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?

Rise and Shine ---- Here we are again

Good Morning and Happy Valentine's Day!

Also known as a good day to be a rose gardener. It is amazing how the price of flowers jumps every Feb. 14. Hey, the market drives the price, right?

Anyway, did you catch the Grammys last night? Well, when you haven't actually heard any of the songs nominated for Song of the Year, you have to expect some surprises.
One surprise the Grammy commercials kept pushing was an appearance by Bob Dylan. Well, after seeing that I can only conclude that Bob Dylan died years ago and his zombie self is now touring.
You know, with the exception of Mick Jagger's energy, it was painfully obvious none of those 'old timers' should be on stage. Remember how they were, don't taint things by putting on a bad show.
Even Jagger's voice is showing the rigors of age, but at least he can still move. By the way, how did Mick become so much skinnier?
I know these award shows, especially the Grammys, try to grab some of the older audience, but instead of having Dylan or Streisand singing, how about just having them give out awards.
That way, some of the new music can hit the spotlight. Then again, where was that?

Rise and Shine --- When the alarm does you in

Good Morning and welcome back to reality!

So, my alarm went off like usual this morning. First thing I did (or so I thought) was hit the snooze button.
MMMM, 10 more minutes of sleep. It's like that special piece of candy you've been waiting for all day.
Somehow this morning, though, instead of hitting snooze, I must have turned the darn thing off. Instead of 10 minutes, I slept for another two hours.
Now, since this has happened, I'm sure, to many out there, that's when the panic starts. Rush to the shower, rush to get your breakfast, put the pedal to the metal to get to work.
Now, I'm going to feel behind all day, even though I've pretty much caught up with everything.
And it's all the alarm's fault.

Rise and Shine --- It's a marathon

Good Morning and welcome to the day after!

You know, going into Super Bowl Sunday, I knew it was going to be a long day. Usually, it's spent cooking a nice spread, then watching the game and putting everything back together.
This Super Bowl Sunday, though, was a little bit different. We were trying to put together our own show, getting as many people involved along the way as possible.
So, with the help of Sligo in Media, we set up in the corner and started broadcasting across the internet.
A couple of hours into it, we knew this was a daunting task. With our panel of experts - Jack McCaffery, Bob Grotz and Anthony SanFilippo - we went head first into a long day.
Ever try to talk for five hours straight? Ever try to figure out a topic that might or might not be interesting?
I have a renewed respect for those talk radio guys who go through the night without any calls.
Now, on to the next one...

Rise and Shine --- Don't get bullying

Good Morning and welcome to the next big thing!

You know, I've never understood bullying. I'll probably never understand the pack mentality of picking on somebody because they are smaller, different or whatever.
To any logical thinking person, the whole concept is a little beyond scope.
Really, does it make you feel better to pick on somebody? Does it somehow enhance your life to hurt somebody?
You would hope those arrested in Upper Darby yesterday sat in the jail cell and thought about what they did. Chances are at least a couple did, but chances are also good others still see it as no big deal.
Well, it is a big deal. Children have enough pressure on them these days, they don't need to be watching over their shoulders all day.
I've tried to teach that to my children. If somebody needs help, don't walk away, help them out. Don't pick on anybody. Don't laugh at anybody.
Remember, you wouldn't want it to happen to you.

Rise and Shine --- 'Smart' people

Good Morning and have we had enough award shows already or what?

You know, it's really amazing how, well you never want to call anybody stupid, but if the shoe fits: Man checks into jail with joints sewn in underwear
Who out there thinks this is a good idea and how exactly do you sew joints in your underwear? I mean, won't they break apart when you sit down? This guy's probably been in trouble before, so he must know there's going to be a pat down heading into prison.
Then again, we see this kind of thing all the time.
For instance, have you been driving during one of these snow storms only to have some 'smart' driver pull right up to your bumper.
Happened to me last week while the snow was coming down. While making the normal afternoon school run, we were sliding down an unplowed side street. All of a sudden, this other car comes flying up behind. Slams on the breaks, then starts honking the horn and yelling to hurry up.
Sure, buddy, now get off the road before you need new underwear.

Rise and Shine --- Cut, print

Good Morning and, well, it won't be said today!

So, the Oscar nominations came out yesterday and once again, I've only seen one of the movies (Toy Story 3). While it was a good movie, I don't know if it's 'Best Picture' worthy, but some years finding 10 nominees stretches the envelope a bit.

Then again, it's probably as much about politics as everything else has become in this day and age. Know the right people, your movie gets a push. Go outside the box and you have to buy your own ticket to the show.
Hey, whatever works. It's Hollywood. It's not like real life.
So, now that the nominees are out, the big push starts. Try to get out and see the top nominated movies before the Feb. 27 show.
Anybody game for a movie run? I always wanted to try one of those movie marathons where they show all the nominees in one day.
That might be a little too tough, but you never know.
By the way, with all the talk about snubs and nominees, here's one that was overlooked and should get a statue just because it's so good:

Rise and Shine --- Where's the beef?

