Rise and Shine --- Spring is around the corner

Good Morning and welcome to a cold Friday!

That cold this morning is like a slap in the face. Feel a little tired? Step outside and let the wind do what coffee could never finish.
Still, the sun shining down yesterday did give a bit of a taste of spring. Maybe we can move out the grey winter quickly. Come on, Punxsutawney Phil, give us an early spring next week.
This year, 'Phil' will be giving a forecast via instant messaging and twitter. Who knew the groundhog had an iPhone in that hole?
It is kind of amazing, though, how it's so easy to talk about the weather. Somebody could walk up to you outside school, say hello, then say, 'Gee, it's cold (warm, rainy, snowy) out here today!'
You always have a quick answer for that. 'Well, it's going to get warmer (colder, wetter, icy) tomorrow.'
We all like talking about weather, probably because it's maybe the one thing we can't do anything about. It's not like we can look up to the sky and say, 'Get sunny!'
Well, I guess we can, but it won't do anthing.
See, this is what happens at the end of a long week, nonsensical rambling.
So, just listen:

Rise and Shine --- Gadgets

Good Morning and welcome to a new world!

Well, OK, it's the same old world where hate-mongers throw out misinformation about health care and expect the masses to pick up torches.
Talk about partisan politics. How about offering some solutions when trying to rebuff the president's speach? Nah, we'll just throw out unsubstantiated opinions and see what sticks.
Anyway, the bigger news yesterday seemed to be the new iPad from Apple. It really doesn't appear to be the 'kill-all' that everybody predicted, but, seeing what Apple has done to the cell phone, the next generatiion of iPad will do everything.
Think about the perfect strategy of this company. Create a demand, upgrade the hardware, leave everybody else in the dust.
Pretty soon, the iPad will be everything from an e-reader to a phone. It might even cook your dinner. What's been proven in the past decade is you can't count Steve Jobs out. Now, if the rest of the business world would follow this model.

Rise and Shine --- Not another one...

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

Don't know if you've noticed or not, but we here at delcotimes.com have jumped into video. A few weeks ago, corporate decided we needed to add more video clips to our Web Site. They sent down four Flip video cameras and told us to get with it. (Acutual conversation: 'We are giving you four cameras to add video to your site. Reporters can shoot the video and you can edit it. You know how to edit video, right.' Uh, no not really. 'That's OK, it's not too hard.')
So, there was a learning curve, some backlash, some complaining and even more complaining (hey, it's a newsroom, the only time there's no complaining is around 4 a.m.).
Somehow, probably because most of us know we have to adapt the way we do things to survive. You want video, sure here's video.
Whatever, you have to adapt or die in this 24/7 newsgathering world.
Baby steps? Yeah, of course. We are nothing but slow changers.
So, the editing process isn't so hard. The cameras are easy to use.
Now, when do those Academy Award nominations come out?

Rise and Shine --- Veg Out

Good Morning and welcome to a (hopefully) dry day!

I certainly don't watch as much television as in the past. Part of it has to do with the time my alarm goes off every morning (3:30 a.m.). Part of it is, with three young children, there's not much time to just sit in front of the television.
Well, at least as much time to watch prime time shows. Now, when the television is on, it's usually tuned into Cartoon Network. I know more about 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' and 'Ben 10' than I really ever hoped to know.
I still do try to veg out once in a while, but following any kind of show is a little harder.
I do make time to watch '24' and, starting next Tuesday, 'Lost.'
Now, that's escapism (at least to me).
So, the last couple of weeks I was able to catch the beginning of the new season of '24.' Now, if anybody has watched the show through it's eight years on the air, you know the plot. Keifer Sutherland will have 'the worst day ever' then save the world. Already through the first five hours this year, Jack Bauer's been tasered, beaten while tied to a chair, crashed a car and saved two 'bad guys' so he could get the information.
Just one day, though, it would be interesting to see him eat a meal or take a nap. Then again, the world wouldn't be saved.

Rise and Shine --- Amazing

Good Morning and welcome to a whole new week!

Despite the complaints of three children, I was able to switch away from Cartoon Network Friday night to catch some of the Hope For Haiti telethon.
While the music was good, if not a bit melancholy, it was the stories being told between the performances that was moving.
Whenever there is a great tragedy, there are stories of survival that seem unbelievable. The only thing is, the survivor is sitting there telling the story.
One they showed Friday night was the rescue of a girl who had been trapped under a building for more than a week. Since, everything is on video these days, this is pretty powerful.
There were stories about people with nothing. People pulling others out of rubble with their bare hands.
There was a story this morning about a man who was able to survive thanks to a app on his iPhone. He was able to find out ways to stop bleeding and keep his head together.
There are plenty of cynical people out there who figure 'it's not America, why do we care?'
Well, we're all connected. We should all care. If you aren't moved by these stories, check your pulse.

