Darn alarm

Good Morning and, my, it's nice out there today!

I know I'm going to be behind all day today. I know it already. I've known it since I woke up.
How?
Well, instead of hitting the snooze button on the alarm this morning, I must have turned the thing off. I don't even remember doing it. For the most part (unless some idiot is beeping his horn outside at 3:15 in the morning), I rarely remember hitting that first snooze.
Sometimes I guess your brain just says, "No. You need sleep. I don't care if you're a little late for work."
When I looked at the clock and it said 6:15, I knew I was going to have a behind-the-horse kind of day.
Oh well. Doesn't happen that often, so I better just enjoy the sun.

Phillies stink. Let's read

Good Morning and who wears a watch?

One thing I've found this summer is now that we can finally agree the Phillies stink, there is suddenly a lot more time to do other things.
Like read.
I must admit that over the last year or so, I've been a little lax in my reading. I used to go through a few books a summer. As the Phillies got better, though, I found myself doing less reading and more watching in the summer.
I would usually put the game on the radio or TV and then that would be it for the night. I guess I could have done both, but these were exciting times for us baseball fans. Gone were the years of ugly losses after ugly losses. We were contenders every year.
This year? Yeah, these are the Phillies I remember. I only wish there were a few ugly losses. Now, it's laughable.
On the bright side, though, I've rediscovered reading. I've gone through a new book about every two weeks (that's how long the library lets you keep them on the Kindle).
I've delved into a couple of different worlds. I've solved mysteries along with the police. I've learned about Darwin.
Sure, I've done other things. I check e-mail for special messages. I listen to music. I watch the birds and butterflies.
I also get caught up in spirited battles on Words With Friends.
OK, maybe it's not all productive.

Funny thing happened on the way

Good Morning and this is a break from the humidity?

So, right before I was to leave for vacation last week, I received an e-mail: "Congratulations, you have won two tickets to see Flock of Seagulls."
After I stopped laughing and realized this was a real message, well, OK, I laughed a lot more.
I asked if Flock of Seagulls had more than one song. Uh, never heard any more, but they probably had a few more.
So, figuring this had to be one of those experiences that will never be repeated, I went downtown to actually watch a Flock of Seagulls concert (Hey, it was free!!).
What I found was a bunch of people like myself who had memories from the 1980s. Maybe we were just trying to see something like an old movie or whatever.
I did reconfirm my suspicions that the music of the 80s still stinks and Flock of Seagulls, well, with the exception of that one song, are awful.
Still, where else can you relive your youth for a few hours? OK, maybe my head wouldn't have hurt so much if I watched the 'Breakfast Club' instead.

Post-vacation blues

Good Morning and how about that Prince?

Yeah, I don't care much about the new Royal either. Unless he's going to bring Kansas City back to the glory years (boom, boom, boom).
Ever have one of those vacations where everything went better than planned and you hoped it could never end? OK, OK, we always say vacations are too short, but on the other side a week off with the kids sometimes makes work look pretty good (Yes, "sometimes" is the key word).
Last week, I took my group to Williamsburg, Va. The first thought I had before leaving last Tuesday was: "Are you insane? Driving three children for seven hours?"
After getting a supportive e-mail, I went full-speed ahead. Well, I did have to drive down 95 around Washington, so full-speed may not be the optimum word.
We did all the history stuff, went to Busch Gardens, sweated with the rest of the world.
 Amazing to me anyway was, despite the overwhelming heat, there was very little arguing and a whole lot of smiles. At one point, my daughter said, "Dad, this is the best vacation ever!"

On the last day there, we were walking around Colonial Williamsburg when somebody noticed my son's Phillies shirt.
"Hey, some friendly faces from Philly," a man said. "Good to see somebody from home."
After some pleasantries it got around to home towns.
"We're from Chadds Ford, but we've lived everywhere, Haverford, Upper Darby."
You know, throw a stone...

Rise and Shine --- WAKE UP

Good Morning to all you loyal readers (I know you are both out there)!

