Rise and Shine --- Long week

Good Morning and can the Eagles actually make the playoffs?!?

With all the Christmas lights twinkling and the tree decorated and the toy commercials showing children what they are 'missing,' it shouldn't be too surprising when the little ones get overstimulated.
It always does take me by surprise, though. They can see and smell Christmas morning and the presents and the trip to Gramdmom's for more gifts. They can feel the chill in the air and the thoughts of sugar plums (whatever they are) dancing in their hair.
They can't sleep, so they are always overtired. Add in the final week of school and, well, somehow I am surprised it's not worse.
Still, when they are at each others throats this week over little things, I have to remember what's ahead. I have to remember it's just a week before Christmas and everything is shaded.
Using the old Santa Claus is watching trick doesn't work anymore (did it ever?), so I'll have to just grit my teeth and let it roll off.
That and some rum balls. Lots of rum balls.

Rise and Shine --- Soup's on

Good Morning and, yes, that is frost again on the car windows!

The best part about this time of year (by that, I mean winter, not the holidays), is it is the perfect time for a big pot of soup.
My plan this year is to make a different one every week, then spread it out through dinners. Of course, thanks to the sophisticated palates around the table, that's a lot easier said than done.
Started out with some chicken noodle soup.
"Don't like it," said the toughest critic.
Well, I said, if you don't eat your dinner, you can't have dessert.
"OK, I don't want desert."
Last week, I went with a potato/leak soup.
"Don't like it," said the critic.
Wait a minute, you didn't even try it.
"It looks disgusting."
OK. What kind of soup will you eat?
"Vegetable."
We'll see when I make that this week.

Rise and Shine --- A new Low-es

Good Morning and I really don't like the cold!

So, I kind of glanced at a story yesterday about how Lowe's was pulling it's advertising from some show called "All-American Muslim."
Now, up until I read the story, a copy of which you can see HERE, I had never heard of "All-American Muslim."
Unless you are an avid watcher of TLC, you probably never heard of it either. It's apparently a reality show about, well, a Muslim family living in America.
Sounds like it's probably one of those shows that follows a family around, they talk to the camera, they argue, they hug. Much like any other reality show on TV.
Then, some wacko group out of Florida decided to protest the show because, well, basically they hate everybody.
For some reason, Lowe's saw this protest, must have agreed and pulled their ads.
What's next? They pull ads from reruns of "Good Times" or "Everybody Loves Raymond?"
Just one question, where's the nearest Home Depot?

Rise and Shine --- What happened today in history?

Good Morning and wasn't it nice not to see any white stuff on the ground this morning?

So, yesterday morning before school, I asked the 12-year old why Dec. 7 was a big day.
"I don't know," he said.
Come on, I prodded, it's one of the most important days in history.
Perplexed, he tried to remember, but finally can another "I don't know."
Really, I guess that's the way of the world. The further we move away from Pearl Harbor, the less likely it's going to be mentioned in school. It happens with everything. We don't talk about Appomattox the way they did in the early part of the 1900s.
In the year 2041, they probably will gloss over 9/11. It's up to us to keep the history alive. So, I recorded a couple of Pearl Harbor shows yesterday and will put them on today (as long as I can get past the whining).
Of course, history comes fast and furious in December. After all, we all know what happened Dec. 8.

Rise and Shine --- Too early for the tree?

Good Morning and isn't Global Warming pretty nice?

So, when the dishes were put away from Thanksgiving dinner and everybody was sitting on the couch, the question came for the first time: 'Can we get a tree?'
Of course, I knew that didn't mean taking a ride to the garden shop and picking up a peach tree.
It was time to start thinking about a Christmas tree. Growing up, we always had the artificial one, so timing didn't matter. Pull it down from the attic and start decorating.
With a real tree, though, you have to balance out how far in advance of the holiday you get one. I'm always afraid it's going to dry out and we'll be greeted Christmas morning with brown needles.
So, I've been able to put it off for the last couple of weeks. I somewhere along the line mentioned Dec. 10. They can't remember what was for dinner last night, but they remember that date.
So, we'll be out tree hunting this weekend.

Rise and Shine --- Shoot the messenger

Good Morning and what do we have here?

You know, most years I kind of ignore all the Christmas shopping commercials that pop up on TV. I'm going to buy what I'm going to buy and no commercial is going to change that.
This year, though, there's something different. This year, I secretly hope Godzilla makes a pre-Christmas run and crushes all the new Lexus' people seem to be buying.
Really, is there anything more annoying than a car commercial where somebody does some 'cute' way of showing how good they are by buying somebody a new Lexus. First of all, let's get past the whole personal choice thing. A car is, after all, something deeply personal.
Who has that kind of money sitting around. Certainly not the people they show in commercials. How does the woman who reprograms the elevator music to play the Lexus jingle get the money to buy her boyfriend a new car while working at Starbucks?
Meanwhile, those people who apparently shop at Target, WalMart, Best Buy or any of the other places that exist in these commercials need to be attacked by zombies. I mean, really, if I saw somebody singing the praises of WalMart while shopping, I might turn into a zombie. Then again, I have a feeling the zombies would starve since there doesn't appear to be a brain anywhere.
Don't even get me started with the jewelery dealers. Yeah, 'Every Kiss begins with Kay' but you can't spell bankruptcy without that same 'Kay.' So there.

Rise and Shine --- Is it cold in here?

Good Morning and welcome back to reality!

So, it started Saturday night, was full blown yesterday afternoon and I can still feel it today. It's the flu. Whether I really have it or not, doesn't matter. It certainly feels that way.
So, this is what I have:

Rise and Shine --- Crazy, or...

Good Morning and how about those stars coming out for the Philly Thanksgiving Day parade!?!

A couple of years ago, my brother said he wanted to compete in an Ironman competition. You know, the one where you have to swim a couple miles, ride a bike for like 122 miles, then run a marathon.
To which, I said he was crazy.
A year ago, he volunteered to work along the route of the Ironman in Phoenix. He handed out water, helped competitors, did whatever was asked. He volunteered for the sole purpose of being able to register for the next Ironman.
To which, I said he was crazy.
For the past year, he's gotten up early in the morning (like the same ungodly hour my alarm goes off) and ventured to a pool to swim laps. He's rode his bike ridiculous distances (like the time he pedaled from his home in Conshohocken to the Ben Franklin Bridge, then to Phoenixville, then back home). He's jumped off the bike and run mile after mile. He blogged about it all RIGHT HERE
To which, I said he was crazy.
He booked the flight. Packed up the gear. Got on the airplane and, last weekend, landed in Phoenix.
To which, I said he was crazy.
This past Sunday, he jumped into a river with 2,500 other people and swam nearly three miles. He jumped out of the water and hopped on his bike. More than six hours later, he hopped off the bike and started running. My mother sent along a photo as he started the run. He was smiling.
To which, I said he was crazy.
It took six hours to finish the marathon part of the Ironman. He said yesterday he walked about 13 miles of the marathon, but was never going to stop. He said he was sore Sunday, but felt great Monday. He also said he signed up again for next year's race.
To which...well, he's crazy, but pretty damn impressive.

Rise and Shine --- Birthday present

Good Morning and isn't it nice to have these 60 degree days in November!

So, about this time last week, I started asking a 6-year old (turning 15 this week) what she would like for her birthday.
We went to the toy store. Looked at the usual suspects. I didn't know there were so many doll accessories.
Even though she said she wanted this and that and this and that, I could tell her heart wasn't really into anything special. Sure, it would be nice to have that new version of the LaLa Loopsy, but where's last year's? Another doll house, really?
So, over a hot chocolate, I asked: What to you really want?
She smiled and said, "It's a secret. Come closer.
"I want to go ice skating in New York City."
Well, we did that around Christmas last year and it certainly left more of an effect on the young mind than I thought.
So, we got in the car Saturday morning and made the trek North to Bryant Park in the heart of New York City.
The amazing thing, to me anyway, was how much easier it was this year to go around the rink. Last year, most of the time was spent crawling along the wall. If the hand came off, well, let's just say it seemed like the rest of the rink was enjoying the comedy.
So, we skated for close to an hour (before her brothers practically demanded we leave).
On the way out, a little voice came from the back of the van: "Thank You, Daddy. Can we we come again next Saturday?"

Rise and Shine --- Trees, lights, ahhhh

Good Morning and welcome to another brilliant morning!

Now, I know I'm behind the eight-ball on this, but I really don't want to see any more Christmas stuff right now.
It all started a few weeks ago when I went into the Home Depot to search for some Halloween lights and could only find reindeers.
Then I noticed every other commercial on TV was pumping up pre-Black Friday sales or Lowest Prices of the Season.
The season? What season is that? Late summer?
Anyway, it all hit this past weekend when we decided to take a trip to King of Prussia. It wasn't so much the piped in holiday songs. It wasn't so much seeing Santa on his couch. It wasn't so much seeing workers at one store being forced to wear elf hats.
No, it was the attitude of many walking through the stores. You would have thought we were sitting a few days before Christmas instead of the beginning of November.
People were buying all the junk in the center of the aisles (do you really know somebody who needs a desk nose-hair trimmer?). They were pushing, wrinkling shirts, knocking things on the ground.
All I could think was, thank goodness for Internet shopping.

