Hi there. This is the week where I begin going all out into football mode. Reading all the area papers every day that cover Section 2 for any info and just two days into practices the dreaded "N" word hit me like sledgehammer. That word is numbers. Salem which made it to the Section 2 Class D finals had only 15 kids try out.! You need at least 16 to play and then the kids must have 11 practices to scrimmage and 15 to play in a game. They've already forfeited their opener. What is happening? The numbers game is affecting not just football. Soccer, field hockey and ice hockey. You have lots of kids playing in various youth programs, but for some reason many stop playing after they reach middle school. It is burnout? Is it this desire to just play one sport and make travel teams, hoping that a college will be interested down the road? With football, the concussion fear looms like a huge weight over every parents head now a days and with just concern. They are afraid to have a son play football. I played soccer til I was in high school and I stopped playing because it wasn't fun anymore and I also knew that I wasn't good enough of a player to make varsity or even the JV team. There are more distractions than ever. The personal electronic devise age hadn't arrived yet when I grew up and my Mom and my friends parents wouldn't let us have Atari or Intellivision marathon gaming sessions everyday. The nearest mall and arcade was 20 minutes from my house. Times have definitely changed alright. I'll be heading to practices at high schools this week and I'll have to ask my coaching friends that dreaded question. How are your numbers this year?
On to other things.
I know just enough about horse racing to get by, but I didn't expect Will Take Charge to do so and win the Travers. Didn't get the chance to watch the race, so You Tube here I come.
What ever happened to old fashioned romance? A couple interesting notes from our show prep this week. Nick Cannon, husband of Mariah Carey said that changing one of his kids diapers at night with his wife is romantic. Not in my world it is. Also there was this survey where a percentage of men felt a sense of guilt when giving their significant other flowers. Women also were asked in the survey about romantic gestures and two interesting ones that made the list were putting down the toilet seat and handing over control of the remote. What ever happened to opening the car door, pulling out the seat in restaurant or offering up an umbrella or your coat when it rains?
Ben Affleck as Batman. I understand the controversy and it makes for great discussion on a blog like this and other social media sites. Here's my view. He tried the superhero thing in Dare Devil so there is only one way to go and that is up. Not one of his better performances.
It's starting to wear on my nerves that everyday I end up picking a zucchini, yellow squash, or cucumber from the garden. Still waiting on the big 3 and I promised myself that I wouldn't dump out the potatoes that are growing in the bags until September 8th. It's gonna be a long two weeks.
My niece Morgan came up from North Carolina to visit for a few days and she was so happy to see and hang out with my cat. I'm learning more and more about them all time and it has me shaking my head sometimes. They were best friends for about a day. Then came the day Morgan was brushing her gently. Meow is purring away, then looks back to see who was doing the brushing, and ran for her safe spot which is under my bed. Was very disappointed about that moment.
An earthquake hit Warren County this morning? Really? And about 13 miles from where I live! Was I only one who didn't feel it?
Last but not least. Two of my good friends tied the knot Thursday and they make a great couple. They had the reception type get together yesterday. Very casual. Was able to make the end of it. I don't what I was more happier about. Seeing the bottle of rum from Albany Distilling that I gave the groom for his 50th birthday two weeks earlier sitting at the bar; or the fact the real life Lucas, a.k.a me got the chance to dance with a really pretty girl. It doesn't happen that often...Leccese out.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Another summer has gone by and I forgot to enjoy it again
Hi there. My body clock is technically still on Morning Club time after filling in for Dan this past week, so I'm writing this entry just after 5am EDT. I remember when I first wanted to be in radio. My goal was to be a program director and host one of those politically incorrect, irreverent, satirical morning shows. Doing voices and mocking people who do absurd and stupid things. I am a morning person. Just not getting up at 3:30am morning person.