Ever have one of those mornings where you are so tired you want to just stay in bed, but you know you wouldn't fall back asleep anyway so might as well get up.
Yeah, those days. Like today.
I swear I hit the snooze about 10 times this morning. I knew I had to get up and get to work, but it felt so much better just to stay under the covers. Somehow, maybe because this seems to happen more and more, I know I wouldn't have fallen back asleep. At least if I had fallen asleep, I just knew it wouldn't have been restful.
I'd want to check my e-mail to see if I have any cool messages. I'd want to see if it really is that hot outside or is the air conditioner just set too high. I'd want to eat my breakfast.
So, yeah, I curse that guy who invented the snooze button, but I also honor him (apparently it was an unknown worker in 1959 who came up the idea).
Now, where's my pillow?

Rise and Shine --- Electronics

Good Morning and laugh it up!

It's amazing how things can change so quickly.
I look forward to checking my e-mail throughout the day (and having a good laugh or a smile when they arrive). A couple of months ago, all I did was clear out junk mail (it's amazing how much of that slips through the various security measures).
About 10 years ago, even a cell phone was a bit foreign. OK, it was good for emergencies and ordering pizza while out of the house, but that was about it. Back in the old days (and I'm talking those heady 90s), if somebody needed to get me and I wasn't home, there was an answering machine.
My phone doesn't ring any more often now (actually, probably less. I don't remember getting a phone call that wasn't bill-related). Still, I have it with me. Wait, is that a beep?
It's not that I don't think it's better now, it's just different.
When I was 14, I saved my birthday money and walked up to the local Sears to get an electronic football game. I was so happy I finally had it (I was the last of my friends to get one) that I played for hours. Picked it up the next day and played a little less. Finally, it was relegated to that spot under the bed where toys went to die.
Yesterday, I was watching a 14-year old play a game on his phone. OK, it wasn't so much a game as an excuse to send texts. I have to sometimes force him to put the thing away during the day. Somehow, I don't think it will end up under the bed (actually, it seriously better not).

Rise and Shine --- Old humor

Good Morning and please tell me why my e-mail is not updating!?!?

You know, it is July here in Pennsylvania so I, for one at least, am not too surprised it's pretty hot. Those TV news stations last night made it seem like that episode in the Twilight Zone where the woman is dreaming the sun is moving closer to earth and frying everything (SPOILER ALERT: Earth is actually moving away from the sun and it's getting colder).
Anyway, there are certainly 100s of ways to beat the heat, so to speak.
Saturday, I decided to use the Marx Brothers.
The Bryn Mawr Film Institute was showing the movie 'Animal Crackers' and, well, everybody can use a little comedy once in a while.
So, my crew made it through the movie which led to the following exchange with an 11-year old:
"Dad, was that a comedy?"
Come on, man, it was hilarious.
"I didn't get the jokes."
OK, some have may been dated, but wasn't it funny when they broke the table.
"I guess. I don't get why the one guy didn't talk."
It's just part of the fun.
"Yeah, and they didn't look like brothers."
That's what makes it so funny.
"Sure. Can we see a real movie next time? Something that's in color?"
Here we go again...

Rise and Shine --- Words

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

I've always been fascinated by words. Which, I guess, is why I am still in this business.
It amazes me how people can put words together and have a profound impact on your day, week, month, year.
For instance, you can hear or read a message that simply says 'Cut the grass.' Depending from where the message originates can make a difference between a laugh and a scowl. If your boss says it, well, it's just another annoyance (and if my boss says it, I'd have to raise my eyebrows). If it comes from a different person, it brings a smile (especially if it's at the end of a bunch of messages that make you smile).
I've listened to press conferences by Barack Obama and Tiger Woods recently. One knows how to make somebody listen, the other forces everybody to tune out.
We've recently been hearing a lot in the news about words that have hurt. About words that have caused havoc in the streets.
I've been lucky enough to read words that have made a big difference, that can only be described as, OK, epic (like the kid's say).
Of course, I've also heard other words lately, like 'Dad, can we play the computer' or 'Dad, can I watch TV' or 'Dad, I don't like this food' or 'Don't mix the colors with the whites.'
Can't do anything but listen.

Rise and Shine --- Water. It's always water

Good Morning and I don't care if it's raining, the sun is shining!

