Rise and Shine --- What weather?

Good Morning and once again I wasn't chosen for Dancing with the Stars!?!

Once December hits, there's no doubt (thanks to last winter) every chance of snow will turn into a big deal. There will be warnings. There will be panic. There will be plenty of ratings for TV news.
This week, we are hearing about hurricanes. They are coming up the coast. They are threatening to wash out Labor Day weekend. They are conspiring deep in the ocean like two tea party members deciding how a Glen Beck/Sarah Palin presidential ticket would look.
Really, though, it's tough to understand all this weather talk. It's not like we can do anything about it. Just pull out the rain slicker, snow boots or whatever and deal.
Then again, if there were no weathermen we wouldn't have this classic (worth repeating whenever):

Rise and Shine --- Butterflies

Good Morning and welcome to the end of summer!

The stomach is churning. The head is spinning. The hands are shaking. The nerves were enough to make sleep turn into a pointless proposition.
It's the first day of school. The children are fine (well, at least as fine as you can be heading to school after a couple months off). It's Dad who's trying to shake it off.
I know I worry too much, but this time of year always turns my stomach into a gymnastics meet.
I worry about Liam heading into middle school. I know he can handle the work, but it's a whole new world. I just want him to do the best he can. I want him to blossom. I don't want him to worry about lockers, books, new friends or old friends. He's been excited about the start of a new school year. He likes learning. I'm sure he'll do fine, but I can't help but want to wrap him up.
Brendan is going to a new school this year as a third-grader. He's tough. I know he'll adapt. I know he'll become a leader. He's the type other children follow, even those who don't know him. Still, I want to throw him on my shoulders and run.
Malena smiles. She dances. She sings. Now, she's off to kindergarten. The flower is blossoming. I'm going to watch the clock all day until school is done. Then, I'm going to swoop her up and not let go.
Most of all, though, I'll miss the fun of summer. I'll miss the late mornings and the bike rides. I'll miss the crazy arguments. I know time moves forward, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Rise and Shine --- Anything for a buck

Good Morning and welcome to the middle of the week!

So, with one eye open the other night, I saw a commercial pop up on the TV for something called the 'Snazzy Napper.'
I thought maybe it was some kind of bizarre nightmare or my subconcious telling me I need more sleep.
Anyway, here's what I saw:


After shaking the cobwebs, I thought it was some kind of joke or maybe it was a plot to turn us all Muslim (that comes from Fox News, by the way).
No, it's actually real. I dare anybody to get this and actually use it.
When we all stop laughing, you will be out the 25 bucks.

Rise and Shine --- Time to rest

Good Morning and I was wondering if it was worse that the Phillies lost or Brett Myers got the win?

Back in the day, I remember getting through most of the afternoon at school in a haze. It was OK in the morning, but by lunchtime, you could see the heads of your friends starting to dip every once in a while.
Knowing this, I tried to get classes that used little or no brain power late in the day.
Then, while taking a walk around the Internet yesterday, I stumbled on THIS STORY from the L.A. Times.
According to several studies, a later start time in school meant better grades and better behaved students.
Just think about it. Instead of rousting everybody out of bed and dressed (the first battle of the day), rushing through breakfast (the second), then running red lights and stop signs to get everybody there on time (the third), maybe going in an hour later wouldn't be so bad.
Everybody would be better rested. Students would be more engaged with their teachers. We might all be a little calmer.
Now, if I could only convince my bosses its a good idea.

Sleeping Policeman - watch more funny videos

Rise and Shine --- Not ready

Good Morning and welcome to another week!

A lot of people look at the beginning of a new school year as a celebration. You see commercials with parents jumping up and down as the children go off on the bus.
Well, with a week to go before another year begins, I don't feel that elation.
I know they have to go back some time, but it always comes to early for me. I enjoy running around with the young ones. I enjoy riding bikes. I even enjoy hearing the yelling (OK, not as much, but still...).
I like the noise. I miss the lazy afternoons swimming. I yearn for just one more minute outside throwing the ball around. I've enjoyed the museums, the walks, the runs this summer.
Pretty soon, it's going to be all about homework and getting ready for the next day.
I'm not ready for that. So, this week, I'll try to cram as much summer as we have left into every moment.
Really, for me, there's no other choice.