Good Morning and how about those 76ers?!?

OK, now, before I present this story, I have to say that anybody who eats at a fast-food place and thinks they are eating healthy, well, I'm glad that purple, flying monkey helps you out so often.
So, anyway, there's THIS STORY about a lawsuit against Taco Bell.
It seems an Alabama law firm has sued Taco Bell for false advertising. It appears the 'beef' the company uses doesn't really meet the minimum standards set by the government for it to actually be beef.
According to the suit there is so much other, uh, stuff in the mix it contains only 35 percent actual beef. Let's hope they don't start checking out the 'cheese.'
You have to figure (and, it's true, I've seen the movie) most of these places get their 'beef' from the same farms.
So, think about how much is in that Big Mac you enjoyed last night.
Then again, many are still eating Scrapple, so, I guess it's better to be misinformed.

Rise and Shine --- Looks out a window

Good Morning and keep the heater on!

So, for all you Eagles fans out there who were dreaming about going to a Super Bowl this year, uh, your team wasn't nearly as good as the four who played yesterday.
How's this for an early prediction: Expect another parade in Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks.
Speaking of predictions, let's get on these weather yahoos a little bit. Now, we know they like to pump up the possibility of snow. Nothing brings in ratings (or page views) like the prediction of a storm.
"Be Careful," they tell us. "It's going to a be a nasty commute. The morning is going to be a mess. Snow, ice, snow, snow, snow."
People get caught up in the craziness. Last week, we had it twice. There was supposed to be a lot of ice and snow Tuesday morning. OK, there was some, but it didn't cripple the area.
Then it was supposed to come again Thursday. This time, it was nothing more than a coating on the sidewalks.
Then the schools get caught up. Parents (rightly) want to know about closings or delays as early as possible so they can set up the day (either take it off from work or try to find some kind of childcare). So, a dire prediction doesn't give the officials much time to react.
Last week, most schools called for Thursday delays even though it turned out to be much ado about nothing.
There's no way to get away from all the weather, so the best predictor is your own eyes. Unless, of course, Grandma has a trick knee.

Rise and Shine --- Not that kind of cold

Good Morning and isn't it nice to wake up without fresh, new snow on the ground!

So, for the second time this winter, a cold has gotten ahold of me. Not just any cold, mind you, one of those not even Nyquil can solve. Take the shot, expect some good sleep and two hours later, cough, cough, cough.
Man, that's annoying, especially when your alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m.
So, while I battle through the sniffles and the stuffy head, take this...

Rise and Shine --- Ice, Ice, Baby

Good Morning and welcome to one of those days you wish you could just stay in bed!

I remember the winter of 1992-93, the worst winter in history (well, OK, maybe not, but it was still bad). Instead of snow, we had freezing rain and ice seemingly every day.
The ice was sometimes so thick on the cars it seemed like you would need a hammer and chisel to knock it off.
Even the old trick of starting the car and putting on the defroster only meant you wasted gas for a half hour (of course, gas was like a dollar a gallon, so there).
Every time I hear a weather report calling for ice, I remember back to those days of sliding into work. There was no getting around it.
Hopefully, today's strange, crunchy snow isn't what we are going to be seeing for the rest of the winter.

Rise and Shine --- Awarded by sleep

Good Morning and welcome back to another one of those winter weeks!

So, having not much to do last night, I turned on the Golden Globes.
Five minutes later, I was having trouble keeping my eyes open. Ten minutes later, I was fast asleep.
I don't know, maybe sometime in the past, these award shows were fun to watch. You could see your favorite movie and TV stars yucking it up.
Now, though, thanks to the Internet, we know all about these people and, to me anyway, they aren't entertaining outside of their roles.
Robert DeNiro is good as a gangster, but not so good as a stand-up comedian.
Ricky Gervais is good as a comedian, but when he's using inside talk to bust on fellow actors, well, it seems like we are just viewing a frat party.
I guess it doesn't help I hadn't seen many of the movies or TV shows being honored, but, still, it was boring.
Even the winners were terrible. In order to make the show go quick, they were rushing speeches, giving lists of names nobody knew and rambling about how great it is to win.
Can't wait for the next one!
ZZZZzzzzz

Rise and Shine --- Take that

Good Morning and welcome to the winter wonderland!

You know, I overheard the best description of snow while waiting outside of school the other day:
"You know what snow is?" asked a second-grader to his preschool sister.
"Snowman poop."