Rise and Shine --- Joe Must Go!

Good Morning and welcome to a brilliant fall day!

Since it is Fall, the next head to fall at Penn State should be head football coach Joe Paterno.
Sorry, all you apologists out there, Paterno had to know what was going on with his former defensive coordinator. Anybody who's ever witnessed the Paterno show during the week before a game knows that nothing, absolutely nothing, goes on around the football program without the head coach's knowledge.
Paterno knows who is using the weight room, who is using the offices, who is walking around campus with a football shirt.
So, when he comes out with a statement last night saying, Jerry Sandusky "fooled us all," the only real person Paterno is trying to fool is the public.
The Penn State board should sweep the whole program clean right now. Get rid of all the old guard before this week's game with Nebraska. Don't let Paterno walk back into the stadium. Don't let him near the football offices.
If those that run Penn State buy into the whole lilly white program thing, well, this is the chance to show it. Any other response makes Penn State no different than any other bandit program.

Rise and Shine --- Come on now!

Good Morning and we are really lucking out this Fall!

Let's get real for a minute here, folks. Saw the results of a survey yesterday that said 52 percent of businesses can't find people to fill open positions.
Really? Unemployment sits at 9 percent and those responding to this poll say they can't find workers?
The poll also said 42 percent of businesses say those applying for jobs are under-qualified.
Really? I know people with college degrees (some with masters) who are unemployed. They would certainly be over-qualified for any job, but can't get a hit.
Why don't we just say what it is? These places don't really want to hire people or if they do they don't want to pay a fair wage.
It's in the best interest of some places to keep unemployment high right now to try and force a change in the White House. If there is a fundamental change in government, maybe those tax perks and what-nots will continue to stay around.
So, when you hear polls about jobs and how there aren't people to fill them, well, let's really look around at reality.

Rise and Shine --- Two wheels!

Good Morning and welcome to the week before Halloween!

One of the things we like to do in the summer is ride bikes. So, with everybody getting a little bigger, two new (actually used) bikes were purchased last spring. The problem for one was that meant no more training wheels.
So, we tried in the spring. We tried at various times throughout the summer. We tried before school started. Still, the one couldn't get over the fear of falling.
That's OK, I kept saying, you'll get it. Until then, we'll put the training wheels back on your little bike.
"No," was the answer. "I'm not a little kid. I don't need a little bike."
So, the Not Little Kid used a scooter instead. Road up and down in front of the house. Mile after mile throughout the early fall.
Then on Saturday, the scooter went away and the bike came back out.
"I can do it now," the Not Little Kid said. "Watch."
So, moments after jumping on the bike (her brother's, but let's not quibble), it was back and forth on two wheels.
"I can do it! I can do it! Look Daddy! I Can Do IT!" the Not Little Kid yelled with joy.
Yeah, you can do it. You're right, you're not a little kid any more. :(

Rise and Shine --- How's it going?

Good Morning and, that's right, here we are again!

So, how is everybody doing today? Everybody feeling OK? Well, if you're under the weather or above the clouds, this should bring a smile to your face.

Clinton Foundation: Celebrity Brainstorm from President Bill Clinton

Rise and Shine --- Fall

Good Morning and wouldn't it be nice to have a week without rain?

While we could skip winter and it would be OK with me, I really do look forward to the changing of the seasons.
It's tough to give up the summer and all that comes with it (trips to the beach, swimming), there is something special about the Fall.
The vibrant colors of the leaves as you drive from here to there are very cool. The temperatures isn't so bad as long as you can convince everybody to wear a jacket.
On Saturday, we (along with seemingly the rest of Delaware County) decided to take a ride up to Linvilla Orchards for our annual pumpkin-hunting quest.
Each one is put under scrutiny. OK, this one is a little flat on the back, but it's perfectly round on the front. Perfect for a Jack O'Lantern. Wait, that one over there is pretty good too. Hey, can't we all get a pumpkin.
Getting caught up in the season, well, of course.
So, this year, we ended up with a record-breaking 81 pounds of pumpkins (breaking the old record of 72 set in 2009).
Now, who's going to start cutting?

Rise and Shine --- World gone to pot

Good Morning and how come it seems like every team can hit except the Phillies come playoff time?

So, a neighbor A didn't like what Neighbor B was doing on his own property. Neighbor A becomes so enraged, he kills Neighbor B.
Uh, OK. Sure, that's the logical conclusion. Get your gun and shoot down somebody you don't like. Of course, we need to have said guns handy in case aliens attack or some such ... stuff.
The more I see this kind of stuff happening, the less I can listen to gun right's advocates make their argument.
I've seen neighbors do plenty of annoying things. I've had neighbors make a lot of noise. I've been so annoyed with neighbors that I looked out the window to make sure they weren't there before I left the house.
Getting a gun and shooting them dead? Never once ever crossed my mind.
Now, I believe most people have that ability to differentiate between crazy and sane. There is a large group that can not, though.
So, next time somebody tells me they need a gun in the house, I'll give them a feather.

Rise and Shine --- Oh boy, what a day at the beach

Good Morning and welcome to another blue Monday!

The best thing about having these warm, sunny October days is you can ignore such a pathetic performance by Philadelphia sports teams.
Truth be told, if I wasn't in the office yesterday, I would have found something better to do than watch the Eagles.
Anyway, I was here, having left Ocean City, N.J., early Sunday morning. With the sun gleaming off the water, that was no easy task.
Even though we went through a warm summer with plenty of sunny days, it's something special when that weather sits around for a weekend in October.
Sure, the cold air will be here soon. That's going to happen in Pennsylvania. It's not like we were suddenly transferred to San Diego or something.
So, we enjoyed the weekend and will enjoy the next couple of days before the rain comes in to ruin the party.
For now, though, we can only dream.

Rise and Shine --- To heat or not to heat

Good Morning and it's time to change the pitcher!

As this wacky weather year took a chilly turn this week, the first thing I heard after school yesterday was 'It's cold in here.'
OK, you might need to put away the shorts for the season, but it's not cold. Maybe a sweatshirt instead of the T-shirt would help.
One thing that's not happening is the heat is not going on yet. Maybe I'm still stuck in the summer or maybe I'm looking for one month of a decent PECO bill, but the heater will not kick in this week.
Or next week.
My rule is the heat doesn't go on before Halloween. Yeah, yeah, yeah, things could change. The way the weather has been going, would it surprise anybody if we saw snow in October?
Now, though, the after-school crowd is going to have do deal with it. After all, there are plenty of blankets.

Rise and Shine --- Taking a tour

Good Morning and welcome to the beginning of another long week!

As the minutes ticked away while not being able to fall asleep last night, I kept thinking "I could have gone to bed at 10 and it wouldn't have made any difference."
That's what happens when you stick through a Phillies playoff game that stretches past midnight and is one of those frustrating games the Phillies always seem to play.
Well, at least the rest of the weekend (despite trying to battle through an early-Fall cold) was busy but fun.
It all started Friday morning when I was invited by one of the Delcotimes.com bloggers, Chef Jacquie (CHECK OUT her web site here), to take her culinary tour of the Italian Market.
Now, I've been to South Philly's Italian Market. I like to get down there maybe once a month or so to pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables.
This tour was a little more, though. There was history (one of the businesses had been there since the early 1900s), there were stories (one shop was opened in the 1930s when a competing shop wouldn't let workers take a day off Jan. 1) and there was food. Lots and lots of food.
We started out with a caramel and chocolate covered apple, followed with a couple of different cheeses, a cheesesteak, a hoagie, pizza and finished with cannolis.
Now, I have to figure out when I can get back.

Rise and Shine --- Shaky, shaky

Good Morning and, yes, here we are again!

So, isn't it a sinking feeling when, after shaking somebody's hand, they say, "Yeah, I'm just getting over a nasty cold."
Come on now. Really? You just had a cold and think it's a good idea to shake hands. Couldn't you have prefaced the hand shaking with that information? Now I know why Howie Mandell gives that fist pump all the time.
All right. I know there are a lot worse things than a late-summer, early-fall cold. When the chills start hitting and the only thing you can think about is soup, well, you know it's going to be a long couple of days.
So, to help out, how about this:

Rise and Shine --- How much is enough?

Good Morning and welcome back to a whole new week!!

You know it's going to be a long week when you wake up tired. Tried to go to bed early Sunday night, but it didn't seem to matter.
Better start brewing the coffee.
Here are some Monday wakeup sounds:

Rise and Shine -- Does the heart good

Good Morning and, hey, is that a Cardinal out there!

