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.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
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.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
August 13th is way too early to start football practicen
Hi there. Tomorrow morning begins that annual seven month ritual for me known as high school sports. Since WWSC doesn't broadcast spring sports such as baseball, softball, and lacrosse; as soon the Basketball Tournament wraps up at the Civic Center at the end of March, my play by play year ends. Well the cycle begins again. Helmets get strapped on for the first time and high school football season officially begins. Practice without pads for a week. Then the real stuff happens. Contact drills, scrimmages on the 24th and 25th; and the first games take place Labor Day weekend. The broadcast schedule has been released to the local papers and can be found at the radio station pages on Facebook. Can't wait to take the camera I got last Christmas and take pictures and videos. I'll head to practices during the second week and of course do the three scrimmages and media day thing like I do every year.
I listen to a lot of sports talk radio in my spare time and many parents are legitimately afraid of the fear of concussions. They've become very apprehensive about their sons playing football. Between the concussions and the Penn State scandal, football has been taking more punches than a heavy bag in a boxing gym. Look, all sports have a dirty underside to them that people don't see or are aware of. Football happens to be the sport with the most players on a roster. The popularity of the game puts it out in the forefront. I could bring up a rap sheet on every sport, but now is not the time.
You want to know how big high school football is in Texas? In the Dallas suburb of Allen they built a 60 million dollar football stadium a part of a 120 million dollar bond issue. 18 thousand seats, artificial turf, a 75 by 45 ft high def video scoreboard, 3 tier press box, and luxury boxes. There are some Division II, III, and 1AA colleges and universities who are jealous of that school. To top it off, that facility is only the 5th largest high school stadium in the state.
No more football talk, at least for this week. On to other things.
Waiting for the special padding to come in so the new carpet can finally get installed and I have my bedroom looking like a bedroom again. All the furniture is out of the room. The painting is done and looks real good. Can't wait to hang my lighted "On Air" sign on one of the walls.
Trying to explain my garden to people is like trying to explain the works of famed artist Jackson Pollack. Honestly, I do grow normal things. I have red tomatoes and green jalapeno peppers growing. I'm also growing yellow and speckled tomatoes. Green beans come in yellow and purple as well as green. Zucchini are striped or a lighter shade of green rather than the traditional dark green ones you see at the farmers market or store. Eggplant are purple with white streaks on them (like if Jackson Pollack splashed paint on them) and the bell peppers are green right now, but will supposedly change color to orange or some other color according to the seed packet. My potatoes are grown in planter bags on the patio next to the eggplant and peppers. I'm tried carrots this year and the seed pack I planted had yellow, red, purple and white carrots along with the traditional orange ones.
So Friday morning before I headed to the radio ranch at 238 Bay Road, I had thought I shut off my laptop. Turns out I hadn't. Go to turn it on Saturday night, and it wasn't going on. The classic Fred G Sanford, "Elizabeth, I can feel it. It's the big one coming on" heart attack almost happened. Luckily for me, the battery just needing to be re-charged and not the power source having to be replaced. We're so dependent on our personal electronic devices. For most of my friends it's their cell phone or I-pad/kindle/blackberry thing. Me, its my Compaq Presario A900 wide screen laptop. It's become like one my close friends or another cousin.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse: A big screen version of the TV Series "ALF" might be in the works.
I'm reading Mike Lupica's column in the New York Daily News like I do every Sunday morning and this week he wishes Bill Goldman a Happy Birthday. I would never have known or thought that the same guy who wrote, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" also wrote "The Princess Bride."
Are the Summer Olympics over yet?...Leccese out.
I listen to a lot of sports talk radio in my spare time and many parents are legitimately afraid of the fear of concussions. They've become very apprehensive about their sons playing football. Between the concussions and the Penn State scandal, football has been taking more punches than a heavy bag in a boxing gym. Look, all sports have a dirty underside to them that people don't see or are aware of. Football happens to be the sport with the most players on a roster. The popularity of the game puts it out in the forefront. I could bring up a rap sheet on every sport, but now is not the time.
