Great, Big Thank You

Good Morning and, sure the snow looks nice, but come on?

There are many reasons I do not like winter weather.
The major reason is it seems to be my luck it always hits when I am at work.
Now, on the surface, that might not seem so bad. What's the difference if you are safe at work or safe at home? Yeah, OK, that's one thing.
It cuts even deeper than having to slog through our parking lot.
I always get nervous about shoveling. The last thing I (or anybody I think) want to do is work all day, then get home to shovel. Especially when I'm working on a Sunday and I just know the rest of neighborhood was out hours earlier clearing the sidewalks.
So, that was on the top of my head while I sat in the office and watched the snow fall yesterday. I figured I was here until late into the night, because it was a better option than driving in the mess (not to mention the mess of Delco drivers).
As I pulled onto Providence road at about 10 p.m. (took a good 30 minutes to clear the car after sitting all day), I figured I'd have to get home and pull on the boots.
By then the roads were certainly passable, so it didn't take that long to get home. As I pulled in front of the house, I couldn't help but smile.
My great neighbors had cleaned off the sidewalk.
I thought I lived in a great neighborhood, now I know for sure.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
The next one's on me.
Of course, I'll probably be at work when it hits...

For everything, a season

Good Morning and how about them Eagles?!?!

I'm one who likes everything in its own time.
For instance, I won't do any Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving (usually not until the last week, but that's another story). I cringe when I see those Halloween stores cropping up Sept. 1. Don't even talk to me about the Valentine's candy that shows up just after the New Year or the Easter stuff that hits the same time as the Super Bowl.
There's enough rushing in this world. I don't need to hear 'Jingle Bells' before Santa drives his sleigh in front of Macy's. (Yeah, I know those lights and trees are already up in most stores. I'm just going to ignore them for a few months).
So, when I saw Pumpkinland was opening at Linvilla Orchards, my first thought was "isn't it still summer?"
That's usually a Saturday in October trip for us. Get pumpkins, take a hay ride, stock up on apples.
Still, for some reason, the pull was too much for me to ignore and we were there Saturday afternoon.
Guess what? It was a fun time even though we were only in the last weekend of September.
We picked out pumpkins (really, 20 pounds each?) and were there until it closed.
Now, I'm ready for what fall has to offer.
Just don't start singing 'White Christmas' until November please.

Rise and Shine --- Really? The 76ers?

Good Morning to all you insomniacs!
Was that really a couple thousand people cheering for the 76ers yesterday?

Really? People came out to the Constitution Center on a Thursday in the summer to get a look at new center Andrew Bynum?

Wait, aren't the Eagles getting ready for the season? Aren't the Phillies showing signs of life? Cheering for the 76ers in August? Why, I never...

The 76ers have always seemed like fourth-class citizens in the sports community. The Eagles ruled until the Phillies won, now they trade Nos. 1 and 2 depending on the time of year. The Flyers have always had a loyal following.

The 76ers, though, even in the glory years, seemed to pushed to the side.

Truth be told, my group of friends were always bigger 76ers fans. We went to games and listened to the 76ers on the radio (not every game was televised back then). We sat in the school cafeteria debating the merits of keeping Darryl Dawkins, then we cheered the signing of Moses Malone. We laughed at the drafting of Hersey Hawkins. We felt betrayed when Doug Moe made it look like coaching the team was taking too much time away from the beach.

Even the last few years, I've been able to get down to a couple of 76ers games (pro sports has totally outpriced the family, but that's for another time).

So, it was cool to see cheering for the 76ers in the middle of the summer.

Rise and Shine --- The heat is on

Good Morning and was that really George Michael singing during the Olympics Closing Ceremonies?

It was nice to open the door this morning and not be hit by a wall of heat. There virtually no humidity out there this morning.

What a wonderful feeling!

I was standing in the store the other day while the daughter tried on some clothes (her new favorite activity) and somebody standing outside the dressing room said, "It's like we really didn't have a summer this year. It was too hot to even walk outside."

Now, I wouldn't go that far. I mean, it is the Northeast. It's going to get hot, it's going to cool off. Sure, we had one of the hottest July's ever, but we weren't cooped up. I think it's a sign of the times.

When I hear these things, my mind immediately thinks back to my grandparents.

They didn't have any kind of air conditioning. It was hot, they dealt with it.

A few weeks ago, I was at my dad's boyhood home. He showed the children his old room on the third floor of one of those really old houses that have no air flow.

