Hi there. Well here we are nearing the end of 2011 and looking forward to 2012. Personally 2011 like most years for me its had its peaks and valleys, and for once I would like a year that has nothing but peaks the size of Mount Everest and doesn't dip down into Death Valley.
Over the Christmas holiday I did practice safe skyping (I am the national spokesman, remember?) and there was no back trouble this year. Sorry Dr. MacNaughton, I'll be in for my regular treatment next week. As for my gifts. A nice selection of gift cards, some clothes I don't have to buy and a new toy. A digital camera. I don't have to borrow Mike's now. He got a new camera for Christmas too. Now he has two old cameras in case someone else needs to borrow one. I also got to spend part of my Christmas Eve with my friends after Combat class at Core. They're like extended family and I love spending any time with them.
O.K. its the final week of Upset Specials and currently we are 3 for 4 with last weeks picks. Wins for NC State in the Belk Bowl, and both the Vikings and Bills delivered victories on Christmas Eve. The lone loss came from Western Michigan. Since I'm typing this entry before the Notre Dame plays Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl we won't know the outcome yet. This week, go with this 3 pack of bowl games. Cincinnati over Vandy in the Liberty Bowl, Clemson over W.Virginia in the Orange Bowl, and Va Tech over Michigan in the Sugar Bowl. Now for the pro upset specials. Houston as home underdogs beating the Titans, and the Chargers on the road beating Da Raiders at the Black Hole.
I'd feel a lot better about the Giants chances Sunday night against the Cowboys if the game was being played in Dallas. Why do I have this strange feeling that another embarrassing home clunker loss is going to happen.
I'm a huge fan of Bill Maher, but he lost a ton of my respect with a tweet of his regarding Tim Tebow's 4 interception performance against the Bills. It ranked up there with Hank Williams comments on Fox News. It was down right wrong. Look, I admit to being not the most spiritual person on the planet. However, I respect and admire people who do believe and are passionate about their faith. I just want that same respect back for my non belief instead of getting dirty looks and having theology lectures forced down my throat about how someone should be my personal savior. The other thing I found out about Bill Maher that he's a big time member of that idiotic animal rights group whom I despise.
Kimmy K and Kris Humphries shouldn't feel so bad anymore that their sham of a reality show marriage lasted only 74 days. One hit wonder Sinead O'Connor tied the knot for the 3rd time and it lasted only 18 days. She is quoted as saying, "I knew I had made a mistake 3 hours into it." No comment.
I've been working out over at the other gym I belong to this week and saw the photo shoot in Maxim magazine of Jenni "J-Woww" Farley from Jersey Shore. She's got a stunning body and great looks, but that smile. Ugghh! Her picture is next to the definition of, "dumb brunette." in Webster's dictionary.
Now for the New Years resolutions. I'm trying to narrow it down to about 5, maybe 6. There's always the, "Big 3." Save more money. Lose weight, and eat healthier. I have one challenge resolution. Being less sarcastic. I've been told that sarcasm is a form of anger. If this is true, I'm one really angry individual. That one is going to be tough. The humor in this blog is built on sarcastic remarks about the world around me. I like getting those little digs on people because, well they can be...stupid.
Here's to a safe, healthy and prosperous 2012. I've got thank you cards to write...Leccese out.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
I've been named a national spokesman and Christmas Wishes from the Greenhouse Effect
Hi there and from all of the staff at The Greenhouse Effect to all my friends and loyal readers, nothing but the best for your Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah celebrations. I'll have another edition that involve new years resolutions next week.
First upset specials. A perfect 2 for 2 last week with the Colts and Seahawks coming up in the "W" column. A couple of bowl predictions. NC State in the Belk Bowl, Western Michigan in the Little Caesar's Bowl and the Golden Domers over Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. Now for another pair of pro upset specials. Take the Bills at home over the Broncos and Tim Tebow, and your second is the Vikes on the road over the Redskins in DC.
Yes indeed its true, I've be named the national spokesman for a serious problem that occurs during the holidays. We all know about injuries and the rare fatality that occurs putting up the Christmas tree or elaborate outdoor light displays. I'm hear as National spokesman to preach the importance of safe Skyping. That's right injuries that can happen by video conferencing during the holidays. After injuring my lower back Skyping last Christmas, I was chosen to protect and warn those who intend to Skype the holidays the importance of sitting comfortably and relaxed so visits to the hospital emergency room or chiropractor won't take place. So make sure you have plenty of leg room, a comfortable chair or floor to sit in or on, and be properly hydrated with an appropriate beverage while celebrating the holidays in front of your video camera hooked up to or already in your laptop. It could save a life, mainly yours.
Other things. The Packers losing to the Chiefs. Nobody and I mean nobody saw that one coming. Even the Chiefs fans had marked that one in the loss column.
Shawn Marion of the Dallas Mavericks wants to be referred to as, "World Champion." I prefer one of the scrubs who play with Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.
So you want to own a piece of a sports team? Here's two options. Buy a 4 percent share of the Mets for 20 millions dollars, or for the bargain price of only $250.00 plus a $25.00 handling fee, own a share of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are the better investment even though you really don't actually "own" a share of the team.
The other night I'm channel surfing and I see the music video for "All I want for Christmas is You" with Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber. For a woman in her early 40's who had twins, she lost that baby weight gain really well and looks phenomenal. Justin Bieber is only just 17 and some of the flirting that takes place in the video...well female teachers have been arrested for doing less with a male student.
Next week, fill in work for the Morning Club. Enjoy your holiday and remember to always practice safe Skyping...Leccese out.
First upset specials. A perfect 2 for 2 last week with the Colts and Seahawks coming up in the "W" column. A couple of bowl predictions. NC State in the Belk Bowl, Western Michigan in the Little Caesar's Bowl and the Golden Domers over Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. Now for another pair of pro upset specials. Take the Bills at home over the Broncos and Tim Tebow, and your second is the Vikes on the road over the Redskins in DC.
Yes indeed its true, I've be named the national spokesman for a serious problem that occurs during the holidays. We all know about injuries and the rare fatality that occurs putting up the Christmas tree or elaborate outdoor light displays. I'm hear as National spokesman to preach the importance of safe Skyping. That's right injuries that can happen by video conferencing during the holidays. After injuring my lower back Skyping last Christmas, I was chosen to protect and warn those who intend to Skype the holidays the importance of sitting comfortably and relaxed so visits to the hospital emergency room or chiropractor won't take place. So make sure you have plenty of leg room, a comfortable chair or floor to sit in or on, and be properly hydrated with an appropriate beverage while celebrating the holidays in front of your video camera hooked up to or already in your laptop. It could save a life, mainly yours.
Other things. The Packers losing to the Chiefs. Nobody and I mean nobody saw that one coming. Even the Chiefs fans had marked that one in the loss column.
Shawn Marion of the Dallas Mavericks wants to be referred to as, "World Champion." I prefer one of the scrubs who play with Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.
So you want to own a piece of a sports team? Here's two options. Buy a 4 percent share of the Mets for 20 millions dollars, or for the bargain price of only $250.00 plus a $25.00 handling fee, own a share of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are the better investment even though you really don't actually "own" a share of the team.
The other night I'm channel surfing and I see the music video for "All I want for Christmas is You" with Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber. For a woman in her early 40's who had twins, she lost that baby weight gain really well and looks phenomenal. Justin Bieber is only just 17 and some of the flirting that takes place in the video...well female teachers have been arrested for doing less with a male student.
Next week, fill in work for the Morning Club. Enjoy your holiday and remember to always practice safe Skyping...Leccese out.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Chocolate chips or no chocolate chips in the banana bread? To that question an answer I seek.
Hi there. 9 days til Christmas and most of my shopping is done. I told you gift cards and specialty food items found in catalogs are the way to go. Just got to pick up something for my parents and a few stocking stuffers and Santa Kenny is done. Don't ask me to help with wrapping, its not a strong point. Remember that takes co-ordination and I'm not that. Putting on tags, that I can do and plus I write legibly.
Upset specials time and I was a perfect 0 for 2 last week. Now for another pair of pro upset specials. Next week starts college bowl predictions. First upset special is the Colts actually winning a game and beating the Titans at home. Second upset special. The Seahawks go into Chicago and beat the Bears who are without their starting qb Jay Cutler, top rusher Matt Forte, and now a wide out named Sam Hurd who got busted with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
Ndamukong Suh and James Harrison. You just don't get it now do you? What color is the sky in your world?
I've been quiet on the Jerry Sandusky and Bernie Fine cases for good reason, but now after these two latest revelations. It is time write something. Yesterday, one of Sandusky's attorney's actually said that a reason he was in the shower with those boys was to teach them to properly use soap on their body. The legendary basketball coach Abe Lemon once said, "You know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him Doctor." After hearing that statement I might have to change that to law school and lawyer. As for Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, they lost a lot of credibility in my opinion when Gloria Allred was by their side as council when they announced the defamation suit against Syracuse University and Jim Boeheim. She is without a shadow of a doubt the highest profile ambulance chasing lawyer in history.
Now that we're into high school basketball and hockey seasons, I took a look at the offensive numbers the Argyle Scots boys team have put up in their first 3 games. 92, 82, and 81 points. Impressive. The last time I saw team put up numbers like that, a certain number 32 who now plays for the Sacramento Kings was playing for Glens Falls High.
Ben Flajnick is the new "Bachelor." He turned down a date with Jennifer Love Hewitt! What are you nuts? Your man card deserves to be revoked for that one. If I was married or in a relationship and Jennifer Love Hewitt asked me out; I'd ask my wife or girlfriend for a hall pass to take advantage of that opportunity.
Kris Humphries goes on Good America thinking he was going to talk about his mom's cookie baking. Most of the talk was about his failed 74 day marriage to "you know who." He was slightly offended and a little upset. What did you think was the interview going to be about? The state of the NBA collective bargaining agreement talks or your true feelings about the Nets moving to Brooklyn next year?
So the NBA rejected the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers, but David Stern approved a deal to send him to the Clippers! LIfe isn't so bad after all.
Jennifer Aniston was named sexiest woman of all time in a recent edition of Men's Health magazine. If she's lucky, she's sneaks in at 9 or 10 on a good day.
Time Magazine named "The Protestor" as its "Man of the Year." That doesn't change my feelings towards those ones who are always around Centennial Circle on Sunday or on occasion in front of Congressman Gibson's office. Get a life!
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Howard Stern is replacing Piers Morgan as a judge on, "America's Got Talent."
Finally a British girl threatened to kill Santa and his reindeer if she didn't get at least two things on her Christmas list. Her mother said her daughter can be a little demanding at times. You think?
I want to bring in homemade banana bread for my fellow combat warriors after class Tuesday morning. So, should I add the chocolate chips or not?...Leccese out.
Upset specials time and I was a perfect 0 for 2 last week. Now for another pair of pro upset specials. Next week starts college bowl predictions. First upset special is the Colts actually winning a game and beating the Titans at home. Second upset special. The Seahawks go into Chicago and beat the Bears who are without their starting qb Jay Cutler, top rusher Matt Forte, and now a wide out named Sam Hurd who got busted with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
Ndamukong Suh and James Harrison. You just don't get it now do you? What color is the sky in your world?
I've been quiet on the Jerry Sandusky and Bernie Fine cases for good reason, but now after these two latest revelations. It is time write something. Yesterday, one of Sandusky's attorney's actually said that a reason he was in the shower with those boys was to teach them to properly use soap on their body. The legendary basketball coach Abe Lemon once said, "You know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him Doctor." After hearing that statement I might have to change that to law school and lawyer. As for Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, they lost a lot of credibility in my opinion when Gloria Allred was by their side as council when they announced the defamation suit against Syracuse University and Jim Boeheim. She is without a shadow of a doubt the highest profile ambulance chasing lawyer in history.
Now that we're into high school basketball and hockey seasons, I took a look at the offensive numbers the Argyle Scots boys team have put up in their first 3 games. 92, 82, and 81 points. Impressive. The last time I saw team put up numbers like that, a certain number 32 who now plays for the Sacramento Kings was playing for Glens Falls High.
Ben Flajnick is the new "Bachelor." He turned down a date with Jennifer Love Hewitt! What are you nuts? Your man card deserves to be revoked for that one. If I was married or in a relationship and Jennifer Love Hewitt asked me out; I'd ask my wife or girlfriend for a hall pass to take advantage of that opportunity.
Kris Humphries goes on Good America thinking he was going to talk about his mom's cookie baking. Most of the talk was about his failed 74 day marriage to "you know who." He was slightly offended and a little upset. What did you think was the interview going to be about? The state of the NBA collective bargaining agreement talks or your true feelings about the Nets moving to Brooklyn next year?
So the NBA rejected the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers, but David Stern approved a deal to send him to the Clippers! LIfe isn't so bad after all.
Jennifer Aniston was named sexiest woman of all time in a recent edition of Men's Health magazine. If she's lucky, she's sneaks in at 9 or 10 on a good day.
Time Magazine named "The Protestor" as its "Man of the Year." That doesn't change my feelings towards those ones who are always around Centennial Circle on Sunday or on occasion in front of Congressman Gibson's office. Get a life!
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Howard Stern is replacing Piers Morgan as a judge on, "America's Got Talent."
Finally a British girl threatened to kill Santa and his reindeer if she didn't get at least two things on her Christmas list. Her mother said her daughter can be a little demanding at times. You think?
I want to bring in homemade banana bread for my fellow combat warriors after class Tuesday morning. So, should I add the chocolate chips or not?...Leccese out.
Friday, December 9, 2011
It could have been worse and its only a water heater
Hi there. Well here we are a little over 2 weeks away from Christmas. I still haven't done any shopping, except for that one gift for my Mom. How hard it is to buy gift cards anyway? Except what kind of a gift card do you give to a 6 year old?
So Wednesday night I get home knowing there might be 6 inches of snow overnight into Thursday morning. I parked my SUV down by my mail box at the bottom of the hill where I live thinking my folks are not around and it will be easy for my plow guy to get rid of all the snow on my driveway. Get home, drop the briefcase and head for my bedroom. Took one step and realized, "Houston ,we have a problem." Water heater dies and floods my bedroom. Called my contractor up, he pays an emergency visit. I've got the water shut off, a hose draining the remaining water from the tank, and a shop vac working overtime sucking up water. My Dad gets home and the two of us spent parts of the night and yesterday morning tearing up and removing the soaking wet carpet and padding. My room now looks like the Hits studio after the morning show gets done. The good news is damage was limited to just that one room and I get to pick out new carpet and maybe I'll paint the room over too.
Upset specials time. Not a good week. Another 1 for 3 week. Only winner Clemson. This week a pair of pros til bowl season kicks off. First Buffalo goes on the road to San Diego and knocks off the "not so super Chargers." Second upset special Vikings on the road in Detroit beating the Lions and I have no clue why they will.
Last weeks Giants/Packers game was one of those 15 round championship heavyweight fights from the past and in the end the champs had one more punch left in them to stay unbeaten.