Rise and Shine --- Building a Car

Good Morning and welcome to Friday!

I don't remember exactly how they all came together. All I remember is every year during Cub Scouts I had a pinewood derby car. One car was basically a block of wood with a King Kong figure glued to the top.
I don't remember winning any races. I don't remember much about the cars (with the exception of the King Kong). I do remember having fun, though. Well, as much fun as a pre-teen can have while losing every race.
This is the fourth year I've helped build a car with a boy that age. The first year, we didn't get through the first round. The second year, we actually won the first race before bowing out in the second round. Last year, well, let's forget about it.
Each car was built by Liam (with the exception of using the power saw to cut the wood). He designed it. He painted it. He put the wheels on. He got upset when it didn't take first (although we have three trophies for the most colorful car).
This year, he wanted a car that was shaped like a carrot. Well, not having the right tools (or any tools really), we set out to shape the square piece of wood into a circle.
Long story short, he now has something that looks like a carrot if it was run over by a monster truck.
He adapted. Painted it with every color in the rainbow. Glued on a driver. It might not be a carrot, but it looks like a race car.
Now, it's pretty obvious every year which parents are more 'involved' in the building of the cars. Some look like something that came right out a Detroit line. Others, look like perfect toys. They are perfectly balanced. They are perfectly painted. They are impressive.
Liam probably won't win the championship this year. Still, though, he will always know it was his hands that did everything.
That's just as impressive.

Rise and Shine --- Absolutely giddy

Good Morning and welcome back to the Internet!

So, in what many are calling an epic upset, a Republican won a Senate seat in Massachusetts.
That, of course, gave all the hate radio hosts plenty to squawk about yesterday.
In reality, all it really means to the rest of us is more of the same. All these politicians are made from the same cut of slime. They do what's best for them first, their friends second and, only if there's time left, for the rest of us.
Sure, some might have more time on the back end than others, but when you look around and see more people out of work, more people without healthcare and more people struggling to make ends meet, well, there's something broken.
Until everybody works together, well, it's not going to get better.
Or something like that.

Rise and Shine --- Bubble Trouble

Good Morning and welcome to the only place in the world where trucks get stuck under bridges every day!

You know, the request comes every night at about 7, 'Can we take a bubble bath? Can we take a bubble bath? Can we take a bubble bath?'
Most nights, the answer is, 'Well, how about just a quick wash.'
Not that there's anything wrong with a bubble bath. After all, no matter how old (or young), who doesn't like a bubble bath? Really, there's something relaxing and a bit fun about the whole deal.
Bubble baths for a 5-year old, though, is almost better than spending the whole day at a playground. Sure, she gets clean, but so does the whole bathroom.
The bubbles always end up being thrown around the room, get into the hallway and, somehow, even in the kitchen (OK, not really, but it feels that way).
The pure joy of seeing the bubbles grow as the water pours into the tub is something to see. The smile stretches wider than when those chocolate chip cookies come out of the oven.
So, those nights when the bubble bath comes, the reckless abandon begins. Plop into the tub and the laughter starts. Anybody who walks into the room is subject to a bubble attack. Hey, at least the floor is getting clean.
It doesn't matter how cold the water gets, if there's one bubble left, it's too early to get out.
Finally, like two hours later (not really), the bath is done. Sure, she looks like a grape and the shivers start, but the question still comes quickly, 'Can we do that again tomorrow?'
We'll see. We'll see.

Rise and Shine --- Fun in the sun

Good Morning and welcome to an icy window kind of day!

You know, with the cold air and the early sunsets during the winter, there tends to be a case of melancholy. The air is too cold to breath in deeply. The heat turns on way too often. The cabin fever sets in quickly.
Then, out of nowhere, we get a break like this past weekend.
After a slow rise Saturday, the sun shining down made it a perfect day to get outside.
So, we threw the ball around. Played some tag and then pulled out the bikes. Now, nothing says warm weather like bike riding. Sure, you can do it in the cold, but when it's just warm enough to not have layers and layers of clothes on, well, it just goes a little smoother.
Then came the glory of a day yesterday. With everybody off from school, the cries to visit a playground started before breakfast. After another quick bike ride (well, as quick as it can be with a 5 and 7-year old), the decision was made.
Let the fun begin. Hey, you know it's been a long winter if Mom and Dad are climbing to the top and going down the twisty slide (they would pay for it later, but so what?).
Now, if we can only get another week of this...