Rise and Shine --- Don't get it

Good Morning and how did it get to be August 19th?

Somebody at work asked me the other day to explain Twitter. He wanted to set up an account because "everybody else has one."
So, I attempted, rather unsuccessfully mind you, to describe the so-called Twitter web and how you follow people and get updates one what they are thinking or send messages back and forth, but not everybody sees the message, just those that follow that person unless they want to make it private.
Ten minutes later we were both more confused.
I understand the whole social media thing. It keeps connections between people like we've never had before. Facebook has allowed me to catch up with old friends.
The other day on the Daily Times Twitter account, though, I saw a Tweet that said, "I am finally Mayor McCheese."
OK. Great. Now where do you go from here.

Twitter: Tweet Tweet Mystery of Life? - watch more funny videos

Rise and Shine --- A good walk spoiled

Good Morning and here we are again!

For a short time, golf seemed like a fun game. It gave a few hours of fun outside and a little bit of exercise (well, those times we didn't use a cart).
Then, playing the game became too expensive. When fees started reaching the $30 range, well, there were other (better?) things to do with the money.
A couple of weeks ago, the boys found the old clubs in the back of the garage. They pulled them out and started hitting balls around the front yard. Well, before any windows were broken or cars were dented, they were put away.
Now, the question comes all the time: "Can we go golfing?"
They've never been out on a regular course. Minature golf, though, seems to be keeping them at bay.
Hitting red (or orange or yellow) balls through various obstacles gives us a few laughs and some fun.
Most of those courses are down at the shore, but, not wanting to drive there every weekend, we've had to adapt. We've found 'courses' around the area.
It's only a matter of time, though, when the clubs are going to have to come out.

Rise and Shine --- On the camera

Good Morning and welcome to a steamy Tuesday!

Having spent all of my career at the keyboard, I got an eye-opening experience the last two nights.
For the first time in our history, we did live streaming video on www.delcotimes.com. Sunday night, we had the Daily Times/Exelon Champs 'n' Charity women's championship game and followed up with the men's slow pitch title tilt last night.
So, I dutifully carried the camera and computer to the fields and set everything up, confident we could capture the spirit of the events.
We did that, but, with only one camera, it wasn't always easy to follow the action.
You can watch a replay of both games here
Without being too self-congratulatory, we did a pretty good job. Anthony J. SanFilippo provided the voice (with help from Rob Parent and Terry Toohey). We were able to get a pretty good view of the games.
It's going to take practice, but, after a taste the last couple of days, it's something I think we should do a little more.

Rise and Shine --- Curse the rain

Good Morning and welcome to the final stretch of summer!

As we sweated through June and July, the one call was always for a little bit of rain. The grass needed it. The flowers needed it. Heck, our psyche needed it.
The rain, though, never seemed to really come. Sure, there were showers here and there, but not enough to keep the ground wet.
So, with summer winding down, Friday seemed like a good day take a little day trip.
With the little ones buckled down in their seats, it was time for a drive to Lancaster for a day at Dutch Wonderland.
As a youngster, our family seemed to go to Dutch Wonderland every year. Eventually, we would grow out of the 'Kingdom for Kids,' but it was always a fun place.
Driving up Route 30, it started to become obvious the day wasn't going to go as planned.
"Uh, it looks like it's drizzling," I announced.
A few miles later, after driving through some sizeable puddles, it became obvious it was going to be a little wet.
By the time we got to the park, the drenching had started. We pulled into the parking lot and watched it get harder.
Now came a dilemma. It's not like you can turn around and go home after the children had seen the park. Do you wait in the car? Do you wait in the (horrors) gift shop? Do you bang your head on the steering wheel?
They wanted to go in, so we took the gift shop option. A few hours and a few (hundred?) 'No, you can't get thats' later, the rain slowed and eventually stopped.
Now, if it can stay off the softball fields tonight.