You want to know how big high school football is in Texas? In the Dallas suburb of Allen they built a 60 million dollar football stadium a part of a 120 million dollar bond issue. 18 thousand seats, artificial turf, a 75 by 45 ft high def video scoreboard, 3 tier press box, and luxury boxes. There are some Division II, III, and 1AA colleges and universities who are jealous of that school. To top it off, that facility is only the 5th largest high school stadium in the state.
No more football talk, at least for this week. On to other things.
Waiting for the special padding to come in so the new carpet can finally get installed and I have my bedroom looking like a bedroom again. All the furniture is out of the room. The painting is done and looks real good. Can't wait to hang my lighted "On Air" sign on one of the walls.
Trying to explain my garden to people is like trying to explain the works of famed artist Jackson Pollack. Honestly, I do grow normal things. I have red tomatoes and green jalapeno peppers growing. I'm also growing yellow and speckled tomatoes. Green beans come in yellow and purple as well as green. Zucchini are striped or a lighter shade of green rather than the traditional dark green ones you see at the farmers market or store. Eggplant are purple with white streaks on them (like if Jackson Pollack splashed paint on them) and the bell peppers are green right now, but will supposedly change color to orange or some other color according to the seed packet. My potatoes are grown in planter bags on the patio next to the eggplant and peppers. I'm tried carrots this year and the seed pack I planted had yellow, red, purple and white carrots along with the traditional orange ones.
So Friday morning before I headed to the radio ranch at 238 Bay Road, I had thought I shut off my laptop. Turns out I hadn't. Go to turn it on Saturday night, and it wasn't going on. The classic Fred G Sanford, "Elizabeth, I can feel it. It's the big one coming on" heart attack almost happened. Luckily for me, the battery just needing to be re-charged and not the power source having to be replaced. We're so dependent on our personal electronic devices. For most of my friends it's their cell phone or I-pad/kindle/blackberry thing. Me, its my Compaq Presario A900 wide screen laptop. It's become like one my close friends or another cousin.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse: A big screen version of the TV Series "ALF" might be in the works.
I'm reading Mike Lupica's column in the New York Daily News like I do every Sunday morning and this week he wishes Bill Goldman a Happy Birthday. I would never have known or thought that the same guy who wrote, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" also wrote "The Princess Bride."
Are the Summer Olympics over yet?...Leccese out.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Getting caught up on a few things
Hi there. I know, I know. I've been slacking when it comes to new entries. Been a slow summer. Alright to catch you up on everything, here's what's been going down with yours truly.
The garden is looking good. Green bean, zucchini, and yellow squash harvest has been plentiful so far. Yellow cherry tomatoes also being harvested and red tomatoes are starting to turn color and ripen. The patio quartet of potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and lettuce are looking good; and I should be harvesting a variety of different colored carrots in about a month.
Bedroom renovation has begun and it looks like a war zone. The room has been painted and now just waiting for the carpet to be installed. Slumming in it in the guest bedroom for now.
And finally, somehow a stray mother cat and her two kittens have decided to adopt my family. They were squatting underneath the cover of my barbecue grill at first but have moved to a better location that makes me a lot happier. Man or beast, don't even think about going near or messing with my Char-Broil Pro-model Grill. That is a capital offense with grave consequences.
Here's the big difference between cats and dogs. People adopt dogs and the dogs accept that fact. Cats on the other hand, its the other way around. They adopt people and you accept that fact. I have no desire to be a pet owner and if I did, I would go buy a rabbit hutch from Gardentime and then find a bunny rancher and pick out a male New Zealand Satin like the one I had as a kid.
I'm sorry but I'm more of a Winter Olympics fan than a Summer Games one. Not into track and field, gymnastics, swimming and some of the other sports. The only two I care about are Team Handball and Field Hockey. Besides the Winter Games have cooler events. Ice Hockey, the sledding events, skiing, biathlon, and my favorite...curling.