Tim Tebow. In football, we are so obsessed with the "6ft 3 inch white stud with the cannon for an arm" or the "6ft 4 inch black american athletic quarterback who does everything and is like Houdini when he escapes the pocket and makes a big play type" qb. When the unorthodox types like Tim Tebow comes along, its like the space time continuum becomes screwed up. Look the guy wins and that's all that matters. Ugly wins isn't a stat. Who cares if he's passionate about his faith.
Bobby Valentine named manager of the RedSox. The media in Boston got an early Xmas present this year.
Another messing with the space time continuum. The Marlins and Angels are the ones who are overpaying for talent and not the Yankees.
Mets fans understand this. The team lost 70 million dollars last year! Jose Reyes wasn't going to take a fair market value contract from the them! The 140 million dollar payroll years didn't work. If I hear the, "but this is New York" or "we're becoming as relevant as the Royals or the Pirates." excuse one more time. Never mind what I'm going to do. I hear it enough from Knicks fans and now it will be why Chris Paul is going to the Lakers and why the Hornets didn't accept 2 bench scrubs and 3 City Dancers for the guard in a trade. My advice to Mets fans is this. Stop worrying about what the guys in the Bronx are doing. They play by a different set of rules than everybody else, O.K? Maybe fiscal responsibility and developing home grown talent will work out.
NHL realignment. Did you see what radical plan was approved by the Board of Governors? Why are the Panthers and Lightning in the same division as the Canadiens and Bruins? Did whomever came up with this solution pass geography? Every time I think Gary Bettman might not be such an idiot after all, he does something stupid like this.
It is just me or as you get older, "The Charlie Brown Christmas" becomes more depressing when you watch it?
If you want to set me off, bring up this topic. Christmas parties. Me not being in attendance at one of these functions is not going bring on one of the seven signs of the apocalypse. I'm not anti-social and I'm not a scrooge. I just can't stand them. I'm not good at small talk and they're not fun. If a sign of the apocalypse does happen though during the festivities, you have my permission to call me up on my cell phone, e-mail me home or work, or chew me out while I'm on the air and tell me I was wrong. Enjoy the weekend and help me with this one. How many different shades of beige are there?..Leccese out.
So Wednesday night I get home knowing there might be 6 inches of snow overnight into Thursday morning. I parked my SUV down by my mail box at the bottom of the hill where I live thinking my folks are not around and it will be easy for my plow guy to get rid of all the snow on my driveway. Get home, drop the briefcase and head for my bedroom. Took one step and realized, "Houston ,we have a problem." Water heater dies and floods my bedroom. Called my contractor up, he pays an emergency visit. I've got the water shut off, a hose draining the remaining water from the tank, and a shop vac working overtime sucking up water. My Dad gets home and the two of us spent parts of the night and yesterday morning tearing up and removing the soaking wet carpet and padding. My room now looks like the Hits studio after the morning show gets done. The good news is damage was limited to just that one room and I get to pick out new carpet and maybe I'll paint the room over too.
Upset specials time. Not a good week. Another 1 for 3 week. Only winner Clemson. This week a pair of pros til bowl season kicks off. First Buffalo goes on the road to San Diego and knocks off the "not so super Chargers." Second upset special Vikings on the road in Detroit beating the Lions and I have no clue why they will.
Last weeks Giants/Packers game was one of those 15 round championship heavyweight fights from the past and in the end the champs had one more punch left in them to stay unbeaten.
Tim Tebow. In football, we are so obsessed with the "6ft 3 inch white stud with the cannon for an arm" or the "6ft 4 inch black american athletic quarterback who does everything and is like Houdini when he escapes the pocket and makes a big play type" qb. When the unorthodox types like Tim Tebow comes along, its like the space time continuum becomes screwed up. Look the guy wins and that's all that matters. Ugly wins isn't a stat. Who cares if he's passionate about his faith.
Bobby Valentine named manager of the RedSox. The media in Boston got an early Xmas present this year.
Another messing with the space time continuum. The Marlins and Angels are the ones who are overpaying for talent and not the Yankees.
Mets fans understand this. The team lost 70 million dollars last year! Jose Reyes wasn't going to take a fair market value contract from the them! The 140 million dollar payroll years didn't work. If I hear the, "but this is New York" or "we're becoming as relevant as the Royals or the Pirates." excuse one more time. Never mind what I'm going to do. I hear it enough from Knicks fans and now it will be why Chris Paul is going to the Lakers and why the Hornets didn't accept 2 bench scrubs and 3 City Dancers for the guard in a trade. My advice to Mets fans is this. Stop worrying about what the guys in the Bronx are doing. They play by a different set of rules than everybody else, O.K? Maybe fiscal responsibility and developing home grown talent will work out.
NHL realignment. Did you see what radical plan was approved by the Board of Governors? Why are the Panthers and Lightning in the same division as the Canadiens and Bruins? Did whomever came up with this solution pass geography? Every time I think Gary Bettman might not be such an idiot after all, he does something stupid like this.
It is just me or as you get older, "The Charlie Brown Christmas" becomes more depressing when you watch it?
If you want to set me off, bring up this topic. Christmas parties. Me not being in attendance at one of these functions is not going bring on one of the seven signs of the apocalypse. I'm not anti-social and I'm not a scrooge. I just can't stand them. I'm not good at small talk and they're not fun. If a sign of the apocalypse does happen though during the festivities, you have my permission to call me up on my cell phone, e-mail me home or work, or chew me out while I'm on the air and tell me I was wrong. Enjoy the weekend and help me with this one. How many different shades of beige are there?..Leccese out.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Greenhouse Effect is a Christmas music free zone
Hi there. O.K. 24 more days til Christmas and now that it's December I can start shopping. However the scrooge in me draws the line at decorating the house for 6 weeks. I dislike having to lug boxes from my garage, rearranging furniture to put up decorations and lights and then wrapping fake garland around my banister and on the mantle of my fireplace. No tree either. I don't send out Christmas cards and I really dislike the year in review letters that come with them. I don't need to be reminded how pathetic and sad my life is by reading a note from someone who's perfect life makes me feel even more inferior.
Upset Specials time boys and girls. Last week was a total loss except for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Fighting Irish over Stanford? Didn't happen. Bears over the Raiders?. Nope. Winnipeg Blue Bombers winning the Grey Cup? Chalk up another in the loss column with that pick. This week is another 4 pack. Pro upset special. Redskins over the J-E-T-S. Now for a, "3 is a magic number" college selections. Regular season game. Colorado State over Wyoming. Big 10 title game: Michigan State over Wisconsin. A.C.C. title game: Clemson over Va Tech.
There wasn't enough Guinness on hand to drown my sorrows after watching both Rutgers and the Giants not show up for their important games with UConn and the Saints. If I was back in Jersey, I would have thought about jumping off the Driscoll Bridge that spans the Raritan River on the Garden State Parkway.
Time to play that great game known as, "You make the call!" O.K. who was the bigger dumb a-- this past weekend in NFL games. Your choices. Ndamukong Suh who did the river dance on the arm of a member of the Packers Thanksgiving day, or the Bills Stevie Johnson who's td celebration acted like Plaxico Burress when he accidentally pulled the trigger. Now you make the call!
If I were an NHL coach, I'd be scared right now after seeing 3 of the fraternity get canned this week.
I don't what bored me more, seeing Sidney Crosby return from his concussions or the NBA coming to a collective bargaining agreement with its players.
Want to know the reason why there is labor peace in Major League Baseball. No Donald Fehr running the mlb players association! Gary Bettman and the NHL is doomed now that Fehr is in charge of the NHLPA and their labor agreement is up after this year.
I know it was nice seeing Kimmy Kardashian doing her part by helping serve thanksgiving dinner to needy folks along with other celebrities in L.A. Personally I think it would have been better time spent if she had been trying to work on her marriage problems. Now we find out that her sister Kourtney is pregnant again. Please just go away all of you with the name Jenner or Kardashian attached to it. That includes you to Bruce!
Just because I'm the Garden Boy doesn't mean I think about it 24/7. I'm getting seed catalogs already along with the endless Christmas catalogs in the mail. Too soon to start think about what to plant in 2012.
You want to what's wrong with the justice system. I'll tell you. The woman from Los Angeles on Black Friday who pepper sprayed anyone who would come near her so they wouldn't get near a video game she wanted to buy won't be charged because she acted in self defense. Point two. The man in Norway won't have to stand trial in the bombing and massacre at that teen camp because he isn't competent to stand trial. He was mentally capable of pulling the trigger and making that bomb, he can face the music. Also I have a feeling that the lunatic who shot those 8 people dead and wounded Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona will also not have to stand trial because he's nutty enough to make a can of mixed nuts jealous. It's not right.
Note to the protesters who claim they are part of the 99 percent. If you spent more time working harder trying to get ahead and less time protesting, there is that chance you could be part of the 1 percent you're complaining and protesting so much about.
I finally went to a Phantoms game Wednesday night. I think the team has potential to be a play-off contender. I have to ask this one question. Do we really need the video boards? I found them to be a distraction. My major gripe is that the scrolling message boards on the top and bottom of the center ice scoreboard are not used at all. I would like to know goal and penalty information not just from Dan announcing it over the P.A. system. The video boards are a waste of money if you ask me. I would have rather the money go to fixing up the locker rooms or a new ice resurfacer, preferably a Zamboni model.
Enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.
Upset Specials time boys and girls. Last week was a total loss except for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Fighting Irish over Stanford? Didn't happen. Bears over the Raiders?. Nope. Winnipeg Blue Bombers winning the Grey Cup? Chalk up another in the loss column with that pick. This week is another 4 pack. Pro upset special. Redskins over the J-E-T-S. Now for a, "3 is a magic number" college selections. Regular season game. Colorado State over Wyoming. Big 10 title game: Michigan State over Wisconsin. A.C.C. title game: Clemson over Va Tech.
There wasn't enough Guinness on hand to drown my sorrows after watching both Rutgers and the Giants not show up for their important games with UConn and the Saints. If I was back in Jersey, I would have thought about jumping off the Driscoll Bridge that spans the Raritan River on the Garden State Parkway.
Time to play that great game known as, "You make the call!" O.K. who was the bigger dumb a-- this past weekend in NFL games. Your choices. Ndamukong Suh who did the river dance on the arm of a member of the Packers Thanksgiving day, or the Bills Stevie Johnson who's td celebration acted like Plaxico Burress when he accidentally pulled the trigger. Now you make the call!
If I were an NHL coach, I'd be scared right now after seeing 3 of the fraternity get canned this week.
I don't what bored me more, seeing Sidney Crosby return from his concussions or the NBA coming to a collective bargaining agreement with its players.
Want to know the reason why there is labor peace in Major League Baseball. No Donald Fehr running the mlb players association! Gary Bettman and the NHL is doomed now that Fehr is in charge of the NHLPA and their labor agreement is up after this year.
I know it was nice seeing Kimmy Kardashian doing her part by helping serve thanksgiving dinner to needy folks along with other celebrities in L.A. Personally I think it would have been better time spent if she had been trying to work on her marriage problems. Now we find out that her sister Kourtney is pregnant again. Please just go away all of you with the name Jenner or Kardashian attached to it. That includes you to Bruce!
Just because I'm the Garden Boy doesn't mean I think about it 24/7. I'm getting seed catalogs already along with the endless Christmas catalogs in the mail. Too soon to start think about what to plant in 2012.
You want to what's wrong with the justice system. I'll tell you. The woman from Los Angeles on Black Friday who pepper sprayed anyone who would come near her so they wouldn't get near a video game she wanted to buy won't be charged because she acted in self defense. Point two. The man in Norway won't have to stand trial in the bombing and massacre at that teen camp because he isn't competent to stand trial. He was mentally capable of pulling the trigger and making that bomb, he can face the music. Also I have a feeling that the lunatic who shot those 8 people dead and wounded Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona will also not have to stand trial because he's nutty enough to make a can of mixed nuts jealous. It's not right.
Note to the protesters who claim they are part of the 99 percent. If you spent more time working harder trying to get ahead and less time protesting, there is that chance you could be part of the 1 percent you're complaining and protesting so much about.
I finally went to a Phantoms game Wednesday night. I think the team has potential to be a play-off contender. I have to ask this one question. Do we really need the video boards? I found them to be a distraction. My major gripe is that the scrolling message boards on the top and bottom of the center ice scoreboard are not used at all. I would like to know goal and penalty information not just from Dan announcing it over the P.A. system. The video boards are a waste of money if you ask me. I would have rather the money go to fixing up the locker rooms or a new ice resurfacer, preferably a Zamboni model.
Enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
It hasn't been the same for a long time. Miss you Uncle Tony and Aunt Jo
Hi there. Here I am on typing away on Thanksgiving before an afternoon with my parents looking out at the bird feeder and hoping the finches and chickadees enjoy their holiday meal that I put out for them. Thanksgiving as a holiday is an afterthought for me now. I miss those days when I would be with my cousins and aunts and uncles in East Hartford Connecticut this time of year. Growing up in a large Italian-American family meant 4 days of eating, drinking, football, card games and as we got older seeing if potential spouses were worthy of joining our big clan. That's one thing I never got to do. Bring a girlfriend to the festivities. I would have loved to have my Uncle Tony give her his approval; or my aunts and female cousins test her toughness. The male cousins would torture, and I mean torture boyfriends as part of the ritual. I now enjoy working on air Thanksgiving morning and just relaxing the rest of the day. It's not the same and hasn't been for a long time.
Enough reminiscing. Upset special time! Split week. Won on the college as Kansas State beat Texas; and lost on the pro with Titans. Here we go. Got a batch of them for you. Pro upset special. No Jay Cutler, no problem for the Bears who are dogs on the road in Oakland. College upset specials. Got 2 for you this week. Big 10 plus two country first where the Golden Gophers of Minnesota are home against the Fightin' Illini of Illinois. Go with Minnesota. Second upset special, I'm thinking Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame going to Palo Alto and beating Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal. The last pick is the annual "Pete Tobey Grey Cup upset special" pick. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeat the BC Lions for the CFL title. It's been a good year for the province of Manitoba. First they get the Jets back, and then they'll win the Grey Cup.
Can we get some good news in college sports? We all know what's going on at Penn State and Syracuse, but it didn't get better. You had the tragedy of Oklahoma State losing its womens' basketball coach and an assistant in a plane crash on a recruiting trip and after an Arkansas game football one of its players was found dead in his dorm room.
I found a good story. He's a walk-on freshman qb at Michigan named Alex Swieca who never played high school football. He actually went to Israel after graduating high school and was playing 8 man a side amateur football while living there for a year before going to college.. He sent a tape to one of the coaches and they are giving him the chance to be a part of the team. I'm rooting for this "Rudy" like kid to climb up the depth charts.
I'm happy for Tiger Woods that he was able win the clinching point for Team U.S.A in the Presidents Cup. Look, I know I've ripped him in the past. I want him to bounce back from his health problems and his marital infidelity. Note to the Ryder Cup selection committee, Freddie Couples has captained Team U.S.A for the past 2 wins in this event and don't you think its about time he deserves a Ryder Cup captaincy.
"Amish hate crimes." It doesn't seem right at all.
