They're back and other observations

Hi There. Well they've returned. Like the swallows to San Juan Capistrano, the buzzards to that place in Ohio; and now the hummingbirds have returned to Chestertown. I keep a feeder out for them from May through Halloween, and around Mother's Day they make their first appearance. In the winter you fight a losing battle with squirrels in your bird feeder, in the summer it's ants in the hummingbird feeder. The food is basically sugar and water mixed together. If you're a hockey fan you'll love this announcement: Bristol Tech has added Don Cherry to help out with its analysis of the NHL final four. Don Cherry used to coach the Bruins and Colorado Rockies (not the baseball team, the Devils played in Denver before moving to NJ in the early 80's) and maybe is the most popular TV sports personality in Canada. He has a segment called "Coaches Corner" on Hockey Night in Canada and its hilarious. To put it nicely, he is not politically correct. Speaking of the cup finals. I like Detroit in five and the Pens in six. Since the Flyers have to deal with the officials and the Crosby rules, they'll be lucky to take the series to 7 games. I would love to see the Flyers win and see that spoiled brat and his buddy Malkin sent home packing. One more thing. The Monday night comedies on CBS. Did you catch "Big Bang Theory?" Was Sheldon's sister hot or what? She was smokin' hot, plus that southern accent. Lethal combination, definitely lethal combination. "How I Met Your Mother" was its usual solid funny episode. Sarah Chaulk is working out very nicely as Ted's new girlfriend and next week Brittany comes back as Stella's receptionist. Mission Control we have lift off for a potentially really good episode. Can't wait...Leccese out.

Cinco De Mayo and other weekend observations

Hi There...So Big Brown wins the Kentucky Derby does that mean UPS uses the horse in an ad campaign that goes something like this, " I want to ride the horse." It worked for the NASCAR team. More on the Derby later. We want to take the time to thank the Rangers, Avs, Sharks, and Canadiens for playing, here's a copy of our home game as a consolation prize. Gary Bettman and the suits at the NHL must be drooling at their final four. Philly, Detroit, Dallas, all good hockey TV markets and Pittsburgh who have 2 of the 3 most exciting young players in the game. I don't want to sound like a sour grapes Ranger fan, but the officiating in the Cup playoffs have been borderline awful. How could 4 guys not see Chris Drury bleeding after taking a high stick that went under his visor. There was a 10 minute delay to clean the blood off the ice! Nothing called. Yet late in the game Drury commits the same offense and gets sent off. First the Association had the Jordan rules and now I'm starting to believe the NHL has the Pens rules. If you missed the end of game four, Evegni Malkin tried to injure Paul Mara with a slewfoot and in the end only got 2 minutes for roughing after Mara retaliated. I think officials in all pro sports should be held more accountable for the calls they make and be made to answer questions during a post game press conference. Coaches get fined for criticizing officials all the time. Its wrong! On to the derby. Horse racing is taken a beating. Last year it was Barbaro and this year Eight Belles. She ran a great race against the boys. Its sad these injuries happen and the horse often ends up suffering or worse. The race itself was pretty good. NBC showed a great overhead shot of the horses going round the clubhouse turn into the back stretch. Now there's one stampede I wouldn't want to be in the middle of. Kent Desormeaux rode a great race and if you heard his description of the ride, when he retires sign him up for TV commentary. We are so spoiled to have had great track announcers like Dave Johnson, Marshall Cassidy and now Tom Durkin calling the races in Saratoga. "How I Met Your Mother" is on tonight, so you know what my plans are...Leccese out.

A May basket filled with random thoughts

Hi There...One of the great things about Directv is I've got 5 different HBO channels available at my disposal. If you're a sports fan like me, find out when the most recent "Costas Now" is going to be rebroadcast. Bob Costas moderated a 90 minute town hall style meeting on the state of sports and the media Tuesday night. On occasion Bob rubs me the wrong way, especially when it comes to baseball. He thinks he knows all and has all the answers. The other night though, he was brilliant. He brought in some of the best and worst (namely Christopher Russo) in sports media. Writers, TV, radio, Wil Leitch the guy behind Deadspin.com and athletes participated. It was fascinating and insightful. I occasionally use this blog to talk about sports, I do play by play of 3 different high school sports on WWSC and would love the chance to host a radio talk show on sports. I learned something watching it. Speaking of sports. Enough already with the Roger Clemens bashing. First the allegation he used steroids and HGH, now marital infidelity. Anything else while the mic is on. Does he hate puppies and kittens? Does he know where Jimmy Hoffa's buried? How about aliens in Roswell? What about the grassy knoll? Got the Section 2 high school football schedule and the first game is just over 4 months away. The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. I have no clue who the contenders for the triple crown are. I'll let Kyle Brownell handle that department. Racing at Saratoga will be here sooner than you think. So indulge in a Mint Julep and a Kentucky Hot Brown while you enjoy the weekend...Leccese out.