I remember when snow used to be fun, of course that was before I had to worry about driving through icy, slushy roads to get to work.
So, when does that disconnect happen? When you get old enough to drive? When you start working? When you have to worry about schedules for school delays or closings?
I don't think I really started hating winter weather until 1992 when we seemed to have an ice storm every other day.
Last year's snow after snow after snow sealed the deal.
This year, well, we've lucked out. This stuff isn't real heavy and, once the plows go through, the roads are fine.
Still, bring on spring!

Rise and Shine --- Maybe

Good Morning and welcome to another one of those days!

It's been kind of interesting to see how those who pushed violence over the last few years were the first to announce, in the wake of the shootings of the Congresswoman in Arizona, that it wasn't their fault.
Well, not so fast skipper.
Maybe the nut over there in Phoenix had a worm eating his brain. Maybe he was so far gone it was only a matter of time before he hurt himself or somebody else.
Maybe, just maybe, though, this Jared Loughner would have picked up a rock instead of a gun.
Maybe if Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and the rest of their hate club weren't always pushing an agenda that made it seem like violence was the only answer, there would be less of this kind of stuff.
I'm sorry, when you put rifle targets over a certain area of the country before an election, you are asking those with the worms to do something stupid.
When you hold up those who bring guns to political rallies as some kind of hero, maybe you are part of the problem instead of the solution.
The great thing about these people who throw that stuff out there is they can fall back and say, "Hey, I never said anybody should get shot."
Like that makes it any better.

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 --- Lottery hangover

Good Morning and I'm still here, having not won the Mega Millions last night!

Of course, even if I had won, I'd probably still be here today (wouldn't have found out I won until getting to work). Hey, even $350 million richer, might as well finish out the last day.
That's the way we all say it, but, sure, reality is I would have been out the door quicker than it takes Rush Limbaugh to down a Big Mac.
There are certainly people who play these lottery numbers every day. They sink the dollars into the hope of a big payout.
Me? I wait until it's one of those super payouts. Don't even think about the Powerball until it hits at least $200 million. The first time I picked up a Mega Millions ticket was yesterday.
I don't know why. Certainly, any lottery winning would be welcomed. It just seems like there are better things to do with a couple of bucks than sink them into lottery tickets.
Then again, how much is the Powerball worth this week?

Rise and Shine --- What's next?

Good Morning and welcome to another glorious winter day!

After the roller coaster that was 2010 crashed and burned last week, it's time to pick up the pieces. Maybe it will get better, maybe it won't. Just have to take each day as it comes and hope for the best.
Anyway, one of the oddest stories of 2011 has been THIS ONE about the birds that suddenly crashed dead in Arkansas.
There were all kinds of rumors out there from secret government weapons testing to an alien attack.
The official word is the birds got confused after a fireworks display and dove, head-first, into the ground. Now, birds might not have the biggest brains in the world, but I find it hard to believe they would commit mass suicide after a fireworks display.
There has to be something more going on here. Right? Come on conspiracy people, what really happened?

Never mind, they just wanted to leave Arkansas as quick as possible.

Rise and Shine --- Happy New Year

Good Morning and welcome to a fresh, new perspective!

Unlike any other year, when somebody says 'Happy New Year' it has a little more meaning. In fact, years from now when somebody asks "Remember in 2010...?"
My reaction is going to be "No. Didn't exist!"
Somebody said the other day, "You know, some people have bad days, bad weeks, I have bad years."
Well, I'm with you. Dump 2010 in the proverbial dumpster. Take it out with the garbage. Well, if you live in Upper Darby, don't wait for garbage pickup, it might not come.
While on the way out ... Never mind.
No, this is start of a New Year. A clean slate. Time to pick up the pieces and knock a few heads.
By the way, Billy Joel was right:

Rise and Shine --- Skip winter

Good Morning and is it spring yet?

There are plenty of reasons to want to skip ahead to March. All you have to do is step outside this morning and you'll be able to feel one big reason.
The cold that's settled into the area just cuts right through you. The heating bill which will take any extra money over the next few months is another.
Then there's, of all things, baseball.
Over the past four years, we've all looked forward to the baseball season starting.
This spring, though, with Tuesday's signing of free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee, the enthusiasm is going to be through the roof.
It wasn't so long ago that players like Lee wouldn't have even looked the Phillies' way. They were a moribund program that was more known for losing many, many games than winning.
The best thing is, we can dream about some exciting baseball in the near future.
It certainly beats worrying about the cold.

Rise and Shine --- Blades of Glory?

Good Morning and don't walk outside today unless you have no choice!