Another reason why Tony Bourdain is totally cool and the man. He appeared on "The Simpsons."
Jenny McCarthy is going on Match.com to find a boyfriend. I'm sorry. but she's like Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman. Very attractive, but one scary "I'm not going no where near her" type.
I thought about what female celebrity I would like to date JP and Mags, and its Sofia Vergara from Modern Family. The LA Clippers have a better chance of winning the NBA Championship that I have that ever happening.
Michelle Bachmann got all upset by the music that Jimmy Fallon played when she appeared on his show. Get over it. Lighten up. Be hopeful you might be considered for a cabinet position.
Saw this last weekend. There's an Entemann's cookbook out. If the famous crumb cake recipe is in, I just may have to buy it.
Twilight versus the Muppets this week at the movies. Should be an interesting battle at the box office this weekend.
799 kids were adopted this year. I can't thank you all enough for your continued generosity.
Enjoy the holiday. Go Middletown South Eagles and Rutgers...Leccese out.
Enough reminiscing. Upset special time! Split week. Won on the college as Kansas State beat Texas; and lost on the pro with Titans. Here we go. Got a batch of them for you. Pro upset special. No Jay Cutler, no problem for the Bears who are dogs on the road in Oakland. College upset specials. Got 2 for you this week. Big 10 plus two country first where the Golden Gophers of Minnesota are home against the Fightin' Illini of Illinois. Go with Minnesota. Second upset special, I'm thinking Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame going to Palo Alto and beating Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal. The last pick is the annual "Pete Tobey Grey Cup upset special" pick. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeat the BC Lions for the CFL title. It's been a good year for the province of Manitoba. First they get the Jets back, and then they'll win the Grey Cup.
Can we get some good news in college sports? We all know what's going on at Penn State and Syracuse, but it didn't get better. You had the tragedy of Oklahoma State losing its womens' basketball coach and an assistant in a plane crash on a recruiting trip and after an Arkansas game football one of its players was found dead in his dorm room.
I found a good story. He's a walk-on freshman qb at Michigan named Alex Swieca who never played high school football. He actually went to Israel after graduating high school and was playing 8 man a side amateur football while living there for a year before going to college.. He sent a tape to one of the coaches and they are giving him the chance to be a part of the team. I'm rooting for this "Rudy" like kid to climb up the depth charts.
I'm happy for Tiger Woods that he was able win the clinching point for Team U.S.A in the Presidents Cup. Look, I know I've ripped him in the past. I want him to bounce back from his health problems and his marital infidelity. Note to the Ryder Cup selection committee, Freddie Couples has captained Team U.S.A for the past 2 wins in this event and don't you think its about time he deserves a Ryder Cup captaincy.
"Amish hate crimes." It doesn't seem right at all.
Another reason why Tony Bourdain is totally cool and the man. He appeared on "The Simpsons."
Jenny McCarthy is going on Match.com to find a boyfriend. I'm sorry. but she's like Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman. Very attractive, but one scary "I'm not going no where near her" type.
I thought about what female celebrity I would like to date JP and Mags, and its Sofia Vergara from Modern Family. The LA Clippers have a better chance of winning the NBA Championship that I have that ever happening.
Michelle Bachmann got all upset by the music that Jimmy Fallon played when she appeared on his show. Get over it. Lighten up. Be hopeful you might be considered for a cabinet position.
Saw this last weekend. There's an Entemann's cookbook out. If the famous crumb cake recipe is in, I just may have to buy it.
Twilight versus the Muppets this week at the movies. Should be an interesting battle at the box office this weekend.
799 kids were adopted this year. I can't thank you all enough for your continued generosity.
Enjoy the holiday. Go Middletown South Eagles and Rutgers...Leccese out.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Yoga Mats and McRibs
Hi there. First off thanks to everybody for the continued support of our Adopt A Child program. We'll have close 700 hundred kids adopted in just 2 weeks. Amazing!
Leading off, Upset Specials! 2 for 3 last week with the Pitt Panthers and the Seahawks winning and the lone loss comes at the hand of UCLA. You get 2 this week. College is heading to the Big 12 where I'm liking the K-State Wildcats on the road over the Texas Longhorns. Pro upset special seeing the Titans on the road in Atlanta beating the Falcons.
My favorite player in the NFL maybe Bills receiver David Nelson. Not only is his girlfriend an NFL cheerleader, she's the ultimate rah rah. A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Plus he caught a td pass in last weekends' ass whooping. How cool is that and then you give the ball to her. You dah man David Nelson.
Now for the absurd. My favorite animal rights group (NOT!) hasn't been in the news lately so they've decided to be upset with a video game! Since everyone's favorite plumber Mario uses the suit of some mythical Japanese raccoon/dog like thing, it's like he's wearing fur or killing the mythical Japanese raccoon to wear his skin. I'm getting a migrane just writing this. Also they have this campaign about eating turkey for Thanksgiving using the family dog to make their point. Just poke my eye out with a ice pick please! Enough already! Vegans are evil and there's a reason why we are omnivores!
Speaking of shutting up. Steve Williams, its time to get over Tiger Woods. Stop complaining and whining about your firing. Don't use racially charged comments that expose your bitterness. Find the highest cliff in Christchurch New Zealand and jump.
Another just shut up. Sarah Palin giving her opinion on the Penn State scandal. Stick to letting Tina Fey imitate you.
Do we really need to have "Titanic" coming to theaters in 3-D? We already know the boat sinks in the end and Kate Winslet is hot.
Kozy Shack chocolate or rice pudding. Yummy.
Just when I was getting the craving for a McRib sandwich you find out about azodicarbonamide. It's a flour beaching agent that also happens to be used in making foam plastic gym mats and soles in shoes. I look down while working out and that craving goes away real fast. I'll wait til the Cheddar Melt comes back for a limited time.
Busy weekend ahead. Going to Lake George to watch my friends do the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics on Saturday and Sunday I'll be driving the Hits 95 Nine vehicle in the South Glens Falls holiday parade. Wave to me...Leccese out.
Leading off, Upset Specials! 2 for 3 last week with the Pitt Panthers and the Seahawks winning and the lone loss comes at the hand of UCLA. You get 2 this week. College is heading to the Big 12 where I'm liking the K-State Wildcats on the road over the Texas Longhorns. Pro upset special seeing the Titans on the road in Atlanta beating the Falcons.
My favorite player in the NFL maybe Bills receiver David Nelson. Not only is his girlfriend an NFL cheerleader, she's the ultimate rah rah. A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Plus he caught a td pass in last weekends' ass whooping. How cool is that and then you give the ball to her. You dah man David Nelson.
Now for the absurd. My favorite animal rights group (NOT!) hasn't been in the news lately so they've decided to be upset with a video game! Since everyone's favorite plumber Mario uses the suit of some mythical Japanese raccoon/dog like thing, it's like he's wearing fur or killing the mythical Japanese raccoon to wear his skin. I'm getting a migrane just writing this. Also they have this campaign about eating turkey for Thanksgiving using the family dog to make their point. Just poke my eye out with a ice pick please! Enough already! Vegans are evil and there's a reason why we are omnivores!
Speaking of shutting up. Steve Williams, its time to get over Tiger Woods. Stop complaining and whining about your firing. Don't use racially charged comments that expose your bitterness. Find the highest cliff in Christchurch New Zealand and jump.
Another just shut up. Sarah Palin giving her opinion on the Penn State scandal. Stick to letting Tina Fey imitate you.
Do we really need to have "Titanic" coming to theaters in 3-D? We already know the boat sinks in the end and Kate Winslet is hot.
Kozy Shack chocolate or rice pudding. Yummy.
Just when I was getting the craving for a McRib sandwich you find out about azodicarbonamide. It's a flour beaching agent that also happens to be used in making foam plastic gym mats and soles in shoes. I look down while working out and that craving goes away real fast. I'll wait til the Cheddar Melt comes back for a limited time.
Busy weekend ahead. Going to Lake George to watch my friends do the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics on Saturday and Sunday I'll be driving the Hits 95 Nine vehicle in the South Glens Falls holiday parade. Wave to me...Leccese out.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
23 years later and I'm still here.
Hi there. Well in this entry I'm going to reflect on 23 years of living, working and playing here in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, and Essex counties which is more than half of my 45 years and 9 months and all of my adult life.
Before I hop into the DeLorean with Doc Brown and Marty McFly, I have to give you this weeks Upset Specials! Perfect 4 for 4 last weekend. Now that's what I'm talking about! The Rutgers Scarlet Knights came from behind in the 4th quarter to win in OT, and the other OT thriller saw Nick Saban discover he needs to recruit a kicker as the LSU Tigers beat the Crimson Tide. For the pros, Bengals beat Tennessee and the Giants knocked off the Patriots.
This weeks upset specials go something like this. Three for you. College double shot where I like the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road against Louisville and one from out west, the UCLA Bruins go to Salt Lake City and knock of the Utes of Utah. For the pro, the Seahawks are 6 point dogs at home to the Baltimore Ravens, go with Seattle in this one.
O.K. time to give Eli Manning credit here. I love calling Eli, "Forrest Gump" because he drives me nuts with the same plain dumbfounded look on his face no matter what the situation. However he's not throwing interceptions and he's not screwing up when the play clock is winding down and he's audibilizing at the line of scrimmage and is forced to call a time out. Giants fans, do we miss Steve Smith and Kevin Boss now? I didn't think so. My dad loves Jake Ballard at tight end and Victor Cruz is turning into a player. If this other kid Rhamses Barden can stay healthy along with Manningham and Nicks, the Giants will have as good a young receiving corp as any in the league.
I know I should address the Penn State situation, but not right now.
When did the Marlins find the money to make big free agent offers to Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols, and Mark Buehrle?
Now this Duggar family has 19 kids and they want a 20th? Why? It's time to close the playground or get fixed like they do with male dogs and cats and start shooting only blanks.
If Kimmy Kardashian goes through with this divorce, she says she'll stay away from the dating pool for a year. I think VH1 should offer her a boatload of money for her own dating series like they did for Flavor Flav and Bret Michaels.
I'm still not having any need to watch or listen to New Jersey Nets games just yet. Stay locked out NBA.
I think the Time magazine, "Man of the Year" should be that aircraft carrier that was involved in the Bin Laden capture and got to hold a damm good college basketball game on its flight deck in the same year.
23 years ago in November of 1988, I left the comfort of Holmdel New Jersey and started my radio career in Ticonderoga New York at WIPS and WXTY. I was making real lousy money. Nobody got rich at that place. I worked with a great group. Dan Miner, Mike Douglas, Cass Seeley and a couple others. We were all in our early 20's and just doing what we thought was good, funny, irreverant radio. We didn't know any better. And we were good. X-104 had this signal that could go from Burlington to Rutland and on a clear day you could hear us as far away as Montpelier. There were many days I wanted to quit and go home. It was a culture shock coming from a suburb of NYC. I couldn't find a decent pizza place or bagel shop and I could only get 2 tv stations. Channel 13 in Albany and Channel 3 in Burlington Vermont. Cable wasn't available where I live. That first year also happened to coincide with a little report called, "The Adirondacks in the 21st Century." That was an awful time. Protests, caravans of vehicles that slowed traffic on the Northway driving down to Albany. It wasn't great to be an out of towner looking to join the club. I remember one day watching the bi-centennial parade in Ti and mind you I was driving a Chevy Cavalier with NJ plates on them. Several of the locals were yelling, "Move back to Jersey you bum and leave us alone." I could have quit right then and be back on Jersey soil the next morning. Some how I survived with the help of Dan, the town of Whitehall, UVM hockey on Channel 3 and the Adirondack Redwings. I discovered that Queensbury, Glens Falls and Hudson Falls were a lot like my hometown. Except for the good bagel shop. Washington County with all the farms was like Colts Neck and the towns in the western part of Monmouth County. I thought I'd be staying in the area for 5 to 8 years max. Well I'm still here. Now and then I think about what would I do if that dream job doing sports talk or play by play on the radio in a big market comes my way that would force me to relocate. It would be a tough choice. I've met so many friends who I care about and wouldn't trade for the world. I'd have a hell of a time finding a place to workout at with those same type of classes. Saturday night hockey games at the Civic Center during the winter or a day in Saratoga during track season or Lake George in general. It doesn't get much better than that for me. I'm lucky. However there are still a few things after 23 years that I haven't done yet. Two that come to mind. I never eaten at Massie's Restaurant yet; and I haven't been to either the Hyde Collection or Chapman Museum in Glens Falls to walk around and see their exhibits. Don't you think its about time that I do those things?
As for the area I grew up in. It's now famous because of Snooki, The Sitch, Paulie D, and J-WWOW. So much for Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.
Still craving the cider and donuts from Delicious Orchards on Route 34 in Colts Neck, but luckily I can get those delivered to me when I need a fix...Leccese out.
Before I hop into the DeLorean with Doc Brown and Marty McFly, I have to give you this weeks Upset Specials! Perfect 4 for 4 last weekend. Now that's what I'm talking about! The Rutgers Scarlet Knights came from behind in the 4th quarter to win in OT, and the other OT thriller saw Nick Saban discover he needs to recruit a kicker as the LSU Tigers beat the Crimson Tide. For the pros, Bengals beat Tennessee and the Giants knocked off the Patriots.
This weeks upset specials go something like this. Three for you. College double shot where I like the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road against Louisville and one from out west, the UCLA Bruins go to Salt Lake City and knock of the Utes of Utah. For the pro, the Seahawks are 6 point dogs at home to the Baltimore Ravens, go with Seattle in this one.
O.K. time to give Eli Manning credit here. I love calling Eli, "Forrest Gump" because he drives me nuts with the same plain dumbfounded look on his face no matter what the situation. However he's not throwing interceptions and he's not screwing up when the play clock is winding down and he's audibilizing at the line of scrimmage and is forced to call a time out. Giants fans, do we miss Steve Smith and Kevin Boss now? I didn't think so. My dad loves Jake Ballard at tight end and Victor Cruz is turning into a player. If this other kid Rhamses Barden can stay healthy along with Manningham and Nicks, the Giants will have as good a young receiving corp as any in the league.
I know I should address the Penn State situation, but not right now.
When did the Marlins find the money to make big free agent offers to Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols, and Mark Buehrle?
Now this Duggar family has 19 kids and they want a 20th? Why? It's time to close the playground or get fixed like they do with male dogs and cats and start shooting only blanks.
If Kimmy Kardashian goes through with this divorce, she says she'll stay away from the dating pool for a year. I think VH1 should offer her a boatload of money for her own dating series like they did for Flavor Flav and Bret Michaels.
I'm still not having any need to watch or listen to New Jersey Nets games just yet. Stay locked out NBA.
I think the Time magazine, "Man of the Year" should be that aircraft carrier that was involved in the Bin Laden capture and got to hold a damm good college basketball game on its flight deck in the same year.
