickelit said...

@Titus: Nietzsche was haunted by such visions of Wagner too. I believe he wrote his way out of his delusions through a book.

He even went on to write another book called "The Gay Science."

Maybe those works would help?

Anonymous said...

Getting ready to board, Austin is great, what nice people down here! I gained 7 pounds. The music was outstanding! Austin is filled with so many talented musicians.

There is a crazy looking woman sitting a couple of chairs away.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Aha! Over at TOP it is Lawnboy's birthday.

Told you he was an Aries. I recognize the dynamics

:-D

Chip S. said...

AllieOop said...

There is a crazy looking woman sitting a couple of chairs away.

Wow. Just think, you may have the honor of sharing a plane ride with WISC Justice Anne Walsh Bradley!

blake said...

And what dynamics would THOSE be, DBQ?

(Watch it: A couple of regulars have nearby birthdays!)

Titus said...

I have allergies and I have been digging out boogs from my nose that are unbelievable. It seems like there is no shortage of boog debris in my nose.

I use my pinky and do a deep short "strike" or dig and when I unveil my pinky it is completely covered with a combo of dry boog, green boog, some blood boog and then finally with a long "tail" of wet slimy boog which reminds me of the final swish of an ice cream-soft serve, natch. The feeling of un attaching the boog to the lining of my nose is one of great success and dare I say FREEDOM.

I inspect it with amazement. It is huge and has so many layers, contours, edges, and extremes.

boogs.

MamaM said...

Get 'em out before the dentist. They hate looking at that stuff up close and personal. Besides, it's hell trying to breath through your nose with that crap in there.

Claritin

Clear?

Dust Bunny Queen said...

And what dynamics would THOSE be, DBQ?

(Watch it: A couple of regulars have nearby birthdays!)


LOL. I'm sure all you Aries men and women are fabulous.

My daughter is an Aries too ..her birthday is in just a few days...and I am very proud of her strong nature. We get along very well. I was talking about those dynamics between an Aries man and a Capricorn woman that can go wrong.

The stars just don't align for those couples......(shhhh. I hope Crack isn't here to chastise me. Really, I don't believe in astrology, what's your sign and fate etc.)

However, the interpersonal dynamics that we can see and the weird changes that have come over TOP to me are familiar to me in my first marriage to a domineering, manipulative, controlling, narcissistic, negative force (aka:asshole) and the ability or desire of some women to want to allow herself to be swayed and become dependant...for a while.

Probably too much amateur psychology and personal projection on my part. /shrug

The fact that both parties at TOP have practically the same birthdays and birth years is coincidental....or...(cue X Files music)...is it?

I just see the dynamics and personality changes at TOP as not being very good and weird to watch.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

@ Titus

I may not be able to eat a soft serve ice cream for some time.

May I recommend a Neti Pot.

Darcy said...

Fascinating, DBQ. I'm a Capricorn as well (Jan. 5th).

I have never paid much attention to all of that, but I find your description above to be kind of uncanny with regard to TOP.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Me....Jan 6...my first husband March 28.

Twilight zone music. hee hee.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Capricorn women rule!!!

I think that Allie is a Cap too.

chickelit said...

DBQ wrote: ...domineering, manipulative, controlling, narcissistic, negative force...

@blake: you ever see yourself that way?

Me neither.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

@ Pollo

Not stereotyping all Aries men.or all Capricorn women. Just my ex husband and from what I can see...the Lawnboy too.

No offense meant.

Titus said...

I am cancer.

I like chihuahuas and chinese noodles.

Let's meet and have a baby now.

chickelit said...

None taken, DBQ!

chickelit said...

Let's meet and have a baby now.

I speculated months ago that Andrew Sullivan would eventually seek out a baby to present to his husband. It explains all the womb envy too.

Is that sort of thing--genetic immortality--still the rage among gays?

MamaM said...

Is that sort of thing--genetic immortality--still the rage among gays?

The only thing missing with that sort of love gift?

tits

But MamaM has a lovely silver-plated pair that would make a fine baby present, with the condition that Titus commits to keeping his nose clean. She's not fond of slimy boogers

Michael Haz said...

Best cure for stuffed up sinuses is wasabi. Or maybe strong horseradish.

Best cure for stuffed shirts is ridicule. Or maybe strong irony.

I'm an aquarian. I know these things.

ass.

Titus said...

That's a quote from a B-52's song titled A Song For Future Generation.

All them announce their astrological sign and what they like.

Cindy like chihuahuas and chinese noodles.

Kate like tomoatoes and black capped chicapees.

