Intense Negotiations

My favorite time of year is coming up. No, it's not the hint of spring. No, it's not even my birthday.

It's time for the bi-annual Bocce Team Name Deliberations.

Now, unlike most other bocce teams, we decide to change our name every season. (I'm looking at you, Joanie loves Bocce.)

It's tense. It's fierce. It's competitive. But it's always fun, you know, trashing team mate's creative juices and all.

So this year is no different as we sat around at the pre-season happy hour, chatting with the "black shirts," trying to figure out what is the most offensive name we can use that is still legal. And believe me, those black shirts are tough.

Back many seasons ago, our team started with the humble pun, Boccelism, which soon moved on to the more appropriately descriptive, De-bocce-ry. And when the black shirts tried to scam us and put a "random" on our team, we fought back with the team name Where is Ross Little? (He never did show up for a game.) We then moved back to our pun roots and used: El MariBocce Band.

But we wanted to push the envelope. We wanted that effing "best name" prize at the end of the season. And while we were denied the usage of PussyBocceMarijuana, we resigned to: Eff Me Til I Bocce. There's nothing funnier than an opponent walking toward us, timidly asking: "Um, are you, um, 'Eff Me TIl I Bocce.'"

Sometimes those non-descript colors (what the hell is majestic golden midnight blue?!?!) really work in our favor.

And don't worry, we're working on embarrassing you all once again. And we will win that coveted Best Team Name prize, and the Miller Lite girl that goes along with it.

*Photo: Yes, I know, we definitely had too much time on our hands at our old job if were were coloring on plastic cups. But, shit, the team spirit -- and drinking -- we're out of control that season. In a good way, of course.

-----Oh, and hi. I'm gansie. Not a black shirt. Nice to meet you.

Happy hour misleading, lasts over 6.

Thanks to everybody who came out to Pour House on Tuesday with their cans. It was a great turnout and we appreciate all your contributions to the Whitman-Walker Clinic Food Bank. Our official photographer was active for about an hour there to capture everyone’s slight inebriation, which you can catch a glimpse of here. As usual for our group, the traditional weekday drinking hours came to a close yet we stood strong at Pour House deep into the night, often leaning on the bar for support. Thankfully a night of $2 beers hits you everywhere but your wallet.

Pre-season Charity Happy Hour

Just a reminder, we will be holding a Pre-season Charity Happy Hour this Tuesday, February 26th, at The Pour House.

TWO cans of food will get you $2 Miller Lite and $2 Peroni bottles from 5PM to Close. All donations will benifit the Whitman Walker Clinic Food Bank.

There arent many things that I like more than two cans...


Maybe it's three ... maybe four? "Maybe it's uh something really cool that I don't know about."

Feel free to grab that extra can of Campbells Chunky Soup or Chicken of the Sea Tuna from your cupboard and bring additional items. You are not limited to only two, the more the merrier. Invite your friends too. And this canned food drive isnt even limited by cans. Bring any non perishable food item to donate.

If you need some more ideas, below is a wish list from the Whitman-Walker Clinic Food Bank.

Nutritional Supplements, 8 oz. cans of Ensure and Sustacal Tuna Fish, 6 1/8 oz. water-packed Cold Cereal, 18-20 oz. boxes Hot Cereals, oatmeal and grits, variety packs Ravioli & Pasta, 15 oz. cans Canned or Bottled Juice, 42-48 oz. Toothpaste, 4.6 oz. Popcorn, microwave (unbuttered preferred) Peanut Butter, 16 oz. Jam/Jelly, 15 oz. Crackers, 16 oz.

Spaghetti Sauce, 26 oz. cans or jars Beans, 15-16 oz. cans or 16 oz. packages Rice, 16 oz. bag Pasta, 16 oz. package Macaroni and Cheese, 7 1/4 oz. box Vegetables, 16 oz. cans Soups, 10 3/4 -16 oz cans Cooking Oil, 24 oz. (monounsaturated, canola, and olive preferred) Toilet Paper, 4 roll packs Facial Tissue, 175 count

Can't wait to to see everyone on Tuesday!

Better Know a Bartender

Welcome to the first in a series of posts on the amazing staff at the Pour House that patiently and amicably put up w/ drunk people our shenanigans from week to week. Here you'll get a chance to learn more about these fantastic people, as told through the story-telling skills of Sarah D. This edition: Tommy Greer!

Hello, you bunch of crazy yanks. My name is Tommy Greer and I'm from Derry. Some of you may recognize me from working Tuesday nights during the bocce. Often, I act like a grumpy old man - but that's really only because I'm a Redskins fan and they are probably the worst team in football, which makes Tommy very sad. Besides rooting for the Redskins and tending bar, I love to hang out with my friend Sarah D. She is pretty much my most favorite person, next to Jesus and Shane McGowan. She is so cool that I may not be working at the Pour House this season because I can't handle her awesomeness. If you're missing me at the Pour House, you can always drop by Trusty's, the other bar I work at, and I'll cook you up a nice, juicy Tommy burger - a neighborhood favorite. Slán go fóill!

Thanks Tommy - right back at ya! Stay tuned for the next edition of "Better Know a Bartender"!

The first post on the first blog...

Well, we're not exactly the first blog, but this is definitely the first post on the new DC Bocce Blog. We're super excited to launch this blog site to give you guys a chance to chat it up off the court. Everyone will have a chance to participate on the blog - you can, of course, comment on any post. But we're also giving every team captain contributor access, meaning they can craft their own posts. If you've got something to say and you're not a captain, send your captain an email and they'll post your shit for you.

This is also a good medium for us in the black shirts to post important announcements, such as weekly schedules, event announcements, rain delays, WHEN REGISTRATION OPENS, etc. So check back often to keep up to date with DC Bocce.

We're so looking forward to the start of this year's bocce season - can't wait to see you guys soon!

PS - I'm the mother-flippin hottest black shirt, bitches - vote 4 me! :)