23 years ago in November of 1988, I left the comfort of Holmdel New Jersey and started my radio career in Ticonderoga New York at WIPS and WXTY. I was making real lousy money. Nobody got rich at that place. I worked with a great group. Dan Miner, Mike Douglas, Cass Seeley and a couple others. We were all in our early 20's and just doing what we thought was good, funny, irreverant radio. We didn't know any better. And we were good. X-104 had this signal that could go from Burlington to Rutland and on a clear day you could hear us as far away as Montpelier. There were many days I wanted to quit and go home. It was a culture shock coming from a suburb of NYC. I couldn't find a decent pizza place or bagel shop and I could only get 2 tv stations. Channel 13 in Albany and Channel 3 in Burlington Vermont. Cable wasn't available where I live. That first year also happened to coincide with a little report called, "The Adirondacks in the 21st Century." That was an awful time. Protests, caravans of vehicles that slowed traffic on the Northway driving down to Albany. It wasn't great to be an out of towner looking to join the club. I remember one day watching the bi-centennial parade in Ti and mind you I was driving a Chevy Cavalier with NJ plates on them. Several of the locals were yelling, "Move back to Jersey you bum and leave us alone." I could have quit right then and be back on Jersey soil the next morning. Some how I survived with the help of Dan, the town of Whitehall, UVM hockey on Channel 3 and the Adirondack Redwings. I discovered that Queensbury, Glens Falls and Hudson Falls were a lot like my hometown. Except for the good bagel shop. Washington County with all the farms was like Colts Neck and the towns in the western part of Monmouth County. I thought I'd be staying in the area for 5 to 8 years max. Well I'm still here. Now and then I think about what would I do if that dream job doing sports talk or play by play on the radio in a big market comes my way that would force me to relocate. It would be a tough choice. I've met so many friends who I care about and wouldn't trade for the world. I'd have a hell of a time finding a place to workout at with those same type of classes. Saturday night hockey games at the Civic Center during the winter or a day in Saratoga during track season or Lake George in general. It doesn't get much better than that for me. I'm lucky. However there are still a few things after 23 years that I haven't done yet. Two that come to mind. I never eaten at Massie's Restaurant yet; and I haven't been to either the Hyde Collection or Chapman Museum in Glens Falls to walk around and see their exhibits. Don't you think its about time that I do those things?
As for the area I grew up in. It's now famous because of Snooki, The Sitch, Paulie D, and J-WWOW. So much for Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.
Still craving the cider and donuts from Delicious Orchards on Route 34 in Colts Neck, but luckily I can get those delivered to me when I need a fix...Leccese out.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Didn't see the Great Pumpkin again. You think it could at least happen just once,
Hi there. Well another Halloween has passed and another year sitting in a pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin to come. What happened, nothing. I even went to the guy in Chestertown who grows those 500 to 600 pound pumpkins and waited in his pumpkin patch. He also happened to be the contractor who finished some home renovations at the Leccese compound. I didn't want to get arrested for loitering.
O.K. on to other things. Like what happened last week. I had originally planned a special Halloween entry called, "Trick or Treat" ghost written by that highly respected radio personality Dan Miner. With all the stuff going on here at the radio ranch at 128 Glen Street, Dan was unable to find the time write it. But never fear loyal readers, Dan will take over "The Greenhouse Effect" in the near future.
Since we missed out on Upset Specials last week, we're doubling up this week and giving you 2 college and 2 pro. I am also using both my once a year Rutgers and Giants upset specials. For the college, first upset special I'm going with the Scarlet Knights to knock off "Da Bulls" of South Florida. Second college upset special. The big game this week in Tuscaloosa Alabama where Nick Saban's former team the LSU Tigers will roll tide over his current Alabama team. Now for the pros. First pro game, Giants over the Patriots in Foxboro or Foxborough which ever way you spell it. Second upset special, I like the Cincinnati Bengals on the road to beat the Tennessee Titans. Andy Dalton is doing an impressive job of making Bengal fans forget Carson Palmer and Chad 85.
For the longest time I have been the ultimate supporter and voice for Big East football, Now after West Virginia's defection to the Big 12, my opinion has changed and Big East football should be allowed to die with dignity. Pull the plug now. Let Rutgers, Louisville, UConn, South Florida and Cincinnati go to other conferences to play football and the other sports while the Big East should stick to being a basketball conference featuring those nice catholic schools like St.John's and Georgetown.
Note to NBA Commissioner David Stern. Tell players association head Billy Hunter that the work stoppage will only end when he says "Jump" and the reply is, "How High" and then Derek Fisher gets on his knees, kisses Stern's feet and goes to the commish, "we're not worthy." Make the rank and file suffer big time.
The fences are being moved in at CitiField to make it more home run friendly and the color of the outfield wall will change from "soot" to blue like it was at Shea Stadium. To quote Dan Miner, "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone." No matter how much make-up or cosmetic changes you make to it, CitiField will always be one ugly ballpark.
What idiot schedule maker puts the Giants and Jets playing on the road the same weekend and the Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers playing at home on the same weekend. Doesn't make any sense.
In other news, the Khardashian/Humphries marriage lasted all of 74 days. It was doomed from the start! Not because of irreconcilable differences. Marriage is a 24/7 job! When you put together a wedding in 85 days and it's a 2 hour tv special, that's no way to begin. How can you start a life together and get to know someone when you're living with tv cameras in your face. Your first place isn't some nice loft apartment or starter home, it's a hotel suite that you share with your sister in law, her bratty kid, and boyfriend so the missus has another tv show to keep her 15 minutes of fame going a bit longer. Might as well have the divorce attorney's on speed dial with the pre-nup in a brief case attached with hand cuffs or living in Bruce and Kris Jenner's guest home.
Add the "X-Factor" to the endless list of mind numbing reality tv series that make me want to have my stomach pumped so I don't hurl. I thought my mother was a really intelligent person until I saw that she watches all that crap. And she does running commentary while the shows are on too!
I don't think Jeff Dunham is funny. He reminds me of one of those bad kiddie show hosts who pays to be on public access once or twice a week.
Why is everybody hating Nickelback all of a sudden? First fans of the Winnipeg Jets were upset that they played at the teams' home opening celebration in the city. Now Lions fans are angry because they'll be performing at halftime during its annual Thanksgiving game. It could be worse you know. Kelly Clarkson or Justin Bieber might be the halftime entertainment.
Good thing I'm not a current student at my alma mater Franklin Pierce in Rindge, New Hampshire. The neighboring towns of Jaffrey and Peterborough got 22 and 31 inches of SNOW during last weekends' storms.
Freak exile officially ended Monday when I became a member of Core, 2 months ahead of schedule. Time to get the Les Mills groove back in me with some Combat and Pump classes. Also want to try CXWorx.
Another high school football season ended last weekend for us on WWSC with losses by Queensbury and Ft.Edward in the sectional semi-finals. One last football note. The way Warrensburg was playing at the end of this season, I wouldn't want to have played them if they were in the play-offs. They could beat you up and wear you down physically like Queensbury does when the Spartans run that same double wing offense to perfection.
Got to figure out what to do with my Saturday afternoons' now until hockey and basketball seasons begin next month...Leccese out.
O.K. on to other things. Like what happened last week. I had originally planned a special Halloween entry called, "Trick or Treat" ghost written by that highly respected radio personality Dan Miner. With all the stuff going on here at the radio ranch at 128 Glen Street, Dan was unable to find the time write it. But never fear loyal readers, Dan will take over "The Greenhouse Effect" in the near future.
Since we missed out on Upset Specials last week, we're doubling up this week and giving you 2 college and 2 pro. I am also using both my once a year Rutgers and Giants upset specials. For the college, first upset special I'm going with the Scarlet Knights to knock off "Da Bulls" of South Florida. Second college upset special. The big game this week in Tuscaloosa Alabama where Nick Saban's former team the LSU Tigers will roll tide over his current Alabama team. Now for the pros. First pro game, Giants over the Patriots in Foxboro or Foxborough which ever way you spell it. Second upset special, I like the Cincinnati Bengals on the road to beat the Tennessee Titans. Andy Dalton is doing an impressive job of making Bengal fans forget Carson Palmer and Chad 85.
For the longest time I have been the ultimate supporter and voice for Big East football, Now after West Virginia's defection to the Big 12, my opinion has changed and Big East football should be allowed to die with dignity. Pull the plug now. Let Rutgers, Louisville, UConn, South Florida and Cincinnati go to other conferences to play football and the other sports while the Big East should stick to being a basketball conference featuring those nice catholic schools like St.John's and Georgetown.
Note to NBA Commissioner David Stern. Tell players association head Billy Hunter that the work stoppage will only end when he says "Jump" and the reply is, "How High" and then Derek Fisher gets on his knees, kisses Stern's feet and goes to the commish, "we're not worthy." Make the rank and file suffer big time.
The fences are being moved in at CitiField to make it more home run friendly and the color of the outfield wall will change from "soot" to blue like it was at Shea Stadium. To quote Dan Miner, "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone." No matter how much make-up or cosmetic changes you make to it, CitiField will always be one ugly ballpark.
What idiot schedule maker puts the Giants and Jets playing on the road the same weekend and the Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers playing at home on the same weekend. Doesn't make any sense.
In other news, the Khardashian/Humphries marriage lasted all of 74 days. It was doomed from the start! Not because of irreconcilable differences. Marriage is a 24/7 job! When you put together a wedding in 85 days and it's a 2 hour tv special, that's no way to begin. How can you start a life together and get to know someone when you're living with tv cameras in your face. Your first place isn't some nice loft apartment or starter home, it's a hotel suite that you share with your sister in law, her bratty kid, and boyfriend so the missus has another tv show to keep her 15 minutes of fame going a bit longer. Might as well have the divorce attorney's on speed dial with the pre-nup in a brief case attached with hand cuffs or living in Bruce and Kris Jenner's guest home.
Add the "X-Factor" to the endless list of mind numbing reality tv series that make me want to have my stomach pumped so I don't hurl. I thought my mother was a really intelligent person until I saw that she watches all that crap. And she does running commentary while the shows are on too!
I don't think Jeff Dunham is funny. He reminds me of one of those bad kiddie show hosts who pays to be on public access once or twice a week.
Why is everybody hating Nickelback all of a sudden? First fans of the Winnipeg Jets were upset that they played at the teams' home opening celebration in the city. Now Lions fans are angry because they'll be performing at halftime during its annual Thanksgiving game. It could be worse you know. Kelly Clarkson or Justin Bieber might be the halftime entertainment.
Good thing I'm not a current student at my alma mater Franklin Pierce in Rindge, New Hampshire. The neighboring towns of Jaffrey and Peterborough got 22 and 31 inches of SNOW during last weekends' storms.
Freak exile officially ended Monday when I became a member of Core, 2 months ahead of schedule. Time to get the Les Mills groove back in me with some Combat and Pump classes. Also want to try CXWorx.
Another high school football season ended last weekend for us on WWSC with losses by Queensbury and Ft.Edward in the sectional semi-finals. One last football note. The way Warrensburg was playing at the end of this season, I wouldn't want to have played them if they were in the play-offs. They could beat you up and wear you down physically like Queensbury does when the Spartans run that same double wing offense to perfection.
Got to figure out what to do with my Saturday afternoons' now until hockey and basketball seasons begin next month...Leccese out.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The stitches are out of my mouth and Upset Specials
Hi there. It's been pretty much a quiet week, but I do have a couple of observations plus you get your Upset Specials. First the Upset Specials. Last week 1 for 2. Win on the UConn Huskies, lost on the Carolina Panthers. So this week to change up things, we'll start with the pro, where I see the J-E-T-S beating the San Diego Chargers. Now for your college, and in the battle for Kansas I'm going with the Jayhawks to beat the K-State Wildcats at home in Lawrence.
On to other things. For once I'm going to defend Rex Ryan. His latest controversy revolves around him saying that he would have won a couple of Super Bowl rings if he had gotten the Chargers Head Coaching job over Norv Turner. Good for him. If you actually listened to everything he said, he went out of his way to compliment Turner and Bolts GM A.J. Smith for the job they've done. What was he supposed to say, "I wasn't worthy of the gig and they chose the right guy?"
Sportsmanship or no sportsmanship, the whole Jim Harbaugh/Jim Schwartz post game handshake tussle was totally overblown. I don't think coaches should have to shake hands after a game. The players yes. If you lost, would you want to go out to mid field and shake the hand of the guy who beat you? This was not high school, pee-wee or college.
I wonder what intellectually challenged individual at the NHL made the decision to put the jersey numbers of its players on the front of the helmets this year. It looks stupid! Probably the same guy who decided that this area is the broadcast territory of the Buffalo Sabres.
As far as I'm concerned the NBA can stay in a work stoppage until the end of eternity or until I meet a woman and end up in a serious relationship. Which ever comes first.
Dan Wheldon's death was a horrible tragedy to a really good guy and classy individual. We all know the risk involved getting behind the wheel of one of those cars. Before we do anything crazy, let calmer heads prevail and we all can work together to make every aspect of racing safer from the cars, to the tracks so it doesn't happen again.
After seeing Lindsey Lohan in court the other day, I thought that is one messed up individual who has a lot of demons she needs to get out of her life and get her head back on straight.
Went to Core last Saturday during their official Grand Opening and it was nice to see that they adopted the colors of the Houston Oilers for their logo. Luv ya Blue! Just kidding! Felt real good to be back with my friends and the gym freaks again.
My niece Morgan Pavlot turns 6 years old Monday. Happy Birthday kiddo! Remember to share your Halloween candy with Mommy (who's my sister) O.K.
If you get a chance, check out and cheer on the athletes competing in the Special Olympics this weekend at different locations in the area.
High School football on WWSC at Fort Edward Saturday afternoon. Hope you can tune in..Leccese out.
On to other things. For once I'm going to defend Rex Ryan. His latest controversy revolves around him saying that he would have won a couple of Super Bowl rings if he had gotten the Chargers Head Coaching job over Norv Turner. Good for him. If you actually listened to everything he said, he went out of his way to compliment Turner and Bolts GM A.J. Smith for the job they've done. What was he supposed to say, "I wasn't worthy of the gig and they chose the right guy?"
Sportsmanship or no sportsmanship, the whole Jim Harbaugh/Jim Schwartz post game handshake tussle was totally overblown. I don't think coaches should have to shake hands after a game. The players yes. If you lost, would you want to go out to mid field and shake the hand of the guy who beat you? This was not high school, pee-wee or college.
I wonder what intellectually challenged individual at the NHL made the decision to put the jersey numbers of its players on the front of the helmets this year. It looks stupid! Probably the same guy who decided that this area is the broadcast territory of the Buffalo Sabres.
As far as I'm concerned the NBA can stay in a work stoppage until the end of eternity or until I meet a woman and end up in a serious relationship. Which ever comes first.
Dan Wheldon's death was a horrible tragedy to a really good guy and classy individual. We all know the risk involved getting behind the wheel of one of those cars. Before we do anything crazy, let calmer heads prevail and we all can work together to make every aspect of racing safer from the cars, to the tracks so it doesn't happen again.
After seeing Lindsey Lohan in court the other day, I thought that is one messed up individual who has a lot of demons she needs to get out of her life and get her head back on straight.
Went to Core last Saturday during their official Grand Opening and it was nice to see that they adopted the colors of the Houston Oilers for their logo. Luv ya Blue! Just kidding! Felt real good to be back with my friends and the gym freaks again.