So, Monday morning about 6:55 a.m., the oldest said he needed a photo of me for school. Now, I quickly noticed a few things.
First was why did the request come about 10 minutes before the bus was going to arrive ("I forgot I had homework," came the reply).
Second was most of my photos exist in digital form. I never think about getting them printed.
Third was there was very few photos of me. I take the pictures, don't need to be in them.
So, we scrambled, found one, the computer crashed and couldn't get it in time.
What do you need it for? I asked.
"It's just part of homework," came the 12-year old's reply. "It's OK. It'll be all right without one."
So, off to the bus and through the day, not thinking about it again.
Anyway, Monday was the dreaded back-to-school night. While walking through the halls, I noticed the students were tasked to make up a front-page of a newspaper (imagine that!) about themselves.
In the lower left corner, there was a spot for "Meet My Hero."
In that spot, the boy had written "My Dad."
I don't know if I've ever had a prouder moment.

Rise and Shine --- Late nights, early mornings

Good Morning Eagles fans and welcome to the Kafka era!

I know better. I know that alarm's going to be about as welcome as the next bill. I know I'm looking at a day that's going to fall into a haze of sleepiness.
Still, I stayed up to watch the Eagles/Falcons game last night.
OK, truth be told, I did doze off a bit in the third quarter. When I woke up, Mike Kafka was in the game. I was sure it was a blowout one way or the other.
As the clock ticked past 11 p.m. I said to myself, "Self, 10 more minutes and it's off to bed."
Ten minutes turned into 20 and finally 40 before I pulled up off the couch and made the way up to bed (by the way, why do we go upstairs to bed?).
Sure enough, about four hours later when that alarm went off, getting up was tough. Made it to work on time, but I'm only asking for one thing: Send coffee!

Rise and Shine --- Language demon

Good Morning and here we are again, me and you!

Remember that classic scene in the movie 'A Christmas Story' when Ralphie, while helping his dad fix a blown tire, blurted out the "THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word!"
Of course, Ralphie then had his mouth washed out with soap, was sent to his room, blamed a friend and all hilarity ensued.
OK, little kids shouldn't be walking around cursing (should parents?). There are other words you can use when frustrated, upset, etc.
Still, swear words are the demons of the English language. It all depends on how you treat those demons.
A lot of parents will act like Ralphie's when a bad word comes out of a child's mouth. The child will be punished, get their mouth washed with soap, sent to their rooms, sometimes smacked on the bottom.
Everybody has their own way of handling the situation. Whether it is the right way or wrong way is up to you.
For me, I'd rather make the de-deomonize the words. I don't punish. I might say something like, "Come on, there are better things to say."
The funny thing about children is they like to test you. If you are arguing about, say, homework. You want it done now. The child says he will do it later. In the heat of the moment, to throw you off balance, the demon may come out of their mouth.
If you've taken the sting out of the word, it may not be used.
At least it's worked for me.
Now, get back to work.

Rise and Shine --- School days

Good Morning and welcome back to the fog!

So, the first week of school is out of the way. That means now things can really get down to business.
I warned everybody this weekend to expect homework to start, probably today.
Since they are all still in summer mode (my fault, maybe), the cold slap of the homework bug is going to be a major wake up.
Now, instead of getting off the bus, throwing down the bags and tossing around the Frisbee, it's going to mean get the sharpened pencil and get back to work. The biggest problem is there hasn't really been any homework since late May.
The schoolies have taken great pride in coming home and saying, "Well, Dad, you have homework!"
OK, I expected that. Fill out all the forms, cover the books and make sure all the ducks are in order.
This week, I expect the fight.
Sure, you can have a snack, but I want the homework done. I don't want to argue. I don't want to hear how tired you are after school.
If the homework doesn't get done, well, you'll be more tired tomorrow. Welcome to the vicious cycle.
My goal this year is to try to make homework fun. Let's play a game. Get the math done, get a treat. Spelling done? Another treat. Reading? OK, it's time for dinner, no more.
Somehow, I don't think it will work out that way.

Rise and Shine --- Green tomatoes

Good Morning and welcome to, fall?

So, back in the spring, I decided to build a little garden. I watched the sun for a few days to figure out where the best place would be to put everything down.
I picked up the wood and the dirt. I then put together a little raised area where I could put the plants.
With my traveling companions, we went out to the store and picked up the tomato and pepper plants(OK, maybe too many for our small space, but it was tough to say no).
I made sure the tomatoes and peppers were watered every day. When I went on vacation in June, I made sure the neighbor would give them a spritz each day.
Now, as August is coming to a close, I have strong looking plants with a lot of tomatoes hanging on the vine. Problem is, all of them are green. They aren't turning.
I'm getting a little jealous as others talk about their bountiful harvest.
Heck, I'd settle for one red one this week.
Maybe the sun will help me out.

Rise and Shine --- Lunch dilemma

Good Morning and if just one of my tomatoes would turn red, the world would be right!!!

So, for the first part of the summer, I was using the old stand-by for lunch: peanut butter and jelly. OK, sometimes I would mix it up and add some marshmallow.
Anyway, it seemed to be working out OK. It was quick, everybody was satisfied, time to move on to the rest of the day.
Well, a few weeks ago, I thought it would be better to mix it up a bit. I mean, PB&J is good and all, but it was time to get some vegetables into the diet.
So, one day I made some vegetable dumplings. Took a little more time and I heard the cries while I cut up the veggies and got the wonton wrappers ready.
When they were cooked, though, it was pretty tasty.
That lasted one week. Then, I went to salad. My crowd wasn't as happy about that. In fact, they boycotted.
OK, how about some spinach raviolis? Seems simple enough, especially with frozen ones.
Two liked it, one didn't. Chili? About 1/3 successful. Vegetable po-boys? About the same.
I'll keep trying, but the peanut butter is right there on the counter.

Rise and Shine --- Get Buggy With It

Good Morning and here's another day we don't have to water the flowers!!!

So, there we were, sitting around Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful day outside. The grass was done. Lunch was done. Brownies were baked.
The last thing I wanted to do was sit around inside with the television on (which was the direct opposite of the others with me).
So, we made a trek downtown to check out the Natural History Museum's Bugfest.
Now, this is a big deal every year at the museum. You get to see all kinds of bugs (most of which if I ever saw in the house would be worse than if it was haunted).
The big draw, though, was the cookies. We've heard about the chocolate 'chirp' cookies that are served every year.
It's a chocolate-chip cookie with crickets baked inside. OK, it doesn't sound very appetizing. In fact, two of my sidekicks refused to even look at them.
Yet, if you got past the crickets sticking out of the side, they weren't that bad. Sort of like Chips Ahoy.
Now, that can be crossed off the list.

Rise and Shine --- Most of the time, it's better to laugh

Good Morning and here we are again!

So, the economy is still in the tank. Jobs aren't coming back because corporations have realized we'll just do the extra work. The Washington in-fighting is as bad as it's ever been. Michelle Bachmann is a serious presidential candidate. Gas prices are much too high. Nobody will play with me.
My grandmother used to say, "I would complain, but it wouldn't change anything, so I'll just smile."
Here you go, then:


And, another:


Finally, don't mess with Keith Richards:

Rise and Shine --- Left coast

Good Morning and welcome to the only place on the Internet you really need to be!

I don't know about you, but I'm glad the Phillies only make a couple of these West Coast trips every year.
There's nothing worse than a 10 p.m. start. For one, it seems kind of odd to turn on the first inning, see sunshine and realize it's still only like 7 in California. Lucky ducks.
Secondly, I try to stay up (yeah, you can slap me in the back of the head) as long as possible because, well, it's cool to see the sunshine at 10:30 p.m. Of course, that means I pay for it the next morning when the alarm goes off at 3:30.
Truthfully, I never make it to the end of the game. Used to be a time where I'd gladly stay up. Last night, I was done by the third inning. Actually, I fell asleep in the first and woke up in the third.
Well, one more late game, then it's back to normal. Well, what actually passes for normal anyway.

Rise and Shine --- Money, money, money

Good Morning and is that humidity I feel out there today?

Now, I'll admit I don't know much about the stock market. I certainly don't know what it means when they say the U.S. has been downgraded by the S&P.
It always seemed to me the markets would go up and down on a whim. Uh, Oh, the wind blew the wrong way, down goes the market. It's a beautiful, sunny day, up go the numbers.
To me, this latest Yo-Yo is being manipulated behind the scenes for some political gain.
HMM, let's see, we need to point figures at the other side, let's frighten people about the economy.
The bottom line is, our economy has been in the toilet since we were put into two wars. Until we bring everybody home and focus the money on domestic problems, our economy won't get better.
Then again, I could be wrong.

Rise and Shine --- They don't make them like they used to

Good Morning and what a lovely one it is at that!!

So, there's an ongoing battle at the house when the television is turned on.
If the Phillies are playing, we probably will check that out, then switch maybe to the food or travel channel. Maybe see if there is a good movie or some other show that will keep everybody's interest.
After a few minutes of this, though, I always get the request: "Can we watch a kid's show?"
I usually give in. After all, I remember all those years ago how much joy I got out of watching Rocky & Bullwinkle or Bugs Bunny or Spider-Man or Tom & Jerry.
Now, more often than not, the joy ends when we get to the new cartoons being shown. Things like some mind-numbing experience called 'Adventuretime' is the new fave. Not only is it annoying to hear, but I feel like my head is going to explode just having it on the television.
Don't even get me started on 'The Amazing World of Gumball' or 'The Regular Show.'
Now, I know there are always generation gaps. I don't think my parents particularly cared to see the latest adventures of 'Hong Kong Phooey.' This is different somehow.
Or maybe not. All I know is Bullwinkle had it right.