Who would have thought the big scandal at this years games would be badminton players taking the gas pipe in matches so they would go into the losers bracket for a better chance at winning a medal. We're talking about a game played in your backyard. If we're playing barbecue and picnic games at the next summer games in Brazil in 2016, I proposed that jarts and bocce be included as Olympic events.
22 total medals and 18 of them gold. Michael Phelps, you are indeed the man in and out of the pool.
I liked it better when the swimsuits were less aerodynamic and less water resistant. I want to see suits that have a color other than black. Kind of boring if you ask me.
More and more often when I'm in my office before I go on the air at 2pm, I tune into Dennis Miller on WWSC. He's one funny cat and he doesn't sound like a bitter, racist, cry baby when he talks conservative politics unlike Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage.
Rex Ryan used restraint when President Obama chimed in on the Jets qb controversy. Did someone spike his chocolate pudding at Cortland?
Eli Manning must love the fact that everybody is talking about Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow even though he has led the Giants to 2 Superbowl wins in the past 4 years and was the MVP in both of them. Just go about your business getting ready for the season under the radar. Come on Eli, don't you also know that you're also only the third best qb in your division behind Tony Romo and Robert Griffin III?
Jerry Jones, would you please just shut up?
Now for a public service announcement. Friends don't let friends do the dance listening to the Neon Trees song, "Everybody Talks" while driving. Keep your hands on the wheel.
I don't like being complimented. It embarrasses the hell out of me. I found that out not once but twice in the last week and my mom pointed it out to me.
9 more days til the start of high school football practice.
Finally, if you get the chance, remember to either stop on by the radio station at 238 Bay Road, pick up an entry form, raise some money and be a part of the annual Go-Cart race on August 14th. Most fun thing we do and it helps 6 worthy charities. If you don't want to drive in the race, make a donation to someone you know who is or help Dan, Pete, or Mike with a donation...Leccese out.
The garden is looking good. Green bean, zucchini, and yellow squash harvest has been plentiful so far. Yellow cherry tomatoes also being harvested and red tomatoes are starting to turn color and ripen. The patio quartet of potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and lettuce are looking good; and I should be harvesting a variety of different colored carrots in about a month.
Bedroom renovation has begun and it looks like a war zone. The room has been painted and now just waiting for the carpet to be installed. Slumming in it in the guest bedroom for now.
And finally, somehow a stray mother cat and her two kittens have decided to adopt my family. They were squatting underneath the cover of my barbecue grill at first but have moved to a better location that makes me a lot happier. Man or beast, don't even think about going near or messing with my Char-Broil Pro-model Grill. That is a capital offense with grave consequences.
Here's the big difference between cats and dogs. People adopt dogs and the dogs accept that fact. Cats on the other hand, its the other way around. They adopt people and you accept that fact. I have no desire to be a pet owner and if I did, I would go buy a rabbit hutch from Gardentime and then find a bunny rancher and pick out a male New Zealand Satin like the one I had as a kid.
I'm sorry but I'm more of a Winter Olympics fan than a Summer Games one. Not into track and field, gymnastics, swimming and some of the other sports. The only two I care about are Team Handball and Field Hockey. Besides the Winter Games have cooler events. Ice Hockey, the sledding events, skiing, biathlon, and my favorite...curling.
Who would have thought the big scandal at this years games would be badminton players taking the gas pipe in matches so they would go into the losers bracket for a better chance at winning a medal. We're talking about a game played in your backyard. If we're playing barbecue and picnic games at the next summer games in Brazil in 2016, I proposed that jarts and bocce be included as Olympic events.
22 total medals and 18 of them gold. Michael Phelps, you are indeed the man in and out of the pool.
I liked it better when the swimsuits were less aerodynamic and less water resistant. I want to see suits that have a color other than black. Kind of boring if you ask me.
More and more often when I'm in my office before I go on the air at 2pm, I tune into Dennis Miller on WWSC. He's one funny cat and he doesn't sound like a bitter, racist, cry baby when he talks conservative politics unlike Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage.