My niece Morgan Pavlot turns 6 years old Monday. Happy Birthday kiddo! Remember to share your Halloween candy with Mommy (who's my sister) O.K.
If you get a chance, check out and cheer on the athletes competing in the Special Olympics this weekend at different locations in the area.
High School football on WWSC at Fort Edward Saturday afternoon. Hope you can tune in..Leccese out.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Upset Specials and I'm craving a bacon cheeseburger
Hi there. Lots to talk about now that its been 10 days since my dental surgery which consisted of multiple extractions, a bone graft, and a post put in for an implant that takes place in the near future. I actually came out of the surgery feeling that good that I wanted to take a fitness class at Core later that day just 7 hours after being sedated. I've been real careful with my eating and the good thing about having the surgery is that I've lost weight since I have no desire to eat at night and chewing in general still isn't a comfortable experience. I have been craving apple cider donuts or a bacon cheeseburger.
Upset specials first. Another 0 fer weekend. Iowa in Happy Valley, didn't happen. Cardinals beating the Vikes, ditto. First for the college where I'm going to the Big East (and what's left of the football playing schools) where the UConn Huskies are an 8 point underdog at home against the South Florida Bulls. Take the Huskies. Now for your pro upset special. Carolina Panthers knock off the Atlanta Falcons on the road in the Georgia Dome.
Notes on my favorite college and pro football teams. Rutgers first, where for the third straight year, Greg Schiano can't decide on a starting quarterback and he ends playing his back up who has happens to be a true freshman. How can you consistently win when you can't decide who's starting week after week? The defense has been downright nasty in a good way and I am pleased with the 4 and 1 start.
As for the Giants. Credit goes to Boomer Esiason for this observation. The Giants have this bad habit of playing these stinkers at home. Last year Cowboys and Eagles. Last week an embarrassment in the Meadowlands to the Seahawks.
I feel bad for the Colts and their struggles this year without Peyton Manning. I would be loving it more though if Tony Dungy were still coaching them.
As for the Jets and their disfunctional struggles. It's nice to see arrogance humbled.
Whether you loved him or hated him, Al Davis was a football lifer who loved the game, his team and he did it his way. He also was a visionary in the way offense was played and he was a big part of the NFL/AFL merger.
Those baseball picks I made were as bad as my upset specials!
Man am I sick of hearing about Dancin' with the Stars, The X-Factor, and any other lame white trash reality shows that are on tv.
Watched Tim Allen's new show, "Last Man Standing." I was hoping for at least one little grunt for old times sake, especially when he did that vlog thing during the show.
The Big Bang Theory is been spot on really funny this year.
That Toyota Prius commercial where the 18 people come together and create one person is just plain creepy if you ask me.
Maybe I should thank Hank Williams, Jr for comparing President Obama's golf game with John Boehner this past summer to if a German dictator who slaughtered millions of innocent people for their religious beliefs played golf with the Israeli prime minister. We won't have to hear the Monday night football theme ever again. Yes!!!!! Are you ready for some football?! Maybe.
Brandon Kelly, the guy who threw a hot dog a Tiger Woods last weekend while he was putting during a golf tournament over the weekend did it because he wanted to do something "courageous" and "epic." The idea came while watching the movie, "Drive." Stupid is a better word for it.
After hearing about this guy who hacked into about 50 celebrities e-mails, cell phones and other electronic devices, I have to wonder if they arrested him in moms basement typing away on his computer next to a microwave oven and freezer full of Hot Pockets.
When it comes to visionaries, I'd rank the late Steve Jobs up there with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison.
Finally, if you want to experience something truly incredible and meet some great people, stop by 15 East Washington Street Saturday between 7am and 3pm. It's the official Grand Opening of Core and you'll find out why I'm a gym freak. Just to let all the gym freaks know in advance, I have no surprises up my sleeve. No arrangements edible or floral. I did that thing in July when you didn't expect it. However, I will be ending my exile early. It could be as soon as two weeks or a month from now. Just make sure to save me a spot in Combat and Pump classes O.K. guys...Leccese out.
Upset specials first. Another 0 fer weekend. Iowa in Happy Valley, didn't happen. Cardinals beating the Vikes, ditto. First for the college where I'm going to the Big East (and what's left of the football playing schools) where the UConn Huskies are an 8 point underdog at home against the South Florida Bulls. Take the Huskies. Now for your pro upset special. Carolina Panthers knock off the Atlanta Falcons on the road in the Georgia Dome.
Notes on my favorite college and pro football teams. Rutgers first, where for the third straight year, Greg Schiano can't decide on a starting quarterback and he ends playing his back up who has happens to be a true freshman. How can you consistently win when you can't decide who's starting week after week? The defense has been downright nasty in a good way and I am pleased with the 4 and 1 start.
As for the Giants. Credit goes to Boomer Esiason for this observation. The Giants have this bad habit of playing these stinkers at home. Last year Cowboys and Eagles. Last week an embarrassment in the Meadowlands to the Seahawks.
I feel bad for the Colts and their struggles this year without Peyton Manning. I would be loving it more though if Tony Dungy were still coaching them.
As for the Jets and their disfunctional struggles. It's nice to see arrogance humbled.
Whether you loved him or hated him, Al Davis was a football lifer who loved the game, his team and he did it his way. He also was a visionary in the way offense was played and he was a big part of the NFL/AFL merger.
Those baseball picks I made were as bad as my upset specials!
Man am I sick of hearing about Dancin' with the Stars, The X-Factor, and any other lame white trash reality shows that are on tv.
Watched Tim Allen's new show, "Last Man Standing." I was hoping for at least one little grunt for old times sake, especially when he did that vlog thing during the show.
The Big Bang Theory is been spot on really funny this year.
That Toyota Prius commercial where the 18 people come together and create one person is just plain creepy if you ask me.
Maybe I should thank Hank Williams, Jr for comparing President Obama's golf game with John Boehner this past summer to if a German dictator who slaughtered millions of innocent people for their religious beliefs played golf with the Israeli prime minister. We won't have to hear the Monday night football theme ever again. Yes!!!!! Are you ready for some football?! Maybe.
Brandon Kelly, the guy who threw a hot dog a Tiger Woods last weekend while he was putting during a golf tournament over the weekend did it because he wanted to do something "courageous" and "epic." The idea came while watching the movie, "Drive." Stupid is a better word for it.
After hearing about this guy who hacked into about 50 celebrities e-mails, cell phones and other electronic devices, I have to wonder if they arrested him in moms basement typing away on his computer next to a microwave oven and freezer full of Hot Pockets.
When it comes to visionaries, I'd rank the late Steve Jobs up there with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison.
Finally, if you want to experience something truly incredible and meet some great people, stop by 15 East Washington Street Saturday between 7am and 3pm. It's the official Grand Opening of Core and you'll find out why I'm a gym freak. Just to let all the gym freaks know in advance, I have no surprises up my sleeve. No arrangements edible or floral. I did that thing in July when you didn't expect it. However, I will be ending my exile early. It could be as soon as two weeks or a month from now. Just make sure to save me a spot in Combat and Pump classes O.K. guys...Leccese out.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Screw the Buffalo Sabres and Upset Specials
Hi there. Since I'm dealing with recovering from the serious oral surgery I had Wednesday, just a quick edition this weekend. I'll delve more into Hank Williams Jr, Nancy Grace and her flatulence, my disasterous baseball predictions and other stuff next week.
Upset special time and last week was 1 for 3 with the only winner being Clemson. Up first, the college upset special and I like the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road in Happy Valley knocking off Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions of Penn State. For the pro, the Cardinals are a surprising 2 pt dog on the road in Minnesota. I think they rebound from the Giants loss and take out the Vikings.
Hockey kicks off this weekend. Gotta love it. Hey Phantoms fans, you finally happy now that the weekly coaches show will be at some restaurant/bar? Leccese out.
Upset special time and last week was 1 for 3 with the only winner being Clemson. Up first, the college upset special and I like the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road in Happy Valley knocking off Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions of Penn State. For the pro, the Cardinals are a surprising 2 pt dog on the road in Minnesota. I think they rebound from the Giants loss and take out the Vikings.
Hockey kicks off this weekend. Gotta love it. Hey Phantoms fans, you finally happy now that the weekly coaches show will be at some restaurant/bar? Leccese out.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Its October and here's your upset specials!
Hi there. Just think, only 3 more months of til the end of the year. Is it just me or as you get older, time goes by faster? Leading off today's edition, "Opie's Upset Specials!" Last weekend was a split. Temple manhandled the ugly uniformed Maryland Terrapins and the Bears got manhandled by the Packers. This week you get a threesome. Not that kind of threesome! 2 college and 1 pro upset special. First the pro. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a rare underdog on the road against the Houston Texans. Take Big Ben and Hines Ward over the Texans. Now for your college double shot. Big Ten plus 2 leads off and I like the Nebraska Cornhuskers over the Wisconsin "we don't need no stinkin'" Badgers. Second college upset special comes from the ACC plus Pittsburgh and the 'Cuse. I like the Clemson Tigers going to Blacksburg Virginia to knock off the Va Tech Hokies.
So Syracuse's chancellor wants to play some its teams' basketball home games at Madison Square Garden when it joins the ACC. They want to be New York's team. I don't want to be around the campus for the protests by alums and students when the Duke or North Carolina game is moved to the Garden and will not be played in the Carrier Dome.
On to other things. One good thing about being a Mets fan is you get to watch from a distance Yankees and RedSox fans go at it all the time. Kind of sad and pathetic isn't it? Jose Reyes in trying to win the batting title, gets a bunt single in his first time at bat in the first inning and then gets pulled from the game. Nobody was happy about that. Would it have been better if he legged out a triple and got pulled? One more Mets note. GM Sandy Alderson has said the team is considering making major changes to the dimensions of CitiField to make it more hitter friendly. For once I'm keeping my CitiField hating mouth shut on that one. It's too easy.
Divisional play-off predictions. Yankees in 4, Rays in 5, Phils in 3 and the D-Backs in 4.
If Michael Leighton clears waivers and plays for the Phantoms this year, along with Jason Bacashihua that team will have one heck of a goaltending tandem that can carry a team deep in the play-offs.
We're building new studios and offices in Queensbury and one of the things I won't miss about working downtown (next to the parking situation) is seeing all the protestors that seem to gravitate around Centennial Circle. You people need to get a life!
If there was going to be a wardrobe malfuction on Dancing with the Stars, you would hope it would have happened to George Clooney's ex Elisabetta Canalis and not Nancy Grace.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse comes from the fourth hour of the Today show where a different member of the Khardashian family will co-host each day next week. That will be more painful to watch than the dental surgery I'm going to have and experience Wednesday.
Most of my garden has been dug up and my home is getting ready for some renovation work in the next couple of weeks. Football Friday night in Lake George and Saturday at Queensbury high on WWSC. Hope you can either tune in or if you can make it to the game, wave to me in the press box. Happy Birthday to "The Big Whistle" Dave Thomas...Leccese out.
So Syracuse's chancellor wants to play some its teams' basketball home games at Madison Square Garden when it joins the ACC. They want to be New York's team. I don't want to be around the campus for the protests by alums and students when the Duke or North Carolina game is moved to the Garden and will not be played in the Carrier Dome.
On to other things. One good thing about being a Mets fan is you get to watch from a distance Yankees and RedSox fans go at it all the time. Kind of sad and pathetic isn't it? Jose Reyes in trying to win the batting title, gets a bunt single in his first time at bat in the first inning and then gets pulled from the game. Nobody was happy about that. Would it have been better if he legged out a triple and got pulled? One more Mets note. GM Sandy Alderson has said the team is considering making major changes to the dimensions of CitiField to make it more hitter friendly. For once I'm keeping my CitiField hating mouth shut on that one. It's too easy.
Divisional play-off predictions. Yankees in 4, Rays in 5, Phils in 3 and the D-Backs in 4.
If Michael Leighton clears waivers and plays for the Phantoms this year, along with Jason Bacashihua that team will have one heck of a goaltending tandem that can carry a team deep in the play-offs.
We're building new studios and offices in Queensbury and one of the things I won't miss about working downtown (next to the parking situation) is seeing all the protestors that seem to gravitate around Centennial Circle. You people need to get a life!
If there was going to be a wardrobe malfuction on Dancing with the Stars, you would hope it would have happened to George Clooney's ex Elisabetta Canalis and not Nancy Grace.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse comes from the fourth hour of the Today show where a different member of the Khardashian family will co-host each day next week. That will be more painful to watch than the dental surgery I'm going to have and experience Wednesday.
Most of my garden has been dug up and my home is getting ready for some renovation work in the next couple of weeks. Football Friday night in Lake George and Saturday at Queensbury high on WWSC. Hope you can either tune in or if you can make it to the game, wave to me in the press box. Happy Birthday to "The Big Whistle" Dave Thomas...Leccese out.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Off to a good start and Upset Specials
Hi there. Got lots to cover so lets get hit the ground running with Upset Specials. Another 0 for 2 week. Tulsa lost to Oklahoma St in game that due to weather delays didn't finish til 3:35 in the morning! As for the pro, well so far this year the Kansas City Chiefs have been outscored by a combined score of 88 to 10!. First, this weeks college where the Temple Owls almost beat Penn State a couple of weeks ago. This week they get that upset win over the Maryland Terrapins and those ugly uni's they will wear this week! For the pro, this weeks slate of games doesn't blow me away but if I have to pick one, take the Bears as a home underdog to beat the Packers.
Football rules the world and once again we saw it agan has when Texas A@M bolts for the SEC and both Pitt and the 'Cuse leave the Big East for the ACC. The tv money that is passed out for football is mind blowing. If big time college football ever had a play-off. Third world countries could fix their economies with the money that the networks would pay for the rights to those games. I'm not kidding either. I'm unsure what to make of the Big East defections. I sense that somewhere down the road that the football playing schools will leave and the Big East will go back to being just a basketball conference made up of the catholic universities that don't play big time football. It has gotten out of hand and no one is guarding or protecting the cookie jar.
I saw a photo of vandalism that really torked me off. Someone actually stole the glasses off the statue of Ernie Harwell at Comerica Park in Detroit! That is so wrong. In Chicago, at the statue of Harry Caray in front of Wrigley Field, they put open cans of beer in his hand.
I discovered a new addiction online and its called World Golf Tour. They claim its the most life like golf game out there. I'm a believer. I putt as bad on that game as I do when I play real golf!
After seeing Win McMurry in a magazine, I might just have to start watching the Golf Channel and she has an open invite to join one of my foursomes anytime.
Admit it guys, you only watched the Emmy awards show to see what Sofia Vergara from Modern Family was wearing and how hot she was going to look.
I don't get what the big deal is about Will Arnett. Now he's got another new tv show. This time on NBC called Up All Night and it co-stars Christina Applegate.
Both the season premieres of How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory were awesome. I would mention some of the highlights but I don't want to give anything away if John or Dan hasn't seen them yet.
