Hi There. Well summer comes to an end Tuesday and that means a new tv season is upon us. Tonight its the return of the CBS comedies I profess my loyalty to. How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men. The only new show that I may check out is Community on NBC. Its got that strong lead in from 30 Rock and The Office and from what I've read Chevy Chase is funny again. It's kind of depressing seeing him as one of my parents peers. To me he'll always be Ty Webb or Clark W. Griswold.
Did anyone really pay attention and watch the Emmy Awards last night? You did. You have my sympathy.
Speaking of television, if you happen to be a Food Network addict like I am, you wouldn't believe who's got a cooking show. Brian Boitano! The highlight of this cooking tour de force is the opening which is the song from the SouthPark movie. There's hope for me yet if I weren't so camera shy and I hate having my picture taken in general. Maybe if Marc Sommers decides to give up "Unwrapped," I could take over as host.
O.K last weekend we went 1 for 2 on the upset specials. Lost on the college, but won on the pro. I did not watch any of Giants/Cowboys game though it was nice to see arrogance humbled and I wish Lawrence Tynes or Jeff Feagles would have kicked the ball and purposely hit the mega/uber hi def jumbotron scoreboard just once to make Jerry Jones cringe even more. Look spend the extra 2 million bucks and raise the thing up another 10 feet so no one hits it.
If you would have predicted that Granville would be 3-0 and Schuylerville 0-3 to start the high school football season, I know I wouldn't have believed you.
Normally when I speak of the New Jersey Devils it revolves around the fact the organization has the personality of wet flatulence, but I'm giving them props for a change. On March 17th, they'll turn back the clock and wear the original red, white, and green jerseys that they first wore after they moved from Colorado. Yes Virginia, there was NHL hockey in Denver before the Avalanche arrived and they were known as the Rockies. Yep, just like the baseball team.
How come 2 private multi-level parking structures can built so easily in downtown Glens Falls, but the city can't find a way to do it to ease the parking problem it has?
One last thing, if you're a baseball fan it was sad to hear the news regarding Ernie Harwell. What a great guy! I got to meet him after he spoke a few years ago at the Baseball Hall of Fame and I was humbled in his presence, but he made feel like he was just as excited to meet me as I was him. If the world had more Ernie Harwell's, it would be a better place...Leccese out.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tales from the Low Country of South Carolina
Hi There. Well I'm back after 3 days of playing a little golf, admiring beautiful views and amazing sunsets, and eating great seafood off the coast of South Carolina. Here's a rarity. No complaints about the flights. The Charleston Airport needs more food court options once you get past security. The weather was in the 80's and the humidity was bearable. Some interesting observations about South Carolina. You can buy a bottle of champagne for $70.00 at Publix supermarket. Gas was 40 cents cheaper and every gas station I saw also sold fried chicken. (Fill it up with super, and I'll take 3 pieces of extra crispy.) There were fireworks stores everywhere along route 17 from Charleston to Beaufort. (We need to legalize fireworks here in New York. Those shops would be perfect for parts route 4 in Washington County.) I noticed a Dairy Queen advertising "Happy Hour everyday from 2 to 4pm." What the heck are they putting in the Dilly Bars down there? Went to a great chocolate shop in Beaufort called The Chocolate Tree. You enter this shop and the chocolate smell envelops you. It was that intoxicating you could drop dead on the spot and die happy. I got some chocolate bark with cashews and malted milk pieces in it. Killer stuff.
Onto the upset specials. Last week 0-2, this week I get back to the 500 mark. Your college upset special comes from North not South Carolina where the Tar Heels host the Pirates of East Carolina. I had the Pirates in an upset special last year against West Virginia, so lets go with them winning on the road in Chapel Hill. As for the pro, this weeks games don't inspire a lot of confidence, but here goes. The Arizona Cardinals normally don't play well when they travel to the east coast, but they'll win at Jacksonville over the Jaguars.
Who had the bigger case of foot in mouth disease. Serena Williams for her verbal, obscenity filled tirade on a linesman at the US Open. Kanye West for getting on stage, taking the microphone and dissing Taylor Swift while she accepted her VMA award. Last but not least there's Michael Jordan and his so-called acceptance speech at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Instead of ripping everyone who hurt his poor feelings like his high school coach who made him play on the jv squad, he should have been at the podium genuflecting and thanking everyone like Dean Smith, Jerry Krause, Phil Knight at Nike and all those NBA officials who took a blinds eye to all the traveling violations and other fouls he committed but were never called. Greatest player ever. I don't think so. Top 5 yes.
Who would of thought we see both Eldrick Woods and Roger Federer go down to defeat in a major championship within the same 30 day time period.
Juan Martin del Potro? Isn't that one of those all inclusive Caribbean resorts with white sand beaches.