Back in the day (I like using that line since it makes you seem a little more stately), I remember ice skating as a fun time. My parents used to take us (what seemed like) every weekend to a local rink. We'd have some fun. We'd get some exercise. We learned how to cheat the vending machines.
Over the years, the trips to the skating rink became fewer and fewer. Finally, they stopped all together.
I always told the little ones we would try it sometime. It's one of those things that just faded into the background.
While taking a day trip to New York City, we, of course, had to check out the tree at Rockefeller Center. Underneath is the famous skating rink. It wasn't too crowded, but it was too expensive (would have cost about $100 for an hour). So, much to the chagrin of a 5-year old whose eyes widened at the sight of the ice, we walked away.
Then, we stumbled upon another ice rink a few blocks away. This one was free (if you had skates, renting them was just 10 bucks).
So, here was the time. I put on the skates. Helped the little ones and, remembering my youth, jumped feet first onto the ice.
Then, promptly landed butt first on the ice. A laugh later, everybody was on the ice. Sure, we hung on to the wall more than actually skating. Sure, we watched as people glided as effortlessly as walking.
Then, my hand was grabbed by the 5-year old.
"Thanks Daddy," she screamed, "this is great."
It's really the only Christmas gift I need.

Rise and Shine -- Whistling in the cold

Good Morning and welcome to the bubble!

You know, the Upper Darby School District gets a bad rap about things. That city of a high school that sits on Lansdowne Avenue is one good one. It should have been addressed years ago, but, like most things, money got in the way.
One thing the school district has going for it is the music program. In a day and age when when school districts are taking the knife to music and art programs, it's to Upper Darby's credit the music has continued to flow.
The last two Wednesday nights I had the pleasure to attend concerts at Drexel Hill Middle School. Last week was the chorus, this week was the orchestra.
To listen to middle schoolers play their violins, cellos, flutes is impressive. Knowing the time the teachers and students put into practice only makes it more impressive.
I am lucky enough to have a reason to attend these concerts. There will be a few in the elementary school coming up as well.
I just wanted to thank the district for holding firm and keeping the music alive.

Rise and Shine --- December 8

Good Morning and stay under those covers!


You know, I really didn't know much about John Lennon until Dec. 8, 1980. Since then, I've come to believe he was a visionary. Much more than a musician, Lennon became the voice for those who couldn't (or wouldn't) speak up.
Now, 30 years after he was gunned down on a New York street, the music and the message remains.

Rise and Shine --- Baby, it's cold outside

Good Morning and welcome to a warm cup of tea for your computer screen!

Anybody who's walked outside yet this morning (or yesterday morning or the day before) has noticed the decided chill that has dropped upon us.
I hadn't realized Pennsylvania had been annexed by Canada, but, at least we'll have better beer.
Beyond that, why do we have to have such extremes? During the summer, we practically melted from the heat, then, without much transition, the bitter cold was upon us.
I understand it's the Northeast and we have to get used to the cold, but I for one wouldn't mind if these bitter numbers waited until February.
Anyway, while going through the Internet yesterday, I stumbled upon an article entitled "10 things I love about winter.
While they are all good, sometimes I think things we love about winter become overshadowed by what we hate.
So, as a balance, I give you things to hate about winter:
1. The price of heat. Sure, we need to keep warm, but be it oil or gas, the price keeps climbing and climbing. It might not be as high as three years ago, but we are approaching that point. It's kind of tough to budget in $300 a month just so you can have some hot water.
2. Snow. Snow. Snow. It looks pretty coming down. There seems to be a sense of calmness while snow piles up on the trees and grass. Then comes the part we all hate: getting out that shovel. Not one person out there can claim to like shoveling. It's something we have to do. We do it while everybody else is sledding and making snowpeople. Why is it always heavy?
4. Getting up on a cold morning. OK, so you've spent the money for the heat. You've added extra blankets to the bed. You've settled down for a long winter's nap, when, what do you ears do you hear, but the incessant buzzing of the stupid alarm. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. OK, OK, I'll get up, but it's so warm and comfy under these covers. Every morning is the same. By the way, it's worse when you have to get up before the sun.
5. Warm weather vacations. Face it, the closest most of us will get to a beach this winter is when watching Hawaii-50. We are paying all the bills, getting through the holidays then spending the rest to make sure nobody has to wear their winter coats inside. Vacations? Warm destination? Only when I close my eyes.
Well, there's five. Have to go out and find the shovel now.

Rise and Shine --- The Tree Scam

Good Morning and welcome back to the only place you can keep warm without spending any money!