I think I have to find and try a pint of the new Ben and Jerry's flavor, "Schweddy Balls." Just the name itself must make it good.
Did you really think that Ron Artest, a.k.a Metta World Peace was going to win Dancing with the stars did you?
What a crying shame. Bethany Frankel was lost at sea for just only 20 hours. I would have liked it better if were like say... a week or more.
High School football the next two Friday nights in Lake George. Enjoy the weekend. Sending out some hellos to the gym freaks at Core...Leccese out.
Football rules the world and once again we saw it agan has when Texas A@M bolts for the SEC and both Pitt and the 'Cuse leave the Big East for the ACC. The tv money that is passed out for football is mind blowing. If big time college football ever had a play-off. Third world countries could fix their economies with the money that the networks would pay for the rights to those games. I'm not kidding either. I'm unsure what to make of the Big East defections. I sense that somewhere down the road that the football playing schools will leave and the Big East will go back to being just a basketball conference made up of the catholic universities that don't play big time football. It has gotten out of hand and no one is guarding or protecting the cookie jar.
I saw a photo of vandalism that really torked me off. Someone actually stole the glasses off the statue of Ernie Harwell at Comerica Park in Detroit! That is so wrong. In Chicago, at the statue of Harry Caray in front of Wrigley Field, they put open cans of beer in his hand.
I discovered a new addiction online and its called World Golf Tour. They claim its the most life like golf game out there. I'm a believer. I putt as bad on that game as I do when I play real golf!
After seeing Win McMurry in a magazine, I might just have to start watching the Golf Channel and she has an open invite to join one of my foursomes anytime.
Admit it guys, you only watched the Emmy awards show to see what Sofia Vergara from Modern Family was wearing and how hot she was going to look.
I don't get what the big deal is about Will Arnett. Now he's got another new tv show. This time on NBC called Up All Night and it co-stars Christina Applegate.
Both the season premieres of How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory were awesome. I would mention some of the highlights but I don't want to give anything away if John or Dan hasn't seen them yet.
I think I have to find and try a pint of the new Ben and Jerry's flavor, "Schweddy Balls." Just the name itself must make it good.
Did you really think that Ron Artest, a.k.a Metta World Peace was going to win Dancing with the stars did you?
What a crying shame. Bethany Frankel was lost at sea for just only 20 hours. I would have liked it better if were like say... a week or more.
High School football the next two Friday nights in Lake George. Enjoy the weekend. Sending out some hellos to the gym freaks at Core...Leccese out.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Upset Specials and I need an adjustment
Hi there. Well before we get to this weeks Upset Specials which last week we went 0-2 as both Hawaii and the Vikings lost. A couple of things. Will anyone actually be watching the Emmy awards Sunday night? I didn't think so. Also a couple of notes came from one of Tinsletown's favorite actor/actress couples. First was seeing Angelina Jolie wearing a gold handcuff type accessory to her handbag. There's a lot of worse things in life than being handcuffed to Angelina Jolie don't you think? Also Brad Pitt said he made a mistake in marrying Jennifer Anniston. O.K. I would have to disagree, but he has seemed to have rebounded nicely from it. I wonder if Angelina at least got rid of any Billy Bob Thorton references whether it be through having body art removed or that vile of blood that she used to wear around her neck. That was just plain freaky even for vampire standards.
Well we finally have picked some peppers and the potatoes from the garden. I was somewhat disappointed with the yield from the potatoes. As for the peppers, considering that when I started them inside they were doing great. Put them outside to harden and get used to the outside, they were on the verge of, "I guess I'm going to have to replace them and buy a few plants from the local garden store." They came back from the dead and will make a nice early fall harvest along with some leftover eggplant and tomatoes that are still gowing.
I think I'm heading back to the chiropractor for a little treatment on my lower back. It had been feeling great with no problems. Yesterday I go into the gym to get my workout grove back in gear again. I sit down to change my sneakers and something all of a sudden didn't feel right. I think my body is rejecting Global Fitness and wants me join the freaks at Core, LOL.
Thanks to my friend Mark Mulholland for the nice story on Core he did on the local news Thursday night. He discovered what I've known and been around for years. An amazing group of people and I can't wait to be reunited. I think next week my exile will be reduced to under 100 days and counting.
Now for Opie's Upset Specials. First is the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are 8 point dogs on the road in Detroit. Take the Chiefs as they rebound from that home humiliation loss to the Bills and take it all out on the Lions. Now for the college upset special. Three games featuring big time programs with great histories and tradition. Not touching any of those. Last year I picked the Tulsa Golden Hurricane over the Golden Domers of Notre Dame. This week I'm heading to Oklahoma where the wind blows mighty on the plain. Where the air is sweet, it smells like meat. (Oops, sorry I channeled Cloutier for a minute there!) I'm liking Tulsa as a home underdog to beat the Cowboys of Oklahoma State.
I don't what shocked me more in football last week. That Queensbury scored 48 points including 4 td passes in a loss; or the Bills scoring 41 and won on the road against the Chiefs. Football tonight on WWSC from Corinth...Leccese out.
Well we finally have picked some peppers and the potatoes from the garden. I was somewhat disappointed with the yield from the potatoes. As for the peppers, considering that when I started them inside they were doing great. Put them outside to harden and get used to the outside, they were on the verge of, "I guess I'm going to have to replace them and buy a few plants from the local garden store." They came back from the dead and will make a nice early fall harvest along with some leftover eggplant and tomatoes that are still gowing.
I think I'm heading back to the chiropractor for a little treatment on my lower back. It had been feeling great with no problems. Yesterday I go into the gym to get my workout grove back in gear again. I sit down to change my sneakers and something all of a sudden didn't feel right. I think my body is rejecting Global Fitness and wants me join the freaks at Core, LOL.
Thanks to my friend Mark Mulholland for the nice story on Core he did on the local news Thursday night. He discovered what I've known and been around for years. An amazing group of people and I can't wait to be reunited. I think next week my exile will be reduced to under 100 days and counting.
Now for Opie's Upset Specials. First is the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are 8 point dogs on the road in Detroit. Take the Chiefs as they rebound from that home humiliation loss to the Bills and take it all out on the Lions. Now for the college upset special. Three games featuring big time programs with great histories and tradition. Not touching any of those. Last year I picked the Tulsa Golden Hurricane over the Golden Domers of Notre Dame. This week I'm heading to Oklahoma where the wind blows mighty on the plain. Where the air is sweet, it smells like meat. (Oops, sorry I channeled Cloutier for a minute there!) I'm liking Tulsa as a home underdog to beat the Cowboys of Oklahoma State.
I don't what shocked me more in football last week. That Queensbury scored 48 points including 4 td passes in a loss; or the Bills scoring 41 and won on the road against the Chiefs. Football tonight on WWSC from Corinth...Leccese out.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Upset Specials and an unbelievable trip
Hi there. Well its good to be back from a 5 day trip to South Carolina. Perfect weather, had my fill of shrimp and fried oysters (not enough), and some amazing photos I got to take. I also played a lot of golf. The most beautiful golf hole I have ever played is the 9th hole at the Ocean Point golf links on Fripp Island. A par 4 slight dog leg left that makes its way along the Atlantic Ocean. The view from the tee is breathtaking and if you're on the right side of the fairway, the ocean crashing up against the sea wall is killer. If the miracle occurs and I ever get married (don't hold out your hopes for that ever happening LOL!) I want the vows to take place on the 9th green and then have a best ball scramble format reception on that golf course!
I like to compare golf to that pretty girl you like. You talk, get to know her real well and discover you have some things in common. There's a connection. Then just when you're ready to ask her out, she punches you in the gut by telling you she's dating some guy ten times better than you. You become depressed and just when you've given up hope in never seeing or talking to her again, she breaks up with that guy and comes back into your life and the process starts over again. Now for the golf analogy. You think you're playing well and everything is good. Then wham the punch comes! You're spraying drives left and right missing the fairway, mishitting iron shots or missing every putt including the tap in gimmees. And just when you're ready to chuck your clubs into some bottomless lake, you hit a perfect shot on some par three and tap in for birdie. All is good with the world again. It happened to me Wednesday.
Would someone tell Jets coach Rex Ryan to just shut up please! Get some duct tape for that fat a--es mouth and seal it real tight. Look I'm no Cowboys fan, but I'm making an exception Sunday night this one time.
Boy what a rough off season for hockey. First the deaths of enforcers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak; and now the tragedy in Russia where 36 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslav team died in a plane crash earlier this week on their way to their league opener.
Randy Edsall decided to leave UConn to coach at the University of Maryland. He said it was his dream job. Did you see the unis Under Armour gave the Terps to wear in their first game he coached for them? Man those things made anything the Oregon Ducks have been sporting the past few years fashionable and good looking. Talk about double bag ugly! Where's Tim Gunn when you need him?
Finally this weeks, "Opie's Upset Specials." Last week 1 for 2. Won on Northwestern and lost on Fresno State. First the college upset special where Hawaii heads to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Take those Rainbow Warriors who are actually playing at a time most people on the east coast can watch! Now for your first pro upset special. Interconference match up between the Chargers and Vikings in San Diego. I'm not sold on the 'Bolts who Peter King is picking to go the Superbowl against the Falcons. Go with Donovan McNabb and the Vikings in an upset.
Albany Academy at Hudson Falls on Talk 1450 WWSC Saturday at 1:30pm...Leccese out.
I like to compare golf to that pretty girl you like. You talk, get to know her real well and discover you have some things in common. There's a connection. Then just when you're ready to ask her out, she punches you in the gut by telling you she's dating some guy ten times better than you. You become depressed and just when you've given up hope in never seeing or talking to her again, she breaks up with that guy and comes back into your life and the process starts over again. Now for the golf analogy. You think you're playing well and everything is good. Then wham the punch comes! You're spraying drives left and right missing the fairway, mishitting iron shots or missing every putt including the tap in gimmees. And just when you're ready to chuck your clubs into some bottomless lake, you hit a perfect shot on some par three and tap in for birdie. All is good with the world again. It happened to me Wednesday.
Would someone tell Jets coach Rex Ryan to just shut up please! Get some duct tape for that fat a--es mouth and seal it real tight. Look I'm no Cowboys fan, but I'm making an exception Sunday night this one time.
Boy what a rough off season for hockey. First the deaths of enforcers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak; and now the tragedy in Russia where 36 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslav team died in a plane crash earlier this week on their way to their league opener.
Randy Edsall decided to leave UConn to coach at the University of Maryland. He said it was his dream job. Did you see the unis Under Armour gave the Terps to wear in their first game he coached for them? Man those things made anything the Oregon Ducks have been sporting the past few years fashionable and good looking. Talk about double bag ugly! Where's Tim Gunn when you need him?
Finally this weeks, "Opie's Upset Specials." Last week 1 for 2. Won on Northwestern and lost on Fresno State. First the college upset special where Hawaii heads to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Take those Rainbow Warriors who are actually playing at a time most people on the east coast can watch! Now for your first pro upset special. Interconference match up between the Chargers and Vikings in San Diego. I'm not sold on the 'Bolts who Peter King is picking to go the Superbowl against the Falcons. Go with Donovan McNabb and the Vikings in an upset.
Albany Academy at Hudson Falls on Talk 1450 WWSC Saturday at 1:30pm...Leccese out.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The return of Football and Upset Specials
Here I am on the eve of another high school football season and with college kicking off this weekend and the pros next weekend its's time for the long anticipated return of...drum roll please! Opie's Upset Specials! Every week through the college and pro season I will pick two possibly more upsets and the motto is, "Don't bet the ranch, because you'll lose the ranch!" These are fun picks and not for serious betting or gambling purposes. If you listen to me, you have some serious issues and should talk to Dr.Drew Pinsky about this and other things. O.K with the NFL kicking off next Thursday night, I've got 2 college picks for you get you in the football mode. First we head to Chestnut Hill in Boston Mass to the house that Doug Flutie built known as Boston College. They open at home against the Wildcats of Northwestern from the Big 10 plus 2. Take the Wildcats over the Eagles. Second upset special takes us out west where the Bulldogs of Fresno State are 10 point underdogs to the Cal Golden Bears. Like the Bulldogs to beat Cal in this neutral site game being played at Candlestick Park.
First high school football broadcast is tomorrow at Glens Falls High. Glens Falls versus Niskayuna .1:30pm kick off with the pre-game at 1:20 on Talk 1450 WWSC. Looked over the schedule and I have to wonder what did Pat Liverio and the Amsterdam Rugged Rams do to anger the Section 2 scheduling committee? Playing their divisional games in the first 5 weeks. Plus what a tough way to open the season. Queensbury, Burnt Hills on the road and then Glens Falls. Well if you don't how good your team is going to be at the start of the year, this a good way to find out real fast.
Heading to South Carolina on Sunday for a couple days of rest, golf and some good seafood. Enjoy the long weekend...Leccese out!
First high school football broadcast is tomorrow at Glens Falls High. Glens Falls versus Niskayuna .1:30pm kick off with the pre-game at 1:20 on Talk 1450 WWSC. Looked over the schedule and I have to wonder what did Pat Liverio and the Amsterdam Rugged Rams do to anger the Section 2 scheduling committee? Playing their divisional games in the first 5 weeks. Plus what a tough way to open the season. Queensbury, Burnt Hills on the road and then Glens Falls. Well if you don't how good your team is going to be at the start of the year, this a good way to find out real fast.
Heading to South Carolina on Sunday for a couple days of rest, golf and some good seafood. Enjoy the long weekend...Leccese out!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Surviving Irene and time to kick off High School Football!
Hi there. Well its been one busy week. Between checking out high school football practices and scrimmages, the visit to the Washington County Fair and some tropical storm action on Sunday, my plate was full.
I hope everyone is O.K. after Sunday's storm and the damage was minimal. I lucked out. My folks home in SC is O.K. Just some pine straw all over the place and they weren't even in the area. They were in Colorado at a wedding so everyone was spared and my home here didn't even see any branches come down with the high winds and heavy rain we got.
First is the high school football visits. The thing I was impressed with the most in visiting practices were the numbers. Especially in the smaller schools. They are holding steady or actually going up. Warrensburg had over 30 kids playing. Mike Leonbruno said they haven't had over 30 come out for the team in a couple of years. Lake George should be O.K and both Salem and Spa Catholic will be fine with there numbers too. Spa Catholics' size impressed me. Fort Edward's problem isn't so much the kids aren't going out for football, it's the lack of boys actually entering the school. With the big schools its always about who's going to step up from JV to the Varsity from graduation.
Impressions of what I saw.
Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Lake George for them to be successful, the line play has to come together. Also Hudson Falls has find its next feature running back to run the power I formation it uses.
Fort Edward has that same problem in finding a running back to replace Justin White who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.
South Glens Falls has a sophomore starting at QB and he replaces Jordan Greene who was a huge part of the offense for the Bulldogs the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how the other receivers and backs respond to having an underclassman under center. It's normal at the small school level for a freshman or sophomore to start and play for 3 or 4 years. At the big schools, the kid is either an injury replacement or really talented.