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. A nice breeze was blowing. Everybody was having a good time.
Then the water guns came out and everything changed.
Sure, the girls of the Pink Ladies softball team were laughing and chasing each other around, but the water was getting perilously close to the parents.
Watching the water being sprayed (and dumped) on and between screaming children is one thing. It's entirely another thing to get it on the table, because then you'll be in trouble.
Well, fun trouble, anyway. In previous parties, once the adults started getting sprayed, the hose came out. Think you're wet now? Oh, you don't know wet.
This time, the water stayed on the children (for the most part). I guess there is a certain age where walking around in wet clothes is fun.
For some reason, though, no matter the temperature or the sun, the water makes an appearance.
Oh, well, I guess it could be worse.

Rise and Shine: What's next?

Good Morning and it always seems odd when the Phillies are playing on the West Coast!

The question came moments after the everybody was in the house: "What are we going to do today?"
Uh, we were at the beach all weekend, how about a rest day?
"Yeah, but I'm bored. What are we going to do today?"
OK, we'll go see a movie. It's pretty darn hot out anyway, so how about that?
"Sure. At the theater?"
So, we trekked out to the Regal Cinema in Marple. Saw 'Monsters University' and started to go home.
(First, here's a quick review of 'Monsters University:' Kind of cute in a Pixar way. Kind of odd in a cartoon way. I kept being asked if that was what college was really like. 'Monsters Inc.' was much better, but Billy Crystal is still funny, so the movie works).
No sooner did the air conditioner go on in the car when I heard: "What are we going to do the rest of the day?"
Yes, summer is here. Yes, it is!

Rise and Shine --- Feet in the water

Good Morning and the sun is shining brighter these days (along with the moon)!

So, got to the beach for the first time this summer and, man, the water was cold. Well, it was at least cold to me. I set up the chairs, the umbrella and the towels, then raced the brood to the ocean.
Let's all jump in.
Ever see the scene in 'Vacation' when Chevy Chase jumps into the motel pool with Christie Brinkley? Aaahhh! It was cold.
A couple of days before, my brother had told me the water was warm. "It's like 69 degrees," he said. "Usually don't see that until July."
Yeah, that's the last time I trust his knowledge of the ocean.
Still, there was something magical about the beach. I was able to tune out the 100s of other people who had the same idea and just breath in the air.
Now, if I could only figure out how the sand got, uh, there.

Rise and Shine -- To Rain

Good Morning and welcome to U.S. Open week!

Not a very good start to things this morning. Noboby made it out to for an early practice round. Want to know why? Check this out

Or how about this:

Rise and Shine --- End of Days

Good Morning and why would I possibly need a jacket this morning?

In honor of school ending, there's this:

Letters to teachers from students

Rise and Shine --- Guess it's not like the movies

Good Morning and welcome to a few degrees cooler!

So, I guess it's not like the movie:

Rise and Shine --- Of life and death

Good Morning and welcome back to summer (at least for a few days)!

OK, tell me today how there isn't something wrong with our weather. Last week, I had to pull out the jackets and sweaters. This week, I'll be searching for a pool (or at least a sprinkler).
Speaking of last week, a few interesting things happened.
A friend of mine had to deal with the loss of a sister. Another was sitting in a hospital room with a child. A third is trying to deal with cancer.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Then I looked into the eyes of a boys celebrating his 14th birthday and the sun shined.
Sure, he's a handful at times (although not as much as other 14s I'm sure). He likes to get under the nerves of his sister and brother (especially his brother, no his sister, OK both).
He likes to pretend he doesn't hear me when I say simple things like: "Put away your socks" or "Set the table" or "Put your book bag away."
He plays too many video games and spends too much time texting (well, so I've heard).
If I leave him in the house alone for even like five minutes, all the cookies will be gone (so will everything else that isn't tied down).
Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rise and Shine --- Oh, those Phillies

Good Morning and who's out there this early?