So, this was the weekend to head out and find a Christmas tree. The last few years, that meant picking out a place, looking at the trees and picking one out. It was one place, one tree, everybody was happy.
This year, I decided do do a little shopping around and, boy, that might have been a mistake.
First of all, how anybody can ask $80 for a cut tree is beyond me (then again, I'm sure prices in New York would make that look cheap). So, once the $80 price tag was seen, we played a little game to find a bigger tree for a better price.
Of course, my entourage just wanted to get out of the cold (and get a tree in the house), so the game was mostly in my head.
The thing was, prices didn't come down much from that $80. Sure, there are always some with a $30 price tag, but they would even make Charlie Brown blush.
Then again, it's amazing $30 isn't enough to get a tree. Anyway, after a lot of Saturday was spent driving from tree place to tree place, it became obvious there could only be one stop Sunday.
So, we settled on a $40 tree, got it into the house and will decorate next weekend.
Sometimes, though, shopping around takes a little fun out of things.

Rise and Shine --- How can you hate oranges?

Good Morning and welcome to one of those dreary days where staying in bed seemed like a much better option!

The questions come, sometimes even before dinner is made, "What's for dessert?"
Sometimes, I'll have something ready, sometimes not, it just depends on what's for dinner.
If it's soup and salad, say, then dessert may be some cake or possibly ice cream. If dinner is pasta, dessert may be nothing.
Sometimes, when the dessert questions come, I'll pull out a piece of fruit.
"Oooh, I hate oranges."
How can you hate oranges. They are sweet enough. They are fun to eat.
"Can't we have something else?"
OK, how about an apple.
"Can we have some chocolate on it?"
No, just an apple.
"I hate apples!"
Now, I can see if maybe, just maybe, the citrus acid in the orange might not be to your liking, but an apple? Apples are just about the perfect food. They give crunch. They can be sweet (if that's what you like) or tart (if it's your preference).
"No apples. No Oranges. I want cookies."
Well, we don't have cookies. How about a banana?
"Aaahhhh...."

Rise and Shine --- Leaky faucet

Good Morning and wasn't it a little nicer weather-wise out there today?

So, the big story the last few days has been about the government documents put out there by an entity called Wikileaks. These documents were supposed to stay secret, I guess, only to be seen by higher ups in Washington.
They are all upset now, saying it's a criminal offense. Saying heads will roll. Saying they are going to use more than plumber's tape to seal the holes.
Well, la ti da! Anybody who is surprised that things get out these days must be fooling themselves.
Look, we've all seen enough movies and read enough books to know these kind of politics happen all the time. To pretend, on both sides, to be outraged by remarks made about Iran is just silly.
What's next, outrage over the president's lunch menu? How about a leak about the White House Christmas tree? How about the document that says the GOP is secretly scared to death at the possibility of Sarah Palin gaining enough presidential momentum?
Now, that would be scary.

Rise and Shine --- Get just one more

Good Morning and welcome to something called 'Cyber Monday!'

That's right, on the heals of all those 'Black Friday' sales comes 'Cyber Monday.' That means today, you can go online and purchase the same junk you "needed" to get last week without having to pitch a tent.
There are certain things I don't get in life (the number seems to increase every day), but one big thing is this propensity to just buy, buy, buy because it's the holidays.
Now, of course, I'm kind of caught in the middle. With three young children, you want them to have an awesome Christmas morning (or afternoon), but you don't want to minimize the gifts you purchase.
Hey, the Nerf dart game looks cool, but the darts will probably be missing an hour after being opened. The tracks for the race set will never really snap together like they should.
So, what do you do? Get something they really want or get a bunch of stuff so Santa doesn't seem like a bad guy.
It's something to figure out over the next couple of weeks.
Anyway, time will decide that one.

In other news, actor Leslie Neilson died yesterday. He went from ultra-serious to funny in a long career.
Here's one of the funniest:

Rise and Shine -- Toss, turn, toss, turn

Good Morning and welcome to the day before Thankgsiving!
Since I won't be here tomorrow to brighten your morning, I offer a "Happy Thanksgiving" handshake today.
By the way, ever have one of those nights when, for no known reason, you just can't fall asleep.
You head to bed feeling a little tired. Do whatever your nighttime ritual has become, then hit the pillow.
Wham, suddenly you are wide awake. So, you turn a little bit. Maybe a lot. Still, sleep doesn't come. Meanwhile, the clock keeps moving. Suddenly, it's 11:30 (if your like me and try to be in bed by 11 each night). Then, it's midnight. So, you toss and turn a little more, trying not to think about the clock.
Yet, in the back of you mind, you can't help but count down how many hours it is until the alarm will go off.
It's 12:30. It's 1 a.m.
OK, trying counting sheep. Really, does that ever work.
Find some calming music. Well, that doesn't exist that time of the day.
Look at the clock. It's now 1:30. No, it's 2. Wait a minute, the alarm goes off in an hour-and-a-half.
Wednesday is going to be a long day.
So, as I muddle through the morning in some of not-quite-awake state, it's time to figure out a better strategy.
You don't know how much you miss the sleep until you don't get it.

Rise and Shine --- Knock it down already

Good Morning and welcome to another day to battle a cold!