Rise and Shine --- Hey! It's Wawa

Good Morning and welcome to August (really, August)!!

So, on the way to work yesterday, I decided to stop at Wawa for a cup of coffee. Now, if you don't know, our office is behind the Wawa on Oak Avenue in Primos. Across the street is a shopping center that includes a Giant.
Anyway, this Wawa was decently crowded. There were a few people in line, but, like most times at Wawa, the line moved rather quickly.
Well, until the gentleman in front of me got to the register. He had a basket (who knew Wawa had baskets?) full of a what looked like everything in the store.
There was milk, orange juice, bread, eggs, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, a couple bags of chips and bag after bag of deli meats.
All told, the bill when it was over was $90. He then paid with a credit card.
Now, Wawa does a good job with sandwiches, coffee and doughnuts. Only in a very odd pinch would I even think about getting anything else. I learned that lesson one holiday morning when there was no butter in the house. One pound and $8 later, I vowed to never do it again.
I understand the convenience and all that, but, THERE'S A GIANT ACROSS THE STREET!
Seemed all kind of silly to me.

Rise and Shine --- Where is Pete Best?

Good Morning and here we are back on the air-conditioned train!!!

So, took in something called 'Beatlemania Again' at Rose Tree Park last night. It was a nice show on a nice night and met a lot of nice people.
Saying that, I really never understood the need for kind of groups.
Wouldn't it be just as entertaining if they went up and played Beatle songs without actually trying to look like the Beatles. It's like those Elvis impersonators. None of them really look like Elvis. You know the person is not Elvis.
The same goes for the Beatles. The nostalgia thing never really stuck with me anyway, so just go out looking like yourself and play the songs. Probably would have been just as many people there last night.
Here's a kicker for you. We were hoping to get a member of the band to join us for our Live From the Newsroom broadcast. We were told, though, they wouldn't come out unless they could be in character and would only be interviewed as if they were the Beatles.
While it would have been humorous on one end to see Gil Spencer trying to interview a fake John Lennon, it was a little too much.
Having said that, I would recommend getting to one of these concerts before the summer is over.

Rise and Shine --- Ho hum, the NFL

Good Morning and if that was a break in the humidity this morning, I have a bridge for sale!!!

Don't you just love it when billion dollar people argue with millionaires about how much more money they can make. Finally, when they decide to meet in the middle, people celebrate when it would have been far more interesting to see them continue to argue.
Sure, the NFL is going to have a 2011 season. Was there ever really any doubt in your mind? When the players started to feel the real pinch of missing paychecks and the owners realized that TV money (not to mention the other stuff that goes with NFL games) might dry up, the deal was going to get done.
The legions will come back with their cheers and claps. The game will be called "more popular than ever" and life will go on as it was going.
Now, what would have been a better deal would have been if the players would have demanded the owners lower ticket prices. After all, without you spending a couple hundred on a Sunday, where would they all be anyway.
Of course, that will never happen.
Those that have the money can keep making it. The rest, well, just deal.

Rise and Shine --- Swimming

Good Morning and welcome to (supposedly) a break from the heat!

The plan at the beginning of every summer is to join a pool and take advantage of it when it gets really hot. The plan falls apart every summer when I remember how much it costs to join a pool.
So, we take advantage of Grandmom and Grandpop's hospitality and jump. As the summer sun continued to bear down last week, their pool was a welcome respite.
When the heat was there again Saturday morning, I thought it was a good idea to stay in the air conditioning. So, we hit a couple of stores and saw a small, throwaway pool for $3.
OK, I thought, it would be perfect for those days when I didn't feel like driving. Saturday being one of those days, we got the pool home and filled it up.
So, with bathing suits on, one foot went into the water when the unbelievable came.
"It's too cold!!!"
Too cold, I said, it's like 150 degrees out here today. Walk around the house once, then you'll be ready to go in.
"That's not going to work. The water is too cold. It needs to be heated!!!"
OK, I continued, we'll stay outside until you're ready to get wet.
Lasted about 10 minutes. Now, I want it too stay hot for a few weeks.

Rise and Shine --- Oh that A.C.

Good Morning and where's the nearest pool!

A decent Facebook discussion yesterday centered around air conditioning. The crux of the back-and-forth was the need for air conditioning. After all, there was a time when there were no air conditioners.
I remember talking to my Grandfather once about it and he said something like it wasn't something you thought about. Some had fans. Others just opened the windows and hoped for a breeze. I even heard about people who would put shirts in the freezer.
For the first time in my life, I have central air in the house. It certainly has made a difference the last couple of days.
I used to be one of those who would just grin and bear it. There were ceiling fans, floor fans and a couple of window units to keep area's cool. Most of the time, the air conditioner stayed off.
Which is exactly what it was like growing up. We had air conditioners in the bedrooms, but the rest of the house was A.C.-free.
Somehow, we survived, sure, but it's a lot nicer surviving in a cool house.
Here is some history of air conditioning

Rise and Shine --- Summer and the TV

Good Morning and turn down the heat!!

I can remember back to the days when the only new thing on nighttime television during the summer was the Phillies game. The rest of the channels (we only had seven back then) would show reruns or bad movies.
Well, OK, maybe they weren't so bad. There seemed to be something starring Burt Reynolds on every week.
Much like everything else these days, things have changed.
The Phillies are still there, but so are some shows that make those 9-11 hours pretty entertaining.
I was thinking about this while watching "Falling Skies" last night. It might not be the best acted show, but it kind of serves as a barbeque for the brain. After spending the day outside in the heat, somthing like a bunch of people fighting an alien invasion seems just about right (no matter how hokey).
There are also shows like "The Glades" or "The Closer" to bring out the vegetable in us all.
Sometimes, you just need that.

Rise and Shine --- Don't eat there

Good Morning and what a nice one it is today!

So, a big story earlier this week was about a Pittsburgh restaurant that banned children.
From some corners of the world, the owner garnered all kinds of praise. "Way to go!" they said. "We don't want to be bothered looking at children while we eat."
To me, this smells like nothing more than a publicity stunt. In this economy, restaurants are getting hurt worse than any other business. You have to differentiate yourself from the competition.
It's really no different than that wahoo down in Philadelphia who demands his customers speak perfect English. He needed a boost and, boom, got national publicity.
Look, if the site and sounds of children in a restaurant bother you so much, than stay away from the Friday's, Applebees and the like. There are plenty of places people just don't take their children to eat. Choose one of them.
Oh, wait, it's easier to just complain. I forgot about that.

Rise and Shine -- On the grill

Good Morning and I can stand the heat!

So, every spring when I first fire up the grill, I can't wait to get the hot dogs and burgers going. Then, as the summer approaches, it's time to get maybe some corn on there as well.
By July, though, the burgers and hot dogs are no longer so exciting.
This year, it's time to try other things.
This past weekend, pineapple and peaches have shown up on the fire. The result was a fruit that became extra-sweet. Tasty enough, in fact, to become dessert.
This weekend, veggies and, oh no, pizza.

Rise and Shine --- Back to the grind

Good Morning and, man, it's hot out there!

So, probably one of the worst weeks of the year is that week after a vacation. Well, at least for me, the vacation mindset is still there, especially when you have a great time.
Spend the last week in Orlando checking out Disney World. Had a fun time. Didn't have to wait in long lines, ate too much and spent too much money. All factors of a great vacation.
Now, it's time to get back to work. Time to forget about the pool at the hotel and the laughing children and the yummy ice cream.
OK, maybe not yet. Check back next week.

Rise and Shine --- Tick, tick, tick

Good Morning and Welcome America!

I remember those days in school (yes, that part of the brain still works) when the clock couldn't tick off the minutes fast enough.
"Wait, it's only 9:30 a.m., it feels like we've been here for hours!!!"
We all go through that every once in a while, no matter how much you like your job or school day.
That darn clock just won't tick. Hey, it looks like the bosses/teachers have taken the batteries out. What are they trying to do? Torture me? Is this what they do in Guantanamo?
Now that a much-needed vacation is on the horizon, that clock is once again slowing down. Now, I'm not one to look too far ahead. I like to live in the moment, enjoy the sunshine of today.
Still, come on clock, let's get going...

Rise and Shine --- Flash Mob Idiots

Good Morning and welcome to a world gone to pot!?!

So, a bunch of kids got of the train and 69th Street, walked to the Sears and robbed them blind.
If you watch the video, it's pretty obvious these 'children' were organized by somebody. They walked in almost like it was a parade, spread out through the store and just started picking off merchandise.
Now, I don't know about you and maybe I'm getting old, but when I was the same age, I was more worried about how the Phillies were going to break out of their slump. I was trying to figure out if I should ride my bike to a friends house or ask my Mom to drive. I was sitting by the pool, listening to music or splashing my brothers.
I certainly wasn't walking into a department store and putting on a new pair of shoes before walking out.
It probably never entered my mind.
For the most part, I don't think it's something these teen and pre-teen children thought about either. They were obviously manipulated by somebody who doesn't care about ruined lives.
Yes, there should be something in your brain that says "Walk Away." If you watch the video, some did walk away.
The question is, where do we go from here?