One thing I must bring up. Please don't get upset when we tease or mock each other on the air. We love each other like family. We don't mean it. I purposely tried to not to pick on Pete this past week. I know he has a strong loyal following of fans who post on the WCKM facebook page when we do. The other night Lee Pecue actually was scolded by a listener who said to stop picking on me because I don't have a girlfriend. It wasn't him, it was Mike who said something and it really did happen. A person who was running for political office came into record a campaign spot. The person asked me if I was single and that person said they could set me up. Look I'm the king of self depreciating humor. I'm 47 years old, never married and I can count on one hand the number of serious relationships I've been in. Does it bother me at times? Of course its does. It's frustrating because I wouldn't mind being in a dating relationship. I also believe that the marriage between a man and woman who love each other unconditionally (except for the pre-nup agreement, lol) is a wonderful thing. I admit I'm also way too picky and I could be married or dating if I lowered my standards.
On to other thngs
The late George Steinbrenner used to say how important it was to always to have the headline on the back page in the sports section of the newspaper. This whole Alex Rodriguez/Bio-Genesis mess scandal whatever you want to call it is not what I think "The Boss" had in mind when he said that.
VH1 used to have this show on called, " The Best Week Ever." Alfonso Soriano is having one of those weeks. 5 home runs and 18 RBI's in 5 games with back to back 7 RBI games against the Angels.
In their last 50 games the Dodgers are 42- 8 with an .840 winning percentage. Can't do much better than that.
Is there anyone out there who really thinks the Jaguars new uni look with the two colored matte finished helmet is good looking? I didn't think so.
We had a jail break at my home. The cat got out a week ago Thursday night and turned me into a nervous wreck. I was worried sick she wouldn't come back. But around 5am the next morning there she was after her little excursion waiting at the front door. I opened it up and in she came acting like nothing happened and she just forgot her key to let herself in.
Garden has been real good. I just wish "The Big Three," a.k.a tomatoes, eggplant and peppers weren't so late this year. Green beans have done well and there have been a bumper crop of cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash. Potatoes we'll see. I promised that I wouldn't harvest them til September 8th which is the day after the first football game we do on WWSC.
Finally, the process starts all over again. The start of football practice and unofficially summer comes to an end for me. I've missed it again No trip watch the races at Saratoga. That planned over night trip to the Jersey Shore to Monmouth Park, Delicious Orchards, and the towns where I grew up or the minor league baseball games I wanted to see Time to read six newspapers a day. In about a week I'll be making the rounds of the local high schools watching practices and talking to coaches. Then there are the scrimmages and media day labor day weekend. Before you know it, I'll be calling athletic directors and having rosters sent over so I can type them up. Three weeks til the opener at Glens Falls High. ..Leccese out.
One thing I must bring up. Please don't get upset when we tease or mock each other on the air. We love each other like family. We don't mean it. I purposely tried to not to pick on Pete this past week. I know he has a strong loyal following of fans who post on the WCKM facebook page when we do. The other night Lee Pecue actually was scolded by a listener who said to stop picking on me because I don't have a girlfriend. It wasn't him, it was Mike who said something and it really did happen. A person who was running for political office came into record a campaign spot. The person asked me if I was single and that person said they could set me up. Look I'm the king of self depreciating humor. I'm 47 years old, never married and I can count on one hand the number of serious relationships I've been in. Does it bother me at times? Of course its does. It's frustrating because I wouldn't mind being in a dating relationship. I also believe that the marriage between a man and woman who love each other unconditionally (except for the pre-nup agreement, lol) is a wonderful thing. I admit I'm also way too picky and I could be married or dating if I lowered my standards.
On to other thngs
The late George Steinbrenner used to say how important it was to always to have the headline on the back page in the sports section of the newspaper. This whole Alex Rodriguez/Bio-Genesis mess scandal whatever you want to call it is not what I think "The Boss" had in mind when he said that.
VH1 used to have this show on called, " The Best Week Ever." Alfonso Soriano is having one of those weeks. 5 home runs and 18 RBI's in 5 games with back to back 7 RBI games against the Angels.
In their last 50 games the Dodgers are 42- 8 with an .840 winning percentage. Can't do much better than that.
Is there anyone out there who really thinks the Jaguars new uni look with the two colored matte finished helmet is good looking? I didn't think so.