You know, when you are going through one of these late fall/early winter head colds, it seems like you will never get healthy. Then, in a couple days, it will be forgotten. Most of us are lucky that way.
By the way, think Ed Snider is getting enough bang for his buck with this whole Spectrum thing? It's been over two years since the story was broken HERE.
We've seen them sell off the seats. We've seen them sell off the floor. We've seen them sell off the gum stuck between the steps.
Enough already! At least today it will be over when the wrecking ball hits the arena.
Sure, there were some iconic Philadelphia sports and concert events at the Spectrum. A lot of us, myself included, attended their first 'big' events at the arena.
I remember Flyers games as a child (back when you could actually afford to take a family to a Flyers game), several concerts (Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Billy Joel, Springsteen and more), but I won't exactly shed a tear when it comes down.
Hey, people, it's just a building. What's the big deal.

Rise and Shine --- Today's the day

Good Morning and somehow we are only a few days for Thanksgiving!

In a lot of houses, this week is a bit hectic. There's cooking. There's cleaning. There's more cooking. There's a visit from family and friends. Then there's epic cleaning.
While that's all well and good and a lot of fun, this week also brings some other sunshine to my house.
Well, the sunshine is there most days, but this week is a little brighter.
"Hey, girl, you have to stay 5. I don't care if it is your birthday, I don't want you getting any older."
First comes the look, then this: "Daddy. I'm a big girl. I'm not 5. I'm 6."
"No, no no. You are growing much too fast. You have to stay 5 for another year."
That's when the laughter fills the room, the other room, the whole house.
Sure, you can turn 6 today. Just keep spreading that sunshine.
Happy Birthday.

Rise and Shine --- Aahh, another toy ad

Good Morning and welcome to what will have to stand as the middle of the week!

I keep wondering, if it's not winter yet, why does the snowball keep getting bigger. Suddenly, it's November and the end of the year of the year can't come soon enough.
Speaking of November and soon enough, I truly believe there is evil behind these toy companies. No matter where you turn, you see ads with happy children playing with some new car track or doll.
Up until a week ago, I had never heard of LaLa Loopsy. I've now been told the whole story behind the doll and we 'need' to have a couple of them.
A few years ago, we tried something called Moon Sand. It was supposed to be a play-dough type thing that you could mold into sand castles then break them down and make something else. It never dried out. Well, it did dry out, right on the couch and it never came off.
Now, Moon Sand, I hear, is back, but it's been repackaged into some kind of cool, learning experience.
Yeah, whatever.
Is it just me or do these things only appear in the last couple of months of the year? There seems to be all kinds of junk thrown out into the Holiday wind in hopes something will become a seller.
Then again, does anybody know where I can get some Lego Star Wars sets?

Rise and Shine --- Birthday month?

Good Morning and here's to hoping this is a better week!

Ever feel like you just want to jump off the roller coaster? Guess it has to stop sometime, after all, they don't ask for the tickets just to keep going and going and going.
Anyway, so a certain 5-year old I know is turning 6 next week. Once November hit, the question came every day: "How long until my birthday?"
Of course, my first answer always is, "No birthday this year. You have to stay 5. You are just right."
The little smile always comes next and she says: "Is today my birthday?"
So, this weekend I was able to tell her it was only a week away. So, that meant Sunday we had to practice.
"The boys have to sing Happy Birthday before they can eat breakfast," she told us.
A few moments later, "Daddy, the boys aren't practicing Happy Birthday."
So, we played along, we sang Happy (One week until your) Birthday.
Now I know what I'm in for the rest of the week: "It's my birthday, so I say what goes. Everybody play dolls with me."
See, she has to stay 5.

Rise and Shine --- Bird in the hand

Good Morning and, yes, it really is 70 degrees West of Harrisburg today!

Over the last couple of days, former President George W. Bush has been popping up on your television screen. He's just put out a new book called "Decision Points" where he talks about the eight years he spent in the White House.
TV newsheads have already broken down what he wrote and what he said.
My question is, Who really cares?
We spent eight years listening to Bush. We wondered how he got two terms as president. We have spent trillions on two unnecessary wars.
Enough already. No matter where your politics stand, it's a tough argument to defend Bush's economic policies. It's a tough argument to defend all the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a tough argument to say Bush is relevant to anything going on today.
Of course, there are those who will try to make those points, but get shouted down.
By the way, it is interesting how the Republican party was able to talk Bush into waiting to appear on television until after the election.
Speaking of elections, there are already plenty of websites to break down what is or isn't being done.
Check out http://www.gopromisebreakers.com/ for an interesting take.

Rise and Shine --- Yes, it's started

Good Morning and welcome to a much more pleasant day!