Rise and Shine --- Public Serivice Announcement

Good Morning and it's a Friday (almost)!

Sunshine and superman:

Rise and Shine --- People are sick

Good Morning and welcome back to another Wednesday!

As if I didn't believe it after going through our comment section every day, some people today have serious mental problems.
Yesterday, somebody called a Philadelphia hospital to say she threw three children over the side of the Ben Franklin Bridge and into the Delaware River. The Coast Guard searched for most of the day before finally giving up.
Today, many believe it was some kind of hoax. I'm sure whoever did make the call (and, hopefully, this is all it was) is laughing like crazy while sitting in their basement.
"Ho. Ho. Ho. It's so funny. I tricked everybody. Ha. Ha. Ha!"
That's just not right and not funny at all. The next step is this person might actually do something like throw somebody off a bridge because they need a bigger kick.
Hopefully whoever did this will stay in the basement and leave the rest of us alone.

Now, onto a different note, CLICK HERE to help out Brendan's Buddies in the Walk4Hearing.

Rise and Shine --- What's next?

Good Morning and welcome into the fire!

Don't pretend you've never thought about. If you would win the lottery or something, how would you leave your job.
Would you just walk out the front door? Would you throw a big party? Would you tell off your boss and everybody else at the office 'who've deserved it all these years?'
Would you do what this JetBlue flight attendant did in New York Monday.
Hey, if your going to go out, go out in grand fashion.
Of course, in this economy, even if you win the lottery it might be better to just keep your options open.
Me, I'd probably just call and say I won the lottery and would be taking some 'vacation.' Others I know would give two weeks notice, then leave.
At least it's fun to think about.
By the way, if you can, help sponsor Brendan's Buddies at www.walk4hearing.org.
Now, this:

Rise and Shine --- The simple things

Good Morning and welcome back to the work week after a fantastic weekend!

You know, growing up mostly healthy (sure there was chicken pox and the like, but nothing serious), it's easy to think everybody is the same.
Well, now we know they are not. There are amazing people who have battled various disabilities from Day 1 and don't let it stop them.
Sunday there was a kick-off event for this year's Walk4Hearing. Now, I know, there are walks for everything these days. There are Cancer walks, AIDS walks, MS walks. Name a cause and there's something put together that helps a lot of people and gets everybody out for a nice day.
Today, I want to talk about the Walk4Hearing.
Anybody who has a child knows they do hearing scans the first days after birth. When Brendan was born, we dutifully walked him down to the scan center and they put the headphones on his tiny head.
The readout came back as a fail for his right ear.
OK, the nurse said, that happens sometimes right after birth. We'll check it in a day or two.
Well, the same result came back. So, we were sent to a specialist. They told us he had hearing loss in the right ear, but it shouldn't affect him until he gets school age.
So, Brendan went through the early years just like anybody else. Well, anybody who had a daredevil mentality and thought it was a good idea to dive, head first, off the couch into the floor, then dust himself off and do it again.
Once school started, though, it became apparent Brendan was going to need some help. In a big classroom, he couldn't always hear the teacher. As you can well imagine, any young student who can't hear the teacher will do things the teacher doesn't want done.
When he got to first grade, he was able to get an FM System, which not only allowed him to hear what the teacher was saying, but helped make him a better student.
As he heads into third grade, he's still jumping out of trees (and debating Star Wars with his brother) and the system helps his brain break down the sounds around him.
So, for the second year, we will take part in the Walk4Hearing at Ridley Creek State Park Saturday, Sept. 25.
It's a fun time with games, food and, of course, walking. Everybody laughs. Everybody has fun.
If you can, check out our page for Brendan's Buddies at www.walk4hearing.com
It's close to our heart.

