Hi there. Here I am writing this entry with a new dryer full of wet clothes running. How come one store can manage to get something delivered to your home and installed less than 24 hours after you purchase it and others take days and in one case 2 weeks? We buy the new washer and dryer Tuesday, and Wednesday it showed up on a truck that made it up my driveway no problem. The new units are great except I haven't figured out how to mute the dryer when its finished. It doesn't make a game show buzzer sound. This one when its done plays a tune that reminds you that the ice cream man is coming. It can get to be annoying when you're doing multiple loads. Not only did I get my home appliances on Tuesday, I had two of the online purchases I made arrive that day and I actually had a winning a bid on Ebay. I finally caved in and searched for something on Ebay that I've always wanted to own. A piece of animation cel art. I found a cel from the Archie's cartoon produced by Filmation that ran in late 60's and early 70's. This should be fun going to the antiques store that does framing in Warrensburg. First I brought that "big record" in to be framed and now a piece of cartoon art. Good thing they haven't seen the movie posters I have somewhere in my garage.
One of the dilemas that occasionally happen at the radio ranch is when a game that we plan to do on WWSC gets moved to another date and conflicts with something already scheduled. In this case it was the Queensbury/Glens Falls hockey game at the Civic Center. It was moved from this coming Tuesday 1/15 to last Tuesday night 1/8. I found out at the last minute when I read the Sunday paper two days before it took place. I was not a happy camper. We had a basketball game already scheduled for that night and stuck with it. Too late to switch.
Shut up already about Tim Tebow! First it was the Jets circus, then the Jaguars and their new GM saying we're not interested. The Broncos lose to Ravens and if Tim Tebow had played they would have won. No they wouldn't have! Joe Flacco has got his confidence back and played a heck of a game. Tim Tebow is a stand up guy, but I personally think he likes seeing his name in the headlines and on the back page and sports talkers bring him up constantly. Just go to Canada and play for the Hamilton Tiger Cats or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Also shut up about Robert Griffin the 3rd and his knee. Mike Shanahan felt they had the best chance to win with him at only 75 percent than with Kirk Cousins at 100 percent. Also Griffin being the competitor that he is felt he could play. I watched Outside the Lines this morning and Mr.Griffin was the topic of the day and his injury and the race card was brought up. Must have been a slow news week. How about giving the Seahawks some credit? Solid running game, nasty defense and a smart kid behind center in Russell Wilson.
Same thing goes with the 49ers. I watched Colin Kaepernik play on tv a few times in college at Nevada and some of the things he did, the combination of his size and smarts you could see he would be successful at the next level.
I'll admit this morning that I watched Cartoon Network and The New Looney Tunes Show. Almost fell off the couch laughing so hard when Bugs Bunny in a panic told his doctor when looking at his diploma, "You went to Syracuse! That's a basketball school!" Also was very happy to see The Animaniacs on the The Hub network. I've got to find them on Blu-Ray for my niece Morgan and get her hooked like I did with Tiny Toon Adventures.
It's taken 6 years and tv viewers are now finally discovering "The Big Bang Theory?" One of the few times I was on that train before everyone else was.
Last year it was homemade pasta and this year my cooking challenge will be, envelope please: Ice Cream.
Still haven't written out "thank you" cards. I've been slacking in making appointments for a dental cleaning, my chiropractor, and some other stuff. Got to run. That's either Mr.Ding-a-Ling driving by my house or the dryer calling saying its time to fold clothes...Leccese out.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Venting (and we're not talking about attaching the connection to the clothes dryer)
Hi there. First entry of 2013 and sometime during the middle of next month this blog turns 5 years old. O.K. as for the New Year, I did what I always do. Sleep through it so I didn't stay awake or re-awake to welcome it in. Normally I work New Year's Day, but for once I asked out and used New Years Eve to recover from 2 1/2 weeks of going on the air early at noon while Mike was on vacation the week before Christmas and 8 days of morning drive on both stations. I was in bed by 9:30. Some party animal I am, lol. I also spent New Years going through about 10 different gift cards, finding out balances on them and in the case of some of them, buying stuff and finishing the cards off. Purchased a new wireless mouse, dozen golf balls, an item of clothing and a couple of packs of seeds for garden 2013.
On to other things. As much as I love living in this home that my parents built 32 years ago as a weekend getaway place and now is my permanent residence, I think its time they sell it. When something needs to be replaced or repaired its a hassle. It's never simple. You knew about the hot water heater troubles last year, well now its the washer/dryer. So we ordered and bought the replacements a week ago Monday. They were supposed to be delivered and installed Friday. So Friday comes and they are delivered in an 18 wheeler and the two geniuses had no way to get them up the driveway and into my home! What ever happened load and deliver them in a small truck, drive up my driveway, use a dolly to take them off the truck, open up my front or patio door, take out the old units and put them in the truck and then install the new ones. The store that I bought these from was the same one I bought the old set from.