I knew there was going to be trouble a couple of weeks ago. In a last-minute attempt to pick up some eyballs for a Halloween party, I found instead decorated trees.
When I looked down the aisle I had seen the treats just a couple of days before, there were Nutcrackers and chocolate Santas.
It was all I could do to not run out of the store screaming.
Look, I know how retail stores have to extend the holiday season as long as they can. Having worked in a store the last couple of Christmas seasons, I know it is the most important time of the year. (Not a day didn't go past where the manager left a little note above the employee entrance that simply said, "Sell, Sell, Sell").
I know in this economy that isn't quite as good as some would like you to believe, the holidays might make the difference between staying open and boarding up.
Still, I don't want to see it. I used to get laughed at because I didn't want to to do any Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving (although, truth be told, I have a couple of things this year).
Who knows, next year we might be hearing the sleigh bells mixed in with the fireworks July 4th.

Rise and Shine --- Oil like boils

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

One thing I do every year is have a debate in my head when it is time to turn on the heat in the house. See, I have oil heat, so it's not as simple as getting the temperature up.
I have to check out the price of oil. Check the weather reports to see how long I have before it actually gets "cold." Check the price again. Check the gauge on the tank. Check the price one more time.
Usually, I try to make it as close to Thanksgiving as possible.
When a 5-year old girl, though, wants to put on her heavy coat while eating lunch, I guess it's time to break down and turn the temperature up.
That doesn't mean I don't continue to check the price and the level on a daily basis.
Now, I'm waiting for a nice week of 70 degree days. Guess that won't come until May.

Adventures in voting

So, at 10 a.m., my posse and I were the 99th voter of the day at the polling place.
For the last election, we were the 15th at 10 a.m., so maybe turnout will be high.
So, anyway, we pulled up to the place and a voice came from the back: "Dad, look at all those signs! We need to pick who to vote for. Eeney, meaney..."
Well, that's one way. I figured trying to explain the issues to an 8-year would take the rest of the day, so I said it was a matter of who you feel comfortable with.
"Hey, that sign says Joe Sestak! Ted Erickson? Funny names."

Get out and Vote!

Good morning and welcome to (finally) the end of this election cycle!

Anybody who has watched any television over the past few weeks is happy today is election day.
That means we won't have to see those political commercials any more.
So, while you think about driving past your polling place because the line looks long or you feel you don't have the time, remember one other vision from recent TV: George W. Bush.
The ex-prez was watching the Texas Rangers lose to the San Fran Giants in the World Series.
Think about it: Do we really need people like that running our country again?
Get out and vote!

Rise and Shine --- It's not cold. It's Halloween.

Good Morning and welcome to November!

Yes, it's November. Yes, the year is going too quickly. Yes, it's getting chilly outside.
Last night, it was downright cold. For some reason, though, the cold didn't seem to matter to some. It could have been blowing snow and sleet, but, on Halloween anyway, the cold was just a minor nusience.

So, after opening the door for the first trick-or-treater, it became obvious I had to pull on the jacket and the sweater.
Then, I looked over to the Spider Princess and said, "It's cold outside. You might want to put some long pants on under your dress."
"Daddy," the princess, ruffling her nose, said. "It's not cold. It's Halloween."
Knowing it was a battle I wasn't going to win at that moment, I retreated.
"OK, sweetie. But if you get cold while walking around, remember I told you to put long pants on."
The princess didn't care. So, along with a detective, a Clone Trooper and a techno rocker, the search for candy was on. After the second stop at home to clear the bags, it was time to take a break.
Taking a break on Halloween meant eating some of the candy while trying to get trick-or-treaters to come over.
About an hour later, I figured I would ask the question. "Hey, ready to put on some long pants? The dress is nice, but you must be getting cold."
In a voice only a 5-year old going on 13 can muster came the replay.
"Daddy. I told you. It's not cold, it's Halloween. Can we go walk around again?"

Rise and Shine --- Is this October?

Good Morning and welcome to the day before the start of the World Series!

Anybody who stepped outside yesterday got the feeling there was something strange in the world. OK, not strange, but the odd feeling was there.
You could see it in the cars as they drove past and in the people as they were walking around.
Even though we've seen it last few years, it still feels a little strange to be able to head outside without the jacket in late October.
Listen, I'm not complaining. I'll take this weather the rest of the year, but I know that's not going to happen. The chill will come back. The jackets will be pulled down off the hook and the heat will have to be turned up.
Still, we can enjoy it while it lasts.
Which, actually, is something Phillies fans should think about. I've heard more 'fans' over the last few days talking about how bad the season was or how disappointed they were in not making the World Series.
I just have to shake my head. For those with short memories, the Phillies weren't always a team with World Series hopes. Even like six years ago, we would have been happy with a .500 record.
So, at least we are in a pretty good stretch where there is something fun to see during the summer.
Don't think so? Talk to Pirate fans.