Rise and Shine --- Don't get it

Good Morning and, remember, if you really need a ride to the liquor store, don't call 911!

So, yesterday afternoon, a judge in California overturned Prop 8, the referendum that passed last year banning same sex marriage.
"Because Proposition 8 disadvantages gays and lesbians without any rational justification, Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment," the judge wrote in his decision.
Within minutes of the ruling, Twitter was twitting with post after post both for and against the ruling. What really is amazing is those who supported Prop 8 got so nasty so quick it was almost scary.
There were threats. There was hate. There was some pseudo-religious defense of the ban.
The bottom line is, no matter what you think of the whole deal, people should be allowed to get married whether gay or straight.
The big debate heading into this election season is about government involvement. Some, especially those who like to yell down any argument, think we need more freedom. We need to be able to do what we want when we want no matter what our elected officials say.
Then, they say we need government bans on things they don't agree with.
Can't have it both ways, sorry.

Rise and Shine --- Sounds of summer

Good Morning and welcome to a Wednesday in a long line of Wednesdays!

Usually, one of the good things about summer is you can sit outside (maybe with a cool beverage) and enjoy looking at the stars and listening to the crickets. Maybe you can run around a little bit, play tag or kick-the-can or something.
This year, though, it's been virtually impossible. The mosquitoes are just out of hand.
Last night, for instance, we spent more time slapping our legs (missing those blasted things) than playing anything. After about five minutes it was back in the house for some serious scratching.
Now, I know nature is nature, but, come on, it's getting ridiculous. Sure, we can use a can of Off or something and get some relief, but a can a night is a bit too much. Those citronella candles don't seem to work on this bunch.
We shouldn't have to wear a hazmat suit just to go outside on a nice summer night.
Then again, it might be better than the slaps.

Rise and Shine --- Huh?

Good Morning and welcome to the second day of the work week!

So, there are a bunch of people in New York city who are upset about the potential of a Mosque being built near the site of the World Trade Center.
They are talking about hallowed ground. They are yelling about disrespect. They are threatening to stand in the way of the builders.
What they are really doing is continuing to push a stereotype. Sure, it was some extreme radicals who flew that plane into the buildings, but, if we've learned anything over the years, it should be there are radical people everywhere.
It doesn't mean you can just lop a whole bunch of people into one group.
Look, I'm not going to say people haven't been, and continue to be, touched by the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. Too many people died for no reason other than one group wanted to cause harm.
Just because there is a potential of a Mosque being built near the site doesn't mean we are giving into the radicals. What's the difference if a Catholic Church or a Mormon Temple were to be built?
In the end, as the years continue to tick off, it should be about healing and tolerance, not more hate.

Rise and Shine --- No flipping

Good Morning and welcome to August!

Ever since I discovered the remote control, television commercials became a way to see what else was happening around the dial (or buttons).
Oh, that annoying Fiber One commercial is on again, see how the Phillies are doing. OK, now it's followed by Ford and some annoying guy wearing a ball cap. Check out the stuff being made on Iron Chef.
So, it being summer and all, I let the children watch television later at night. Usually, it's some inane cartoon on the Cartoon Network or, more often than not, some kind of Star Wars offshoot.
Now, while commercials on 'adult' television shows are annoying or sometimes funny, those shone during 'kids' shows are downright brain melting or a something that shows an unhealthy lifestyle.
So, when those things come on during these hot summer nights, I grab the remote and, more often than not, switch over to the baseball game.
"NOOOOOOO!" comes the first yell.
"I hate baseball!" is a quick follow-up.
I'm just checking the score, I say.
"Why don't you like commercials? They are great," comes another voice.
Well, I don't have any money and I'm not really hungry, so I'd rather not see them.
"Come on, they are better than baseball."
Uh, no and we'll switch ba..
"Switch now, the commercials are over."
I just turned it, give it a minute.
"This is the boring life of boring."
OK, time for bed.