Rise and Shine --- It's the shoes

Good Morning and here we are again!

All day yesterday, I heard the same question: "Is it time yet? Is it time yet? Is it time yet?"
For one of the few times, it wasn't about waiting for cookies coming out of the oven or going to the playground.
Tuesday was a special day for a 6-year old I know. Sure, she's had big life moments come and go over the last few weeks. There was the end of kindergarten, the taking off of training wheels and learning how to whistle.
Still, Tuesday was special. Tuesday was the dance recital day.
Truth be told, she was getting kind of bored with dance class every Saturday. Most Saturday mornings, I had to remind her about the fun of class. I had to talk her into getting the tights on, getting the stuff together.
For the last month, though, it's been different. They've been going over the routine. They've been talking about getting on the stage.
So, the time came Tuesday night, the lights were out and, behind the curtain, you could here the movement of little feet.
You can't help but smile when you see the spotlight greeted by the smiles. To me, it was better than any show I've seen.
Now, I'll have to convince her to put the costume away.

Rise and Shine --- Alien attack

Good Morning and welcome to a new era!

So, I was sitting around last night and noticed the new Steven Speilberg-produced TV show 'Falling Skies' was debuting on TBS.
Since I didn't care much for the Yankees/Cubs game (really, ESPN, do we have to see the Yankees every week?), I figured it was worth checking out.
For those who don't know, Falling Skies is a show that takes place after an alien invasion. A band of humans fight for their survival. It's like if the aliens had won in "War of the Worlds."
So, they blow up alien ships. Some outside characters with no lines get shot. There are cute kids. Scruffy looking heroes. Every woman looks like a model.
In other words, it's typical television fare.
In all these band of human movies, though, why do they head out at night to get food or move along the coast?
Anyway, it's something on a Sunday night that will let the brain chill out, so, at least we have that.

Rise and Shine --- School excitement

Good Morning and why is Anthony Weiner still in the news?!?

OK, I said yesterday morning, it's you last day of kindergarten, how does it feel to almost be a first-grader?
"Dad," the 6-year old who actually sat through a graduation ceremony Monday, but had to go back for one more day Tuesday (thanks, snow!), "it's no different. I'm still the same person. I like kindergarten."
So, I tried my question two more times first with a third-grader, then a sixth grader.
How does it feel to be almost done school and be a fourth-grader?
"Same as yesterday," said the younger. "Can I play (a specific videogame)?"
First tell me what it's like to almost be done school?
"What's the difference? I still have to go back after the summer."
Once more, how does it feel like to be just about done your first year of middle school.
"I don't know," said the almost teenager.
You like school, though, will you miss being in sixth-grade.
"I don't know."
Yeah, but how was the last week of school?
Shoulder shrug.
Hey, at least we have the summer.

Rise and Shine --- Some good things about the Internet

Good Morning and, yes, we are still here!

I was reading a story the other day about the birth and death of a publication called "The National." For those who don't know, The National was a sports newspaper that had bold ideas, but not the technology (or business mind) to pull it off.
At the time, I thought it was a cool idea. It was supposed to be like getting Sports Illustrated every day with the added bonus of having last night's games.
The beauty of it is if The National started now, there would be no reason to worry about those scores. If I go to bed before the Phillies game is over, I can check the score right after I hit the snooze button (for the 15th time) on my phone.
Also, thanks the the Internet I didn't miss this:

Rise and Shine --- End of Days?

Good Morning and here we are again!

Now that we are winding down the school year (and doesn't it go faster every year?), it's time to really think about the summer.
Every year at this time, I try not to look too far ahead. I don't want to think about what's going to happen in a couple of weeks (trip to Disney) or what might happen in July (swimming) or even August (maybe another trip). I want everything to slow down for the summer.
I want to enjoy the nice, hot days. The playing the backyard. The catches. The drives to Grandmom's pool. The cooking on the grill. The lighting of the Tiki torches. The spraying of water guns.
While many may be bemoaning the end of the school year, I revel in it. I want the voices around me. Sure, it's going to be frustrating at times (No, you can't have any more cookies!).
The summer, though, is my time. It's time enjoy these little things.
OK, by the end, I'll be looking forward to the start of school once again, but that's down the line. I want to feel and remember every minute of this summer.

Rise and Shine --- Big brother

Good Morning and I'm wondering this morning how we've become a nation of rude people?

Anyway, we get our pictures taken when we walk into the Wawa, get money from the ATM or just drive down the road. So, this could be any of us, but it's still pretty funny:

Rise and Shine --- What we learn

Good Morning and welcome back to Tuesday!

You know, Monday gets a bad rap, but Tuesday can be a little tougher. It's too late to say we are recovering from the weekend and next weekend is too far away. Tuesday doesn't even get a cool nickname.
Speaking of names, you know how actors and actresses change their names so it will be easier to remember. For instance, the name Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam doesn't exactly roll off the lips. Change it to Akon and, well, it's a star in the making.
Maybe politicians should think about doing the same. Really, if you are in office with the name Weiner, you really should be more careful if you send out some racy photos. There wouldn't be as much of an outrage if he became Anthony Вайнер or Anthony Zakila or Anthony Clinton.
One other thing, have you noticed in this world of technology we've become more connected than ever, but somehow are less connected.
It used to be, the phone rang, you answered it and talked to somebody. Now, you can see who is calling the cell phone as it's ringing and decide whether or not to answer. You can then quickly delete the voicemail or just ignore it completely.
There's nothing worse then sending a message (be it text or e-mail) and have it ignored. Too many things go through your mind. Was it ignored? Did it not go through? Is the phone broken? Is somebody in trouble?
Ah, technology, a whole new way to ignore people.
Then again, maybe we wouldn't have this:

Drunk History vol. 6 w/ John C. Reilly & Crispin Glover from John C Reilly

Rise and Shine --- Fun in the sun

Good Morning and welcome to a brand, spanking new week!

Can't you just feel the excitement about Rick Santorum announcing he's going to run for president. Oh, wait, it's just a little indigestion from the heavy sauce on the pasta.
So, we were out at the Italian Heritage Festival (or the Italian Food Festival or the Delco's Meeting Place) at Rose Tree Park yesterday. Met a lot of nice people and, luckily, had to be there early enough to get a parking spot right near our tent.
Anyway, seemed like everybody was having fun, despite the long food lines.
It was one of those days where it looked like we were going to get rained on, but, when the sun finally broke through, it got very warm.
One thing I came away with is people still rely on the Daily Times to get the information about their community. They are invested in the product (even if the product is on the Internet). We welcomed people of all ages and backgrounds who get their news right here.
So, in the immortal words of Carl Spackler, "So, I have that going for me."

Rise and Shine --- Movie reviews

Good Morning and welcome back to the only place you can find this!

So, does anybody really pay attention to movie reviewers. Sure, we might glance if Roger Ebert gives the flick a thumbs-up, but if it stars somebody we like or sounds interesting, we are going to see it.
Well, some will see it in the theaters. If you're anything like me, you've been stuck seeing animated movies at the multiplex over the past 10 years.
Thanks to Netflix and On-demand, though, I've been able to sort of catch up on my movie experience.
So, just in case you'd be interested, here are a few Twitter-like reviews of movies I've seen over the last few months.
Zombieland: Way overlooked. Should have been Oscar nominated.
xXx: Vin Deisel as James Bond. Kind of works in a bad-Rocky kind of way.
The Fast and the Furious: Set the alarm so you don't miss the chase scene at the end. Snooze through the rest.
Pink Panther 2: Steve Martin better in the sequel, but still no Peter Sellers.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Why is Nick Cage in every movie. Oh yeah, he overacts to the point it makes it interesting.
Food Inc.: I dare you to watch this and eat anything by home-grown tomatoes for the next week.
Exit Through the Gift Shop: Should have won Oscar. Feel the need to go to Home Depot and buy spray paint.
Inside Deep Throat: Uh, not quite was expected.
Capitalism: A Love Story: Yes, Mike Moore still can entertain and shock with his style.
The Departed: Leonardo can hold his own with Jack. Also, was that really Batman?

Well, that was just a few. I have to get back tot he remote.

Rise and Shine --- What day is it?

Good Morning and welcome to one of those weird weeks!

Thanks to Memorial Day, today is Monday for must of us, even though it is Tuesday. By Thursday, we should have our bearings and be back on track.
Then again, Thursday is my Friday. So, now I'm really confused.
By the way, is there a more ridiculous story out there than the 'will she or won't she run' news about Sarah Palin. What, you think visiting the national archives and Saks Fifth Avenue will somehow make up for your clueless nature? Whatever.
If it was that easy to run for President, everybody would do it. Maybe here in Delco we can start a 'Paula Brown for President' movement.
Just imagine the possibilities...

Rise and Shine --- Sun and rain

Good Morning and how are we all doing today?

