Jimmy Del Ponte On The Silly Side (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) Did you remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour before you went to bed on Saturday night? I didn't. My son had the guitar player from their band stay over (they were jamming until midnight), so I got up to make a Dunkie's run for doughnuts in the driving rain. The clock in the truck said 8:15am – as I pulled out of the driveway and headed onto College Ave. Soon, I saw all the wooden saw-horse roadblocks situated at the end of every street on my route. They were not in place yet, so I was okay, or so I thought – because the constituent service e-mail and phone call said that road race detours would start at 9am. I started rushing, but I was still in good shape – the streets were still open. Anyway, to me it was only 8:17am at this point. I made it to Dunkin Donuts in Magoun Square and glanced up at the clock…9:20am??? WHAT???

That's when it hit me – I didn't "spring" ahead – it was actually one hour later than I thought. That meant that the streets were supposed to start closing for the annual Race of Ireland road race at 9am and it was now 9:20am. Gosh and begora and Holy crap! Was I going to be denied access back to my home? It's happened in previous years! Was I doomed to drive around and eat the entire dozen doughnuts myself, while the band went hungry? What if they make it big and hold a grudge against me for the time I denied them their doughnuts? Was I to become like Charlie on the MTA and never return? Oh, I forgot to mention that my dog was in the car with me also. The message said that streets would be closed until at least 1pm. Would I have to park my behemoth SUV in Cambridge and walk home with a dog, an umbrella, a cup of coffee and a box full of a dozen doughnuts? As I mentioned, it was pouring a relentless, constant, soaking, wind-blown rain. That Dunkies box would have went limp and soggy and disintegrated in minutes if I was forced to hoof it.

If I had just remembered to push the stupid clocks ahead I would have had plenty of time. It would only have been 8:20am and not 9:20am. I goofed up. I start breaking out in a cold sweat because that's what I do. I panic and start freaking out. By the way, the truck stalled as I was pulling into the parking lot, so I'm thinking the wires may be wet and it may not start again. My heart is pounding and I have shortness of breath. Thankfully the truck starts and I head back down Broadway, hopefully to my house. Could they have blocked all the streets in the short time I was getting doughnuts and coffee? Would I ever make it to my street? Would I have to sit in traffic and watch 2,000 soaking wet runners in spandex and funny green St Patrick's Day hats on pass in front of me while I ate doughnuts in my truck? Too much on my mind for an early Sunday morning. Anyway…I made it home just before the roadblocks went up. Phew!

As I am going up the front steps, I noticed that my sump pump was gushing out torrents of water like crazy. I went down the cellar and you guessed it – water, water, everywhere! The bulk of it goes into the pump, but there is water seeping up through the floor and through the walls. Thank God for that pump! It was then I thought that maybe I should have used some of that now depleted equity loan money to waterproof the cellar instead of taking those Orlando vacations and buying an RV, new guitars and a golf cart! NAH! The pump is good enough.

The rain will stop, the sun will come out and the cellar will dry out like it always does. So what if it stinks down there. I am used to the musty damp cellar smell. Just about everything that didn't get ruined before I got the pump is up off the ground or in plastic bins. Want to hear something crazy? The guy who has lived downstairs for the past three years – name is Noah (I kid you not!). He has the patience of Job. There have been several water issues since he has lived there. In January of 2009, He called me in Florida to tell me that my pipes burst in my back hall. My Jacuzzi's gaskets dried out (from non-use) and let go, flooding through the floor and ceiling into his bathroom. My toilet leaked through his ceiling…twice. I am sure Noah has heard a few "Ark" and "forty days and forty nights" jokes recently. He is moving out June 1st to hopefully a drier place! Ironically, I received my water bill on Thursday. Aren't we lucky to have our own private beaches…in our basements!

All this drama and anxiety and it's still only 8:40am – Jimmy time, that is.

Somerville has lost a friend, a city worker, a coach and a dedicated father. Brian Spingel passed away on February 28th. He will be missed by his family, his many friends and co-workers. The "Brandon & Corey Spingel Trust Fund" has been set up at the Somerville Municipal Credit Union, 236 Holland Street, Somerville MA 02144. Donations can be made in memory of Brian.

Join me every Thursday night at Amelia's Kitchen in Teele Square Somerville from 7am to 9pm. Enjoy fine Italian Cuisine, while I attempt to entertain you with piano, song and senseless, incoherent blathering. You can email Jimmy directly at jimmydel@rcn.com.