RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

Truth be told, I cut my teeth in the newspaper business covering soccer. I did it in college, I did it when I got out of college.
I talked with some very knowledgable people. I talked with coaches. I talked with players. I talked with fans.
Even after all that talk, I still don't really understand the game.
Contrary to some opinion, it's not a boring game. When you get two good teams playing -- and professional players -- it can be downright exciting.
The World Cup is just as good as the Super Bowl, World Series or NBA Finals.
Part of the problem, at least in one opinion, is, like many things, it's not marketed well. Soccer in the U.S. doesn't have a machine behind it like the NFL or NASCAR.
The big push is to say 'it's the world's most popular game.'
Who cares? Everybody in the world can drive a car, but NASCAR has been able to push itself into a big-time business. Is racing any more exciting. For the most part, it's just a bunch of guys (and some girls) driving around in a big circle.
Wake me when it's over.
Anyway, here are some soccer links to check out. Maybe some of this will be seen in Chester:

The most famous foul in the world

Here are some good images of the game

The Beckhams talk about the game, life

The most famous goal in MLS history

Finally, some highlights of the greatest soccer coach of all time.

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

Wow, it's bitter out there this morning.
Besides Molson and Moosehead, we also have Canada to thank for this arctic air that blows through every once in a while.
Hey, at least there's no wet weather associated with it. That would be a major mess.

Speaking of major messes, how about this presidential campaign.
Is it just me or are you starting to get sick of all the rhetoric. Here we are months away from the election and it's yap, yap, yap.
I don't remember this much coverage in past years, but, then again, we didn't have 'the best political coverage on TV' to get us all the info.
With all the problems in the world, why do we pay so much attention to people who have really nothing to say at this point.
Sure, after the conventions and we have two candidates, then let's hear what they are all about. Now, shut up.
If you already have your mind made up, these tit-for-tats aren't going to change it.
So, from one of the best 'political teams on TV' there's this:
Click here and try not to fall asleep now.

If you have any cool links or photos, send them to onlinedelco@gmail.com.

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING DELAWARE COUNTY

Just a quick question I've had for the last week: Do you think Posh Spice was checking out land in Chester when the Spice Girls were in town last week?

So, it sounds like, except for the 'official' word, Major League Soccer is indeed coming to Chester. There are whispers the announcement could come as early as tomorrow, but, knowing sports and leagues, they could just put that off until it's right for them.
Remember, the MLS regular season doesn't start until the end of March. Then again, if they wait much longer baseball season will take something away from the announcment, at least until Tom Gordon comes in to save Opening Day.

BY THE WAY, HERE'S HOPING THESE GUYS DON'T SHOW UP

Anyway, I was sitting here thinking about what kind of nickname (unofficially, of course) we could have for the Chester team. Although the league will probably say it's a 'Philadelphia team' (see New York Giants, Jets, Los Angeles Angels) we know better.
Here's a few off the top of my head:
Chester Clippers (honors the great athletic teams in the City)
Chester Paper Rolls (Scott Paper, get it)
Chester Rivermen (they are trying to build up the area around the river)
Chester Nickle Slots (Harrah's could pay for this one)
Chester Shipbuilders (History shows some great boats were built out there)
Chester Gardnerers (Honoring some of the great neighborhoods)
Chester Kingdom (Bring the world to the City)
Chester Rise and Shines (never mind).
What do you think? Have any ideas?
Send an e-mail to onlinedelco@gmail.com or newsroom@delcotimes.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING DELAWARE COUNTY

Quick question to throw out there this morning: When did stop signs stop beating stop signs?
When I took (and failed) my first driving test all those years ago, I missed the first stop sign at the test center. Five minutes into the test, the state trooper told me to turn around.
He said I failed and to come back in a week after some practice.
I went back, made damn sure I stopped at the sign, then passed the test. (Let's not talk about the parallel parking bit).
Now, I've come to believe I was ahead of the times. Nobody stops at stop signs. Sure, some may slow down, tap the brakes, then speed up again. Will the 10 seconds it takes to actually stop keep you from something so important?
Last night while taking a walk with the boys, we saw an Upper Darby police car drive toward a stop sign, slow down and watch another car blow through one on a cross street, then floor it. He didn't even slow down at the next sign.
So, what that means to me is we don't need to stop anymore. I guess Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood has passed his own law saying stop signs don't matter any more.
Uh, probably not, but if we can't even get those who are supposed to uphold the law as a way of life to stop, why should anybody?
THINK OF THIS the next time you ignore road signs.