Rex Ryan used restraint when President Obama chimed in on the Jets qb controversy. Did someone spike his chocolate pudding at Cortland?
Eli Manning must love the fact that everybody is talking about Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow even though he has led the Giants to 2 Superbowl wins in the past 4 years and was the MVP in both of them. Just go about your business getting ready for the season under the radar. Come on Eli, don't you also know that you're also only the third best qb in your division behind Tony Romo and Robert Griffin III?
Jerry Jones, would you please just shut up?
Now for a public service announcement. Friends don't let friends do the dance listening to the Neon Trees song, "Everybody Talks" while driving. Keep your hands on the wheel.
I don't like being complimented. It embarrasses the hell out of me. I found that out not once but twice in the last week and my mom pointed it out to me.
9 more days til the start of high school football practice.
Finally, if you get the chance, remember to either stop on by the radio station at 238 Bay Road, pick up an entry form, raise some money and be a part of the annual Go-Cart race on August 14th. Most fun thing we do and it helps 6 worthy charities. If you don't want to drive in the race, make a donation to someone you know who is or help Dan, Pete, or Mike with a donation...Leccese out.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The best part of summer has arrived
Hi there. Lots of things to catch up on, so let's get started. In the lead off spot, the tragedy that occurred in Aurora Colorado as 12 people were killed and many others injured by some uber genius sick bastard who was able to stock pile enough weapons, ammo, bombs, and other stuff that would make some radical terrorist organization envious. Look, I'm in favor of the second amendment to the constitution, but it was written back in the late 1700's when we didn't have semi-automatic weaponry and body damaging bullets! The amendment needs to be changed for our safety. We need more politicians and common people to stand up to the N.R.A and the Ted Nugents of the world and say, "Enough with the guns don't kill people, people kill people" load of crap they spew at us. I have friends who hunt who understand and practice gun safety. Personally, I don't get the macho thrill of firing off rounds with a hand gun or rifle at a target or animal. It's like people who ride motorcycles wearing minimal clothing protection and a helmet that looked like the Jofa's that Wayne Gretzky wore when he played in the NHL. I'd like to believe deep in my heart that justice will be served, but my gut feeling is James Holmes will be declared mentally unfit to stand trial just like Jared Lee Laughner, who killed those 8 people in Arizona during a campaign stop by Gabrielle Giffords. This is also where the, "everyone is entitled a fair trail and innocent until proven guilty" law should be taken to some munitions depot with the stuff Holmes had bought and concocted and properly disposed of!
O.K. I'm off my pulpit and on to other things.
Something must be wrong with the world when James Dolan and the folks at Madison Square Garden are preaching fiscal responsibility when it comes to dolling out contracts. The Rangers aren't handing out 13 year contracts other NHL teams like the Wild and Flyers are; and the Knicks said "no" to matching the offer Jeremy Lin received from the Houston Rockets. Jeremy Lin was a great story during that crazy, lock out shortened NBA season that just ended. He wasn't worth the ridiculous contract that Houston signed him to. Also kudos to the Brooklyn Nets, who said no to Dwight Howard. Instead they re-signed Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries.
Only in France could someone along the route of one of the Tour De France stages throw carpet tacks out on the road and cause massive tire punctures and accidents. This could be bigger than the blood doping stuff.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Bethany Frankel has her own talk show on television! 57 channels and there's nothing on.
Very rarely do I say this, but I had a stretch of 3 great days. I was actually happy for a change! It started Tuesday when I collected on the bet I had made and won with my friend Jerry. I took his RPM class at Core, and then collected my winnings A Blueberry Wheat Ale he brewed and we named after Ranger goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Being able to share that with the freaks. It re-inforces what makes that place so great. To quote the Mastercard commercial, "priceless." Best friends a person could have. The class was interesting and I was pleased with how I did for it being the first time on one of the bikes. Will I take the class again? Maybe. I promised two of my instructor friends that I would be in class for them when they do the video for their certification and third instructor has asked and hinted at the same thing.