Got South Glens Falls at Queensbury on WWSC tomorrow at 1:30pm. Enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.
Onto the upset specials. Last week 0-2, this week I get back to the 500 mark. Your college upset special comes from North not South Carolina where the Tar Heels host the Pirates of East Carolina. I had the Pirates in an upset special last year against West Virginia, so lets go with them winning on the road in Chapel Hill. As for the pro, this weeks games don't inspire a lot of confidence, but here goes. The Arizona Cardinals normally don't play well when they travel to the east coast, but they'll win at Jacksonville over the Jaguars.
Who had the bigger case of foot in mouth disease. Serena Williams for her verbal, obscenity filled tirade on a linesman at the US Open. Kanye West for getting on stage, taking the microphone and dissing Taylor Swift while she accepted her VMA award. Last but not least there's Michael Jordan and his so-called acceptance speech at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Instead of ripping everyone who hurt his poor feelings like his high school coach who made him play on the jv squad, he should have been at the podium genuflecting and thanking everyone like Dean Smith, Jerry Krause, Phil Knight at Nike and all those NBA officials who took a blinds eye to all the traveling violations and other fouls he committed but were never called. Greatest player ever. I don't think so. Top 5 yes.
Who would of thought we see both Eldrick Woods and Roger Federer go down to defeat in a major championship within the same 30 day time period.
Juan Martin del Potro? Isn't that one of those all inclusive Caribbean resorts with white sand beaches.
Got South Glens Falls at Queensbury on WWSC tomorrow at 1:30pm. Enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
They're Back! and other things of interest
Hi There. Well with the first week of the NFL season officially here, back by popular demand its time for the triumphant return of, "Opie's Upset Specials!!!" That's right fans of The Greenhouse Effect, its your opportunity to bet the ranch and lose the ranch on your choice of either a college or pro game in which I pick the underdog to win outright. No point spreads here folks. O.K. opening with the college ranks there were three games I liked. Well I start the 2009 upset special campaign in the PAC-10 where the Oregon Ducks, smarting from the spanking at the hands of Boise State play their home opener against the Purdue Boilermakers. The Ducks with the ugliest looking football uniforms on the planet are still in shock and lose to the team with the nickname that is a beer with a shot of whiskey chaser. My pro upset special sees the Browns and whoever is starting at quarterback for them to beat "As the Brett Favre turns" and his new team the Minnesota Vikings.
If I had a son, there are very few athletes I would want him to be like. Derek Jeter is one of those few. His parents brought him up the right way. We need to hear more about the Derek Jeters' in the sports world.
Got high school football Friday under the lights at Kim Miller Field in Corinth. Lake George and Corinth. It features two terrific athletes. Caleb Meroski for the Warriors and Jordan Charbonneau for the Tomahawks. Should be an interesting crossover game. Looking forward to doing this game, since we've never done a game from Corinth before. A few years back we took the Game of the Week to Schuylerville and had a great time. The people were terrific and we were welcomed with open arms. Saratoga Apple is right next to the school and I got my fill of cider and donuts. Down the road I wouldn't mind trying to do a game from either Granville or Greenwich.
Got more signs of the apocalypse for you. Disney is considering bringing back "Captain Eo" as tribute to Michael Jackson. It gets worse. I'm not a fan of American Idol and I've never watched it, but are you telling me the best person they could find to replace Paula Abdul at the judging table is Ellen DeGeneres? Also, why is Ellen DeGeneres doing commercials for Cover Girl make up? Talk about scraping under the bottom of the barrel. The 40 gallon industrial drum size of foundation can't help those looks.
Haven't made a decision on the personal trainer yet. Enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.
If I had a son, there are very few athletes I would want him to be like. Derek Jeter is one of those few. His parents brought him up the right way. We need to hear more about the Derek Jeters' in the sports world.
Got high school football Friday under the lights at Kim Miller Field in Corinth. Lake George and Corinth. It features two terrific athletes. Caleb Meroski for the Warriors and Jordan Charbonneau for the Tomahawks. Should be an interesting crossover game. Looking forward to doing this game, since we've never done a game from Corinth before. A few years back we took the Game of the Week to Schuylerville and had a great time. The people were terrific and we were welcomed with open arms. Saratoga Apple is right next to the school and I got my fill of cider and donuts. Down the road I wouldn't mind trying to do a game from either Granville or Greenwich.
Got more signs of the apocalypse for you. Disney is considering bringing back "Captain Eo" as tribute to Michael Jackson. It gets worse. I'm not a fan of American Idol and I've never watched it, but are you telling me the best person they could find to replace Paula Abdul at the judging table is Ellen DeGeneres? Also, why is Ellen DeGeneres doing commercials for Cover Girl make up? Talk about scraping under the bottom of the barrel. The 40 gallon industrial drum size of foundation can't help those looks.