On to more venting and not of the appliance kind. First is answering the phone at the radio station. For once I wish when I answer it, someone would say hello and recognize its me on the other end. People may find this hard to believe, but we all don't live at the radio station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I love it when someone calls on the CKM studio or the main business lines during the afternoon I pick the phone up and they assume its Pete, Dan, Mike, Mr. Ashworth or even Lee Pecue. Do I sound like any of those gentlemen? Perfect example was during the week between Christmas and New Years doing the Morning Club and the guys were on vacation. People with a birthday or a cancellation would call, I'd pick up, answer and they'd reply, "Pete I have a birthday" or " Pete, can I get this announced on the radio?"
One more vent. Breakfast with the Beatles isn't going away folks. We like the show. Dennis Mitchell does a terrific job hosting and putting it together. Look, I completely understand if you don't like The Beatles. Bottom line is this. If you don't like some of the things we do on the air or some of the personalities that are on any of our radio stations, listen to something else or turn off the radio during the times that person or show is on. I personally don't get offended or my feelings get hurt when you change the dial if I'm on the air.
The notion that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have procreated and will bring a child into this world sometime during 2013 just scares the living daylights out of me. As of today this is a Kardashian/West baby free zone. Kimmy's mom Kris is thinking, "That kid is a 16 million dollar pay day!" *Cha-Ching!"
Well now that Christmas has past, its time for the "Invasion of the seed catalogs." I've received on average at least 2 garden or seed catalogs a day since Christmas though today being the 6th of January.
Congrats to Jim Boeheim for reaching 900 career wins. There was a great article in USA Today about him talking about his time in the Big East and how now its a fractured conference. The late Dave Gavitt must be looking down on us and thinking, "What happened to my simple little basketball conference." We all know. Football drives the armored truck in college sports. Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine Rutgers playing in the Big 10, now soon to be with 14 members.
O.K. we will have a hockey season. I still think Gary Bettman should have cancelled it back in October just to stick those bridge trolls Don and Steve Fehr.
Heading to laundrymat...Leccese out.
On to other things. As much as I love living in this home that my parents built 32 years ago as a weekend getaway place and now is my permanent residence, I think its time they sell it. When something needs to be replaced or repaired its a hassle. It's never simple. You knew about the hot water heater troubles last year, well now its the washer/dryer. So we ordered and bought the replacements a week ago Monday. They were supposed to be delivered and installed Friday. So Friday comes and they are delivered in an 18 wheeler and the two geniuses had no way to get them up the driveway and into my home! What ever happened load and deliver them in a small truck, drive up my driveway, use a dolly to take them off the truck, open up my front or patio door, take out the old units and put them in the truck and then install the new ones. The store that I bought these from was the same one I bought the old set from.
On to more venting and not of the appliance kind. First is answering the phone at the radio station. For once I wish when I answer it, someone would say hello and recognize its me on the other end. People may find this hard to believe, but we all don't live at the radio station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I love it when someone calls on the CKM studio or the main business lines during the afternoon I pick the phone up and they assume its Pete, Dan, Mike, Mr. Ashworth or even Lee Pecue. Do I sound like any of those gentlemen? Perfect example was during the week between Christmas and New Years doing the Morning Club and the guys were on vacation. People with a birthday or a cancellation would call, I'd pick up, answer and they'd reply, "Pete I have a birthday" or " Pete, can I get this announced on the radio?"
One more vent. Breakfast with the Beatles isn't going away folks. We like the show. Dennis Mitchell does a terrific job hosting and putting it together. Look, I completely understand if you don't like The Beatles. Bottom line is this. If you don't like some of the things we do on the air or some of the personalities that are on any of our radio stations, listen to something else or turn off the radio during the times that person or show is on. I personally don't get offended or my feelings get hurt when you change the dial if I'm on the air.
The notion that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have procreated and will bring a child into this world sometime during 2013 just scares the living daylights out of me. As of today this is a Kardashian/West baby free zone. Kimmy's mom Kris is thinking, "That kid is a 16 million dollar pay day!" *Cha-Ching!"
Well now that Christmas has past, its time for the "Invasion of the seed catalogs." I've received on average at least 2 garden or seed catalogs a day since Christmas though today being the 6th of January.
Congrats to Jim Boeheim for reaching 900 career wins. There was a great article in USA Today about him talking about his time in the Big East and how now its a fractured conference. The late Dave Gavitt must be looking down on us and thinking, "What happened to my simple little basketball conference." We all know. Football drives the armored truck in college sports. Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine Rutgers playing in the Big 10, now soon to be with 14 members.
O.K. we will have a hockey season. I still think Gary Bettman should have cancelled it back in October just to stick those bridge trolls Don and Steve Fehr.
Heading to laundrymat...Leccese out.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
2012 can't end soon enough for me
Hi there. Hope you're enjoying the holiday as we head into a new year and all I can say is 2012 can't end soon enough for me. Not enough Mt Everest highs and too many Death Valley lows. One of my closest friends all of sudden doesn't like me any more and it stung. This year became so much of a re-evaluation. Making changes in my personality. Honestly, I am heading into 2013 with more uncertainty about myself and who I am. Maybe I'm in a midlife crisis, I can't figure this one out.