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING DELAWARE COUNTY
For those Oscar winners checking in this morning, congratulations.
I can honestly say I didn't watch on second of the show. Over the years, it's become boring. Bring back Steve Martin or Billy Crystal. They were the only hosts watching.

So, hope everybody got through the weekend. Once the snow stopped Friday, it was a pretty easy day.
Now, on to spring ...

First, during the snow, Al & Barb Schoonmaker sent along these photos:



If you have any cool photos or links, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY and all those getting ready for the Oscar parties in Los Angeles. A special good morning to Tom Hanks, an avid reader.

So, it's snowing outside. You know it must be a big storm because the morning television talking heads are giving 'wall to wall coverage of this weather from the best weather station around.'
Of course, it doesn't matter what station you are tuned into, they are all the best. Just listen, they'll tell you.
Here's something I find funny at least. The usual station running in the newroom during the day is CNN. Of course, they are all over these political battles. Calling it 'Ballott Bowl 2008' from 'The best political team in the country.'
Just as a test, we flipped over to MSNBC to find 'The best political coverage in the country.' A quick flip of the dial (do any TVs really have dials anymore) found FoxNews and 'The finest coverage of politics in the country.'
I was too scared to check Oxygen.
So, CLICK HERE for a big congratulations to all of them.

Besides the storm, we have the big event of the weekend -- The Oscars.
Really, has there been an nonevent event like the Oscars over the last few years.
Sure, high-priced actors and directors pat themselves on the back. There's a lot of singing, a few jokes and everybody has to stay up much too late to see the big winners.
Instead of trying different hosts and camera views, the Oscars should take a page out of MTVs award book. Get everybody drunk, put Axl Rose on one side of the stage and Harry Connick Jr. on the other and let it go. Or, better yet, give Hulk Hogan the hosting duties.
But, I digress.
Over the years, most of thes best picture nominees have had one thing in common -- they are good cures for Insomnia.
To that end, here are a few movies that have been cheated by the Oscars over the years:
CLICK HERE for one of the most dramatic scenes put to film

CLICK HERE for somebody who should have been nominated for best actor

CLICK HERE for a movie that should be best picture, actor, supporting actor etc. nominated

CLICK HERE for the biggest robbery of all time when it comes to nominees

There you have it. Let me know what you think.
Send links, photos, whatever to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

It sure is chilly out there today. That wind this morning was tough to get around, but the sun is shining now, so it's can't be so bad.
Let's wait and see what happens Friday ...

After helping to make 'Cowboy' vests for a Cub Scout skit Wednesday night, I got to thinking, whatever happened to the Cowboy lore.
Years ago, thanks to movies and television, cowboys were all the rage.
John Wayne, Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Elliott, Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and the like were all the rage. Children dressed as cowboys, wore cowboy hats and pretended to ride horses.
Now, it's all Transformers and Power Rangers.
So, as a little history lesson for those who haven't seen old western cowboys, there's this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY and all those readers spread out around the country.

You know you're getting old when:
Driving around last night with the radio on, the DJ said he was about to play 'a lost 45.' He then proceded to play a Beach Boys song that probably should have stayed lost.
Anyway, the 8-year old sitting in the next seat said: "Wow, this song's been lost since 1945."
Try explaining this one.
Here's how it went:
Well, they used to make things like CDs that were round and you had to play them on something called a record machine.
"So, you put the CD in the machine?"
No, you had a record player that spun at different speeds. There was 33 for the whole album, 45 for just one song and 78 for other recordings.
"OK, the CD was on top."
It wasn't a CD, but I guess it was like a CD. You had to go to a music store and find the song you wanted on a little record and put it on top and move the needle over and ...
"I hate needles."
UM, OK, then the music started playing. If you got a scratch on the record it would start playing the same part over and over again. If there was some dust on the record it would skip.
"My music teacher has a record player. He even has some records."
Must be collectors items.
"What's a collectors item."
----
In this world of iPods, iPhones, the Internet and digital music, there is no doubt why record stores are going out of business. Except for the club DJ, who uses record players anymore.
We don't need to rifle through a bin of songs to find the one we heard on the radio. Just log on to Itunes and let the computer do the work.
Certainly makes things a lot easier.
---
By the way, here's how I know time has really passed.
I was sitting along press row during this play in 1988:


That's right, 20 years ago.
If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

Hope everybody has recovered from that wild birthday party for George Washington. Those that weren't invited must have all headed to King of Prussia to do a little (really a lot) of shopping.
The mall was packed Monday afternoon. The parking lot looked like everybody was getting a jump on Christmas shopping.
I remember (OK, this is ancient history that some day will be covered in history books, but, knowing how No Child Left Behind is actually leaving most children behind, it won't be in school books until 2039) when the King of Prussia Mall was basically a strip mall with a few inside stores and a huge Kiddie City.
Then they build the Court and everybody said it would fail. Then they built the 'new mall' and everybody said it would fail. It's not failing, although there are so many stores in one place now it gives me a headache.
By the way, exactly how many cosmetic stores are needed before there is enough? Just asking.
They keep telling us the economy is dead, but here's what it looked like Monday:
CLICK HERE for a laugh

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY.
A happy President's Day to everybody, especially those who get the day off from school. It's unfortunate the rain will keep you off the playground, but it will surely be a nice day anyway.
Last week we had a major problem with our blog publishing. The blogs were not being publishied Thursday and part of Friday, when the problem was finally taken care of.
Of course, that makes no difference to fans out there. You want your Phillies news immediately and who out there can't go a day without checking out Alex Rose on one end of the spectrum and Blogging with Spencer on the other.
It got Rise and Shine in a little bit of trouble because, in the haste to get things on the Web, I left out one very important line in the Valentines blog. Going back and seeing the original post, which is now published thanks to the miracle of these things we call computers, I left out a Valentines wish to my special Valentines.
So, for that, I offer this:

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

- Lord Byron

Of course, there has to be something to laugh at today.
So, if the browsers are working correctly, take a President's Day break and CHECK THIS OUT

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlindelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, DELAWARE COUNTY

Hope everybody is enjoying the morning. By now, the flowers should be on the table, some candy should be eaten, cards ripped open and ...

Here are a couple of Valentines Day treats:
For all the princesses out there, CHECK OUT THIS
Now, HERE IS A LIST OF SOME GREAT MOVIE KISSES

From reader Shannon Smith comes WHAT MAY BE THE WORST VALENTINES GIFT.
If anybody gave one of those things, well, quickly GO HERE and start memorizing.
Also, a very happy Valentines Day to my special Valentine.
If you know of any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

So, that nasty weather everbody saw going home last night turned into a nasty and wet morning.
Is there anything worse than trying to scrape ice off windows in the pouring rain. I need one of those umprella hats. At least it would keep your hands free, but do they really keep you dry.

All of this rain is at least going to clear most of the ice away today, but we will probably see some flooding along the way.
The worst thing about storms like this is it just isn't cold enough to be snow, but it can't be all rain. Make up your mind, either snow or rain. This ice stuff is just ridiculous.
Speaking of flooding, I take a break from baseball talk even though spring training is starting, to welcome you to CLICK HERE FOR ONE OF THE FUNNIEST NEWS BLOOPERS IN MEMORY
Not only is it Larry's reaction funny, but check out the residents after he gets up.
If you have any cool links or photos, send them to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

So, was everybody surprised at the cold air that blew through the area Monday?
How about a winter mess that's supposed to hit today?
Well, it is ... FEBRUARY.
If we are going to have a winter, we should at least have some winter weather. Sure, walking around outside is tough, but, like my wife likes to say, if you don't like the cold, why do you live in Pennsylvania.
Good point, one of many things I learn every day.