Haven't made a decision on the personal trainer yet. Enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The first ones' out of the way and other observations
Hi There. Well the first week of football season is in the books. My first impression after week one. Maybe there was a reason none of the locals showed up at that media event, they aren't going to be very good. In reading news paper accounts, no team really stood out. Warrensburg got what they needed, a win and positive vibes going into their game with Rensselaer Friday night. I took two things out of the Glens Falls/Niskayuna game on WWSC Saturday. The spread offense that Niskayuna ran looked more like the pistol Lake George runs. (If you watched Nevada's offense against Notre Dame, that's what Lake George uses.) I thought Niksayuna would throw it more. The other thing is Pat Lilac hopes Steve O'Sick comes back sooner rather than later from his leg injury.
Watching a decent amount of both college and high school football over the weekend I noticed a lot of teams weren't actually getting in a huddle . It was more like get the play from the sideline, line up and checkdown the defense pointing out where certain guys are and then run the play from the shotgun. I didn't see as much QB under center snaps.
I suffered through Cincinnati/Rutgers Monday and the difference was experience at QB. Tony Pike never flinched and picked apart the Rutgers D, while Dom Natale struggled in 2nd and 3rd and long situations . Rutgers was way too predictable on first down. On a positive note, its only one game and Tom Savage is going to be the real deal for the Scarlet Knights.
I hope Jets and Lions fans are patient with Mark Sanchez and Matt Stafford. What happened last year with Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan was an aboration and not the norm for rookie QB's.
Two trends are already showing up this year in the NFL. Everybody is trying the single wing or scheming to stop it, and coordinators are getting fired before the start of the regular season. We've already had 3 canned so far.
So which female had a better weekend at Saratoga. Rachel Alexandra, a two year filly named Hot Dixie Chick, or Linda Rice who won the training title?
Here's this weeks' sign of the apocalypse. Sunday while driving home, I was behind of a group of motorcycle riders. One of them was wearing a helmet with the Minnesota Viking horns on the side. (That looked cool!) It was the Brett Favre purple Vikes jersey he was wearing that made me sick. I would have thrown up, but I was driving my Dad's car.
I hope the Quintal family can get Oscar's Smokehouse rebuilt and up and running as fast as possible.
Congrats Pittsburgh sports fans. Not only do you have the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup Champs, you've got the Pirates who have set the mediocrity record. 17 straight losing seasons. There is a silver lining Pirates fans, at least CitiField isn't your home ballpark.
Props to Ryan Seacrest for having the guts to say something that a lot of us think but wouldn't do. He wished someone (that person being Heidi Pratt) be tazed. I told someone once that I hoped that one day they'd drive into a bridge abutment and the airbag didn't deploy. Another one I love and I stole this from a Tiny Toons Adventures cartoon. "I'm naming my first ulcer after you!" You can also insert kidney stone as an alternative.
I thought Tila Tequila had her shot of love not once, but twice on VH1? Just what we needed. Another reality star getting extra seconds of fame like they were playing a bonus round.
I'm not a big yogurt fan, but Yoplait Whips Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Mousse flavors are delicious.
I've got to decide whether or not I'm going sign up and work with a personal trainer at the gym on a once or twice a week.
You may find this hard to believe, but I'm actually taking 3 days off next week. Heading to South Carolina for a quick visit to see this piece of property my folks bought and are looking to build a home on. I'm not a good vacation person. I get bored and there is so much other stuff between work and home that needs constant attention. It's hard for me to just drop everything. One day of doing basically nothing and I'm good.
Coming up Friday its the return of "Opie's Upset Specials!"...Leccese out.
Watching a decent amount of both college and high school football over the weekend I noticed a lot of teams weren't actually getting in a huddle . It was more like get the play from the sideline, line up and checkdown the defense pointing out where certain guys are and then run the play from the shotgun. I didn't see as much QB under center snaps.
I suffered through Cincinnati/Rutgers Monday and the difference was experience at QB. Tony Pike never flinched and picked apart the Rutgers D, while Dom Natale struggled in 2nd and 3rd and long situations . Rutgers was way too predictable on first down. On a positive note, its only one game and Tom Savage is going to be the real deal for the Scarlet Knights.
I hope Jets and Lions fans are patient with Mark Sanchez and Matt Stafford. What happened last year with Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan was an aboration and not the norm for rookie QB's.
Two trends are already showing up this year in the NFL. Everybody is trying the single wing or scheming to stop it, and coordinators are getting fired before the start of the regular season. We've already had 3 canned so far.
So which female had a better weekend at Saratoga. Rachel Alexandra, a two year filly named Hot Dixie Chick, or Linda Rice who won the training title?