I don't know about you, but I think I've had enough of this spring rain. Rainy days are nice once in a while (preferably the ones my alarm doesn't go off at 3:30 a.m.), but every day is a bit much.
Sure, it's nice the flowers are growing, but so is the grass. I felt like I needed a guide to get through the front yard this weekend.
I know, there's not much that can be done about it. It's going to rain. It's not like my complaining will do anything about it.
Ah, but, if nothing else, complaining somehow makes it feel a little better. Or, it makes for some great music:

Rise and Shine --- The art of hitting

Good Morning and welcome to a brand, spanking-new week!

Somebody once said the hardest thing to do in sports was hit a baseball. Well, way back in the day, I lived through the statement. I probably would have done better not even taking a bat up to the plate. My Major League dreams died after the first pitch.
Still, I had fun. I remember the days of walking with my friends to the fields. I remember the first time I actually got a hit. I remember the last game I played.
Now, I see the perspective through other eyes. Each of the boys are playing baseball this year. They struggle with the bat. It's something I expected. I tried to give the warnings, but it looks so easy when somebody else is doing the hitting.
So, they practice. They get frustrated. They want to practice some more.
I did make the mistake of one day sitting them down in front of the television to watch the Phillies game.
"Look," I said, "see how they hold the bat. See how they swing. See, they don't get hits every time, either."
Well, in these days, most times.

Rise and Shine --- Tornadoes, hurricanes, oh my

Good Morning and welcome to another crazy weather day!

OK, for all those out there who say there isn't something funky going on with the world's weather patterns, explain how a tornado can hit Northeast Philly. Just an anomaly? Don't believe it really was a tornado?
No, it's much easier to just whistle past the graveyard than to admit that maybe, just maybe, we need to stop poisoning the air before it's too late.
Anyway, you would think if Armageddon was coming Saturday, we would be graced with a few nice days leading up to the end.
Oh well, guess you can't have everything. By the way, for some reason, with all this talk about Saturday, I have this stuck in my head:

Rise and Shine --- The end?

Good Morning and welcome to the last week?

OK, so there are these people who are talking about the end of the world. I'm sure you've seen the signs and/or stories telling us Judgement Day is this coming Saturday, May 21, 2011.
Um. Sure. OK. UH, huh. The end of the world. This Saturday.
Hey, if anybody has Phillies tickets for next Sunday, I'll gladly take them from you. Wouldn't want to have those things holding you down as the rapture comes from the skies.
You know, it's not that the belief is out there, it's how mainstream it has become. Years ago, there were those people who would carry the end-is-near signs through the streets. We would do our best to walk on the other side.
Now, those cable news channels have to to fill the time somehow.
It's better to laugh.

Rise and Shine --- The needle

Good Morning and here we are again!

Ever notice how the needle on your car's gas gauge seems to speed up once you hit a quarter tank? Leaving work last night after another riveting Live from the Newsroom, I glanced to see how much gas was left.
Well, there was a quarter tank. Plenty, I said, to get home and wait until this morning to fill up (by which I mean get about 10 bucks). So, I started the car this morning and suddenly the dial showed significantly less. By the time I got to work, I was afraid I might have to start walking. Which, after I saw the price at the Wawa on Baltimore Pike went up a couple more cents yesterday($4.05, really?), might just be the best option.
Speaking of those prices, ever notice how the price can jump seemingly every hour when we're told they need to go up. Yet, when we hear the price is dropping, it takes forever.
Now, not talking conspiracy here, but that doesn't seem right.

Rise and Shine --- I'm hungry

Good Morning oh great and loyal readers!

The pleading comes in early and often: I'm hungry.
Sometimes, I hear it moments after the breakfast dishes have been put into the sink.
I'm hungry.
OK, I'll say, how about a banana?
No.
Let's see, I'll continue, here's an apple?
No.
HMM, I'll let through the lips, there are some pretty good oranges here.
No. No. No. I want a treat.
Ahhh, so all you really want is something sweet and sugary. You aren't really hungry.
The problem is we are inundated by images of chocolate, fast food and cookies. Turn on any television aimed at children. If there's not a toy commercial, it's for some kind of sugar or salt covered food.
There aren't images of orange groves or apple trees.
So, we can talk about getting children to eat healthy all we want, but pulling it off is another battle.

Rise and Shine --- Things I found

Good Morning and welcome to another week in a long line of them!

So, check out these two commercials and tell me what they have in common:







OK, lost you for a minute? That's right, they both sell chocolate bars.
Which one makes you want to buy the chocolate, though?

Rise and Shine --- Selling?

Good Morning and welcome to another one of "those" days!

As part of our responsibility of being part of the baseball league this year is spending one shift in the snack bar.
I'm on the schedule for tonight. When I first heard about it, I figured it would be pretty easy. After all, a few people would ask for hot dogs. Maybe some ice cream. The hour would go pretty fast.
That was, until the other day when I was standing in line for the latest request. Somebody in the front actually said this: "I need a pack of gum, but all I have is $100 bill. Can you break it?"
Lady, it's a freaking snack bar at a youth baseball league. First of all, why would you bring $100 bill to the game. Second, most Wawa's wouldn't break $100 bill.
Some people are amazing.
So, tonight, I'm braced for the worst and hoping for the best. I'll have a posse of four manning the booth (unless it rains).
I just hope everybody leaves the $100 bill at home.

Rise and Shine --- Now what?

Good Morning and welcome back to the frying pan!

OK, there was jumping around and chanting after it was announced Osama bin Laden had been killed Sunday night.
There's now a lot of apprehension and plenty of questions.
Just heard an interview this morning where somebody asked: "Does this mean it's over? Does this mean we bring everybody back from Afghanistan?"
No and no. Let's just hope it doesn't bring another round of attacks.

Rise and Shine --- Education, schmeducation

Good Morning and I'll make my birth certificate available online soon!!

So, yesterday the story broke the Philadelphia School District was going to eliminate more than 1,000 teachers. Last week, we heard how the William Penn School District may have to eliminate busing. The Chichester School District is looking to trim jobs and athletic teams.
Last night, Upper Darby announced there will be 47 job losses, the end of programs (gym?) and a major tax hike.
All of this is to deal with budget shortfalls thanks to the new state budget which cuts school funding.
Now, you can blame teacher unions. You can blame students. You can put the blame on whatever head you want, but it comes down to the bottom line: No matter how much is said, those in control don't really care about education.
They tie funding to ridiculous, culturally-biased testing. Then, they say there will be less teachers and support staff to get the students ready for the testing.
Some of the cuts Upper Darby is looking at includes the elimination of gym classes for high school students and getting rid of reading specialists.
Yeah, that's the way to go. Let's tell even more students they don't matter.
OK, I'm no financial wiz. Just look at the mountain of bills on my kitchen table, but there has to be another way.
We vote people into office. We expect them to look after our interests. Cutting on this level makes no sense.

Rise and Shine --- Wah, wah, wah

Good Morning and welcome back to the heat!

So, why do we first complain about the cold, then turn around and complain about the heat? Probably because we like to complain.
I mean, really, really complain. Walk into any place of business and you will hear people complaining. Heck, walk into the newsroom here at the Daily Times and you'll start complaining through osmosis.
We complain about the water. We complain about the computers. We complain when the air conditioners are on, we complain when the heat is on.
I'm sure it's not just a phenomenon here in the grand ol' US of A, but it sure seems like we like to complain, a lot.
I was in a store the other day and a couple of employees were complaining that there were only powdered doughnuts left. It wasn't just disappointment either. This was a full out complaint, the person even was threatening to quit over the disservice.
While working a few years ago in a department store, somebody actually complained when they had to help a customer. Wait a minute, isn't that your job?
Less you think I'm taking on just the workplace, I've heard a myriad of complaints about breakfast/lunch/dinner over the last few years. Now, come on, what's exactly wrong with tuna casserole?
Anyway, one complaint you won't hear is from me. Thanks for reading.

Rise and Shine --- Par for the course

Good Morning and here's hoping everybody is off that sugar high!

Maybe it's because they are getting older or maybe it's because not everything was open yet, but when we hit the Ocean City boardwalk late last week, the first request wasn't about going on rides.
This year the request (and it came as often as breathing) was for games of mini golf.
So, mixed in with too much junk food and a cold wind coming off the ocean, we spent hours hitting different colored balls through windmills, pirate ships, tiki gods and gorillas.
You know what, it might have been the best couple of days spend down the shore in years. We laughed, we danced, we jumped around. Sure, there were some minor arguments about who was going first and how many shots were actually taken, but they quickly faded.
There were holes-in-one and holes-in-10, but it didn't matter. The Masters had nothing on us.
Now, with school starting back up this week, maybe I can find a way to make homework this much fun.

Rise and Shine --- Pennies from the pocket

Good Morning and welcome back to the Internet!