Wednesday it was the annual summer evening trip to Lake George to hear some great Zydeco music by Grammy award winner C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana band in Shepard Park with a few of the Core crew. The best part was watching the people dance. I would recommend to Mayor Blais if he saw what I saw, to pass a law banning dancing at those shows. It was pathetic and funny at the same time.
Thursday, the Jammin' on Maple concert thing we do in City Park and hung out with Dan and Lisa Miner, Jason Checkla, Darrin Anderson and John Pratt. It's amazing how less stressful things are when you're not in the studio and can just relax and laugh with a great group of co-workers.
Sports wise this is my favorite time of year. British Open and PGA Championships are on tap for golf. NFL training camps are opening up. Saratoga is underway, so I'll be spending my weekends when I'm not on the golf course or in the vegetable garden in front of the TV watching horse racing on TVG. High school football practice kicks off in about 4 weeks. Summer goes by way to fast and unfortunately I'm always working or thinking about work to stop for a moment and just enjoy it. I need to find a blanket and put it under a big old shade tree with a Guinness or liter bottle of iced tea and just day dream and veg.
This wouldn't be an entry without me ragging on myself when it comes to my lack of female companionship. Here it comes. From Match.com they compiled a list of the 5 types of eligible guys who are not in a relationship. They were: The Workaholic, The Partier, Too Shy Guy, Too Picky Guy, and None of the above guy. I could be placed in 4 of the 5 categories, the only one not being "the partier."
I have gotten over the fact that Sofia Vergara is engaged. Damm. Missed my shot with her by that much!
Finally to my friend who is an RPM instructor and who said to me the other day, "I'm not a Combatter." Look, I had never taken an RPM class until last Tuesday and I finally got on one of those bikes. Join us fighters on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday and punch, kick, block and muay thai with us. I'll gladly show the ropes and proper techniques. You don't need to wear padded shorts and your butt won't hurt afterward from sitting on an uncomfortable bike seat for almost an hour, lol...Leccese out.
O.K. I'm off my pulpit and on to other things.
Something must be wrong with the world when James Dolan and the folks at Madison Square Garden are preaching fiscal responsibility when it comes to dolling out contracts. The Rangers aren't handing out 13 year contracts other NHL teams like the Wild and Flyers are; and the Knicks said "no" to matching the offer Jeremy Lin received from the Houston Rockets. Jeremy Lin was a great story during that crazy, lock out shortened NBA season that just ended. He wasn't worth the ridiculous contract that Houston signed him to. Also kudos to the Brooklyn Nets, who said no to Dwight Howard. Instead they re-signed Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries.
Only in France could someone along the route of one of the Tour De France stages throw carpet tacks out on the road and cause massive tire punctures and accidents. This could be bigger than the blood doping stuff.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Bethany Frankel has her own talk show on television! 57 channels and there's nothing on.
Very rarely do I say this, but I had a stretch of 3 great days. I was actually happy for a change! It started Tuesday when I collected on the bet I had made and won with my friend Jerry. I took his RPM class at Core, and then collected my winnings A Blueberry Wheat Ale he brewed and we named after Ranger goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Being able to share that with the freaks. It re-inforces what makes that place so great. To quote the Mastercard commercial, "priceless." Best friends a person could have. The class was interesting and I was pleased with how I did for it being the first time on one of the bikes. Will I take the class again? Maybe. I promised two of my instructor friends that I would be in class for them when they do the video for their certification and third instructor has asked and hinted at the same thing.
Wednesday it was the annual summer evening trip to Lake George to hear some great Zydeco music by Grammy award winner C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana band in Shepard Park with a few of the Core crew. The best part was watching the people dance. I would recommend to Mayor Blais if he saw what I saw, to pass a law banning dancing at those shows. It was pathetic and funny at the same time.
Thursday, the Jammin' on Maple concert thing we do in City Park and hung out with Dan and Lisa Miner, Jason Checkla, Darrin Anderson and John Pratt. It's amazing how less stressful things are when you're not in the studio and can just relax and laugh with a great group of co-workers.