Here's this weeks' sign of the apocalypse. Sunday while driving home, I was behind of a group of motorcycle riders. One of them was wearing a helmet with the Minnesota Viking horns on the side. (That looked cool!) It was the Brett Favre purple Vikes jersey he was wearing that made me sick. I would have thrown up, but I was driving my Dad's car.
I hope the Quintal family can get Oscar's Smokehouse rebuilt and up and running as fast as possible.
Congrats Pittsburgh sports fans. Not only do you have the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup Champs, you've got the Pirates who have set the mediocrity record. 17 straight losing seasons. There is a silver lining Pirates fans, at least CitiField isn't your home ballpark.
Props to Ryan Seacrest for having the guts to say something that a lot of us think but wouldn't do. He wished someone (that person being Heidi Pratt) be tazed. I told someone once that I hoped that one day they'd drive into a bridge abutment and the airbag didn't deploy. Another one I love and I stole this from a Tiny Toons Adventures cartoon. "I'm naming my first ulcer after you!" You can also insert kidney stone as an alternative.
I thought Tila Tequila had her shot of love not once, but twice on VH1? Just what we needed. Another reality star getting extra seconds of fame like they were playing a bonus round.
I'm not a big yogurt fan, but Yoplait Whips Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Mousse flavors are delicious.
I've got to decide whether or not I'm going sign up and work with a personal trainer at the gym on a once or twice a week.
You may find this hard to believe, but I'm actually taking 3 days off next week. Heading to South Carolina for a quick visit to see this piece of property my folks bought and are looking to build a home on. I'm not a good vacation person. I get bored and there is so much other stuff between work and home that needs constant attention. It's hard for me to just drop everything. One day of doing basically nothing and I'm good.
Coming up Friday its the return of "Opie's Upset Specials!"...Leccese out.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Three football scrimmages and a media day plus other observations
Hi There. Why is it when the calendar reaches September 1st you get the same feeling you get when you're on the verge of coming down with the flu or cold?
Well I've been to 4 training camps, 3 football scrimmages and the Section 2 media day in the past week. I start with the media day at UAlbany. It was O.K. None of the schools from our area were in attendance so that was disappointing. The good part was getting to talk to a few coaches I've met the past few years. I also got rosters from teams for some of the games we'll doing. On to the scrimmages. Here are some first impressions for you. Warrensburg should be better. Lake George is a work in progress. They've got some holes to fill especially on the line. Fort Edward is young with 13 sophomores but they're athletic and they have decent size, they'll take some lumps early in the year. Hudson Falls went to the state semi's last year and they're replacing 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense. The 3 backs that will replace Joe McMurry will be more than adequate replacements and I liked what I saw from their offensive line. Glens Falls has some potential and Class A is wide open. Finally there's Corinth who could be a .500 team if they get some breaks to go their way. Class C is so tough with teams like Chatham, Watervliet, Voorheesville, Hoosick Falls, Schuylerville and Cambridge. There is no easy game in Class C. I haven't been to see South Glens Falls or Queensbury yet. Heading there Wednesday and Thursday. On to other things.
How many more revisions of the "Joba Rules" are we gonna get? Personally, I wait for the paperback versions to come out and not spend the money on the hard cover.
Rick Pitino is blaming the media now for his recent troubles. He was a little upset getting the top news story in Kentucky instead of the passing of Sen. Kennedy. So much for once being the "wonder boy" coach of the Providence Friars in 1987 riding Billy Donovan and Delray Brooks to the Final Four. A little advice for you coach. Shut up and go back to playing Guitar Hero with Coach K, Roy Williams, and Bob Knight.
Hey Jets fans, don't get your hopes up too high. It's only pre-season. I'm predicting 5-11, 6-10 if you're lucky. Your receiving corp is on the same level as the team you share Giants Stadium with. Adequate at best.
This weeks signs of the apocalypse. Three, count 'em three Star Trek inspired colognes have come out. Tiberius and Red Shirt for men and there's Ponn Farr for women. I mentioned this to Dubray the other day. It's either depressing or pathetic that I know that Ponn Farr is the seven year mating cycle of Vulcans, but ask me about the 2 years of Spanish I took in high school or the year of college geology, I couldn't tell you a thing.
One phrase to describe Lisa Robertson. DDG. That's Drop Dead Gorgeous...Leccese out.