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 --- Politics, blech

Good Morning and welcome to a real October day!

I don't know about you, but I'm already getting sick of this election and we still have a month to go.
It probably would be more interesting if Christine O'Donnell was a witch. Then at least there would be some spark. Instead, we have the same boring candidates running for the same jobs at the same time.
The political ads that appear on TV are dirty politics. It's like they sit around a room and say, "OK, a month left, lets start throwing tomatoes at our opponent."
There are two we are most concerned about here.
The first, is the U.S. Senate seat being fought over by U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (Democrat) and Pat Toomey (Republican?).
The battle lines have been drawn on this one for awhile. Do you want believe Sestak can make a difference, or do you want to relive the past the Bush era?
Hey, by the way, Toomey thinks so much of the battle he can't even make it to our office to meet the editorial board. Editor Phil Heron said this morning, "They told us we could get him by phone."
The other race, of course, is for Sestak's former seat in the U.S. House, the 7th District battle between Republican Pat Meehan and Democtrat Bryan Lentz.
Both are nice guys. Both have strong backgrounds. Both seem to have good ideas.
Just one thing, the next one (or a the next representative of one of them) who knocks on my door loses my vote.
There's a race for you.

Rise and Shine --- Rain, snow, oh no!

Good Morning and welcome to a wet, wild Tuesday!

Maybe it's just me, but when a violent thunderstorm hits in October, I'm thinking there may be something wrong with our weather patterns. Meanwhile, a major hail, wind, rain storm (there was even a mention of wet snow) is supposed to hit us Thursday. Sounds like I should have spent more time outside yesterday.
Then again, it probably would have meant cutting the lawn, so maybe inside was better.
Speaking of inside, one thing I hope to never have to do again is watch both the Phillies and Eagles games at the same time (it was for a live blog on the website). It made me feel like I had ADT or something.
I wanted to watch the Phillies clinch, but didn't want to deprive the readers (by the way, thanks you two) of their Eagles update.
So, I went back and forth and back and forth. Fun, it was not. For some reason, it seemed like both games went to commercial at the same time, all the time. I saw Chase Utley's home run, but missed LeSean McCoy's touchdown. (Still saw enough of the Eagles/49ers to say they both stink as does the whole NFL).
So, at least for now, it looks like that double won't hit for the rest of the playoffs.
Then again, I'm sure they'll find something else for me to do.
In case you missed it, here it is again:

Rise and Shine --- Moments

Good Morning and welcome back to the Internet!

You know, every once in a while, you have those moments in life you wish you could just relive over and over again.
Wednesday's are pretty busy times. It's get back from school, get the homework done, eat a quick dinner, get to dance class, check the homework, fix the homework, get to bed.
Throw in a Phillies playoff game (and working while the game was going on), well, it adds to the level.
So, last night, we started the routine. By 5 p.m., it was obvious everything was going to be a rush. So, the radio went on with the game, the computer was loaded (although way too slow) and homework was being done.
There we sat at the table, two doing homework, one wondering why the damn thing wouldn't load.
Anyway, flash ahead to the ninth inning. With the Middle Schooler finishing up his work (and finding it more fascinating what everybody was saying on our live blog), we were listening to the ninth inning.
"Remember this! There's only been one no-hitter during the playoffs in baseball history."
"Really, only one?" said the 11-year old.
So, we sat there and listened to the outs, when the final out was recorded I pushed the computer away and high-fived my partner at the table.
Sure, it was only a moment, but it felt pretty neat.

Rise and Shine --- October

Good Morning and welcome to the cold, rain and clouds!

So, when October hit Friday, I started thinking about the upcoming winter, how much the heat is going to cost and if the Phillies can make it back to the World Series.
Saturday, though, I was bombarded with other thoughts.
"Daddy, it's the first day of Halloween," said a 5-year old I know.
Well, OK, it's getting closer, but we have a whole month to go.
"Can we go on a hayride?"
Sure, but let's wait until maybe next week.
"But I love hayrides."
Yeah, they are fun, but you just went on one, let's figure something else to do.
"Hayride, hayride, hayride!"
Hey, wait, there's an art festival we can check out. You can make your own Halloween costume.
"OK, but then we can go on a hayride?"
We'll see.
"That means No!"
No, that means we'll see how the day goes on. Let's get started and we'll figure it out.
"OK."
So, I was able to push off the hayride for at least week, but it's not going to last.
Sunday morning, the question came again: "Daddy, it's a nice day, can we go on a hayride."
Having to work Sunday (thanks to the Eagles) made it impossible to do Sunday, but I know the requests will come all week.
I also know Saturday night I'll be picking hay out of my shoes.