We had a jail break at my home. The cat got out a week ago Thursday night and turned me into a nervous wreck. I was worried sick she wouldn't come back. But around 5am the next morning there she was after her little excursion waiting at the front door. I opened it up and in she came acting like nothing happened and she just forgot her key to let herself in.
Garden has been real good. I just wish "The Big Three," a.k.a tomatoes, eggplant and peppers weren't so late this year. Green beans have done well and there have been a bumper crop of cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash. Potatoes we'll see. I promised that I wouldn't harvest them til September 8th which is the day after the first football game we do on WWSC.
Finally, the process starts all over again. The start of football practice and unofficially summer comes to an end for me. I've missed it again No trip watch the races at Saratoga. That planned over night trip to the Jersey Shore to Monmouth Park, Delicious Orchards, and the towns where I grew up or the minor league baseball games I wanted to see Time to read six newspapers a day. In about a week I'll be making the rounds of the local high schools watching practices and talking to coaches. Then there are the scrimmages and media day labor day weekend. Before you know it, I'll be calling athletic directors and having rosters sent over so I can type them up. Three weeks til the opener at Glens Falls High. ..Leccese out.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Just call me, "The Golf Mumbler."
Hi there. There is nothing better on a Sunday than relaxing with everything on your list of things to do, done. So here I am catching up and writing this entry.
The title of this entry comes from an 18 hole experience in futility last Sunday known as playing golf with my Dad. I wonder if all golfers do this. Talk to yourself after every shot bad or good. You hit a good shot and you start talking to ball asking it to draw, fade, get legs, come back or if your putting break more and go in the hole. You hit a bad shot and you start using your full name and wonder aloud to the golfing gods why you even play this game. Last week the pretty girl was completely ignoring me. (If you've ever read this blog and read my humorous view on golf, you'll laugh and know where I'm coming from.) You've heard of the those people who talk to animals like the "Horse Whisperer." Just call me the "Golf Mumbler." I don't think we'll be winning any father and son team events anytime soon.
We've all had our "on the verge of road rage" moments and it happened to me not once but twice in the past week. The first occurred Wednesday night heading home and while on Quaker Road around the Quaker Plaza two Mensa Society members who were following one an other made a complete U-turn from the east bound lanes and headed back west right in front of me and someone else at around 7pm. The second one occurred yesterday when a genius from Vermont cut in front of me at the last minute from the right hand lane to get on the Northway at Exit 20 northbound when the traffic light turned on the left turn signal. I wouldn't have minded that except the Nobel prize winner didn't use his turn signal! That is my biggest pet peeve. People who don't use their turn signals when passing or actually turning! Using the cell phone, texting thing while behind the wheel is number 2. It's great to be able to multi-task, but not while driving please.
Would someone tell Bud Selig to stop stalling and just announce the damn suspensions in the Bio-Genesis black cloud that is hovering over and has been the talk of baseball. As for Alex Rodriguez, I don't think he should be banned from the game. Suspend him for the rest of this year and til next years' All-Star game. We often forget that when this whole steroid, performance enhancing drug, growth hormone, supplement stuff came up the owners were criticized for looking the other way. There is some truth to that but remember one thing. The players union was so powerful at that time under Donald Fehr and Gene Orza that getting any sort of testing in a collective bargaining agreement would have never happened! It took congressional hearings to finally knock the unions power down a couple of notches. I've also read that there is a chance that Fehr might come back to help the union and their current leader Michael Weiner.
One more thing regarding the whole PED mess in any sport. The labs who make the stuff will always try to be one step ahead of the people who make the tests.
Riley Cooper, welcome to Paula Deen's world.
I had the pleasure of attending Wayne Stock VI at the North Creek ski bowl for a couple of hours. It benefits a great charity called the North Country Helpers Fund. If you've never been to the Ski Bowl its a great place with basketball and tennis courts, ball fields. I heard the skiing is good in the winter too. Amazing performers and other activities were going on. I met some wonderful people there, but to be honest I was out of my usual element.
Is it possible for the Mets score some runs for Matt Harvey please!
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Is Ellen DeGeneres really the best person the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences could find to host next years Oscar ceremony?
