My sister Julee Antonellis

My cousin Rich Battista

Hate to make it this plain, but I'm the coolest part of this video.

If, for some ungodly reason, you want to know more about this guy, here's his youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mediocrefilms2

Cheesecake Factory did a nice job

Emails, personal greetings, texts, calls, facebook postings:  short of a carrier pidgeon or a Morse-Code wiregram, I received well wishes from nearly every conceivable manner of communication.

I'll be honest, I was dreading the birthday.  Dreading 37.  Just dreading.  To help chip away at this negativity, Mom pointed out:  "Thomas, one day, quicker than you'd think, you'll be 62 wishing you were 37.  Don't waste it."

Stacy didn't give up on getting together with me.  I resisted and resisted and resisted.  I wanted to go home and brood.  Stupid.  (She's responsible for the cake in the picture.  White-Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake!!)

Pick up a copyOne of my friends pointed out:  "Tom, you focus so much on things you hate." He was referring to the book I wrote.  [click the book to learn more -- FREE SHIPPING for the rest of September] 

I want you all to know I've started a book of things I love and that fill me with awe!

I want to thank everyone who made my 37th birthday so special.  Harry Potter Uno, greeting cards that play 'Rock Around the Clock', keychains, elephant magnets, cupcakes, cookies, Plush Puff grourmet marshmallows, cash, gift cards, hugs, handshakes, "Age is only a number," "You still look good, Tom," greetings from: old girlfriends, fellow ex-Boy Scouts, former co-workers, present co-workers, comics, students, teachers, cousins, aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, "signifcant others", immediate family, four other people who share September 13th, this quote: "'Sept 13' - the 'Day of Passionate Care' Intense, Devoted, Persevering. Mel Torme, Roald Dahl, Tom Antonellis. (from the 'Secret Language of Birthdays' book)", fellow actors, fellow voice-over artists, people whom I go back as far as kindergarten, former classmates at Lilja Elementary School, Wilson Middle School, Natick High School and Syracuse University, folks from my Arthur Murray extended family, this wish:  "Happy Tom Antonellis Day! -  Established in 1974, a day of stupid jokes, list comedy, McDonald's food, and the prioritization of family and good friends", white chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake (I know I already mentioned it -- I needed to say it again!!), the Red Sox won -- what more could you ask for?

Thank you, thank you, thank you all.

- September 13, 2011

Due to the distance between us, it's been awhile since I've been able to share a Mother's Day with my Mom or a Father's Day with my Dad.  My sister and her fiancee have been able to create some nice celebrations with them though and I appreciate that.  But that still doesn't alleviate the sense of loss over those holidays or the sense of guilt I have over missing them.

I still remember the first time Dad and I went to Fenway.  Our recent tour demonstrated to us the many changes, facelifts, additions and improvements that'd been made over the years especially those made since the 2004 World Series win.  (The tour guide is showing his World Series win having worked there in 2004.)  That first game I saw had Jerry Remy playing 2nd base.  Now Jerry calls the game locally in Boston; his book on understanding baseball sits on Mom & Dad's end table. 

I never remember if the Sox win when I see their games in person.  And I pay more attention than ever because I fill out the scorecard in the program (using the technique Dad taught me during Little League).  But, still, I never remember.  I DO remember where I was.  That first time with Dad was on the third base line.  Box seats.  The most recent time with Dad:  in the bleachers.  I can never get enough of Fenway Park.  I truly hope my lifetime never sees its closure (like so many New York fans suffered when Yankee Stadium closed).

I'm grateful for the 2004 World Series win.  I think it revitalized Fenway and played a great role in securing its future.

On Father's Day, I am thinking back on those times and looking forward to more of them in the future.  I love you, Dad.  And Mom:  don't think I've forgotten -- all those Sox games were, in truth, gifts to me from both of you.

I have a CD too - it's an audio-book, but HEY, it's a CD - Idol? I guess, not so much.

My mom rooted for Casey all season.  Jacob Lusk arrived later in the night.  All three of these kids (I say 'kids' because I'm older than all of them) were so gracious and so engaged with their fans.  I and the lady I was with were the first to recognize them and approach them, inevitably launching the string of other approachees with their iPhones and smartphones in hand, taking pictures, asking for autographs, etc.  Not once did they look annoyed or put out.  They were truly interested in what we all had to say and in us.  I told Jacob that my dad, a musician, thought very highly of his talent; he looked me dead in the eye and thanked me.  Then he asked again for my name and my dad's name.  I told him he was in luck:  they're the same.  "Tom Antonellis."  He thanked me again.

You may not be a fan of 'American Idol', you may be a huge fan.  I, myself, don't watch it -- I've only ever caught it when those I was with chose to turn it on.  I have, though, enjoyed it every time and I can tell you:  the generous nature of these kids that you see on screen is exactly how they are in "real life."  For that, they truly should be "Idol"ized.

Tom Antonellis, author of 'Gripe Grapes' on ASK SOPHIE with Sophia Venable

http://www.latalkradio.com/archives/Sophie-052611.mp3

More than likely, when you're done listening, you'll just HAVE to have a copy of 'Gripe Grapes'!  (Hope so!)