Well I've been to 4 training camps, 3 football scrimmages and the Section 2 media day in the past week. I start with the media day at UAlbany. It was O.K. None of the schools from our area were in attendance so that was disappointing. The good part was getting to talk to a few coaches I've met the past few years. I also got rosters from teams for some of the games we'll doing. On to the scrimmages. Here are some first impressions for you. Warrensburg should be better. Lake George is a work in progress. They've got some holes to fill especially on the line. Fort Edward is young with 13 sophomores but they're athletic and they have decent size, they'll take some lumps early in the year. Hudson Falls went to the state semi's last year and they're replacing 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense. The 3 backs that will replace Joe McMurry will be more than adequate replacements and I liked what I saw from their offensive line. Glens Falls has some potential and Class A is wide open. Finally there's Corinth who could be a .500 team if they get some breaks to go their way. Class C is so tough with teams like Chatham, Watervliet, Voorheesville, Hoosick Falls, Schuylerville and Cambridge. There is no easy game in Class C. I haven't been to see South Glens Falls or Queensbury yet. Heading there Wednesday and Thursday. On to other things.
How many more revisions of the "Joba Rules" are we gonna get? Personally, I wait for the paperback versions to come out and not spend the money on the hard cover.
Rick Pitino is blaming the media now for his recent troubles. He was a little upset getting the top news story in Kentucky instead of the passing of Sen. Kennedy. So much for once being the "wonder boy" coach of the Providence Friars in 1987 riding Billy Donovan and Delray Brooks to the Final Four. A little advice for you coach. Shut up and go back to playing Guitar Hero with Coach K, Roy Williams, and Bob Knight.
Hey Jets fans, don't get your hopes up too high. It's only pre-season. I'm predicting 5-11, 6-10 if you're lucky. Your receiving corp is on the same level as the team you share Giants Stadium with. Adequate at best.
This weeks signs of the apocalypse. Three, count 'em three Star Trek inspired colognes have come out. Tiberius and Red Shirt for men and there's Ponn Farr for women. I mentioned this to Dubray the other day. It's either depressing or pathetic that I know that Ponn Farr is the seven year mating cycle of Vulcans, but ask me about the 2 years of Spanish I took in high school or the year of college geology, I couldn't tell you a thing.
One phrase to describe Lisa Robertson. DDG. That's Drop Dead Gorgeous...Leccese out.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Kenny is going to training camp and other observations
Hi There. Well 2 more unofficial weeks of summer left and you can add another one to the list of things I didn't get to accomplish this summer. Go to the track. I won't have the chance by the time the meet ends Labor Day. O.K. you could say I could go on Sunday, but be honest. Do you want to deal with the spinners who's main interest is getting the giveaways? I didn't think so.
Well these next two weeks I'm heading to check out high school football practices and scrimmages to get ready for the season opener on Saturday September 5th. Remember folks its Niskayuna at Glens Falls on Talk 1450 WWSC. I'm really looking forward to working with John and Dan on games this season. I've got my scrimmage schedule plotted out for Saturday. Head to both Fort Edward and Hudson Falls in the morning. (I'm skipping Combat class.) Then go to Lake George for the scrimmage under the lights. Sunday afternoon its Section 2 football media day at UAlbany.
The NFL pre-season has started and Friday night I watched bits and pieces of the Cowboys/Titans game. The first one to be played at the new shrine to Jerry Jones. 1.2 billion dollars and the geniuses who designed the place should have put the enormo-mega-jumbo tron scoreboard which hangs over the field of play about 10 to 12 feet higher up so the punters won't hit the thing. Jerry Jones is saying the punter was purposely trying to hit it. Think about it. The higher you kick the ball, the longer the hang time and that means your coverage team has more time to get down field. Special teams 101. Jerry must be talking with Al Davis about crazy football conspiracy theories. The same people who designed Cowboys Stadium must have designed CitiField.
Well you gotta love the NFL. Anything to make an extra dollar. You can actually buy a Michael Vick Eagles jersey for your dog. Forty bucks flushed down the potty. The Michael Vick puppy trainer wee-wee pad is a better idea.
Plaxico Burress is going to jail for 2 years for possessing that unregistered hand gun that went off in the NYC night club. That will be more time served than Leonard Little or Donte Stallworth did for vehicular manslaughter under the influence of alcohol or what Michael Vick just got released for. I know he broke the law, but why do I have this uneasy feeling Michael Bloomberg and other big time officials are enjoying this victory and conviction. Must be feeling the same way those people who got O.J.Simpson locked up for the robbery charges felt when they got him convicted.
What is it about certain people who do stupid things, get caught and they often end up with better jobs. I see it everywhere. Do they have charm, are they charismatic? I don't get it. Look at John Calipari. This week the NCAA took away the Memphis Tigers' wins and struck their appearance in the 2008 final four from the record book for violations. This is not the first time it has happened to Coach Cal. Remember his stint at UMass? Road Marcus Camby to the final four in 1996. Had to give up their appearance because Camby accepted money from agents. So where is he? At one of the highest profile coaching jobs in the country. Between Pitino and Calipari, this is going to be one heck of a year for college hoops fans in the Bluegrass State.