When they asked how he could sleep with it being so hot, he said he had a fan for the window.

I'll be the first to admit I thank the stars for the person who invented air conditioning.

I think, though, it kind of spoils us sometimes.

Not that I'll give it up or anything...

Rise and Shine --- Too much?

Good Morning and how about that sun!!

I think we've hit the end. If not the end, we can certainly see it from here:

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 --- Now, that's cold!

Good Morning and welcome to the snow-covered parking lot!

After sliding through the parking lot this morning (yes, two days after the latest snowfall you still need your boots in some places), I got to thinking about cold.
Now, it's been cold outside the last few months. We've seen temperatures below freezing. We've seen wind blow through.
Before yesterday's Eagles/Packers playoff game, we here at delcotimes.com decided to try something different. We provided Eagles fans with an alternative playoff pregame show live from the tailgates.
While you knew it was cold, while moving around trying to get people to talk, running the camera and making sure the sound was OK (sometimes, unsuccessfully), the cold didn't seem to bad.
Then, after packing up and carrying the equipment back to the car, well, that's when it hit.
It actually took most of the game to thaw out.
So, long story short (too late), it got me to thinking about those who don't have the opportunity to get out of the cold. There are people out there (admit it, you see them all the time, but try to ignore them), who don't have the opportunity to warm up.
When it gets bitter, they do the best they can. I think we can help, though.
Carry an extra pair of gloves around and, instead of speeding up your walking, just give them to the person. Sometimes, something small can make a world of difference.

Rise and Shine --- Late nights, early mornings

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

So, the Phillies season ended Saturday night with a called third-strike. You can't win them all, although you would like to see your big slugger at least take the bat off his shoulder for the final pitch.
Sitting there watching Saturday's game with my 11-year old son, I got the feeling we were back in the day. You know that day, the one where the Phillies disappointed every year.
Somehow, the way was flowing, I just had a feeling of dread. I bet a penny on a double play and, boom, Carlos Ruiz lined into one.
I bet a penny on a strikeout to end the game and there was Ryan Howard watching the season end.
Oh Well, maybe next year.
One thing the Phillies did, though, was force a change in the way we covered the playoffs.
There were live blogs for every game and, when the Phillies went on the road, so did we (sort of).
We took our camera out to meet some of the people who were watching the games. What we found out is, in the words of Christine O'Donnell, they were us. Or, better said, we were a part of them.
Now, we'll see how it works for the Eagles.

Rise and Shine --- Headache

Good Morning and welcome to the middle of the week!

You know it's going to be a long day when you wake up with a sinus-induced headache. There would be nothing better than going back to bed, but that's not to be today.
Then again, maybe it was because I woke up to THIS.
You know, really, I could really care less about Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb. I've learned long ago that, with very few exceptions, professional athletes don't care about you and me. They live in some other world.
Still, everybody has to weigh in and since I have to watch every Eagles game this year as part of the job, well, it's kind of laughable.
The Eagles (and fans) spent the whole offseason talking about a new quarterback and getting rid of Donovan McNabb.
Then, after getting a concussion in his first game, Kolb was sent to pasture. No matter what Andy Reid says now, Kolb will never be able to start in Philadelphia.
The coach cut him down, stabbed him in the back, slapped him on the wrists.
So, all those people who were so happy to get rid of Donovan McNabb, well, enjoy a bunch of losing years in a row.
And, the headache is still here.

Rise and Shine --- On the Radio

Good Morning and it appears about time we all went South!

I used to listen to the radio all the time. Now, not so much.
I might flip around while driving to hear a song I like. If there's nothing on the music side, I'll hit the AM button and catch some talk radio.
That usually means the radio is close to being turned off.
Aside from the racist hate radio that fills the airwaves (Rush, Hannity, et al), sportstalk radio is continually heading into the dark range.
Spend any time around people and you know they like to talk. Some like to throw things out there to get a reaction. Some believe they know everything about everthing and need to let you know it too.
Now that the Super Bowl is over, sportstalk radio is filled with callers and hosts who want changes made to the Eagles. They want the coach fired. They want a new quarterback. They want new ownership.
OK, the Eagles haven't won a Super Bowl, but what would you rather have, the doldrums of the 1980s and 1990s or a chance to win every year? Fire the coach and end up with a Rich Kotite clone (remember how bad that was?). Get rid of the most successful quarterback in franchise history and end up with, what, Bobby Hoying?
Then we can venture into the Phillies. All the team has done is make the last two World Series, winning the first.
Now, they go out and get the best pitcher in the game, but nobody is happy. I actually heard somebody say they would never attend a game again after the deal that brought in Roy Halladay and got rid of Cliff Lee.
It almost makes you pine for the blither blather of Rush and his hatred of everything.
Then again, maybe it's time to pull out the CDs.