So, now that I am adjusting to this early morning wake up, it means by 9 p.m. or so I am out of it. Gone are the days of staying up to catch the comic stylings of Jay Leno and forget about Conan, that's what VCRs are for.
I tried to catch some of the Grammys Sunday night, but once Tina Turner hit the stage, my head hit the pillow. Maybe if those award shows weren't so boring ...
Speaking of award shows, the Oscars are coming up at the end of the month. With three young children, we rarely get to see (read: NEVER) get to see movies that aren't animated.
It's been a steady stream of Spongebob, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Shrek, Ice Age, Madagascar, Cars, etc.
While most of the movies are pretty good, they are cartoons. Then again, maybe I don't need to see any 'real' movies since I've probably seen them all already.
One look around the Internet shows 'new' movies coming up include another Shrek, Step Up 2, Star Trek and, one that probably didn't need to be made, a remake of Prom Night.
What's next, an updated Chariots of Fire where the runners have to put up with a member of the team doing steroids.
Hmmm, on second thought, get me a Hollywood agent.

Enough of that, as the cold air and snow blows through, HERE'S A LITTLE TASTE OF SUMMER

If you have any links or photos, drop us a line at onlinedelco@gmail.com
And as always, have a great day.

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY.

Well, I hope everybody had a nice weekend and enjoyed the nice days.
That wind and cold that rolled in Sunday night feels even windier and colder this morning, so I guess we have to put up with winter afterall.
I was checking out our Phillies blog from new beat writer Ryan Lawrence (Check out Phollowing the Phillies with Ryan Lawrence) and saw the nice photos he decided to tweak us with.
That sun shining down on the beach would be really nice right about now.
Well, we'll just have to wait a few months.
With the Phillies and the rest of the baseball teams at spring training, I decided to search out some baseball-related material on the Net.
As a start for the week, I offer this as either the most inspired baseball bit or the dumbest. You decide.
Drop us a line at onlinedelco@gmail.com with any cool links or Web ideas.

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

It's always nice to get to the end of the week and head into the weekend.
It's also nice to see our President is making a visit to a storm-ravaged area. Maybe this time he'll get out of Air Force One.
There are a lot of sad stories coming out of those southern towns after the tornadoes this week.
There are a lot of inspiring stores as well. NONE MORE THAN THIS ONE
If an 11-month old baby can survive through what can only be called hell on earth, maybe there's help for us all.
There was also a story that ran on CNN yesterday about a family that was forced out of their home after Hurricane Katrina, only to see their new home destroyed by a tornado this week.
Amazing.

Also today, I was reading with interest in the Daily Times this morning that Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings will be speaking at the annual Partners in Education Celebration in April.
CHECK OUT THE STORY HERE


Speaking of Jeopardy, I leave you with this to get you through the weekend:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

For those out there who don't believe in such things as global warming, I give you Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Although it was nice to be able to put the winter coat away for one day, it really shouldn't be close to 70 degrees in these parts on Feb. 6.
Look, I'm not a big fan of winter, just ask my family. I like to see snow falling and I love to see the little ones building snowpeople, but I also want it to melt an hour later. Still, it's winter, it should be cold. That's just the way it is.

Anyway, those warm temperatures made summer and baseball seem closer than ever. One look at the calendar shows it is close.
The Phillies and the rest of Major League Baseball head to Florida or Arizona for spring training over the next week, so days at the ballpark aren't too far behind.
In that spirit, I offer this:



If you know of any cool links or have some good photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

Hope everybody is feeling OK after those Super Tuesday parties.
Quick question: Do pizza places and beer distributors get a lot of business for Super Tuesday?
Turn on the talking heads on television and you would think this was the presidential election already.
CNN is trumpeting 'Ballot Bowl 2008.' Local stations are running scrolls with delegate counts on the bottom of the screen. We've heard more from Clinton, Obama, McCain and Romney than anybody really needs to hear.
For some reason, and maybe its because of the ever-important ratings, but television seems to have made everything some kind of sport.
Everything is a competition. It leaks down to all walks of our life now. Children can't just go to school, they have to take test after test. Those state tests coming up just can't be taken, schools have to hold rallies, bonfires, whatever to pump the students up.
Does that really make them learn better?
We can't just drive down the road without somebody coming up on the bumper to get somewhere quicker like we are living in a NASCAR race.
Making everything a sport takes away from what really matters.
We need to have fun. We need to laugh.
CHECK THIS out and think about it while watching the evening news
If you have any cool links or photos, drop a line at onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY.