You know, every time we head to a mall, there are two places that are must stops. One is the toy store and I have to practice the 'not right now' and 'no' part of the language.
The second is the fountain. Sometimes, depending on how we walk through, the fountain will come before the toy store.
So, I make sure to fill my pockets with pennies before heading out the door. After all, you can't make wishes without pennies.
With the rain coming down Saturday, it seemed like the perfect time to head to a mall. Oh yeah, by the way, everybody and their mother had the same idea.
Once we saw the fountain, the requests started: 'Can I have a penny? Can I have a penny? Can I have a penny? Can I have a penny?'
Of course, with each penny toss has to come a wish. About 100 (or so it seemed) wishes later, it was my turn to ask what was wished for.
"Can't tell you," said the 8-year old, "then it won't come true."
The 6-year old had no such restrictions: "I wished for everybody to be happy all the time."
So, I turned over to the 11-year old. "I just had one wish," he said.
At which time I braced myself for to hear about how he wished for the newest game system or a new TV or a new laptop.
"I wished the people of Japan will be able to rebuild their lives after the earthquake."

Rise and Shine --- Tax freebies

Good Morning and welcome to the calm after the storm!

OK, you have to file taxes, one of the sure things in life. You may have done it in weeks ago or you may be waiting until today to get it all done.
Either way, there are plenty of chances to take advantage of some free stuff as businesses try to be your friend.
Cinnabon: From 6-8 p.m. today, you can get two free Cinnabon Bites. You can also enter to win a $100 Cinnebon gift card in a Twitter contest. Just Tweet how Cinnabon put frosting on a crazy or stressful day you've had after you follow @CinnabonInc. Hey, I guess anything is possible.
Chili’s Grill & Bar: Print out this coupon to get a free appetizer or dessert with an entree purchase.
P.F. Chang’s: Get 15% off your order. The closest P.F. Chang's is in Glen Mills.
Hooters: They are offering what's being called an instant rebate. If you buy 10 wings, you get 10 free. Quick aside, while driving past the Hooters in Concord the other week, an 8-year old I know asked what was Hooters. I told him it was a bar and restaurant. His reaction: 'Oh. I thought it was a doughnut store."
Tony Roni's Pizza: Need a slice after hitting the mailbox? The Drexel Hill pizza chain has a sign out front that says you can get plain slices for $1.
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream: Got the app at Chilies and now need dessert? You can get something called a mini crumb cake fundae from Maggie today from 3-6 p.m.
Let us know if you find more freebies, because there's nothing like free stuff.

Rise and Shine --- Meet the new boss...

Good Morning and welcome back to the sun!

So, we are back where we started in this whole federal budget mess. As usual, it comes down to special interests, something we here on the ground have no say.
The President wants to raise taxes on the rich. His opposition says that will kill jobs.
The killing jobs thing seems from here a silly position.
First of all, those who run those big companies have been killing jobs for years. Just ask anybody who is out of work. You can apply for jobs. You can go on interviews, but unless you are willing to take a minimum salary, you aren't getting the job.
It doesn't really matter if you raise taxes, lower taxes or even eliminate taxes. It all comes down to greed.
Here's an example to mull over. Craig Dubow is the CEO of Gannett, the publisher of USA Today, the Wilmington News Journal and other papers around the country.
Last year, Gannett laid off hundreds of workers and told those still around they had to take two weeks unpaid furlough during the year. There are rumors of more layoffs this year and the furloughs were heaped upon workers again.
For this, Dubow doubled his salary in 2010 and took home $9.4 million, including a $1.75 million bonus.
Those that have it want to get more, it doesn't matter if they are taxed or not.

Rise and Shine --- You never know

Good Morning and isn't it nice to not pull out the winter coat?!?

Just imagine the amount of tragedy that could be avoided if stiffer gun laws could be pushed through.
Just imagine the amount of heartache that could go away if we just took all guns off the streets.
Just imagine how much more the sun would shine if people thought before they pulled the trigger.
Just imagine how it would be to walk around without having the fear (whether it be in the front or back of your mind) that somebody may pull a gun.
Just imagine what it would be like if there was a way to show somebody what happens after the trigger is pulled before the trigger is pulled.
Just imagine how more aggressive law enforcement could be if they weren't afraid somebody was going to pull a gun.

Never mind, it might be too much to ask.

Rise and Shine --- Skipping along

Good Morning and is it really going to be 80 today?

"You hate commercials, don't you?" came the question from the couch the other day.
No, I don't hate commercials. I just figure when one comes on the television it's a good time to check out what else is happening.
Maybe I want to take a break from latest adventures of SpongeBob to see how the Phillies are doing. Maybe I'm trying to burn the idea of talking dogs out of my head by seeing if there's anything (ANYTHING) else on television.
So, at least I can justify grabbing the remote during commercials. Not to say there aren't entertaining commercials. Most are well done, but I don't need to know that taking prilosec could cause instant death despite the smiling people apparently using it.
By the way, if all these drugs have so drastic side effects, why would anybody even think about taking them? Oh yeah, drug companies have a lot of money and doctors need to pay insurance premiums and, well, never mind.
So, I'll continue to skip along unless, of course, I can come up with the next great invention.

Rise and Shine --- Do cows really jump?

Good Morning and welcome back to the Internet!

While staying up way too late last night, my mind was starting to wonder:

Why doesn't the freezer have a light? I mean, really, you don't have to turn on the kitchen light when you open the refrigerator. Try to get an ice cube to put in your water, though, and your arm goes into a black hole. By the way, I really didn't mean to put that burger in my drink last night.

What's the deal with Delaware County drivers and Stop signs? There is a pretty good reason why that red, octagonal thing has been put there. While waiting at a kindergartener's bus stop yesterday, I counted 10 of 11 cars that didn't even slow down when driving up to a stop sign. The 11th? She slowed down, but only because she was playing with her phone at the time.

Why do TV news people think it's OK to be giggling during a newscast? It's like they have some kind of super funny inside joke. We haven't been invited to the party. Just read the teleprompter. I don't need the weather person trying to keep a straight face while telling us it's going to rain again.

How could the Phillies lose a game? I mean, after all, they have the greatest pitching rotation ever assembled. Yet, they got bombed by the Mets Tuesday night. The nerve of them not going 162-0.

How can the government be broke? For eight years, we were led to believe when our government needed money, all it had to do was print some more. Now, we're broke. How did all that cash disappear? OK, here's a solution, the government (state or federal) should charge Comcast $10 for every time they call a former customer trying to pitch their new promotion. Should make an easy billion right there.

Finally, maybe it's just me, but there's something very wrong about this:

Rise and Shine --- It's too late

Good Morning and welcome to the rain!

It's been said before, I know that, but starting these championship sports events so late on the East Coast is losing a whole generation of fans.
Last night's NCAA Men's Basketball final didn't start until close to 9:30 p.m. It wasn't over until nearly 11:30 p.m. Unless a student is approaching college, they probably wouldn't have watched.
Instead, they'll pull out the Playstation and use their fingers to 'relive' the experience.
We know it's all about money, but I'd be willing to wager a guess if the average 10 or 11-year old was able to watch the game, there may be a few more UConn shirts purchased today. If not that, suddenly that person may become a fan of the game.
World Series games aren't over until nearly midnight. The Super Bowl pushes 11 p.m. Forget about NBA or NHL playoff games, you're looking at least midnight for those finishes.
For the first time this year, my 11-year old son was interested in the NCAA Tournament. He was rooting for Butler, because the first game we watched was won in a last-second thriller.
Maybe next year, he'll want to watch more. That's up in the air. He would definitely been ready for the next one if he could have seen some of this one.

Rise and Shine --- It's too early

Good Morning and welcome back to a brand-new week!

So, it's a rare occurrence when my alarm doesn't go off in the morning. Usually, I have to set it seven days a week. It rings (well, sings or something) anywhere between 3:30 and 8 every morning.
After a long week, though, I decided not to set it Saturday morning. I told the little ones there was no reason to get up early. The first thing we had to do Saturday was make a drop-off at dance class, but that wasn't until 9:45.
We stayed up a little later Friday night and figured it would be a good day to get some extra rest.
It slipped my mind, though, there was a birthday party to attend. Tell a precocious 6-year old girl there's a party Saturday afternoon and, well, you can predict what happened.
"Daddy, Daddy," came the first shakes. "Is it time to get ready for the party?"
Um, not yet, it's only 5 a.m. How about we sleep for a little while longer.
"OK," she said. "But you have to make sure you wake me up in time."
Like hitting the snooze button on the alarm, about 30 minutes later I heard the door open.
"Is it time yet, Daddy?"
Knowing it was going to be a losing time battle, I came back with "Not for the party. But, how about we make some pancakes?"
"Yayyyy!"
There wasn't any extra sleep, but, even though the afternoon was spent cleaning the kitchen, it was OK to get up early this time.

Rise and Shine ---- Crazy cold

Good Morning and welcome to, what, spring?

You know, this is always a strange time of year here in Pennsylvania. There have been years where the opening week of baseball season was warm and nice.
Then there are years like 2011. I remember heading to one of those exhibition/preseason Phillies games a few years ago and bundling up more than if it was an Eagles game.
I also remember breaking out the shorts (yes, that should scare everybody out there) for the last week of March.
In like a Lion and out like a Lamb, indeed.
Anyway, it's a good thing the Phillies are getting out of Clearwater. Not only does it mean the new season is here, but we don't have to read any more about injuries and Joe Blanton.
The first weekend of baseball is always a cool time.
Speaking of cool times, we'll be out at Jimmy Mac's in Drexel Hill for a Phillies opening day party. Come out and say hello.