As for resolutions, I'm not making them this year. O.K. I'm gonna make one. When I go to a restaurant, I'll will actually on more occasions try to sit down and eat in the place instead of getting take out. I also resolve to finally make it into Massie's for dinner one night.
Christmas was quietly spent with the folks and Meow my cat. I really didn't want anything this year. No new kitchen toy to expand my culinary horizons. I'm not into personal electronic devices and I really had no pressing needs. I've thought about buying an ice cream maker with a gift card I got.
On the home front, the high efficiency washer and dryer combo I have are no longer high efficient. Bearings went on the washer. It would cost around $600.00 to fix it and a new one goes for about $200.00 more. Take a guess where I'm headed.
When it comes to cell phones, I have a complaint and it has nothing to do with service. My cell phone is not a life line that I need to keep checking constantly. (That's what I have a laptop for, lol). I put money in it every so often to keep the account active. My cell phone is like the old fashioned pay phone we used to see everywhere. Why can't Verizon or any other carrier offer up one those fancy with all the apps type I-phone, razors or any other model for someone like me.
A couple of NBA notes. The "Flatbush Avenue Jay-Z's" a.k.a the Brooklyn Nets fired coach Avery Johnson the other day and it's a big deal because? The other one is the Los Angeles Clippers have won 16 straight games! Yes the Clippers. I was listening to Bristol Tech radio the other day and the Clippers are still only third when it comes to the hearts of LA hoops fans behind the Lakers and the drama that follows the Lakers. I loved that line.
As much as I wanted to see Phil Jackson come back and finish his basketball career as Knicks coach, after reading and learning more about Mike Woodson and his background playing for Bob Knight at Indiana and Red Holtzman when he was with the Knicks, I'm liking him more and more all the time.
Rick Majerus another coaching original we've lost too soon.
Note Rutgers coach Kyle Flood. I'm a firm believer in loyalty, but after the recent performances in the last 3 games, come spring practice time, the job for starting quarterback better be an open competition and Gary Nova hopefully isn't on the depth chart. Talk about choking big time. Give Chas Dodd or Mike Bimonte the chance to make it happen.
I don't think any great quarterback in NFL history would be successful with the lack of skill position talent the Jets had this year. Even Jets fans couldn't name a receiver or running back on their roster.
I've been a Giants fans for 42 years now so it's come to the point where I expect the unexpected. I've seen it all so nothing surprizes me anymore.
Finally in light of all the recent goings on with shootings of children and folks who protect us; weather related tragedies from hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards; and other downer things in the news, maybe we just need to relax, take a deep breath and think about something good for a change and let out some big laughs without someone being offended by it and have more fun as we head into the 2013...Leccese out.
As for resolutions, I'm not making them this year. O.K. I'm gonna make one. When I go to a restaurant, I'll will actually on more occasions try to sit down and eat in the place instead of getting take out. I also resolve to finally make it into Massie's for dinner one night.
Christmas was quietly spent with the folks and Meow my cat. I really didn't want anything this year. No new kitchen toy to expand my culinary horizons. I'm not into personal electronic devices and I really had no pressing needs. I've thought about buying an ice cream maker with a gift card I got.
On the home front, the high efficiency washer and dryer combo I have are no longer high efficient. Bearings went on the washer. It would cost around $600.00 to fix it and a new one goes for about $200.00 more. Take a guess where I'm headed.
When it comes to cell phones, I have a complaint and it has nothing to do with service. My cell phone is not a life line that I need to keep checking constantly. (That's what I have a laptop for, lol). I put money in it every so often to keep the account active. My cell phone is like the old fashioned pay phone we used to see everywhere. Why can't Verizon or any other carrier offer up one those fancy with all the apps type I-phone, razors or any other model for someone like me.
A couple of NBA notes. The "Flatbush Avenue Jay-Z's" a.k.a the Brooklyn Nets fired coach Avery Johnson the other day and it's a big deal because? The other one is the Los Angeles Clippers have won 16 straight games! Yes the Clippers. I was listening to Bristol Tech radio the other day and the Clippers are still only third when it comes to the hearts of LA hoops fans behind the Lakers and the drama that follows the Lakers. I loved that line.
As much as I wanted to see Phil Jackson come back and finish his basketball career as Knicks coach, after reading and learning more about Mike Woodson and his background playing for Bob Knight at Indiana and Red Holtzman when he was with the Knicks, I'm liking him more and more all the time.
Rick Majerus another coaching original we've lost too soon.
Note Rutgers coach Kyle Flood. I'm a firm believer in loyalty, but after the recent performances in the last 3 games, come spring practice time, the job for starting quarterback better be an open competition and Gary Nova hopefully isn't on the depth chart. Talk about choking big time. Give Chas Dodd or Mike Bimonte the chance to make it happen.
I don't think any great quarterback in NFL history would be successful with the lack of skill position talent the Jets had this year. Even Jets fans couldn't name a receiver or running back on their roster.