They honored the 1969 Mets Saturday at you know where before the Mets/Phils game and seeing Nolan Ryan back in a Mets uniform gave me chills. It was even more classy to see Seaver, Ryan and Koosman throw out the ceremonial first pitches. I just have to ask, how did they determine who got to throw to Jerry Grote? I written this before, nothing against Mike Piazza or Gary Carter, but if Tom Seaver is throwing a ceremonial first pitch before a Mets home game, it better be Jerry Grote behind the plate to catch it. Listening to the players speak about that team, one theme always came out. Gil Hodges. Gil believed they were going to be good, and they always said that among his many managerial strengths was he was always thinking ahead.
Attended the Greg Gilbert meet and greet Tuesday and he's a stand up guy like I thought he'd be.
I'm discovering I'm not a young man anymore. I'll be 44 in February and seeing those grey hairs among the blonde ones while getting them cut last week did not sit well. The baseball stadium of my youth was torn down in February, and the football stadium of my youth in the Jersey swamp will be gone sometime in early 2010. I'm starting to think I'm going to turn into to one of those lonely, bitter, old men who hates kids and has lots of cats or dogs as companions. I might have to put in a call to Keith Hernandez or Walt Frazier and get some "Just for Men."
Thanks to everyone who supported and showed up for the go-cart race Tuesday. There's a part of me that wants to drive in it one year, but I can be more of a help behind the scenes. I've known Dan Miner for 21 years but seeing him wear that crocheted bikini top was the scariest thing I've known him to do. My eyes, oh my eyes! I had wear contacts that day. If I had been wearing glasses, I could have taken them off when I felt like it and the sight wouldn't have been so bad.
Welcome back to the family, Pezz...Leccese out.
Well these next two weeks I'm heading to check out high school football practices and scrimmages to get ready for the season opener on Saturday September 5th. Remember folks its Niskayuna at Glens Falls on Talk 1450 WWSC. I'm really looking forward to working with John and Dan on games this season. I've got my scrimmage schedule plotted out for Saturday. Head to both Fort Edward and Hudson Falls in the morning. (I'm skipping Combat class.) Then go to Lake George for the scrimmage under the lights. Sunday afternoon its Section 2 football media day at UAlbany.
The NFL pre-season has started and Friday night I watched bits and pieces of the Cowboys/Titans game. The first one to be played at the new shrine to Jerry Jones. 1.2 billion dollars and the geniuses who designed the place should have put the enormo-mega-jumbo tron scoreboard which hangs over the field of play about 10 to 12 feet higher up so the punters won't hit the thing. Jerry Jones is saying the punter was purposely trying to hit it. Think about it. The higher you kick the ball, the longer the hang time and that means your coverage team has more time to get down field. Special teams 101. Jerry must be talking with Al Davis about crazy football conspiracy theories. The same people who designed Cowboys Stadium must have designed CitiField.
Well you gotta love the NFL. Anything to make an extra dollar. You can actually buy a Michael Vick Eagles jersey for your dog. Forty bucks flushed down the potty. The Michael Vick puppy trainer wee-wee pad is a better idea.
Plaxico Burress is going to jail for 2 years for possessing that unregistered hand gun that went off in the NYC night club. That will be more time served than Leonard Little or Donte Stallworth did for vehicular manslaughter under the influence of alcohol or what Michael Vick just got released for. I know he broke the law, but why do I have this uneasy feeling Michael Bloomberg and other big time officials are enjoying this victory and conviction. Must be feeling the same way those people who got O.J.Simpson locked up for the robbery charges felt when they got him convicted.
What is it about certain people who do stupid things, get caught and they often end up with better jobs. I see it everywhere. Do they have charm, are they charismatic? I don't get it. Look at John Calipari. This week the NCAA took away the Memphis Tigers' wins and struck their appearance in the 2008 final four from the record book for violations. This is not the first time it has happened to Coach Cal. Remember his stint at UMass? Road Marcus Camby to the final four in 1996. Had to give up their appearance because Camby accepted money from agents. So where is he? At one of the highest profile coaching jobs in the country. Between Pitino and Calipari, this is going to be one heck of a year for college hoops fans in the Bluegrass State.
They honored the 1969 Mets Saturday at you know where before the Mets/Phils game and seeing Nolan Ryan back in a Mets uniform gave me chills. It was even more classy to see Seaver, Ryan and Koosman throw out the ceremonial first pitches. I just have to ask, how did they determine who got to throw to Jerry Grote? I written this before, nothing against Mike Piazza or Gary Carter, but if Tom Seaver is throwing a ceremonial first pitch before a Mets home game, it better be Jerry Grote behind the plate to catch it. Listening to the players speak about that team, one theme always came out. Gil Hodges. Gil believed they were going to be good, and they always said that among his many managerial strengths was he was always thinking ahead.