Rise and Shine --- Something different

Good Morning and welcome to a brand, spanking-new week!

Then again, to paraphrase The Who, meet the new week, same as the old week.
So, after playing about the 500th game of Angry Birds, I decided to check out a few of the other ways the iPhone can make life more interesting.
So, I started snapping photos, then found out I can edit them with a Photoshop app. Then found out I can put the photos into a slideshow on my television. Of course, I also found out that playing with the Fios app during an especially good episode of Scooby Doo can cause a lot of yelling.
I later found an App called Color. Apparently, it's some kind of social photo app. You take a photo of what you're doing at the time and then, through some kind of crazy, big-brother type thing, it shows you photos of everybody within 150 yards who are using Color. I took a photo in the newsroom and, shockingly, there were no other users around.
Finally, I started playing with something called 'qr codes.' For those not in the know, they are those little blocks at the bottom of some advertising. You download a reader and then take a photo of the block. It sends you to a website.
There's a lot of cool sounding reasons to check them out, but none better than this:

Rise and Shine --- One of those days...

Good Morning and welcome back to the only place you can find this!

So, back in the day, one of the first albums I purchased (yes, before iPods and MP3s, you need to actually go to a star to pick up an album) was a recording of Rodney Dangerfield's stand-up routine.
Now, I don't remember the exact words, but one of the portions went like this:
"I reached over to turn off the alarm this morning and the bell fell off. I tried to open the door to my bedroom and the door knob fell off. I picked up my briefcase and the handle fell off. I'm afraid to use the bathroom."
Well, it got a good laugh on the album. Guess you had to be there.
Anyway, it's those kind of mornings everybody dreads. You feel like you got enough sleep, but, somehow, you are still behind the eight ball.
Hit the snooze button too many times? Check.
Forget to turn the timer on the coffee machine? Check.
Make it halfway to work and realize you forgot something? Check.
Repeat above? Check.
Sure, it would be easier to get back into bed, but, without that option, it's time to push on through the day.
Now, where did I put my glasses?

Rise and Shine --- Burning the brackets

Good Morning and welcome to another one of those yucky days!

You know, the first day of spring brings hopes of picnics and playgrounds. Then we get one of these gray, rainy days to, well, put a damper on it all.
Speaking of dampers, how about that NCAA Tournament? I don't know about you, but I was able to perform a ritual burning of my picks by Friday afternoon.
That was OK, though, because for the first time I was able to enjoy the excitement of the games with my sons.
In year's past, when I said this weekend was "basketball weekend," I got the immediate complaints.
"We want to watch cartoons. This is boring. I hate basketball. BOOOORRRRINNNG."
This year, though, I had a tough time pulling the boys away from the games. It helped that almost every one went down to the wire, but they were even fascinated by the blowouts.
This year, the questions were basketball related.
"How do you know if it's a 3-pointer? Why was that an offensive foul? Why does Pitt choke every year?"
OK, that last one was mine, but you get the idea.
We'll be ready Thursday night when the games start up again.

Rise and Shine --- Cutting too close

Good Morning and welcome to the only place on the Internet you can find this!

So, new Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to announce a whole bunch of cuts as he presents his state budget today.
Now, obviously, states, much like the rest of us, have to get spending in line. There is a lot of money being put out there and the checks can't cover it.
Still, some of the rumored cuts have to do with education and helping the less fortunate.
Is that really the way to go? Is it really a good idea to cut even more from school districts who are barely hanging on as it is? Is it really a solution to cut from programs that aim to keep people healthy?
This is the typical party politics I thought we were voting away. The Republicans come in and start slashing programs to help children and the poor. The Democrats go after the aged. The Tea Party, well, OK, they're just wacko.
When you start talking about education cuts the first thing some do is bring up teacher salaries.
Well, in the last year I've seen class size increase from 25 to 30 children (in some cases). Try controlling a group like that some day, then come back and tell me teacher's make too much money.
This is all just too shortsighted. Sure, there are cuts that can be made, but let's check them all out before taking out the knife.

Rise and Shine --- Money, money, money

Good Morning and make sure you have your galoshes this morning!

As I watch the protests continuing in Wisconsin (CLICK HERE to check out what's happening on the ground) and see all the stuff that's happening in Libya, I can't help but figure it all comes down to the dollar sign.
Those that have money (and there is a small contingent of people who control most of the bucks) want to make sure those "below" them continue to struggle.
According to a rally speech given by filmmaker Michael Moore Saturday in Wisconsin, 400 Americans have more money than half of all Americans combined. In other words, there is a small group that can control who gets elected, what laws are enacted and how many jobs will open up.
Somehow, that seems just wrong. For all the talk about the Founding Fathers in the last election, I don't think those back in the 1700s envisioned a place where so few would control so much.
I don't think anybody out there begrudges the rich because they are rich. Most of us are just hard-working people who want to do the best for their children.
Reaganomics started this mess and it's only gotten worse. It's time we started to stand up for ourselves.

Rise and Shine --- Too many cameras

Good Morning and here we are again!

Is it a good thing everybody has a camera these days?
Consider:

Rise and Shine --- Pizza with mice?

Good Morning and welcome back to the insider space!

So, I'm wondering this morning how it's possible to go to bed early, sleep through the night and still be exhausted the next morning. Man, that coffee can't brew quick enough.
You know, ever since moving to Delaware County, I've always wondered about the number of pizza places. There are pizza joints right next to each other on some blocks. Others are across the street from each other.
The competition is, obviously, crazy. Just think about how many of those pizza menus are left at your door each week.
With that much dough being tossed around (do they still do that?), it's obvious each pizza shop needs to distinguish itself from the rest.
Still, taking mice into a rival's shop is going a bit overboard.
How about trying something different in you shop? How about branching out and changing the menu around? How about making it a fun place to come?
No, this joker decided to do it the easy way and try to sabotage his neighbor.
Maybe it tells you all you need to know about pizza shop owners.

Rise and Shine Extra --- A word on corporate America

- American Workforce Makeover

Rise and Shine --- Where would we be?

Good Morning and welcome to a snow-free zone

The subject of unions seems to be a black & white issue. You either believe worker unions have saved jobs or eliminated jobs. Unions are either the reason for the recession or the reason it didn't become a full-blown depression.
Yes, there have been some abuses in the past, but there have also been plenty of documented abuses by corporations. All people are looking for is a little protection.
Take the case in Wisconsin. The state workers aren't holding firm on a contract that was negotiated during a time of economic heaven. They are willing to concede more money (like a 15 percent increase) is going to have to be paid for health care. They are willing to concede give backs in salary and vacation time.
What they aren't willing to do is allow the state government to fire them on will. Really, shouldn't that be the right of every person.
If you are doing the job (and many of us are doing the job of two or three people these days), shouldn't you have a little protection? If you show up to work everyday and do what's expected, shouldn't you be safe? Just because you make a little more money than somebody just starting out, does that make you a bad employee?
Those who are anti-union like to point to contracts that paid some a lot to just stand around. Well, those days are over. The workforce has been thinned, let's not make it any thinner.

Rise and Shine --- Close your eyes and pray

Good Morning and welcome back to the day before the snow returns!

So, the Catholic Church is again getting a bit of bad publicity. More priests have been accused of child molestation and endangerment.
What doesn't seem to compute over here is, how can this keep happening? For years, the church swept this under the rug. For years, those in Rome denied anything wrong was happening. For years, they just moved these 'people' around from church to church, enabling them to hurt more and more people.
Then, every time somebody actually stands up, they act shocked. They act like they never knew. They act like this is an isolated incident.
Well, after years and years of just looking the other way, it's about time those who turned a blind eye should be prosecuted. They should be put in prison like anybody else. They should feel some pain.
It's about time to put the hammer down.

Rise and Shine --- Learning on the Fly

Good Morning and welcome back to the cold and wind!

Yeah, we missed you yesterday with it being like 65 degrees and all.
So, is it just me, or does it appear our government is really messed up. There isn't one thing either side can say without the other making fun of it.
Is this really what everybody wants? Is this really the way a country should be run?
It's almost like one of those situations where there is a bunch of kids in a candy store and they just start grabbing at everything. It doesn't matter if it tastes like, well, junk, because it's sugar, sugar, sugar.
Let's grab at straws. Let's mock each other. Let's all get power hungry.
The President presented a new budget to Congress yesterday, complete with some major cuts in a lot of programs.
Of course, the Republicans (almost before the ink dried) started lambasting the document. Too many cuts. Not enough cuts. Not enough cuts in certain areas.
Hey, if they start cutting funding to certain things, then there won't be enough to fill the pockets of some.
What the voting public apparently has done is rushed to judgment and put a lot of people in a position of power who don't know what to do with it. They give no solid answers.
It reminds me of something that happened about a year ago. Having been thrown (not literally) a video camera and an editing program, I was told to figure it out.
"Well," I said, "I've never edited video."
To which the answer was, "Figure it out."
Sure, I've figured it out, but is that how we want our government to work?