The key to Queensbury is their line. If they are big and physical and can dominate a game, they can be tough to beat especially if they're ahead. When that tight double wing is clicking anyone can run the ball behind that line.
Warrensburg is now running Queensbury's offense and if they can pick up the nuances of the double wing quickly, they could surprise some people. One more thing about the Burgers. If the West Virginia and Wisconsin football programs had a baby, the helmet would look just like Warrensburg's new look. Having a hard time getting used to it. It's navy blue with a yellow gold W. I loved the Las Vegas gold with the navy blue W. I thought Warrensburg's navy blue jerseys with the gold pants were the sharpest looking home attire in the area.
One thing from my visit to the Washington County fair. Be careful what you wish for. I've told the story on more than one occasion how a couple of years ago I was at the fair, took the risk and ate an order of 6 fried Oreo's that were covered in powdered sugar and came with chocolate sauce to dip them in. Well I was wondering if anyone had ever tried dipping a Pop Tart in batter and frying it. I go past the guy who I bought the Oreo's from and guess what was staring at me right in the eye? Deep fried Pop Tarts! No I didn't try them. My priority was the maple house for a cup of coffee and some maple cotton candy. Maple sugar and caffeine in my system is a scary and potentially lethal combination ,but I have to admit it was soooo good.
Allright Yankee fans, we can officially throw A.J Burnett into the closet that includes Kei Igawa, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano and Javier Vasquez.
Eli Manning in an interview with Michael Kay thinks he's an elite quarterback in the NFL. Look Forrest Gump, elite quarterbacks don't throw 25 picks like you did last year and can actually get the plays off before the play clock runs out like you seem not to be able to do on more than one occasion.
I think Derek Jeter will be just fine after breaking up with Minka Kelly, don't you? Someone is out there for him. As long as her last name isn't Kardashian I'll be fine.
Why couldn't Hurricane Irene's winds or heavy rains at least cause some damage to CitiField? I would have been very happy if that had happened.
Finally, on to the garden. It's been a good year so far. Tomatoes are being harvested and peppers and the potatoes are next on the list. Saturday I'm on the phone with my sister when I see two chipmunks chasing after each other around my patio. How cute! Now we have a "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" moment. One of the cute, furry little rodents heads for my tomato plants, climbs one of cages and picks one in his mouth. Brings it over to the patio and starts eating it while I'm watching through my patio doors. It eats half of it and then goes back for another! I knew I had deals with the hummingbirds and squirrels, but now I have to make peace with the chipmunks!
Four days til first football game on WWSC and five til I'm on a plane headed to South Carolina...Leccese out
I hope everyone is O.K. after Sunday's storm and the damage was minimal. I lucked out. My folks home in SC is O.K. Just some pine straw all over the place and they weren't even in the area. They were in Colorado at a wedding so everyone was spared and my home here didn't even see any branches come down with the high winds and heavy rain we got.
First is the high school football visits. The thing I was impressed with the most in visiting practices were the numbers. Especially in the smaller schools. They are holding steady or actually going up. Warrensburg had over 30 kids playing. Mike Leonbruno said they haven't had over 30 come out for the team in a couple of years. Lake George should be O.K and both Salem and Spa Catholic will be fine with there numbers too. Spa Catholics' size impressed me. Fort Edward's problem isn't so much the kids aren't going out for football, it's the lack of boys actually entering the school. With the big schools its always about who's going to step up from JV to the Varsity from graduation.
Impressions of what I saw.
Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Lake George for them to be successful, the line play has to come together. Also Hudson Falls has find its next feature running back to run the power I formation it uses.
Fort Edward has that same problem in finding a running back to replace Justin White who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.
South Glens Falls has a sophomore starting at QB and he replaces Jordan Greene who was a huge part of the offense for the Bulldogs the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how the other receivers and backs respond to having an underclassman under center. It's normal at the small school level for a freshman or sophomore to start and play for 3 or 4 years. At the big schools, the kid is either an injury replacement or really talented.
The key to Queensbury is their line. If they are big and physical and can dominate a game, they can be tough to beat especially if they're ahead. When that tight double wing is clicking anyone can run the ball behind that line.
Warrensburg is now running Queensbury's offense and if they can pick up the nuances of the double wing quickly, they could surprise some people. One more thing about the Burgers. If the West Virginia and Wisconsin football programs had a baby, the helmet would look just like Warrensburg's new look. Having a hard time getting used to it. It's navy blue with a yellow gold W. I loved the Las Vegas gold with the navy blue W. I thought Warrensburg's navy blue jerseys with the gold pants were the sharpest looking home attire in the area.
One thing from my visit to the Washington County fair. Be careful what you wish for. I've told the story on more than one occasion how a couple of years ago I was at the fair, took the risk and ate an order of 6 fried Oreo's that were covered in powdered sugar and came with chocolate sauce to dip them in. Well I was wondering if anyone had ever tried dipping a Pop Tart in batter and frying it. I go past the guy who I bought the Oreo's from and guess what was staring at me right in the eye? Deep fried Pop Tarts! No I didn't try them. My priority was the maple house for a cup of coffee and some maple cotton candy. Maple sugar and caffeine in my system is a scary and potentially lethal combination ,but I have to admit it was soooo good.
Allright Yankee fans, we can officially throw A.J Burnett into the closet that includes Kei Igawa, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano and Javier Vasquez.
Eli Manning in an interview with Michael Kay thinks he's an elite quarterback in the NFL. Look Forrest Gump, elite quarterbacks don't throw 25 picks like you did last year and can actually get the plays off before the play clock runs out like you seem not to be able to do on more than one occasion.
I think Derek Jeter will be just fine after breaking up with Minka Kelly, don't you? Someone is out there for him. As long as her last name isn't Kardashian I'll be fine.
Why couldn't Hurricane Irene's winds or heavy rains at least cause some damage to CitiField? I would have been very happy if that had happened.
Finally, on to the garden. It's been a good year so far. Tomatoes are being harvested and peppers and the potatoes are next on the list. Saturday I'm on the phone with my sister when I see two chipmunks chasing after each other around my patio. How cute! Now we have a "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" moment. One of the cute, furry little rodents heads for my tomato plants, climbs one of cages and picks one in his mouth. Brings it over to the patio and starts eating it while I'm watching through my patio doors. It eats half of it and then goes back for another! I knew I had deals with the hummingbirds and squirrels, but now I have to make peace with the chipmunks!
Four days til first football game on WWSC and five til I'm on a plane headed to South Carolina...Leccese out
Monday, August 22, 2011
Going to camp and the Washington County Fair
Hi there. Just re-adjusting my body clock after a week of filling in for Dan on the Club and having fun with Pete. I tell people that one of the best things to do is a fill in stint on another show. It's a great change of pace and re-energizes you for your regular air shift. That's why you'll find me Saturday mornings on Hits 95 Nine. I love playing the more current music once a week and its more relaxed.
These next two weeks are going to be bear of a time for me This week its about heading to football training camps and the Washington County Fair Tuesday. Then the weekend comes and its all about more high school football. Definitely 3 and possibly 4 football scrimmages on Saturday, followed by Section 2 media day in Albany on Sunday. Then its ramps up getting all the stuff ready for the first broadcast September 3rd. Calling the high schools and getting rosters with numbers on them. Plus there's final 2 weeks of the Saratoga meet with the Travers this Saturday. I've still got to find time to get my car serviced and go to gym. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's called leaving for vacation on September 4th.
Moving on. The University of Miami is in some serious trouble with all the allegations that this Bernie Madoff wannabe ponzi schemer is spilling the guts about his ties to the program and what improper benefits he was giving athletes. I've written many times that the NCAA does a lousy job of policing its institutions and they don't have the family jewels to impose the Death Penalty on some of these schools who either commit major violations or are repeat offenders with their basketball and football programs.
Georgetown University's basketball team goes on a goodwill tour to China and what happens? One of the nastiest on court brawls takes place between the Hoyas and one of the pro teams over there. They were calling it awful and terrible. It brought a tear to my eye. Brought back memories of the "Hoya Paranoia" years when Patrick Ewing, Michael Graham, David Wingate and Horace Broadnax played for them in the 80's.
If you missed it, Dennis "The Worm" Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Look Rodman was eccentric but one hell of a defender and rebounder. He drove you nuts on the court with his antics. I watched his speech and he was humbled by the honor. Still trying to figure out how he got Carmen Electra to marry him.
Chris Mullin, one of my top 5 all time favorite basketball players on the face of the planet period was also inducted that night. It was good to be a St.John's fan when he played.
Went to the track Thursday and thanks to my lack of betting ability was able to lighten my wallet enough to make weight if I wanted ride in a steeplechase. The problem was the, "you have to be the this tall to get on the horse" sign. I was about 8 to 9 inches over.
I wanted to know what was so special about a "Shake Shack" burger. Tried one and it was no big deal. I've had better. At least now I don't have to go CitiField to get one. The best burger I've eaten hands down was at this sports bar called "Good Old Times" near Madison Square Garden. The fries were even better. They were that good! My dad and I could finish off a plate in record time before heading to a Rangers game.
I still don't get what the big deal is over the Iowa straw poll and how it will affect primary season when it starts next February in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Tony Bourdain was asked a question of who he thought the worst cooks on the Food Network were. He said his usual two in Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee, but he also threw in Paula Deen that category and made his usual comments. Paula didn't take kindly to Tony's answer. Don't mess with her,Tony. She's one of those crazy aunt's you had growing up with a Southern accent to match.
Harvesting tomatoes finally along with the squash, cucumbers and beans. Up next potatoes. Lets hope those bags were worth the investment.
Finally, I'm bringing up Kim Kardashian's wedding for two reasons. One, I was very disappointed not to get an invitation to the nuptials because I'm willing to admit to being a Nets fan. And two. How much money do you think she made from the dollar dance?
Only 10 days til Rutgers home opener and 12 days til Niskayuna at Glens Falls. See you at the fair and don't bring any fried Oreo's over to me at our broadcast location please!..Leccese out.
These next two weeks are going to be bear of a time for me This week its about heading to football training camps and the Washington County Fair Tuesday. Then the weekend comes and its all about more high school football. Definitely 3 and possibly 4 football scrimmages on Saturday, followed by Section 2 media day in Albany on Sunday. Then its ramps up getting all the stuff ready for the first broadcast September 3rd. Calling the high schools and getting rosters with numbers on them. Plus there's final 2 weeks of the Saratoga meet with the Travers this Saturday. I've still got to find time to get my car serviced and go to gym. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's called leaving for vacation on September 4th.
Moving on. The University of Miami is in some serious trouble with all the allegations that this Bernie Madoff wannabe ponzi schemer is spilling the guts about his ties to the program and what improper benefits he was giving athletes. I've written many times that the NCAA does a lousy job of policing its institutions and they don't have the family jewels to impose the Death Penalty on some of these schools who either commit major violations or are repeat offenders with their basketball and football programs.
Georgetown University's basketball team goes on a goodwill tour to China and what happens? One of the nastiest on court brawls takes place between the Hoyas and one of the pro teams over there. They were calling it awful and terrible. It brought a tear to my eye. Brought back memories of the "Hoya Paranoia" years when Patrick Ewing, Michael Graham, David Wingate and Horace Broadnax played for them in the 80's.
If you missed it, Dennis "The Worm" Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Look Rodman was eccentric but one hell of a defender and rebounder. He drove you nuts on the court with his antics. I watched his speech and he was humbled by the honor. Still trying to figure out how he got Carmen Electra to marry him.
Chris Mullin, one of my top 5 all time favorite basketball players on the face of the planet period was also inducted that night. It was good to be a St.John's fan when he played.
Went to the track Thursday and thanks to my lack of betting ability was able to lighten my wallet enough to make weight if I wanted ride in a steeplechase. The problem was the, "you have to be the this tall to get on the horse" sign. I was about 8 to 9 inches over.
I wanted to know what was so special about a "Shake Shack" burger. Tried one and it was no big deal. I've had better. At least now I don't have to go CitiField to get one. The best burger I've eaten hands down was at this sports bar called "Good Old Times" near Madison Square Garden. The fries were even better. They were that good! My dad and I could finish off a plate in record time before heading to a Rangers game.
I still don't get what the big deal is over the Iowa straw poll and how it will affect primary season when it starts next February in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Tony Bourdain was asked a question of who he thought the worst cooks on the Food Network were. He said his usual two in Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee, but he also threw in Paula Deen that category and made his usual comments. Paula didn't take kindly to Tony's answer. Don't mess with her,Tony. She's one of those crazy aunt's you had growing up with a Southern accent to match.
Harvesting tomatoes finally along with the squash, cucumbers and beans. Up next potatoes. Lets hope those bags were worth the investment.
Finally, I'm bringing up Kim Kardashian's wedding for two reasons. One, I was very disappointed not to get an invitation to the nuptials because I'm willing to admit to being a Nets fan. And two. How much money do you think she made from the dollar dance?
Only 10 days til Rutgers home opener and 12 days til Niskayuna at Glens Falls. See you at the fair and don't bring any fried Oreo's over to me at our broadcast location please!..Leccese out.
Monday, August 15, 2011
19 days til opening kick off
Hi there. Well August 15th has arrived and that means in 19 days John Pratt and I will be in the press box at Putt LaMay Field at Glens Falls High for the first football broadcast of the 2011 season on WWSC. My off season has ended and its back to doing play by play of high school football, basketball and ice hockey games on the radio. It's amazing how fast the 5 months have flown by since we wrapped up the 2010 -2011 school sports year in Utica.
I'll try to get to a practice or two this week, but its doubtful. I'm going to the track Thursday after I get done with the Morning Show. Next week the heavy work gets done. Getting out to morning practices at different schools everyday except for Tuesday when I'm at the Washington County Fair. Catching up with and talking to coaches I prefer watching practice with pads on as teams prepare for scrimmages next Saturday. I'll be heading to three of them that day. Fort Edward, Hudson Falls and a night scrimmage in Lake George. Then a week from Sunday its media day down at UAlbany where I can talk to the coaches of teams south of Saratoga and get rosters from them. They're are a couple of coaches I really have good relationships with and make a point to talk to. Classification football forces you to do so. Think about it. Hudson Falls plays teams like Cobleskill, Cohoes, and Schalmont. The small schools play Rensselaer, Catholic Central, and Bishop Gibbons. Its nothing like the good old days of the Foothills Council and Northern Adirondack League.
When it comes to the big schools like Queensbury, Glens Falls, S.Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, I wonder how competitive the teams will be in tough divisions and Class A is going to be real tough. Troy and Niskayuna have dropped from Class AA to Class A which already has Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake, Lansingburgh and never count out Amsterdam or Bishop Maginn.
As for the small schools. The big' "N" word always comes into play. That word is numbers. How many kids will actually turn out? I'm seriously worried about schools like Salem, Fort Edward, Lake George, Greenwich and Warrensburg. I'll throw Corinth in that group too. Two or three injuries can put schools like that on the cusp of the required minimum amount of players needed to field a team. Will Saratoga Catholic have enough kids to come back and play a varsity schedule after not having enough last year? Soccer has nothing to do with the lack of kids playing football. You have to be really committed to playing football and hitting the weight room during the off season. Between summer jobs and other distractions, the kids aren't as motivated as they used to be. Times have changed from the days when you played because all your friends played and it was another way to hang out with them. Also football is an expensive sport to play, like ice hockey.