Keith being cool like the infinity within.

Ricky, rest his heart liked, loved computers and hot tamales-this was like in 1980-Ricky was so techny when it wasn't even cool-loved him.

http://youtu.be/dDh3NegeNvQ

chickelit said...

B-52's... I love their song Roam...especially the way both their voices sort of creek and croak over certain words.

Titus said...

This is my favorite b52 song.

This was right after Ricky died.

Cindy was devastated and gained weight.

If you look closely you can see Ricky's face heading up to heaven.

http://youtu.be/MF1DSrywcvQ

blake said...

...domineering, manipulative, controlling, narcissistic, negative force...

That's me to a tee!

Now I just needs me a Capricorny wimmenz...

*looks around*

*waves at Darcy*

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Oh wow. I haven't thought about the the B 52's in years. What a great song. Cool memories.

chickelit said...

@Titus: I'm no purist when it comes to original band members. The Replacements went on (briefly) without Bob Stinson; The Pretenders survived the death of half the band; The Allman Brothers survived Duane's and Berry Oakley's deaths. I still like "Cosmic Thing" best.

Michael Haz said...

I've got me a Chrysler; it's as big as a whale...

Love Shack!

ndspinelli said...

December 31st 11:30 pm. My mom so wanted a NY baby..dad wanted the tax deduction. Dad won. A very introverted Capricorn was born the cold NY Eve.

Anonymous said...

I may be a Capricorn by what my birth certificate says, but in my heart I'm a Saggitarius. I think somebody pulled a fast one on me. I'm no Capricorn.

Titus your booger story grossed even me out and I'm not easily squeamish having been a nurse for so many years.

I wish I was back in Austin, it's cold here. But I shouldn't complain, it could be worse.

Anonymous said...

Titus, so you really don't want a kid? That's a relief, not because you're gay, but well you know, poopie and boogie obsession?

Anonymous said...

Sagittarius. Bad spellers.

AllenS said...

If you can spell Sagittarius, you're not a bad speller.

Titus said...

No Allie I don't want any children.

My rare clumber spinches his loafs and his white hair from his butt always get pushed out with his loaf so his loaves are full of white hair.

I keep his ass shaved pretty good, because if his hair gets long in back there it is a poopy magnet.

Anyone have advice on how I can eliminate his hair getting into his poop or is this just a little inconvenience?

Let's meet and have a baby now.

chickelit said...

Hair of the dog that shit you?

chickelit said...

What about the Common Clumber? How come nobody gives a shit about that breed?

windbag said...

My rare clumber spinches his loafs and his white hair from his butt always get pushed out with his loaf so his loaves are full of white hair.

My uncle got that way after he got old.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I should clarify, I didn't beat my dog, just sprayed away the mess.

I used to take the garden hose to my Peek a Pom's butt, well during summer anyway, when there was a mess in that area,he didn't like it too much. In winter I had the groomer clip that area very close and gave him only dry dog food.

Titus said...

Nobody gives a shit about that breed because a majority of Americans have never heard of it.

Some people do come up to us and say "clumberland" and very very few get it right and always say they have never seen one before, except in dog shows.

As a result, they are very rare.

Approximately 250 registered clumbers in the U.S.-that's rare for a dog breed.

Let's meet and have a baby now-you got to admit that is a catchy riff.

tits

Anonymous said...

Titus, just wondering, what would you use, a turkey baster?

TURKIES! RUN!

chickelit said...

I think that's pure elitism, NTTARWT

Do pure bred dog lovers dislike canine miscegenation?

MamaM said...

MamaM has an Aries son, strong, loyal, dependable, insightful, funny, and charming, with the same dark characteristics DBQ made note of lurking in the shadow. His growing up years were fun, but not easy. Wondering now, if this similarity may account for MamaM's enjoyment of and irritation with the other M Aries of TOP.

For Titus, more from CarlS:

SHOES OF TRAVEL

After overwhelming filth and amazing betrayals Odd Nansen looked at the concentration camp and was reminded of Norse folk-lore. "What is the white layer in chicken dung?" "Oh, that's chicken dung too." This comes bitter as an Arabic, "The shadow of the hunchback? That too is hunched."

"I had not shoes, and I murmured, till I met a man who had no feet." And what did they say? What words passed between the barefoot and the footless? If Barefoot spoke thanks with overmuch of pity did he get curses, laughter or silence from Footless?

"Look under your hat--it may tell you something" The Armenians pass this along and further allege, "A man from hell is not afraid of hot ashes." And what woman of them weaving a shadowed tapestry first began asking, "What can the rose do in the sea or the violet before the fire?"...