Rise and Shine --- Stupid is as stupid does

Good Morning and welcome to Friday!

Can't top this amount of stupidity if you tried:

WASHINGTON - The White House is firing back at Rush Limbaugh after the conservative talk-radio host urged people not to donate to relief efforts in Haiti.
Spokesman Robert Gibbs says there are always people who say "really stupid things" during a crisis. He says it's sad that Limbaugh would use the power of his pulpit to convince people not to assist those in need.

Limbaugh said on his radio show yesterday that he wouldn't trust that money donated to Haiti through the White House Web site would actually go to the relief efforts. He said Americans don't need to contribute to earthquake relief because they already donate to Haiti through their income taxes.

And Limbaugh's the voice of the people

Rise and Shine --- Helping out

Good Morning and welcome back to the Internet!

There are political differences, there are economic differences, there are religious differences, but it is kind of amazing how people find a way to band together.
Take the devastaing earthquake in Haiti. It didn't take long before the world community put aside many of their differences and tried to figure a way to help out.
Whether it is trying to get on an airplane to help sort through the rubble or getting the information out there, most people felt the pain. Looking at the photos coming out of there, well, there was no way you couldn't hurt a bit as well.
Most of us want to do more, but know the best we can do is send good thoughts down there and hope more and more poeple will be found alive.
Sure, there are those detractors who find the negative in everything. I actually heard somebody make a statement on hate radio yesterday that it was the Obama administration's fault. Whatever. Those people would be miserable if they they were living in the Garden of Eden.
The rest of us normal thinking people, though, want to help anyway we can.
Maybe there's hope for us yet.

Rise and Shine --- Gone Crazy

Good Morning and welcome to another Wednesday!

Ever notice how some things just happen.
For months now, a 10-year old boy I know has been asking to for a cell phone.
When asked why he needs one, the answer was always the same: 'Everybody else in my class has one' or 'Because.'
Obviously, those aren't the right answers. So, since he rarely has to walk home from school, isn't left at home alone nor does he stay late after school, there was no real need to 'add a line.'
This week, though, maybe because the stars were alligned in such a way or the moon was sending radiation, but he ended up with a cell phone.
How? It's still a blur, but we needed to replace a broken one. Since the actual upgrade date was a couple of months away, the only way to get a new phone (without paying full price) was to add another line to the plan.
Somehow, with the new phone and another line, the bill doesn't go up very much, so that's a plus.
Meanwhile, the 10-year old's line is just a phone. No fancy gadgets. No Internet access.
All I have to say is he better ace that spelling test this week.

Rise and Shine --- 'Roid Rage

Good Morning and welcome to a steroid-free zone!

OK, most of us aren't trying to make millions of dollors playing professional sports, so we don't really know if we would touch steroids to help get that next record or next big contract.
To say you absolutely wouldn't, well, don't fool yourself too much.
Anyway, when former Home Run King Mark McGwire finally came clean about his steroid use Monday, it was greeted in this corner of the world by a big, 'So what?'
Everybody knew McGwire, like Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds and every other slugger of the era, was using steroids. The size of the arms didn't come naturally. There was no way around it.
McGwire went from looking like Shane Victorino to Hulk Hogan virtually overnight. It was obvious he was getting help.
Then again, nobody cared when he was hitting the ball a mile. Nobody cared when he and Sosa were going back-and-forth for the home run record in 1998. Nobody cared if his career was over a few years later when steriods broke down his muscles.
It was fun to watch at the time despite the 'wink, wink, special vitamins' they were using.
You have to remember how the 1990s went for baseball. The Phillies stunk, there was a nasty strike that wiped out the World Series and the games were boring.
McGwire, Bonds, Sosa, Brady Anderson, Rafael Palmerio and the like at least made the games fun to watch. Baseball sold it and we bought it.
Sure, looking back now it was probably no more than pro wrestling in uniforms, but, hey, at least they didn't use metal chairs on each other.

Rise and Shine --- Ridiculous

Good Morning and welcome to a brand new week!