Get your copy here

We're sure you can imagine how excited Tom is given that there are no FCC restrictions on internet shows so he can really gripe his friggin' ass off.

Click here to listen

You can even be a part of the show!  Call 818-602-4929 to "Ask Sophie" or to simply get your gripe on along with Tom Antonellis -- live!

Have handy a bunch of grapes and gripe to your heart's content.

  Get your copy now

If you like what you hear and enjoy the griping, make sure to pop over to  thickskincreations.com to pick up your copy of Gripe Grapes.

The show "airs" (do you say "air" when it's online?  The show "lines"?  What do you say!?  God I hate that!)  The show "lines" at 10am Pacific Time on Thursday May 26th.  (That's 1pm for you dyed-in-the-wool East Coast Tom Antonellis fans).

Stream!  That's what you say.  I think.  The show streams at 10am PST.  Or 'casts.  Like the end of broadcast.   Whatever!

So, procrastinate in your work, shirk your responsibilities and blow off your engagements so you can gripe with your favorite curmudgeon:  Tom Antonellis.

To get you started:  thinks I am currently hating:

- all this talk about the "rapture"

- all this talk about who Arnold Schwarzenegger has had sex with.  I have never really, really cared about Arnold Schwarzenegger.  I have a bunch of his movies; that's as far as my interest goes.  I JUST DON'T CARE.  I didn't care who Clinton diddled either.  When it comes to elected officials, I care about one thing and one thing only:  are you doing your job?  That's it.

- the French phrase "je voudrais"

- sigmoidoscopies

- frogs

- people who you call and when they pick up, after you identify yourself, they say:  "Oh, I'm actually at work right now, can I call you back?..."  Please, don't shit a shitter.  Have the guts to say, "Oh, now that I know it's you, I regret that I've picked up.  I thought it was someone I actually wanted to talk to.  Can I get back to waxing the carrot now?"  I hate these people.

- along the same lines:  people who answer the phone with sleep-voice.  Don't pick up, people!

Tom's Comedy Reel

Beat that unpleasant paralysis feeling that starts to creep over you on Sunday night!  You know the feeling:  the impending dread of Monday stalking you.  It's like your a pygmy marmoset and Monday is a jackal.  It's awful.  I've got just the thing!...

...Tom Antonellis & Friends Stand-Up Comedy Showcase 

We'll be performing at Flappers Comedy Club – Main Room (make sure you go to the correct room) on Sunday night, March 27, at 8:30 pm -- Flapper's is located at 102 East Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91502   (818) 845-9721

In addition to beating the workweek-cometh blues, your support would be greatly appreciated.  This is an important showcase for me and my friends.  We promise you a great show and lots of laughs.  All ages are welcome -- even under-18!! 

[Tom Antonellis does not accept responsibility for corruption of the innocent.  (There are still adult themes.)] 

Flappers' websiteTickets available at the door ($15 per person).  As opposed to the usual 2-drink minimum, Flapper’s is cool:  they have a 2-item minimum.  So you can order a food/drink/whatever combo.  If you haven’t been to Flappers, you should know they have a great menu.  

Directions from Sherman Oaks area:  101 South, keep Left, 134 East toward Burbank/Glendale, take Pass Ave. exit, Right on Pass, 1st Left on Alameda, slight Left on Olive, Left on Victory, 3rd Right on Magnolia.  The entrance to the Main Room is on the corner of Magnolia and First.  It is the glass door near the main marquee just West of the patio bar.  There is also plenty of parking in the Sears parking lot just North on First.

In celebration of my Irish half (the part you can't detect in my last name but is glaringly obvious in my middle name:  Foley), I wish you all a very happy and healthy Happy St. Patrick's Day.

I learned that Saint Patrick was born about 385 in Scotland. His parents, Calpurnius and Conchessa, were Catholic Romans living in Britain in charge of the colonies. This might even make Saint Patrick an Italian.  Cool.  Like me -- Irish / Italian. 

( Source of information, click here. )

The Blood-Type Diet, which I loosely follow, tells O-type people (O rhymes with "no") what not to eat:  no potato, no bread, no pasta.  I'm Irish / Italian.  This means nothing I've had since breast-milk has been proper for me to eat.  Actually:  check that -- O-types shouldn't have milk!  Arrggggh!

http://www.4yourtype.com/undiet.asp

But today's about the Irish.  I proclaim loudly:  "Erin Go Bragh!" which means "Ireland Forever!"  Of course, in my house, my dad would always make the joke:  "Erin Go Bragh-less".  Which entertained us to no end.

I figured I'd do some 'Relanym's for you to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (my book, "'Precipice Writings' and Other Relanyms" is available for purchase.  Click here.)

Erin Go Bragh!

Relanym it and you get:  'Susie Go Nightgown!', 'Agnes Go Negligée!', 'Kathy Go Corset!', 'Patty Go Panties!'

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Order 'Relanyms' here!