Sports wise this is my favorite time of year. British Open and PGA Championships are on tap for golf. NFL training camps are opening up. Saratoga is underway, so I'll be spending my weekends when I'm not on the golf course or in the vegetable garden in front of the TV watching horse racing on TVG. High school football practice kicks off in about 4 weeks. Summer goes by way to fast and unfortunately I'm always working or thinking about work to stop for a moment and just enjoy it. I need to find a blanket and put it under a big old shade tree with a Guinness or liter bottle of iced tea and just day dream and veg.
This wouldn't be an entry without me ragging on myself when it comes to my lack of female companionship. Here it comes. From Match.com they compiled a list of the 5 types of eligible guys who are not in a relationship. They were: The Workaholic, The Partier, Too Shy Guy, Too Picky Guy, and None of the above guy. I could be placed in 4 of the 5 categories, the only one not being "the partier."
I have gotten over the fact that Sofia Vergara is engaged. Damm. Missed my shot with her by that much!
Finally to my friend who is an RPM instructor and who said to me the other day, "I'm not a Combatter." Look, I had never taken an RPM class until last Tuesday and I finally got on one of those bikes. Join us fighters on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday and punch, kick, block and muay thai with us. I'll gladly show the ropes and proper techniques. You don't need to wear padded shorts and your butt won't hurt afterward from sitting on an uncomfortable bike seat for almost an hour, lol...Leccese out.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Confessions from a Non Organic Gardener
Hi there. So we've made it through half the year. I can honestly say it has been some of the most puzzling 6 months in my life.
It started with giving up sarcasm. Apparently sarcasm is a veiled form of anger and according to a close friend who pointed this out to me, I was one very angry, p---ed off individual. The hardest part of all this has been discovering how much of a defense barrier using sarcasm was for me. I come so far and hardly ever use sarcasm and when I do I realize how hard this exercise in becoming a better person is. I've lost a part of my sense of humor which was built on often times replying with witty, sarcastic replies. I try not to say them anymore for the fear they could be mean spirited and hurt someones feelings, especially my friends. I compare it to being a batter at the plate with a 3-0 count and not swinging at the next pitch although you know it will be a strike. I don't want to ever downplay or feel like I'm putting down people who suffer from mental illnesses, but I've mentioned many times that if there was something called "clinical frustration" in psychology or other books that counselors use to make a diagnosis with, I'd be the poster child for it.
On to other things. I'm reading an article on the re-boot of the television series Dallas, and Larry Hagman said he plays J.R. Ewing with comic sensibilities. He also stated, "everybody in the family has a jerk in it like J.R." J.R. Ewing in a comedic light? Nah. The other thing I noticed was how great Linda Gray looked.
I love this one from the show prep about a dead beat dad who owed 32 thousand dollars in back child support. A bounty hunter lured him back to Pennsylvania where he used to live and fled to avoid paying by convincing this guy that there was a co-starring role for him in a movie with Jennifer Anniston. Sad or stupid if you ask me.
I love my parents but hearing them argue over some of the most frivolous and ridiculous things makes me glad I've never been married. Do all couple do that?
Our meteorologist friend Paul Caiano once described the females who give the forecasts on the Weather Channel as "weather porn." Paul you are absolutely right on the money. Paul have you noticed, "but they're soooo pretty!" Besides have you seen what they put on Fox News or the Fox Business Channel?
How did I spend my Fourth of July? Watching the NHL Network for like, 3 hours. A two hour documentary on the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers followed by the hour long show, "The Day That Changed The Game, February 22nd 1980." The Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid and its impact on the game of ice hockey in the U.S. Couldn't pass up watching that one.
We lost a national treasure with the passing of Andy Griffith on Tuesday. Who didn't like his portrayal of sheriff Andy Taylor on the "Andy Griffith Show" or later on as lawyer Ben Matlock. If you want hear Andy Griffith at his best, go to YouTube and look up and listen to a monologue he did called, "What it was, was football." Just brilliant and funny.