Attended the Greg Gilbert meet and greet Tuesday and he's a stand up guy like I thought he'd be.
I'm discovering I'm not a young man anymore. I'll be 44 in February and seeing those grey hairs among the blonde ones while getting them cut last week did not sit well. The baseball stadium of my youth was torn down in February, and the football stadium of my youth in the Jersey swamp will be gone sometime in early 2010. I'm starting to think I'm going to turn into to one of those lonely, bitter, old men who hates kids and has lots of cats or dogs as companions. I might have to put in a call to Keith Hernandez or Walt Frazier and get some "Just for Men."
Thanks to everyone who supported and showed up for the go-cart race Tuesday. There's a part of me that wants to drive in it one year, but I can be more of a help behind the scenes. I've known Dan Miner for 21 years but seeing him wear that crocheted bikini top was the scariest thing I've known him to do. My eyes, oh my eyes! I had wear contacts that day. If I had been wearing glasses, I could have taken them off when I felt like it and the sight wouldn't have been so bad.
Welcome back to the family, Pezz...Leccese out.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
They were a lot easier to put in than they were to take out
Hi There. Well my summer is officially over. Football practice has begun and in less than 3 weeks the season opener happens on WWSC. F.Y.I-The first game will be Saturday September 5th Niskayuna at Glens Falls. Next week I will make the tour of the schools, watch practices, talk to the coaches, see teams scrimmage on the 29th and then on the 30th attend a media day at UAlbany.
I was supposed to do 4 things this summer. I accomplished none of the four. Here they are. Play a lot of golf. Didn't happen (Links 2001 on my laptop doesn't count). Visit family in Rhode Island and see a minor league baseball game during the visit. Also didn't happen. Play golf with my cousins husband Ned. Nope, didn't happen. And last but not least, find a girlfriend. Ken Leccese, not tonight. In baseball terms that's called the "Golden Sombrero." 4 at bats and 4 strike outs.
Did some work in the yard Sunday and I removed 2 bushes and cut down another so it would re-grow. Boy they were a lot easier to plant 28 years ago when my parents first built the house I live in. Plus there is more removing to do. 2 more bushes, a crab apple tree and a 20 foot pine is coming out as well. And I have to prune some branches along my driveway. This one area we are doing over will contain perennials, small bushes and more raised beds for veggies.
The rest of the garden this year has been a disappointment. Lets see outside a respectable crop of green beans and lettuce, I've picked 5 cherry tomatoes, and 5 zucchini. That's it. No peppers, cucumbers or eggplant yet. It wasn't so much all the rain that affected the garden, it was the lack of warm weather in June or July that stunted growth.
On to sports where topic number one is Michael Vick and his signing with the Eagles. I gave my opinion on what he should have done. What he did was disgusting, horrible and every other negative word I can come with in regards to those dogs. He served his time and has a right to return to play pro football and make a living doing so. I felt he should have gone to the UFL first, make peace and friends with the SPCA and all the other animal rights groups to prove he's changed and then try to play in the NFL next year.
While reading the news the other day I happened to notice the UFL announced the names of the 4 teams that will play in its inaugural season and I have to ask who came up with them for the Florida and Las Vegas teams. The names chosen were the Tuskers and Locomotives? You've got to be kidding right? I wonder what the runners up were? What the heck is a Tusker anyhow? Locomotives for Las Vegas? Come on now what about Gamblers, Jackpot or my personal choice, The Strip. How cool does this sound. "Catch the Las Vegas Strip in action tonight on Versus when they take on the California Redwoods at 9pm." Las Vegas Locomotives, my skin is crawling over that choice.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more worse for the Mets, it did and in scary fashion. David Wright got plunked in the head accidentally by a Matt Cain fastball. At least Cain showed remorse and apologized. If I were David, I would have told the trainers to call the Rangers or Islanders doctors to check him out for the concussion and not to trust the Mets team physicians. They would have told him to take a couple of Excedrin and he'd be fine the next morning. One more Mets note. The decorative improvements to CitiField. Too little, too late for this Mets fan. Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone or in the case of CitiField ugly goes straight to its foundation. At least this Saturday Fred and Jeff Wilpon will actually remember the teams' history when the '69 Miracle Mets will be honored on its 40th anniversary. Nolan Ryan will be attending and I think this is the first time he's been a part of one of those reunions. I hope he gets the biggest applause of anyone that night. Sorry Misters' Seaver, Koosman, Harrelson, Grote and Company.
Poor Eldrick. He missed some putts and took the gas pipe at Hazeltine and lost the PGA on Sunday to Y.E Yang who made 2 amazing shots. The chip in for eagle on 14 and that 206 yard shot on 18. Don't shed a tear for CBS though. They got Eldrick in the final pairing and that means ratings points. I like Tiger, but the golf world does not revolve around him like everyone else thinks it does. Golf will continue even though Eldrick didn't win one major a year for the first time in 5 years.