Rise and Shine --- Isn't that special?

Good Morning and who turned up the heat?

Boo Hoo. Michael Vick had a tough time in prison.
Boo Hoo. Michael Vick didn't have a chance to play in the NFL.
Boo Hoo. Michael Vick had to give up a $135 million contract.
Boo Hoo. Michael Vick feels bad for the dogs.
Boo Hoo. Boo Hoo. Boo Hoo.
Since there isn't much we can do about it, Michael Vick will be playing for the Eagles this year. He'll probably score a key touchdown. He'll be shown on ESPN. He'll be cheered by those at the stadium who have no choice after shelling out thousands of dollars for tickets.
For all those who are now lauding the signing of Vick had better carry that attitude through life. If you are in a position of hiring somebody some day and that person is a convicted felon, their application better not be thrown into the trash.
If Michael Vick, convicted felon, deserves a second chance so do those who can't throw a ball.
By the way, I want to thank the Eagles for saving me some money by handing Michael Vick, dog killer, $1.5 million.
How? I had been toying with the idea of taking my boys to an Eagles game at some point. Even though it's not exactly a family friendly experience, I thought they might have fun seeing a live football game.
Well, that went out the window with the ridiculous press conference Friday.
Now, I'll have to look into finding Temple tickets.
Finally, before it's been done to death:

Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody who stayed up to watch the Eagles-Cowboys game and everybody else who's a bit smarter!

Yes, the Eagles lost to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football last night. Yes, it was an exciting game that ended with a frustrating play. Yes, it was on way too late, though not as late as it used to be. Yes, times have changed.
I remember staying up way too late to watch Monday Night Football with a bunch of people a case of beer and a couple of pizzas. The games, back in the old days, wouldn't start until 9 p.m. and they would stretch until 1 a.m.
For the most part, the games would be boring, but it was more about getting together and having a little fun. Every once in a while, something exciting would happen on the television screen.
The turnaround didn't seem too bad back then. Of course, time changes all that.
I learned to hate Monday Night Football (and, by association, Hank Williams Jr.) when I started working in newspapers. Now, Monday Night Football wasn't about pizza, beer and people, it was about waiting forever until the game ended. Then waiting again for a quick story, then waiting again until a longer story came through.
It was bad enough during a 'normal' week. When the Eagles were playing, though, it was pure hell.
An Eagles Monday Night Football game meant being in the office sometimes until after 2:30 a.m., most of the time spent waiting and waiting and waiting.
Now, the games are over at a relative decent time of midnight and I don't have to wait for the story.
Still, when the alarm goes off at 4 a.m., midnight isn't such a good idea.
Hey, at least there was a reason to laugh last night:

10 Iggles Not Smart @ Yahoo! Video

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

Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody from Marcus Hook to Monterey (and everybody in between)!

There is a trading deadline in Major League Baseball today. To some, it's a national holiday, to most it's just a shrug of the shoulders.
Since the Phillies have never really made a big deal at the deadline, it's understandable why there isn't much interest in multi-millionaires leaving one team for another. The Phillies are always happy with what they have and sit on the sidelines watching other teams improve for a chance to win a championship.
Seriously, though, do you blame Phillies ownership when you really think. They are packing the stadium nightly and selling a ton of hats, shirts, whatever. Winning a championship won't sell more tickets. Winning a championship might sell more hats and T-shirts, but that money is shared among teams.
So, be happy, Phillies fans, to watch a team every night. Just don't worry about taking a vacation day for a parade in October.

Speaking of parades, apparently they are shutting down a part of Center City this afternoon to celebrate the Philadelphia Soul's Arena Football League championship. Which, of course, got me thinking: Aren't there enough parades already?
We have the Mummers, Easter Columbus Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other parades in between.
Actually, maybe we need more parades. After all, there is a parade on the highways every day. How about adding a marching band to the morning and afternoon rush? Why don't we follow all those Aqua PA construction vehicles around with a car full of clowns?
How about a weekly Saturday morning parade? I'm sure U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7) would be interested.
Let's shut down Baltimore Pike in Springfield every afternoon for a home-from-school parade.
Or, there could be this:


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