With all the talk of fiscal responsibility, why is it at the start of both the NHL and NBA free agency period, teams spend money and over pay for talent like they just got an inheritance check from a dead relative. The Minnesota Wild gave out not one but two 13 year, 98 million dollar contracts to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Does the name Rick DiPietro mean anything to those folks in so-called "State of Hockey?"
Finally while filling in for Dan and Pete Tuesday morning, Frank Troelstra from Garden Time comes in and does his usual call in feature. I found out that I'm not an organic gardener after all. I use a product called, "Tomato and Blossom Set." It's a spray that increases yield and speeds up the ripening process on vegetables. I believe in it and does work. Remember when going to the market and buying produce, the key word is 'heirloom" not "organic."...Leccese out.
It started with giving up sarcasm. Apparently sarcasm is a veiled form of anger and according to a close friend who pointed this out to me, I was one very angry, p---ed off individual. The hardest part of all this has been discovering how much of a defense barrier using sarcasm was for me. I come so far and hardly ever use sarcasm and when I do I realize how hard this exercise in becoming a better person is. I've lost a part of my sense of humor which was built on often times replying with witty, sarcastic replies. I try not to say them anymore for the fear they could be mean spirited and hurt someones feelings, especially my friends. I compare it to being a batter at the plate with a 3-0 count and not swinging at the next pitch although you know it will be a strike. I don't want to ever downplay or feel like I'm putting down people who suffer from mental illnesses, but I've mentioned many times that if there was something called "clinical frustration" in psychology or other books that counselors use to make a diagnosis with, I'd be the poster child for it.
On to other things. I'm reading an article on the re-boot of the television series Dallas, and Larry Hagman said he plays J.R. Ewing with comic sensibilities. He also stated, "everybody in the family has a jerk in it like J.R." J.R. Ewing in a comedic light? Nah. The other thing I noticed was how great Linda Gray looked.
I love this one from the show prep about a dead beat dad who owed 32 thousand dollars in back child support. A bounty hunter lured him back to Pennsylvania where he used to live and fled to avoid paying by convincing this guy that there was a co-starring role for him in a movie with Jennifer Anniston. Sad or stupid if you ask me.
I love my parents but hearing them argue over some of the most frivolous and ridiculous things makes me glad I've never been married. Do all couple do that?
Our meteorologist friend Paul Caiano once described the females who give the forecasts on the Weather Channel as "weather porn." Paul you are absolutely right on the money. Paul have you noticed, "but they're soooo pretty!" Besides have you seen what they put on Fox News or the Fox Business Channel?
How did I spend my Fourth of July? Watching the NHL Network for like, 3 hours. A two hour documentary on the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers followed by the hour long show, "The Day That Changed The Game, February 22nd 1980." The Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid and its impact on the game of ice hockey in the U.S. Couldn't pass up watching that one.
We lost a national treasure with the passing of Andy Griffith on Tuesday. Who didn't like his portrayal of sheriff Andy Taylor on the "Andy Griffith Show" or later on as lawyer Ben Matlock. If you want hear Andy Griffith at his best, go to YouTube and look up and listen to a monologue he did called, "What it was, was football." Just brilliant and funny.
With all the talk of fiscal responsibility, why is it at the start of both the NHL and NBA free agency period, teams spend money and over pay for talent like they just got an inheritance check from a dead relative. The Minnesota Wild gave out not one but two 13 year, 98 million dollar contracts to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Does the name Rick DiPietro mean anything to those folks in so-called "State of Hockey?"
Finally while filling in for Dan and Pete Tuesday morning, Frank Troelstra from Garden Time comes in and does his usual call in feature. I found out that I'm not an organic gardener after all. I use a product called, "Tomato and Blossom Set." It's a spray that increases yield and speeds up the ripening process on vegetables. I believe in it and does work. Remember when going to the market and buying produce, the key word is 'heirloom" not "organic."...Leccese out.
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