One more note. We'll be putting a WWSC sports page on Facebook that will highlight the games we are doing on the radio, the student athletes Joe Pezzulo will be featuring on the Sports Academy and other points of interest. I hope the rain stops...Leccese out.
I'll try to get to a practice or two this week, but its doubtful. I'm going to the track Thursday after I get done with the Morning Show. Next week the heavy work gets done. Getting out to morning practices at different schools everyday except for Tuesday when I'm at the Washington County Fair. Catching up with and talking to coaches I prefer watching practice with pads on as teams prepare for scrimmages next Saturday. I'll be heading to three of them that day. Fort Edward, Hudson Falls and a night scrimmage in Lake George. Then a week from Sunday its media day down at UAlbany where I can talk to the coaches of teams south of Saratoga and get rosters from them. They're are a couple of coaches I really have good relationships with and make a point to talk to. Classification football forces you to do so. Think about it. Hudson Falls plays teams like Cobleskill, Cohoes, and Schalmont. The small schools play Rensselaer, Catholic Central, and Bishop Gibbons. Its nothing like the good old days of the Foothills Council and Northern Adirondack League.
When it comes to the big schools like Queensbury, Glens Falls, S.Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, I wonder how competitive the teams will be in tough divisions and Class A is going to be real tough. Troy and Niskayuna have dropped from Class AA to Class A which already has Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake, Lansingburgh and never count out Amsterdam or Bishop Maginn.
As for the small schools. The big' "N" word always comes into play. That word is numbers. How many kids will actually turn out? I'm seriously worried about schools like Salem, Fort Edward, Lake George, Greenwich and Warrensburg. I'll throw Corinth in that group too. Two or three injuries can put schools like that on the cusp of the required minimum amount of players needed to field a team. Will Saratoga Catholic have enough kids to come back and play a varsity schedule after not having enough last year? Soccer has nothing to do with the lack of kids playing football. You have to be really committed to playing football and hitting the weight room during the off season. Between summer jobs and other distractions, the kids aren't as motivated as they used to be. Times have changed from the days when you played because all your friends played and it was another way to hang out with them. Also football is an expensive sport to play, like ice hockey.
One more note. We'll be putting a WWSC sports page on Facebook that will highlight the games we are doing on the radio, the student athletes Joe Pezzulo will be featuring on the Sports Academy and other points of interest. I hope the rain stops...Leccese out.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Eggplant parm at a Clam bake
Hi there and hoped you enjoyed reading edition #250. Well its back to business and I'll be honest with you, I'm starting to worry about myself. I've had three really great weekends in a row and I'm wondering if I could actually be happy for a prolonged period of time? I have written on a few occasions that I'm a glass half empty who wonders why its not completely full kind of person. I might have to go to a doctor to see if I'm feeling well or coming down with something. Me being content. It can't really be happening can it?
Leading off is, "Eggplant parm at a Clam bake." My friends Kathi and Will had a clam bake/summer party this past weekend and it was a great time. Just terrific company. Of course you bring either a side dish or dessert to share to go with the clams, burgers and hotdogs. So I made eggplant parm. It has now become my signature dish. Anyone who has ever made something for a potluck dinner or any type of, "bring a dish to share with friends" type event like that knows what I'm talking about. You make something and if it's a big hit, it becomes your signature dish. You're expected to bring it everytime you get invited to something like that. If you don't, well people wonder where hell it was because they were looking forward to you bringing it. Here's one thing about eggplant parm. It's a pain in the tuchis to make! Since I make everything from scratch, its even more time consuming One day had to make the marinara sauce. The eggplant itself is an all day affair. Between the peeling, slicing it really thin, pressing out the bitters from it and then finally frying it up. Get the idea. The easy part is actually putting it together and baking it in the oven.
On to other things. Had an interesting 30 minutes on Saturday. First was the pharmacy, where I bought a new pair of sunglasses. I'm at the check out counter and the nice person working asked me a question. It was a Bill Engvall moment. Mind you I was wearing glasses and not contacts at the time. She asked, "Would you like me to cut the price tag off so you can put those on after you leave the store?" Sure and by the way my name is Mr.Magoo. Here's your sign. Right after that, I go pick up a four pack of Guinness and while waiting to pay, the woman behind me in line notices my beer and asks if I've made a Guiness float with vanilla ice cream. That caught me off guard. So I said yes and she replied, "they're delicious, aren't they?" I nodded. That gets brownie points in my book. It's like women and camping. I find it hard to believe that women really do like camping and it surprises me when I meet a woman who prefers and likes a darker beer like a stout or porter over an I.PA or traditional lager style.
It doesn't get any better than this for me. Anthony Bourdain was on "Real Time" with Bill Maher last Friday night. I haven't watched it yet. So don't tell me any details and if you've never seen "Titanic," I won't tell you that the boat sinks at the end of the movie.
Go to http://www.parade.com/ and read Mitch Albom's column about summer and kids. Just a great article. It will bring back some great summer time memories about your own childhood and make you think about today's kids and do they really have it better than we did?
I've got not one, but two "This weeks sign of the apocalype." Sign #1 comes from San Antonio Texas where a knife fight took place in a restaurant mens room between a Texas Longhorn football fan and a Oklahoma Sooners football fan. This occured before practice started! Now for #2. Animal Planet is premiering a new show called, "Hillybilly Handfish" about those guys who go into rivers and bring up these huge catfish by means of grabbing them with their hands after finding them in some mudhole on the bottom of the river. There's a Jeff Foxworthy, "you might be a redneck" joke somewhere in that one.
Please don't re-make "Dirty Dancing." I inflicted some serious trauma to myself during my senior year in college because of that movie. I get terrible flashbacks whenever I hear or play, "I've had the time of my life."
Six more days til the start of high school football practice. Eggplant parm guy...I mean Leccese out.
Leading off is, "Eggplant parm at a Clam bake." My friends Kathi and Will had a clam bake/summer party this past weekend and it was a great time. Just terrific company. Of course you bring either a side dish or dessert to share to go with the clams, burgers and hotdogs. So I made eggplant parm. It has now become my signature dish. Anyone who has ever made something for a potluck dinner or any type of, "bring a dish to share with friends" type event like that knows what I'm talking about. You make something and if it's a big hit, it becomes your signature dish. You're expected to bring it everytime you get invited to something like that. If you don't, well people wonder where hell it was because they were looking forward to you bringing it. Here's one thing about eggplant parm. It's a pain in the tuchis to make! Since I make everything from scratch, its even more time consuming One day had to make the marinara sauce. The eggplant itself is an all day affair. Between the peeling, slicing it really thin, pressing out the bitters from it and then finally frying it up. Get the idea. The easy part is actually putting it together and baking it in the oven.
On to other things. Had an interesting 30 minutes on Saturday. First was the pharmacy, where I bought a new pair of sunglasses. I'm at the check out counter and the nice person working asked me a question. It was a Bill Engvall moment. Mind you I was wearing glasses and not contacts at the time. She asked, "Would you like me to cut the price tag off so you can put those on after you leave the store?" Sure and by the way my name is Mr.Magoo. Here's your sign. Right after that, I go pick up a four pack of Guinness and while waiting to pay, the woman behind me in line notices my beer and asks if I've made a Guiness float with vanilla ice cream. That caught me off guard. So I said yes and she replied, "they're delicious, aren't they?" I nodded. That gets brownie points in my book. It's like women and camping. I find it hard to believe that women really do like camping and it surprises me when I meet a woman who prefers and likes a darker beer like a stout or porter over an I.PA or traditional lager style.
It doesn't get any better than this for me. Anthony Bourdain was on "Real Time" with Bill Maher last Friday night. I haven't watched it yet. So don't tell me any details and if you've never seen "Titanic," I won't tell you that the boat sinks at the end of the movie.
Go to http://www.parade.com/ and read Mitch Albom's column about summer and kids. Just a great article. It will bring back some great summer time memories about your own childhood and make you think about today's kids and do they really have it better than we did?
I've got not one, but two "This weeks sign of the apocalype." Sign #1 comes from San Antonio Texas where a knife fight took place in a restaurant mens room between a Texas Longhorn football fan and a Oklahoma Sooners football fan. This occured before practice started! Now for #2. Animal Planet is premiering a new show called, "Hillybilly Handfish" about those guys who go into rivers and bring up these huge catfish by means of grabbing them with their hands after finding them in some mudhole on the bottom of the river. There's a Jeff Foxworthy, "you might be a redneck" joke somewhere in that one.
Please don't re-make "Dirty Dancing." I inflicted some serious trauma to myself during my senior year in college because of that movie. I get terrible flashbacks whenever I hear or play, "I've had the time of my life."
Six more days til the start of high school football practice. Eggplant parm guy...I mean Leccese out.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Another milestone in the history of, "The Greenhouse Effect"
Hi there. On February 21st 2008, "The Greenhouse Effect" was launched on wckm.com along with 3 other blogs from the other on air staff members. Well 3 1/2 years and 249 entries later; we're still here and the only one left. Here it is folks, the 250th edition of,"The Greenhouse Effect."
When the idea of the blogs were first run by us, I was reluctant. My mind was changed by Dan and Mike. They said that it could be funny and serious at same time. Write it like a stand up monologue that you might perform on stage they told me and that's what I try to do.
In writing an edition, what I do is take notes during the week and then Sunday or Monday just sit in front of the lap top with those notes and type away. I'm also constantly editing spelling mistakes and grammatical errors after an entry has been published.
In looking back over the previous 249 editions, I've shared my many likes and dislikes. First up are the likes. Anthony Bourdain, Guinness beer, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and I have a crush on woman named Lisa Roberston whose job it is to sell jewelry, fashion and beauty products on one of the home shopping networks. The two sports teams that I root for that seem to drive me nuts the most in entries are the Mets and Rutgers football.
Now for the dislikes. Sports agents, the NBA and its stars in general, Tiger Woods, the growing national debt and topping the list is Citi Field.
I have written many times about my passion for gardening, cooking, stand up comedy and commenting on the absurd in a humorous way in the mold of the late George Carlin, Dennis Leary, and more recently Bill Maher.
My favorite writers are Mike Lupica and Mitch Albom.
I like people or movie characters who display a certain amount of cockiness and arrogance to them.
I think that when ESPN does a 30 for 30 film series movie, or HBO does a sports documentary; its a must watch.
I'm a Travel Channel and Food Network junkie.
I've reminisced about Monmouth County New Jersey where I grew up. It was the best of both worlds. There was the shore to the east and if you headed west inland a bunch of corn and horse farms and a wonderful place called Delicious Orchards on route 34 in a town called Colts Neck.
I have a small, amazing group of friends whom I wouldn't trade for the world. I trust them with my life However, I don't trust them when it comes to setting me up on a date. I've discovered over time that when it comes to what traits you would like in a female companion and who your friends or family members think you should be with, you're on completely different pages. I shouldn't admit this, but they are probably right and more realistic about who I should be with too and on more than one occasion I've had someone say what I want doesn't exist or they're totally out of my league.
I really would like to have a steady girlfriend, but it's complicated.
I never thought I would be on Facebook, but I gave in, joined and I kind of like it.
Mom, people really do read, "The Greenhouse Effect." On more than one occasion she has asked, "Does anyone actually read your blog?" Yes they do. Commenting on entries, is a different story. In the 249 previous editions ,I have had a total of 8 comments from readers. I love hearing from you guys, so don't be afraid to comment.
In a future edition, Dan Miner is going ghost write it and I'm giving him the total freedom to write whatever he pleases.
I pick on Pete Cloutier often, but I consider Pete to be the crazy uncle that every family has that drives us nuts at times; but we love him at the same time because of that.
Finally, thanks to all the loyal readers who once or twice a week take a moment to look over, "The Greenhouse Effect." I look forward to writing it and already the notes for edition number 251 have been jotted down on the note pad and will be coming your way soon during the middle of the week. 250 entries, not a bad run and to quote Bourdain, "And I'm hungry for more."...Leccese out.
When the idea of the blogs were first run by us, I was reluctant. My mind was changed by Dan and Mike. They said that it could be funny and serious at same time. Write it like a stand up monologue that you might perform on stage they told me and that's what I try to do.
In writing an edition, what I do is take notes during the week and then Sunday or Monday just sit in front of the lap top with those notes and type away. I'm also constantly editing spelling mistakes and grammatical errors after an entry has been published.
In looking back over the previous 249 editions, I've shared my many likes and dislikes. First up are the likes. Anthony Bourdain, Guinness beer, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and I have a crush on woman named Lisa Roberston whose job it is to sell jewelry, fashion and beauty products on one of the home shopping networks. The two sports teams that I root for that seem to drive me nuts the most in entries are the Mets and Rutgers football.
Now for the dislikes. Sports agents, the NBA and its stars in general, Tiger Woods, the growing national debt and topping the list is Citi Field.
I have written many times about my passion for gardening, cooking, stand up comedy and commenting on the absurd in a humorous way in the mold of the late George Carlin, Dennis Leary, and more recently Bill Maher.
My favorite writers are Mike Lupica and Mitch Albom.
I like people or movie characters who display a certain amount of cockiness and arrogance to them.
I think that when ESPN does a 30 for 30 film series movie, or HBO does a sports documentary; its a must watch.
I'm a Travel Channel and Food Network junkie.
I've reminisced about Monmouth County New Jersey where I grew up. It was the best of both worlds. There was the shore to the east and if you headed west inland a bunch of corn and horse farms and a wonderful place called Delicious Orchards on route 34 in a town called Colts Neck.
I have a small, amazing group of friends whom I wouldn't trade for the world. I trust them with my life However, I don't trust them when it comes to setting me up on a date. I've discovered over time that when it comes to what traits you would like in a female companion and who your friends or family members think you should be with, you're on completely different pages. I shouldn't admit this, but they are probably right and more realistic about who I should be with too and on more than one occasion I've had someone say what I want doesn't exist or they're totally out of my league.
I really would like to have a steady girlfriend, but it's complicated.
I never thought I would be on Facebook, but I gave in, joined and I kind of like it.
Mom, people really do read, "The Greenhouse Effect." On more than one occasion she has asked, "Does anyone actually read your blog?" Yes they do. Commenting on entries, is a different story. In the 249 previous editions ,I have had a total of 8 comments from readers. I love hearing from you guys, so don't be afraid to comment.
In a future edition, Dan Miner is going ghost write it and I'm giving him the total freedom to write whatever he pleases.
I pick on Pete Cloutier often, but I consider Pete to be the crazy uncle that every family has that drives us nuts at times; but we love him at the same time because of that.
Finally, thanks to all the loyal readers who once or twice a week take a moment to look over, "The Greenhouse Effect." I look forward to writing it and already the notes for edition number 251 have been jotted down on the note pad and will be coming your way soon during the middle of the week. 250 entries, not a bad run and to quote Bourdain, "And I'm hungry for more."...Leccese out.
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