I've been a Giants fans for 42 years now so it's come to the point where I expect the unexpected. I've seen it all so nothing surprizes me anymore.
Finally in light of all the recent goings on with shootings of children and folks who protect us; weather related tragedies from hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards; and other downer things in the news, maybe we just need to relax, take a deep breath and think about something good for a change and let out some big laughs without someone being offended by it and have more fun as we head into the 2013...Leccese out.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Apparently I dislike Christmas and other random thoughts
Hi there. So its like 16 days til Christmas and I'm still waiting for "Gift Card" Thursday to take place. It's black Friday and cyber Monday for those like me who will give cash loaded gift cards to family and friends as gifts that way they can pick out whatever they want.
The other day I'm taking care of a personal errand so my head wouldn't look like the Morning Clubs' hosts who's name isn't Dan. I have a conversation with someone and the subject of the holidays was brought up. At one point during the conversation, this person says to me, "You don't like Christmas, do you?" That stung. I do like Christmas. I like what it stands for and the spiritual meaning behind it. I love doing nice things for my family and small group of friends with no strings attached. I want to do that more often just because, not because a date on the calendar says so. Occasionally I'll bake something for the Tuesday morning Combat class I take as a post workout reward and to enjoy their company more with nothing wanted back in return. Here's what I don't like about Christmas. Turning my house upside down and decorating it from December 1st through January 6th and then having to take the stuff down. I hate the company Christmas party. I have never liked them. I find them pointless and kind of boring. When I'm not there Friday night, you'll know why. It's nothing personal. As for Christmas music, it's great in small doses. Luckily the powers that be on Hits 95 Nine and 98 Five CKM agree with me. Especially since there are 3 radio stations that are playing nothing but the stuff 24/7 through New Years.
A big thanks to everyone for adopting 845 children through our Adopt a Child Program. If you still like to help out with a donation, send your check to: Operation Santa Claus P.O. Box 707 Hudson Falls NY 12839. Thursday and Friday is the annual charity auction on Dan and Pete's show. Great items will be up for bid.
One more Christmas thing before I move on. Can someone who is a parent with kids explain to me this whole, "Elf on a Shelf" thing? The never married with no kids, and has always been single middle age guy is totally out of the loop and has no clue what it is.
More serious stuff to talk about. Last Sunday night Bob Costas at half time of the Cowboys/Eagles game talked about the need for stricter gun control laws after the Jovan Belcher crimes. Of course those who disagreed with Bob spoke out wanting him fired for speaking out against the 2nd amendment at inappropriate time. Since it was a league player who did it, the timing was appropriate. The other network football shows sort of handled it with kid gloves or brushed it under the rug. So what should have been seen or talked about? Hi-lights with lame commentary by Dan Patrick? Over analysis and second guessing by ex coaches and players? Obscure fantasy stats, or those token shots of the Cowboy cheerleaders in the skimpy outfits on sideline?
Roger Goodell wants to cut down on injuries in the game of football by eliminating kickoffs? Did he see the hit on the winning td in overtime of the Bears/Seahawks game? Note to the commish. Stop sniffing the dry erase markers or sharpie pens in your spare time.
Kate Middleton is with child now (maybe I'll get an invite to the Jack and Jill baby shower) and due to a case of severe morning sickness was hospitalized earlier this week. A couple of Australian radio "personalities" (and I use the term loosely) decided to call the hospital and as a prank pretend to be members of the royal family and get an update on her condition and then tell the nurse who they were talking to that they would be coming over. A couple of days later, the nurse took her own life. Talk about a couple of bridge trolls and that's insulting to bridge trolls. The stations' manager says they'll only be suspended. They feel bad about what they did and have apologized. Not good enough! Makes me ashamed of my profession.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse comes from Fox where Terrell Owens, J-Woww and other b-list celebrities will compete on that great reality tv show coming to the small screen: Stars in Danger! The High Dive.
In a recent poll 30 percent of men believe that erectile dysfunction is caused by wearing skinny jeans! I'm not making this one up and I have my own theories on that one.
From the, "I want one of those for Christmas, too" category. San Diego millionaire Marc Paskin put up a billboard stating all he wanted for Christmas was a Latina girlfriend. Put me down for one as well Marc, unfortunately Shakira and Sofia Vergara are spoken for.
Finally I may not like going to the company Christmas party, but the cookie swap thing is in this batters wheel house. I'll bring mini red velvet whoopie pies with cream cheese filling...Leccese out.
The other day I'm taking care of a personal errand so my head wouldn't look like the Morning Clubs' hosts who's name isn't Dan. I have a conversation with someone and the subject of the holidays was brought up. At one point during the conversation, this person says to me, "You don't like Christmas, do you?" That stung. I do like Christmas. I like what it stands for and the spiritual meaning behind it. I love doing nice things for my family and small group of friends with no strings attached. I want to do that more often just because, not because a date on the calendar says so. Occasionally I'll bake something for the Tuesday morning Combat class I take as a post workout reward and to enjoy their company more with nothing wanted back in return. Here's what I don't like about Christmas. Turning my house upside down and decorating it from December 1st through January 6th and then having to take the stuff down. I hate the company Christmas party. I have never liked them. I find them pointless and kind of boring. When I'm not there Friday night, you'll know why. It's nothing personal. As for Christmas music, it's great in small doses. Luckily the powers that be on Hits 95 Nine and 98 Five CKM agree with me. Especially since there are 3 radio stations that are playing nothing but the stuff 24/7 through New Years.