This cold just has to go away. I know, it's winter in Pennsylvania, but we usually get a couple of above-temperature days throughout the winter to make it at least bearable. This year, so far at last, it's just dark and cold. Maybe there's some hope at the end of the week.
Speaking of Hope, that's the key word that helped Barack Obama get elected as president. Now, there's a Broadway-type play making a splash in Germany that is, well, just a bit ridiculous.
While waiting for a balmy day, warm yourself up with some dancing (or something like that).

Rise and Shine --- OOH, My Stomach

Good Morning and welcome back to a winter wonderland!

It all started Sunday night. After getting through the holidays virtually healthy (as healthy as can be with this ridiculous cold), the stomach bug invaded the house.
It's like the unwanted guest who won't leave.
First the oldest got the bug, taking out his bed and the bathroom in the process. OK, that happens, just try to sleep. It's the best way to get better.
After a day break, the younger boy's stomach started growling. Another bed gone, another late night of cleanup.
A day later, the princess was hammered. It's like our little den of disease.
The way these things work, though, is you just have to let it run its course. There's no quick cure, or any cure at all really.
Just pump in the fluids and keep everybody as comfortable as possible.
Tonight, we hold an exorcism to cast out the demon.
Or so I hope.
Meanwhile, today's is Elvis' birthday. So, here you go:

Rise and Shine --- Oh, shoot

Good Morning and welcome back to the cold shoulder!

It's interesting the way society has changed. Back in the day, it was't odd for children to dress up like cowboys and have 'shoot outs' in the street with cap guns. Then came B.B. guns, then came air guns. Now we have marshmellow shooters, water cannons and the like.
The unfortunate part of this business, is it desensitizes us (to an extent) to the real damage of firearms.
When I was in high school (again back in the day), a social studies teacher used to always say the biggest threat to our country from an outside force wouldn't be from Russia or China. There were enough people in those countries who know the horrors of war and killings. No, he said, a threat would always come from those who never knew war, but saw it glamorized on the movie (or television) screen.
It's the same with this. Those who carry a gun feel powerful. They see themselves as some kind of modern day gangster. 'Everybody get out of my way.'
Now, you want to brandish a gun, I guess it's your right. Anytime there is an attempt to regulate gun purchases or gun ownership, a group rises up to yell it down.
Sometimes, though, there's nothing wrong with the alternative.

Rise and Shine --- Lawyers, Guns and Money

Good Morning and welcome to Blue Wednesday!

To all those who so kindly threw their guns (so to speak) into the ring yesterday, read this: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
It's the Second Amendment to the Constitution. It's been cited here, there and everywhere as the reason why we need to have an arsenal of guns in every home.
Well, I'm not part of a state militia. I don't know of one in Delaware County or the rest of the state for that matter.
We are not under attack by outside forces. We are in a 'Free State' and nobody is trying to take that freedom away.
So, once again, the only thing guns are good for is killing. Use a gun on somebody else, you are a killer. Just realize that and we can move on.

Rise and Shine ---- What's that argument for guns?

Good Morning and welcome to another warm day on the Internet!

So, a story broke over the weekend that two players on the NBA's Washington Wizards pulled guns on each other in the lockerroom following an argument over a gambling debt.
Last year, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was arrested after he shot himself in the leg at a nightclub. He's in jail right now, his career pretty much over.
A Philadelphia cop was fired after shooting what he thought was an armed suspect.
Robberies involving guns keep going up. Shootings appear to happen daily around here.
Still, if you check out some of the comments on delcotimes.com or you listen to the hate radio, people (at least those with big mouths) seem to want more people to have guns. What was that old joke about guns and feelings of inadequacy? Can't remember it.
Anyway, I don't see the need for more guns in our society. If anything, we should be talking guns away from everybody except for law enforcement.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the gun nuts will go on about how guns don't kill people. But, if there were less guns on the street, less people would get killed.
Here's an idea, take them all away, melt them down and use the metal to create some art.

Rise and Shine --- Back to the grind

Good Morning and welcome to the worst day of the year!

OK now, the holidays are done. The parties are over. The trees are coming down. The lights are going back into the box.
What do we have to look forward to except the cold, dark winter? That's what makes this Monday the worst day of the year.
It's back to work and to school full force. One day, you're running around with a jolly step, the next, bang, right back to the reality of the usual grind.
Then again, there is enough to be thankful for, so maybe the cold won't feel so bitter. Maybe the dark will have a bit of light.
Hey, yeah. Let's just continue the fun. Don't get bogged down in the mundane of every day.
Then again, that wind is pretty bad again out there this morning.