...Freedom is everybody's job. Everybody is freedom's job. Jobs are everybody's freedom. When freedom shrieks, everybody should listen. And everybody should be free to do what? When freedom flits then what? And should the question be asked continuously, oh constantly, like this: "Who paid for my freedom and what the price and am I somehow beholden?"?

Darcy said...

Aww shucks, Blakesy. We are doomed according to DBQ (and for other reasons, I'm sure). :)

But hey, let's dance!

blake said...

Let's cut a rug, girly!

o/~I'm the last man standing
Save the last dance for me
I'm on the last train to Clarksville
I'm the 5th Monkee~\o

Darcy said...

Uh. I don't know if I can dance to that. lol

Anonymous said...

My Navy daughter is an Aries. She's a very strong, quiet (unlike her mother), courageous, restless spirit. She was a very timid child, but as a young adult she began to push herself into situations that scared her and she conquered every one of them. She still does, from rock climbing to scuba diving to sky diving, to briefing the Commanding General.

Anonymous said...

Niel Young Harvest Moon, great to slow dance to Darcy.

windbag said...

"I had not shoes, and I murmured, till I met a man who had no feet."

...so I stole his shoes. It's not like he'll miss them or anything.

Darcy said...

Dancing music.

blake said...

I'll defer to your taste in music.

And, really, I can't dance. So it's gotta be a slow dance/long hug.

chickelit said...

Neil Young sings about the eternal quadrangle, link, about why things spin in circles.

Anonymous said...

When Neil Young makes it around the bend in the circle to get to the Milwaukee area, I usually go see him. He will always be one of my favorites. I love that song too, but Harvest Moon remains my all time favorite.

Michael Haz said...

It's good to take a little time every day to appreciate the ones you love.

Titus said...

I am titus.

I am a cancer.

I like rare clumbers and exotic hogs.

Let's meet and have a baby now.

Anonymous said...

Turkey baster baby! Gobble gobble!

Titus said...

rare clumbers don't breed by turkey basters.

There just isn't many in the U.S.

I love all dogs though.

When I walk with him I will pet every dog we go by. I love them...more than people.

Allie, may I ask a personal question? Are you married?

If that is too personal never mind.

Anonymous said...

I'm widowed, Titus. For many years, do you think if I was married I would be such a huge flirt, well maybe come to think of it.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Aww shucks, Blakesy. We are doomed according to DBQ (and for other reasons, I'm sure). :)


Maybe...But.... you'll have an exciting and challenging time

For a while.

:-P

Titus said...

I wasn't sure Allie.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

For you Titus.

Titus said...

Troop has left us.

So we just talk amongst ourselves.

tits.

Anonymous said...

A birdie told me today is Chickie's birthday! Happy Birthday you Royal Little Pecker, no, or was it Clucker?

The Dude said...

Troop has gone to reside in the land of wind, ghosts and Bissage.

Titus said...

Happy Birthday fellow cheesehead Chickie Wickie.

Gobble Gobble one of us.

tits.

MamaM said...

A cloud of Aries!

ndspinelli said...

Buon Compleanno, chick.

MamaM said...

Hah! chickenlittle: Had to think about this one for a while before sending felicitations:

Celebrating today the breath (and breadth)of fresh Aries in you, and wishing you many more.

Hoping too TY is inhaling and figuring out the meaning of "is".

Darcy said...

Happy birthday, dear Bruce.

blake said...

Blogger birthday wishes, Bruce!

TTBurnett said...

Happy Birthday, Bruce!

chickelit said...

Thank you all for the well wishes!

TTBurnett said...

Now for something completely different:
It's tough to be a girl musician.

The Dude said...

Maybe someone should call Lee Lee's tomorrow and ask for Troop.

Anonymous said...

Yes, where is our Blogfather? I hope all is well.

TTBurnett said...

Wassamatta? You don't like Spike Jones?
I could try Spike Lee, if you REALLY want something to complain about.

AllenS said...

Happy birthday, Chick!

chickelit said...

Thanks Allen.

Today id blake's birthday!

Happy Birthday, blakio

chickelit said...

You, see, it seems like me, Meade, and blake all have the same birthday!

blake said...

Thanks, Bruce.

Tim! That reminds me of "Howard Shore and His All Nurse Band". I suppose that's a gag going back to the Greeks.

Darcy said...

Happy birthday, dear Blakesy.

Anonymous said...

Oh it's Blake's birthday? Well Happy Birthday, I'm so late to this party!

AllenS said...

Happy birthday, Blake!