Calling in sick to work . . ,

So I get Paulette, who I talk to every day, and I explain I am going to be out, because of my sinuses, my chest and a full day of coughing.

At one point she says, "Is this Bill?"

She did not recognize my voice.

Yes, folks. I called in sick on Opening Day, and I am really sick.

Hello, baseball!!!!

Sox make "easy decision"

By JOE BAGADONUTS
South Boston Tribune-Bulletin-Emancipator

BOSTON  -- The word started filtering in at about 8 a.m.

"The big guy is sick," they whispered. "What are we going to do?"

Red sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino didn't hesitate a moment.

"Game's off. We can't do it. We'll go at 4:05 tomorrow after. It's an open day anyway

"How would they expect us to start a season without the Big Guy," Lucchino added. 

"Heck, if he's so sick that when he called into work, the secretary didn't recognize his voice, you know he won't be able to watch the game."

Josh Beckett, who will now get a day of rest before starting the season, said it was a no-brainer. "It would be like starting the season with no beer."

Even opposing starter James Shield knew there was no way to carry on.

"I have always dreamed of opening the season in Fenway," Shield said. "But it would just spoil it to know that Billy Toscano was in bed coughing up a lung.

"We'll go tomorrow," he added. "Too bad we can't play two."

Questions Liam has . . .

One of the things I am planning to do in my 50th year is to organize my writing, work on a number of writing projects I have had simmering for years and actually do more formal freelancing.

I know it's hard, but I do have a day job.

I have some articles I have developed for various places, some quizzes/puzzles and who knows what else.

I will also be doing newsletters, press releases, article placements and obituaries.

What I need is a name for my empire of one.

I have a friend, who does this well, and uses the name "Foo Consulting." (well, not actually "Foo." but the value of "Foo" that equals her last name.

So do I go with:

Toscano Enterprises
Toscano Publishing
Toscano Consulting

Do I do something like:

Bill Toscano, Wordsmith

Would "St Liam Publishing," etc. work?

Should I use something like Adirondack or North Country?

I don't want to be too cute, but I want something that will stand out.

1066 Publications?

(666 Publications? bwahhhaaaaa)

"I Know Guys"Publications?

Ideas welcome.