A big thanks to everyone for adopting 845 children through our Adopt a Child Program. If you still like to help out with a donation, send your check to: Operation Santa Claus P.O. Box 707 Hudson Falls NY 12839. Thursday and Friday is the annual charity auction on Dan and Pete's show. Great items will be up for bid.
One more Christmas thing before I move on. Can someone who is a parent with kids explain to me this whole, "Elf on a Shelf" thing? The never married with no kids, and has always been single middle age guy is totally out of the loop and has no clue what it is.
More serious stuff to talk about. Last Sunday night Bob Costas at half time of the Cowboys/Eagles game talked about the need for stricter gun control laws after the Jovan Belcher crimes. Of course those who disagreed with Bob spoke out wanting him fired for speaking out against the 2nd amendment at inappropriate time. Since it was a league player who did it, the timing was appropriate. The other network football shows sort of handled it with kid gloves or brushed it under the rug. So what should have been seen or talked about? Hi-lights with lame commentary by Dan Patrick? Over analysis and second guessing by ex coaches and players? Obscure fantasy stats, or those token shots of the Cowboy cheerleaders in the skimpy outfits on sideline?
Roger Goodell wants to cut down on injuries in the game of football by eliminating kickoffs? Did he see the hit on the winning td in overtime of the Bears/Seahawks game? Note to the commish. Stop sniffing the dry erase markers or sharpie pens in your spare time.
Kate Middleton is with child now (maybe I'll get an invite to the Jack and Jill baby shower) and due to a case of severe morning sickness was hospitalized earlier this week. A couple of Australian radio "personalities" (and I use the term loosely) decided to call the hospital and as a prank pretend to be members of the royal family and get an update on her condition and then tell the nurse who they were talking to that they would be coming over. A couple of days later, the nurse took her own life. Talk about a couple of bridge trolls and that's insulting to bridge trolls. The stations' manager says they'll only be suspended. They feel bad about what they did and have apologized. Not good enough! Makes me ashamed of my profession.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse comes from Fox where Terrell Owens, J-Woww and other b-list celebrities will compete on that great reality tv show coming to the small screen: Stars in Danger! The High Dive.
In a recent poll 30 percent of men believe that erectile dysfunction is caused by wearing skinny jeans! I'm not making this one up and I have my own theories on that one.
From the, "I want one of those for Christmas, too" category. San Diego millionaire Marc Paskin put up a billboard stating all he wanted for Christmas was a Latina girlfriend. Put me down for one as well Marc, unfortunately Shakira and Sofia Vergara are spoken for.
Finally I may not like going to the company Christmas party, but the cookie swap thing is in this batters wheel house. I'll bring mini red velvet whoopie pies with cream cheese filling...Leccese out.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Celebrating No 300 and this was not how I wanted to celebrate it.
Hi there. This was supposed to be one of those funny entries to celebrate the 300th edition of The Greenhouse Effect, instead the witty observations will get lost in the events that happened yesterday.
It was gonna be my first "football free" Saturday in a long time. Didn't have to worry about what the local high schools were doing since the season is now over. Rutgers played Thursday night (still depressed and getting over that one, LOL) and I wasn't gonna watch any of the major conference championship games on television. I did my 3 hours on Hits 95 Nine which I do every Saturday morning, headed to the local office supply store to pick up a ream of printer paper and then duck under the covers of my bed and not come out unless it was an emergency or my kitty wanted to hang out and play.
I turn on my computer later in the day and at the top of the one pages was the headline about KC Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killing the girlfriend of his 3 month old daughter following an argument and then turning the gun on himself at the Chiefs practice facility. I'm shocked and speechless at the same time. One day someone is going to have to explain to this innocent little girl why her daddy killed mommy and himself because he couldn't control his temper. It happens in all walks of life and it's just plain wrong no matter who does it. A strange coincidence was earlier in the week I'm watching Real Sports on HBO and Bryant Gumbel did a story on Rae Carruth, a talented wide receiver who hired a hit man to kill his pregnant girl friend because she didn't want to give up the child. Both the hit man and Carruth are in jail. Carruth denies he did anything wrong because he wasn't there and didn't pull the trigger. He scheduled to get out in 5 years. The unborn child survived his moms murder and suffers from cerebral palsy.
To quote Mr.Gumbel, "On to other things."
Former college hoops coach Rick Majerus passed away yesterday at the age of 64. He was an assistant with Al McGuire at Marquette and had some pretty good teams while coaching the University of Utah. We always seem to lose the good guys way too soon.