My favorite charity fundraising thing we do at WCKM takes place Tuesday night. Go-Cart race at Adventure Family Fun Center at 6pm. Love to see you there to support the drivers and have some fun with us.
Note to all my friends. Having a good zucchini harvest so far and that means one thing. I've got some baking to do. Now where's that zucchini bread/muffin recipe.
Finally, In this world where NFL players are tearing up knees, bi-ceps, achilles, and having other season ending injuries during training camp, we have the case of Barry Church. The defensive back had to have root canal and dental surgery after chipping a tooth while eating a cherry Jolly Rancher candy. How 'bout them Cowboys!
Two weeks til first high school football practice...Leccese out.
The title of this entry comes from an 18 hole experience in futility last Sunday known as playing golf with my Dad. I wonder if all golfers do this. Talk to yourself after every shot bad or good. You hit a good shot and you start talking to ball asking it to draw, fade, get legs, come back or if your putting break more and go in the hole. You hit a bad shot and you start using your full name and wonder aloud to the golfing gods why you even play this game. Last week the pretty girl was completely ignoring me. (If you've ever read this blog and read my humorous view on golf, you'll laugh and know where I'm coming from.) You've heard of the those people who talk to animals like the "Horse Whisperer." Just call me the "Golf Mumbler." I don't think we'll be winning any father and son team events anytime soon.
We've all had our "on the verge of road rage" moments and it happened to me not once but twice in the past week. The first occurred Wednesday night heading home and while on Quaker Road around the Quaker Plaza two Mensa Society members who were following one an other made a complete U-turn from the east bound lanes and headed back west right in front of me and someone else at around 7pm. The second one occurred yesterday when a genius from Vermont cut in front of me at the last minute from the right hand lane to get on the Northway at Exit 20 northbound when the traffic light turned on the left turn signal. I wouldn't have minded that except the Nobel prize winner didn't use his turn signal! That is my biggest pet peeve. People who don't use their turn signals when passing or actually turning! Using the cell phone, texting thing while behind the wheel is number 2. It's great to be able to multi-task, but not while driving please.
Would someone tell Bud Selig to stop stalling and just announce the damn suspensions in the Bio-Genesis black cloud that is hovering over and has been the talk of baseball. As for Alex Rodriguez, I don't think he should be banned from the game. Suspend him for the rest of this year and til next years' All-Star game. We often forget that when this whole steroid, performance enhancing drug, growth hormone, supplement stuff came up the owners were criticized for looking the other way. There is some truth to that but remember one thing. The players union was so powerful at that time under Donald Fehr and Gene Orza that getting any sort of testing in a collective bargaining agreement would have never happened! It took congressional hearings to finally knock the unions power down a couple of notches. I've also read that there is a chance that Fehr might come back to help the union and their current leader Michael Weiner.
One more thing regarding the whole PED mess in any sport. The labs who make the stuff will always try to be one step ahead of the people who make the tests.
Riley Cooper, welcome to Paula Deen's world.
I had the pleasure of attending Wayne Stock VI at the North Creek ski bowl for a couple of hours. It benefits a great charity called the North Country Helpers Fund. If you've never been to the Ski Bowl its a great place with basketball and tennis courts, ball fields. I heard the skiing is good in the winter too. Amazing performers and other activities were going on. I met some wonderful people there, but to be honest I was out of my usual element.
Is it possible for the Mets score some runs for Matt Harvey please!
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Is Ellen DeGeneres really the best person the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences could find to host next years Oscar ceremony?
My favorite charity fundraising thing we do at WCKM takes place Tuesday night. Go-Cart race at Adventure Family Fun Center at 6pm. Love to see you there to support the drivers and have some fun with us.
Note to all my friends. Having a good zucchini harvest so far and that means one thing. I've got some baking to do. Now where's that zucchini bread/muffin recipe.
Finally, In this world where NFL players are tearing up knees, bi-ceps, achilles, and having other season ending injuries during training camp, we have the case of Barry Church. The defensive back had to have root canal and dental surgery after chipping a tooth while eating a cherry Jolly Rancher candy. How 'bout them Cowboys!
Two weeks til first high school football practice...Leccese out.
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