So, today's the day everybody fattens up. Like anybody needs an excuse to eat more doughnuts.
There are parades out there, speaches, beads being thrown, fights, screaming, drinking, flashing ... and that's just the political candidates as they try to 'GET OUT THE VOTE' for Super Tuesday.
Speaking of Super Tuesday, HERE'S A FUNNY BIT, especially if you like Robin Williams

We here in the Keystone State have no say real say in the presidential primaries, so, much like Sunday's Super Bowl, we get to watch and wonder what the big deal is all about. Your votes count, they all say, but not here in Pennsylvania when our primary is so far away everything will be decided.
Oh well, at least we can watch New York give the Giants a BIG PARADE
Just watch it and pretend they are all wearing green and driving down Broad Street instead of Broadway. Yeah, that will work.
Better yet, forget about the Big Apple and check out the Big Easy. THEY KNOW HOW TO THROW A PARADE

Speaking of the the President, HERE'S A GOOD BIT even if it is a little old.

Got any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY

So, is it just me or as the Super Bowl game itself has been getting better, the commercials have been getting worse.
I can't believe these companies pay all that money for the ads, then choke when it comes to entertaining.
When the games were blowouts, the ads were the best thing about the Sunday telecast. Now, the game is entertaining and the commercials, well, stink.
There were only three real 'winners' last night.
A Budweiser ad in the second quarter where a spotted dalmation helped a horse become one of the famous Bud horses, using a Rocky theme along the way.
A Coca-Cola ad in the third quarter where hot-air baloons in what looks like the Macy's Thankgsviving Day Parade chase after a giant Coke. The kicker was a Charlie Brown baloon getting the prize in the end.
Finally, another Coke commercial in the fourth quarter with political pundits Bill Frist and James Carville becoming fast friends as they tour Washington D.C. and share a bottle of the soft drink.
You can CLICK HERE to see all the ads

Here are a few other Super Bowl observations from somebody who used to watch every minute of every game.
n Troy Aikman has taken too many shots to the head. After Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, the camera quickly showed Peyton Manning, the Colts quarterback, celebrating in a superbox. Aikman tried to say Peyton was happier in that moment than he was winning last year's Super Bowl. Uh, probably not.
n These games are taking too darn long. Four hours is too much for anybody to sit through. Even though this one was a close game, it really dragged in the second and third quarters. Does every break need to have a commercial.
n Tom Petty's halftime show made Up with People look good. For many Petty is rock n roll royalty, but his live performances leave somehting to be desired. By the way, has Mr. Petty and his band recorded anything new in the last 20 years? Just wondering. Let's dump these retread acts and bring back the spaceships. HERE'S WHAT WE MISS
Send some links or photos to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING DELAWARE COUNTY

It's a wet and somewhat slippery morning out there, so be careful taking the young ones to school and getting to work.

Well, it appears Super Bowl Weekend is kicking off in, well, annoying fashion. There are a lot of people down at the Wachovia Center watching a bunch of guys eat.
Sounds like a good way to spend the morning.
On second thought, I'd rather have a stomach ailment.

Anyway, the Super Bowl has morphed into a big party day, with the game becoming background noise. The biggest buzz seems to be about the commercials.
One question: If businesses are doing so bad, how can they spend millions for 30 seconds of airtime?
While there have been some good ads over the years, most end up like the game itself - disappointing.
There are some classics of course and here are five that stand the test of time.
Mean Joe Green and the kid
Apple 1984
Larry Bird and Michael Jordan play H-O-R-S-E
Frogs learn to talk
David Letterman and Oprah are a match

Do you have another favorite, let me know at onlinedelco@gmail.com

Enjoy the game, enjoy the parties, enjoy the commercials and have a great weekend.