Spurs coach Greg Popovich decides to send 4 of his star players home to rest up after going through a long road trip and they happen to miss a game Thursday night. Would David Stern had ripped him a new a-- and fined the team 250 thousand big ones if the game hadn't been on national cable television and against the defending champion Miami Heat? I don't think so. The players association didn't even complain that the players had to fly commercial. Stop sipping the Jim Jones special Kool-Aid, commish and lighten up.
David Wright is worth the 8 year, 138 million dollar contract the Mets gave him, just like the big contract the Yankees gave Derek Jeter. Sometimes its O.K. to overpay an athlete because they mean more to a team than just wins, losses, and championships.
What does it say about the state of the economy when Hostess and Wonder Bread, two iconic American pop culture brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and are going out of business?
First it was Charlie Sheen and now Angus T.Jones. In a video testimonial for the Forerunner Christian Church, he ripped 2 1/2 Men and asked people to stop watching it. Apparently Angus has gone through some rough patches along his journey into adult hood recently and in cleaning his act up has found spirituality through this Christian organization. There's an old saying, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." or try this one, 'Think before you speak." This whole thing would make for a great episode of Uncle Charlie's new show, "Anger Management." Child star going off on a rant of the current show he's been on for 10 years making 350 grand per episode and having to get out the PR machine to apologize for the "misunderstanding and things that were taken out of context" like stuff.
The folks are back from South Carolina for a month, and they've planned next years trip. This year they went to China, 2013 it's Disney World! Remember they are grand parents. No I will not be going to complete the family vacation thing. I'm too old and childless to want to go to Disney. Thanks for the invite though, Uncle Walt.
The other day I had one of those Homer Simpson, "d'oh" moments. I'm in a local grocery store re-stocking the home and office green tea supply when I pick out a box and drop it in my cart. Then a foot or two down the shelf I see something that really looks neat that I've haven't seen before, but it kind of looked familiar. It was the same tea flavor only in decaf. I put the caffeinated stuff back on the shelf.
Enough with bringing back Clark and Ellen Griswold in tv commercials. The Superbowl commercial for the hotel thing was great. The new Old Navy ad, not so great. Just make the new movie with Rusty or Audrey going to Wally World with their kids on the car trip from hell and visiting Cousin Eddie and Grampa Clark and Grandma Ellen along the way please!
The so called "overlords" of golf namely the Royal and Ancient in Scotland and the U.S.G.A have decided to wage war against belly and long putters. They have begun the phasing out and banning of certain putting strokes in which the putter is "anchored" against the body. I use a belly putter and I will gladly give mine up when golfs' rule makers also do something about golf ball technology and those drivers whose heads are the size of lawn bowling balls and are made of metals that the military and NASA uses to protect its soldiers and astronauts.
I'm kind of glad that we've haven't blindsided our listeners on Hits 95 Nine or 98 Five 'CKM with Christmas music yet. Be patient, it will be coming in small doses.
Finally, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is...Leccese out.
It was gonna be my first "football free" Saturday in a long time. Didn't have to worry about what the local high schools were doing since the season is now over. Rutgers played Thursday night (still depressed and getting over that one, LOL) and I wasn't gonna watch any of the major conference championship games on television. I did my 3 hours on Hits 95 Nine which I do every Saturday morning, headed to the local office supply store to pick up a ream of printer paper and then duck under the covers of my bed and not come out unless it was an emergency or my kitty wanted to hang out and play.
I turn on my computer later in the day and at the top of the one pages was the headline about KC Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killing the girlfriend of his 3 month old daughter following an argument and then turning the gun on himself at the Chiefs practice facility. I'm shocked and speechless at the same time. One day someone is going to have to explain to this innocent little girl why her daddy killed mommy and himself because he couldn't control his temper. It happens in all walks of life and it's just plain wrong no matter who does it. A strange coincidence was earlier in the week I'm watching Real Sports on HBO and Bryant Gumbel did a story on Rae Carruth, a talented wide receiver who hired a hit man to kill his pregnant girl friend because she didn't want to give up the child. Both the hit man and Carruth are in jail. Carruth denies he did anything wrong because he wasn't there and didn't pull the trigger. He scheduled to get out in 5 years. The unborn child survived his moms murder and suffers from cerebral palsy.
To quote Mr.Gumbel, "On to other things."
Former college hoops coach Rick Majerus passed away yesterday at the age of 64. He was an assistant with Al McGuire at Marquette and had some pretty good teams while coaching the University of Utah. We always seem to lose the good guys way too soon.
Spurs coach Greg Popovich decides to send 4 of his star players home to rest up after going through a long road trip and they happen to miss a game Thursday night. Would David Stern had ripped him a new a-- and fined the team 250 thousand big ones if the game hadn't been on national cable television and against the defending champion Miami Heat? I don't think so. The players association didn't even complain that the players had to fly commercial. Stop sipping the Jim Jones special Kool-Aid, commish and lighten up.
David Wright is worth the 8 year, 138 million dollar contract the Mets gave him, just like the big contract the Yankees gave Derek Jeter. Sometimes its O.K. to overpay an athlete because they mean more to a team than just wins, losses, and championships.