I'm shocked and even more so disappointed in the revelations this past week coming out from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. I thought he was a stand up kind of guy.
The wheel of maternity has spun again and it landed on Fox News' Megyn Kelly. First it was Cobie Smulders and now Megyn Kelly. I've got to start looking for some new actresses and news reporters to have secret crushes on. Ones who are intelligent, attractive and their biological clocks are shut off. Don't tell my girlfriend I just wrote that, I'll be in big trouble if she finds out. Wait a second, I don't have girlfriend. Nothing to worry about after all...Leccese out
I was supposed to do 4 things this summer. I accomplished none of the four. Here they are. Play a lot of golf. Didn't happen (Links 2001 on my laptop doesn't count). Visit family in Rhode Island and see a minor league baseball game during the visit. Also didn't happen. Play golf with my cousins husband Ned. Nope, didn't happen. And last but not least, find a girlfriend. Ken Leccese, not tonight. In baseball terms that's called the "Golden Sombrero." 4 at bats and 4 strike outs.
Did some work in the yard Sunday and I removed 2 bushes and cut down another so it would re-grow. Boy they were a lot easier to plant 28 years ago when my parents first built the house I live in. Plus there is more removing to do. 2 more bushes, a crab apple tree and a 20 foot pine is coming out as well. And I have to prune some branches along my driveway. This one area we are doing over will contain perennials, small bushes and more raised beds for veggies.
The rest of the garden this year has been a disappointment. Lets see outside a respectable crop of green beans and lettuce, I've picked 5 cherry tomatoes, and 5 zucchini. That's it. No peppers, cucumbers or eggplant yet. It wasn't so much all the rain that affected the garden, it was the lack of warm weather in June or July that stunted growth.
On to sports where topic number one is Michael Vick and his signing with the Eagles. I gave my opinion on what he should have done. What he did was disgusting, horrible and every other negative word I can come with in regards to those dogs. He served his time and has a right to return to play pro football and make a living doing so. I felt he should have gone to the UFL first, make peace and friends with the SPCA and all the other animal rights groups to prove he's changed and then try to play in the NFL next year.
While reading the news the other day I happened to notice the UFL announced the names of the 4 teams that will play in its inaugural season and I have to ask who came up with them for the Florida and Las Vegas teams. The names chosen were the Tuskers and Locomotives? You've got to be kidding right? I wonder what the runners up were? What the heck is a Tusker anyhow? Locomotives for Las Vegas? Come on now what about Gamblers, Jackpot or my personal choice, The Strip. How cool does this sound. "Catch the Las Vegas Strip in action tonight on Versus when they take on the California Redwoods at 9pm." Las Vegas Locomotives, my skin is crawling over that choice.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more worse for the Mets, it did and in scary fashion. David Wright got plunked in the head accidentally by a Matt Cain fastball. At least Cain showed remorse and apologized. If I were David, I would have told the trainers to call the Rangers or Islanders doctors to check him out for the concussion and not to trust the Mets team physicians. They would have told him to take a couple of Excedrin and he'd be fine the next morning. One more Mets note. The decorative improvements to CitiField. Too little, too late for this Mets fan. Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone or in the case of CitiField ugly goes straight to its foundation. At least this Saturday Fred and Jeff Wilpon will actually remember the teams' history when the '69 Miracle Mets will be honored on its 40th anniversary. Nolan Ryan will be attending and I think this is the first time he's been a part of one of those reunions. I hope he gets the biggest applause of anyone that night. Sorry Misters' Seaver, Koosman, Harrelson, Grote and Company.
Poor Eldrick. He missed some putts and took the gas pipe at Hazeltine and lost the PGA on Sunday to Y.E Yang who made 2 amazing shots. The chip in for eagle on 14 and that 206 yard shot on 18. Don't shed a tear for CBS though. They got Eldrick in the final pairing and that means ratings points. I like Tiger, but the golf world does not revolve around him like everyone else thinks it does. Golf will continue even though Eldrick didn't win one major a year for the first time in 5 years.
I'm shocked and even more so disappointed in the revelations this past week coming out from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. I thought he was a stand up kind of guy.
The wheel of maternity has spun again and it landed on Fox News' Megyn Kelly. First it was Cobie Smulders and now Megyn Kelly. I've got to start looking for some new actresses and news reporters to have secret crushes on. Ones who are intelligent, attractive and their biological clocks are shut off. Don't tell my girlfriend I just wrote that, I'll be in big trouble if she finds out. Wait a second, I don't have girlfriend. Nothing to worry about after all...Leccese out
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