The first memories I have as a Phillies fan is listening to the radio with my grandmother as they lost yet another game. Those Phillies teams in the early 70s, though, were soon to become World Champs.
They put out a lineup with Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski and Bob Boone. There was Steve Carlton on the mound, which pretty much meant a win every time.
Those winning teams, though, were short-lived. They Phillies that followed put a new spin on terrible teams. When your season is pretty much over in May, well, it's tough to remain a Phillies fan.
My children's first real memories of the Phillies is a championship team. I reveled right along with them. Yes, finally, the Phillies were the best in the league. The best players wanted to be here.
My children don't know what it's like to see a bunch of losers run out there every day, collecting a paycheck, then heading off to the golf course in October.
Now, though, I'm afraid we are heading that way.
This year is going to be a tough one for Phillies fans. Yes, we have to admit Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard probably have to be traded and replaced.
Yes, it's time, but I, for one, just want to hang on a little longer.
I'll admit it would be tough to see Rollins in, say, a Cardinals uniform. I don't want to see Utley (even an injury-riddled Utley) legging out singles for the Dodgers. I remember how weird it was for a young fan to see Luzinski with the White Sox or Carlton with the Indians.
I remember when the last strong nucleus of Phillies faded. I hope this time it doesn't take as long to get back.

Rise and Shine --- Thanks, dude

Good Morning and welcome to a whole new year!

As he turns 11 today, I'd just like to say thank you to a boy named Brendan.
Sure, he can be a little tough at times. When it's time to put the video games away, well, let's just say I need a negotiator. When it's time to clean, well, let's just say it can get a little frustrating. When it's time to do homework, well, let's just say it's time to reach for the aspirin. When it's time to get up in the morning, well, let's just say it's better to count to 10.
When things get a little tough, well, let's just say Brendan's infectious smile makes things all better. When a bit of tiredness seeps into your brain, well, let's just say his energy is better than any coffee. When the rain clouds are gathering, well, let's just say his tenacious attitude clears it all up.
Saturday afternoon, after playing a baseball game, Brendan asked if he could practice catching fly balls. There were too many cars around the neighborhood, I said, let's eat dinner first then we'll see.
There's plenty of room, Brendan said.
He threw the ball into the air and it looked like it was on flight to smash through the window of the neighbor's new car. We all held our collective breaths. Instead, the ball fell just short, then bounced over the car. 
So, thank you Brendan, for keeping me guessing.

Rise and Shine --- More taxes? Really?

OK, so everybody who was calling on their Senators to pass an Internet sales-tax bill please raise your hands! Anybody? Hello? In a world where those running our government can't pass a gun background check that most of America thinks is pretty good, we get consensus on something that will cost us more money.
In the words of a great philosopher: 'Great. Just f------g great!'
Would somebody out there please explain to me how this is a great idea.
Instead of focusing on something that can get people back working, we have things like this.
Our government is so broken right now that common sense has no place in it. I fear most of our elected officials are just cashing paychecks and don't really know what's going on in the real world.
They focus on things like Internet sales-tax and ripping apart health care while the rest of us struggle to keep ends meet.
Then, if you try to contact them, you run into office workers who have an excuse why your Senator can't be reached today.
What's next from these fat cats? Regulation of the air?
Anything to take the focus off the real problems.

Rise and Shine --- Yawn

Good Morning or whatever this thing is!

I used to laugh at people who would complain about Monday's. The 'I Hate Monday' crowd didn't make much sense to me. I mean, after all, what's the difference? You have to get through Monday anyway, so just buck up and work.
Now, I might be coming around. Well, at least partly. I've decided the early-morning alarm is the work of the devil.
It always arrives too soon and it's never wanted. When that alarm starts ringing in my ear, the only thought I have is how to break it.
Now that I use my phone as my alarm, it would do no good to throw it against the wall, so I guess I have to get up (after hitting snooze about 10 times).
Yes, I hate mornings. Much like Monday's, though, it's just the way it goes.

Rise and Shine -- Get on out

Good Morning and how about those Clevelanders!!!
Really, I don't get into this too much because, well, there are certainly more important things in the world to worry about, but doesn't it seem odd that in 2013 we still see teams like the 'Indians,' 'Redskins' and 'Braves.' I mean, in Cleveland, there is still a guy who pounds a drum in the outfield (OK, he's no longer dressed like a Native American).
Just a little odd.
Anyway, I encourage the gang to get outside whenever possible. The usual retort is something like, "I've been outside all day in school. I want to watch TV/play video games/eat candy."
The convincing has been a little easier as the air has gotten warmer and more people are outside. Yesterday, the first question I got was "Can we play outside?" Sure, there's homework to do and stuff, but I can rarely answer in the negative to that question.
I don't know how long it will last, but it is nice.
Now, my next thing is to convince them it's really fun to cut the grass.