What does it say about the state of the economy when Hostess and Wonder Bread, two iconic American pop culture brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and are going out of business?
First it was Charlie Sheen and now Angus T.Jones. In a video testimonial for the Forerunner Christian Church, he ripped 2 1/2 Men and asked people to stop watching it. Apparently Angus has gone through some rough patches along his journey into adult hood recently and in cleaning his act up has found spirituality through this Christian organization. There's an old saying, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." or try this one, 'Think before you speak." This whole thing would make for a great episode of Uncle Charlie's new show, "Anger Management." Child star going off on a rant of the current show he's been on for 10 years making 350 grand per episode and having to get out the PR machine to apologize for the "misunderstanding and things that were taken out of context" like stuff.
The folks are back from South Carolina for a month, and they've planned next years trip. This year they went to China, 2013 it's Disney World! Remember they are grand parents. No I will not be going to complete the family vacation thing. I'm too old and childless to want to go to Disney. Thanks for the invite though, Uncle Walt.
The other day I had one of those Homer Simpson, "d'oh" moments. I'm in a local grocery store re-stocking the home and office green tea supply when I pick out a box and drop it in my cart. Then a foot or two down the shelf I see something that really looks neat that I've haven't seen before, but it kind of looked familiar. It was the same tea flavor only in decaf. I put the caffeinated stuff back on the shelf.
Enough with bringing back Clark and Ellen Griswold in tv commercials. The Superbowl commercial for the hotel thing was great. The new Old Navy ad, not so great. Just make the new movie with Rusty or Audrey going to Wally World with their kids on the car trip from hell and visiting Cousin Eddie and Grampa Clark and Grandma Ellen along the way please!
The so called "overlords" of golf namely the Royal and Ancient in Scotland and the U.S.G.A have decided to wage war against belly and long putters. They have begun the phasing out and banning of certain putting strokes in which the putter is "anchored" against the body. I use a belly putter and I will gladly give mine up when golfs' rule makers also do something about golf ball technology and those drivers whose heads are the size of lawn bowling balls and are made of metals that the military and NASA uses to protect its soldiers and astronauts.
I'm kind of glad that we've haven't blindsided our listeners on Hits 95 Nine or 98 Five 'CKM with Christmas music yet. Be patient, it will be coming in small doses.
Finally, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is...Leccese out.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
We have returned from an unexpected hiatus
Hi there. So a funny thing happened in between the first and second weeks of football season. This blog disappeared from the WCKM home page on the internet and I had no way to access it! My production director told me to go to Blogspot which is where "The Greenhouse Effect" originates, but I was sort of glad after a while having to not write new entries. It's been way too busy. There were so many things that have happened during this downtime that I could have had fun injecting my twisted sense of observational humor on. What really happened? I think it was a disgruntled reader who actually took "Opie's Upset Specials" seriously and was able to hack there way in and remove it after losing on them, LOL. Well it's back on the CKM homepage and now that high school football season is over, I have some more time on my hands and looking forward to get the creative juices flowing again.
So, if you had gone to Las Vegas and put a couple of dollars down at a sports book and wagered that I would be a pet owner, you're a very wealthy person right now. In the August 4th entry I mentioned how a stray mother cat and her 2 kittens decided to move in and under the cover of my barbecue grill. To make a long story short, after going through the process that would make it possible to bring the mother kitty and her litter to the SPCA, in the end I ended up adopting her. I'm loving every minute of it. Who would a thunk it?
Still no NHL season and I want to see Gary Bettman stick it to that bridge troll players association head Donald Fehr. Cancel the season right now and then go on all the sports talk radio shows who will listen to you and run an agressive smear campaign saying, "We would have had a deal and would be playing now if Donald Fehr wasn't running the players association. Also get in Mr.Fehr's face and say that you will not get your dirty (insert F-bomb here) little hands and screw up my league like you and Marvin Miller did with baseball.
Haven't been to a Phantoms game yet, and the main reason is I haven't had the time.
Tony Bourdain is leaving the Travel Channel for CNN and I've been watching his last "No Reservations" shows. Still addicted to the network, now there's this new show call "Dangerous Grounds" that follows this guy who's on the look out for coffee in exotic and not so safe places.
Christmas is officially a month away so forgive me when I say I don't want bring in boxes of holiday stuff from the garage and decorate my home for the holidays only to 6 weeks later tear it all down. I'm starting to think like Charlie Brown and wonder what Christmas really is all about. I like giving and receiving presents that I don't deserve and sharing my good fortune by making a donation to a worthy charity on occassion, but can anyone tell me what Christmas is all about!
The highlight of my thanksgiving was having Tony DeSare in studio and talk about what's going on his life. When I want to have my picture taken with someone, its got to be really special and it was when Tony hung out. To quote Dennis Miller, "that Tony DeSare is one talented cat."
Now that the Nets are in Brooklyn, I have no reason what so ever to watch the NBA for any reason except to see the occasional Jimmer Fredette highlight.