Here Comes Speed Racer and EGCG

Hi There...Just to let everybody know this entry is not violating the "Bro Code." Another solid episode of "How I Met Your Mother" last night, but "Big Bang Theory" may have been better. The time machine and action figure storyline was great. Dan and John think I'm Sheldon. They're probably right. However I don't own a Geordi LaForge action figure. Wil Riker was my favorite character on Star Trek TNG. There's a part of my childhood being torn to shreds by the upcoming live action movie, "Speed Racer." Speed Racer will always be the coolest Japanese anime cartoon ever. From the Mach 5 with the design etched into the windshield, to Racer X who is really Speed's brother, Trixie, even the monkey ChimChim. The theme ranks up with cartoon's greatest. Time to sing along. "Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer, he's a Demon on wheels." "He's a demon and he's gonna be chasing after someone." I once helped a friend win a bet because I knew those words. I should try it as a pick up line. "Hi there just like Speed Racer, I'm a demon on wheels." "How would you like to be my Trixie." One more thing. I've become a Green Tea freak. I drink a cup in the morning with breakfast and down another glass iced at dinner. My favorite smoothie at Ridge Street Coffee is the Peach and Green Tea. Now I've discovered Green Tea soda flavored with Tangerine or Pomegranate. It's good stuff. Go Rangers...Leccese out.

Re-discovering the warrior in me and spending the afternoon with Mel Kiper, Jr. draft expert

Hi There. Normally I don't do an entry on a Saturday night, but today I'm making an exception. My day started waking up with the hangover of the Rangers blowing a 3 goal lead to the Penguins and eventually losing 5 to 4. Are NHL officials taking lessons from their NBA colleagues in regards to protecting its superstars? Sorry Uncle Dick, but CYO officials do a better job calling a game than you guys do in the Association. Then it was off to the gym formally known as Tropical Fitness for Body Combat class. Its one of those kick boxing type workout classes and I love it. Well its been almost 5 months since I've taken it and I had to re-channel the inner warrior in me. The first 15 minutes I felt gassed and I was wondering what the hell was I thinking. But the moves and rhythm manage to come back and I survived. There were some very attractive women in class and they looked real good. You could see it through the window looking into the class: Beauty and the Geek. Then it was the mind numbing practice of sitting down in front of the TV and watching the NFL draft on Bristol Tech. Hopefully I'm not the only one who thinks Chris Berman is becoming a caricature of himself. I'd follow along with the picks. Some surprised me and some didn't. I didn't see the Giants make their selection because I had to attend a function with my parents and some of their friends. I was pleased with their choice and even more pleased they didn't trade Jeremy Shockey. If you're a hard core sports fan, one of the things you should do is attend is a draft. I did it in North Carolina when the NHL draft came to Raleigh a few years ago. I have some great stories about that experience that involve Wayne Gretzky and Ric Flair. Now there's odd couple. Well got to see who's left on my draft board. Until next time...Leccese out.

If this blog lasts longer than 4 hours, consult a physician immediately

Hi There. In an earlier edition of the Greenhouse Effect, I mentioned the incredible amount of email I receive regarding male enhancement products and the humorous subject lines that often accompany them. Well with some help from my co-workers and Dan who came up with the title of today's entry, here's some of the best. Just to let you know some of these are on the edgy side.
Only losers have small male machine
You must be the real man with huge dignity
Most popular jang enlargement
I want to relieve blue balls
Don't let women laugh at you, make sure your manhood is something to be proud of.
I was embarrassed of my small equipment in the men's locker room, but not anymore.
Your 6 incher will become a 9 incher
Make your trouser mouse a monster.
Heat up her loins with your massive fire stick in your pants
Nips, slips galore at your finger tips
Whip out your giant women pleasure maker. All the women will want you.
Amplify your precariously small manhood today and enslave the girls with your monstrous unit
Bed so well you can convert a lesbian with your new found manhood.
Too much sperm for sperm bank
I raised her a little as my manhood had no more room to go and she moaned softly
and here's one more: Your new device will rock her to ecstasy. Is this Pulitzer Prize material or what? Enjoy the laugh...Leccese out.

Mark Twain may be right after all and weekend observations

Hi There. Hold on, I've got to put some more aloe on the back of my sunburned neck. Okay, with the weather in 70's and 80's, I hit the golf course for the first time. Mark Twain once said, "Golf is a good walk spoiled." For the first time in the 30 years I've been playing the game; he may just be right. I admit I will never be Tiger Woods or any other PGA pro, but there are days when you want chuck your clubs into the metal recycler at the local transfer station. The other thing I've discovered that my game is definitely old school. I don't carry a driver with the club head the size of a small watermelon. My putter doesn't look like a star ship from Star Trek. My putter cost a whopping $7.50. I still hit irons from the fairway and rough and I don't own hybrids or a 7 and 9 wood. On to more pressing stuff. I'm sorry but I don't care about the NBA playoffs or basketball in general. David Stern has worn out his welcome as the Commish. Between the Super Sonics being allowed to leave one of the best sports towns in America for OKC and his refusal to implement stricter rules for college underclassmen to leave school to join the Association. I'm fed up with him. If I was in charge, you would not be allowed to leave school until at least after your junior year. A lot of parents take out loans, second mortgages, work additional jobs and dip into retirement funds to send their children to college. The college experience is worth it. I remember my college coach Bruce Kirsh telling us to treasure those four years. If you're given a free education and you get to play sports. Take advantage of it. You get the best of both worlds. Friday night was a great night for me. Great take out food for dinner and the Rangers put away the Devils in five. Take that Kevin Smith of "Jay and Silent Bob" fame. Hard to believe we grew up in the same hometown. So what if Marty Brodeur didn't shake Sean Avery's hand. Islander great Billy Smith never did it either. You gotta love the sports fans in the city of Brotherly Love. Only they would boo Santa and cheer a player getting a possible concussion like Jose Reyes almost did against the Phils. "How I Met your Mother" and "No Reservations" are on the tube tonight...Leccese out.