Miss being in Core and got to send out the freak love to them. Hope to be back in classes in next couple of days...
Finally congratulations to Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake and Hoosick Falls for winning state football championships. Glens Falls made one hell of a run to the championship game and played a team that had a little extra speed in the backfield. Don't look at the score and call it a blowout, because it wasn't. Still trying to figure out how Mike LaNoir got called for offensive pass interference. To Pat Lilac, his coaching staff, and a great group of kids, thanks for letting me and John Pratt come along for the ride.
Next entry will be number 300! Leccese out.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Another lost summer and the return of "Opie's Upset Specials!"
Hi there. Alright its back to business now that football season is here and before we catch up on the other stuff, its time for the return of a long standing football tradition that I started back in 1996 when I worked Sunday mornings at another radio station. It's called "Opie's Upset Specials! The motto being, "Don't bet the ranch, because you'll lose the ranch!" Each week I will predict two upsets, one college and one pro. Straight up, no point spread. O.K. The first college upset special of 2012 will take us to Philadelphia where the Maryland Terrapins will knock off Bill Cosby's alma mater the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Now for the pro, where an inter conference battle has the Jaguars heading to Minnesota and will beat the Vikings at the Metrodome.
On to other football business and this of the sad kind. I know it's late, but I want to send out condolences first to the family former Hudson Falls coach and athletic director Tom Heinzelman on the loss of his wife Linda. The toughest job is that of a coach's spouse, who during a sports season often takes on the roll of both parents. Next is that to the family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone else I know at Queensbury High School over the loss of John Vasiliou. 16 years old and it happened 4 days before the season opener. I don't know how those kids went out and played a home game last Saturday afternoon. I'm glad I didn't have to call that one on WWSC. I'm still in shock and I'll be glad to shake a hand or give a hug to someone who needs it when we're there on the 15th to broadcast the Amsterdam game. Look for me or John in the press box.
One more passing to mention and that is of actor Michael Clark Duncan. Talented, funny guy with a great voice. My favorite line of his comes from the movie "The Whole Nine Yards." After finding out that Matthew Perry's character made love to Bruce Willis' ex wife played by Natasha Henstridge, Amanda Peet says to Perry, "Oz, you stud you." Duncan replies, "He's gonna be a dead stud!"
Note to Rutgers A.D Tim Pernetti and new football coach Kyle Flood. Please go back to the old football unis. Those new ones are downright ugly. Tulane's were sharp looking and they were made by the same company that made yours. Speaking of ugly, wait til you see what Adidas made for the Golden Domers when they play Miami at Soldier Field. Knute Rockne is already spinning in his grave. I only thought Nike and UnderArmour could embarrass college football teams.
I know its been almost 2 weeks since it happened, but even though the Travers didn't have the great three year olds like Paynter, Bodemeister and I'll Have Another running, that was one heck of a race! Wide open field with plenty of talent that fell short in the major races for 3 year olds and we had a dead heat for the victory! No complaints from this horse racing fan.
Snooki had her baby and hasn't cashed in just yet. Kris Jenner must be begging or screaming at either Kimmy or Khloe to get pregnant so they can cash in being with child.
MTV has given the axe to Jersey Shore after this season. I still think JWoww is smokin' hot looking. Hopefully where I grew up will go back to being known as the place where Bruce Springsteen got his start and not about tanning, gyms, and guidos. What the heck is a guido anyway?
Are we that desperate for programming when some little 6 year kid who appears in beauty pageants called Honey BooBoo has her own tv show. How much therapy is that kid gonna need when she becomes a teenager? My skin is crawling over that one.
Michael Strahan is Regis Philbin's replacement? Really?
Chad Kroeger of Nickelback and Avril Lavigne tying the knot. Didn't see that one coming now did we.
One more wedding to talk about and that was the one of Food Network star Robert Irvine. He hosts "Restaurant Impossible" and "Dinner Impossible." He married a pro wrestler named Gale Kim who he met while doing a Dinner Impossible show. They did a special called on the Food Network called, "Wedding Impossible." Shouldn't that have been the title of Kimmy Kardashian's and Kris Humphries wedding and 74 day sham of a marriage on "E"?
Paul Reubens a.k.a PeeWee Herman is really 60 years old now! Today's secret word is, "sexagenarian." When you hear the secret word to describe PeeWee, scream real loud!
Am I really missing anything of importance if I don't pay attention to the political conventions.
My bedroom is back to normal. There is new paint on the walls, new carpet on the floor, no leaky hot water heater in the closet and oh by the way the cat that has adopted us is still here.
Finally, another summer has passed. It goes by so fast and I always seem to miss out on all the fun that it brings. Didn't make that trip to track this year. Haven't played golf since June. No trip to see the Brooklyn Cyclones or Staten Island Yankees play the Tri-City Valley Cats in Troy. The one thing I didn't want to become when I grew up was a workaholic like my dad. He sacrificed so much in providing for our family and everyone else around him. I wanted him to enjoy life and relax. He's doing it now in semi-retirement. Guess what? I've followed in his footsteps.
Leccese out.
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