Tuesday, June 21, 2011

With the 12th pick in the first round

Hi there. This is one of those rare entries in the 3 1/2 year history of this blog where it was a very calm uneventful week. We'll open up with the passing of "The Big Man" Clarence Clemons. With all the great music that Bruce Springsteen has made, you think of 2 guys beside him. "Little" Steven VanZandt and Clarence Clemons. The E-Street band will go on but it won't be the same.
At least the team I picked to win the Stanley Cup won. Only in Canada could you have hockey hooligans after the riots that took place in Vancouver after the Canucks lost game 7! And it wasn't the first time they did it. They rioted after losing to the Rangers back in 1994! I have a lot friends who love the Bruins and I'm happy for all of them.
I think we should stage an octagon like MMA battle between the soccer hooligans from England and the Vancouver hockey hooligans. It would have to be somewhere other than New York which is the only state in the country that doesn't allow MMA stuff to take place.
Rory McIlroy had one of those great dominating weeks that all athletes dream of in winning the U.S. Open. So why did every member of the media constantly have to bring up his collapse in Augusta or mention Eldrick the Gimp? Ruined it for me.
During the tournament the city of Bethesda Maryland acutally shut down and fined a lemonade stand run by some kids raising money for a childrens cancer charity near the golf course because they didn't have the proper permits. We're talking about a lemonade stand, people! Kids learning to be entrepeneurs for a good cause.
Terell Pryor had a press conference to apologize for what he did to Coach Tressel and letting down all the fans of THEE Ohio State University. I would have cut him some slack. However when that bridge troll of an agent Drew Rosenhaus was sitting right next to him, I doubted his sincerity. Its like everytime there's a press conference with some female who claims some important male committed a crime against her, attorney Gloria Allred is standing by her side as her council.
You want to know where I see Jimmer going in the NBA draft Thursday? Either 12th to Utah or 15th to Indiana. I don't he'll slip to the Knicks at 17. They need rebounding help more than a point guard.
I would talk about the NHL draft, but since the Phantoms parent club have hardly any picks, what's the point. Are the Flyers even going to show up for the draft or just trade the rest of them for the signing rights to some other free agent they dont need?
Finally played some golf. Got a long way to go to get my game in shape for South Carolina in September...Leccese out.

Monday, June 13, 2011

It's not a weasel, its a marten!!




Hi there. No golf this year and no body combat class in nearly 3 weeks makes Kenny a very unhappy person. With the rain we got this weekend, it was total bust trying to do anything. Well almost anything. I swept the downstairs of my garage. Talk about a pig sty!


I'm going to lead off with the latest in a long line of terrific HBO sports documentaries. This one on the Borg/McEnroe rivalry in tennis and the 80 final at Wimbledon. Once again just phenomenal. You don't have to be a tennis fan to like this one.


Mike Tyson was inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame this past weekend. It's a shame what happened to Mike after Cus D'Amato past away. If he had stayed alive, I don't think half the stuff that Mike Tyson brought up himself in and out of the ring would have happened. Yes in effect I'm blaming Don King for Mike Tyson's downfall.


I find it ironic that in light of the scandals that have hit the Tennessee, Ohio State, and USC athletic programs recently that Bristol Tech aired its 30 for 30 film called, "The Pony Excess" on the SMU scandal of the early 80's last weekend. I think the NCAA should be dangling the death penalty axe over big time college football and basketball programs to force them to clean up their acts.


You may or may not believe me when I say that I was more happy seeing Jason Kidd get a championship ring than LeBron James not getting one this year. What he did for the Nets in taking them to back to back NBA finals. The last person who gave the Nets that kind of swagger was Julius Erving and that was in the ABA almost 40 years ago!


Well so much for the Calder Cup prediction of the Aeros in five games. My friend Jerry is a Senators fan and I guess even Binghamton is entitled to win a Calder Cup once.


Anthony Weiner (Insert your own joke here.)


The garden is coming along nicely and lettuce is ready to be picked as you can see in the photo.


One more thing. On New Years Eve of 2008 I got on the scale and it read 242 pounds. I went on a strict weight loss and exercise program and lost 37 pounds over a period of 9 months. I was down to about 205. Well the other day I got on the scale and it read 239. Yup almost 2 years later I gained nearly all the weight I that I had worked so hard to lose back. I've been fighting for a long time to get my gym groove back and seeing that number on the scale may have been the thing to finally kick start it again. It also doesn't hurt that I've got a great group of gym freak friends on my side who will help me along the way in case I might slip. I'll update you on my progress...Leccese out

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Another reason why I need a girlfriend and men get married

Hi there. So last weekend I bought a new mattress and box spring set. Had it delivered, set up and my old set removed the other day in no time flat. That was the easy part. I went from a full size mattress to a queen size. Going from one size bed to a larger one means having to buy new sheets and a new bed spread set that comes with pillow covers and the thing you put between the mattress and box spring so you can hide stuff under the bed and nobody sees what's really under there. Who would of thought picking that stuff out could be so hard! I went to three or four different places and couldn't find anything I liked that would be tasteful and fit the decor of my home, yet have that hint of masculinity fitting of a single male. The sheets were another story. Now we're getting into fabric types like cotton blends and thread counts. Just one more reason why men get married and I need a girlfriend. To pick out bed sheets and other stuff like that for me.
One of the stores I went to in my search was one of those major chains with the initials B.B@B. I'd never been in a place like that (I never thought I would need to.) Half the store was about bedding and towels and the other half had the stuff you see on all those television infomercials.
SF Giants catcher Buster Posey got run over by Chris Cousins of the Florida Marlins in a home plate collision and now people are calling for protection of catchers in baseball like the NFL protects the quarterback. Look, its part of the game! We're over reacting here. Remember, the catcher has more protection than the guy running into him does. The guy you got to feel sorry for is Cousins who has apologized on more than one occasion, yet has received death threats from fans and Giants GM Brian Sabean has called him out as well.
I think it would be a lot simpler if we just let Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal play a winner take all 5 set final and not even bother to have 62 other players try to win the French Open. They are that far ahead of the competition.
Is Jim Dolan that stupid? The answer is a resounding yes. Letting Donnie Walsh go after he cleaned up the mess that the Knicks were in and making them a viable team again, not a good move. If Mr.Dolan even hints about bringing back Isaiah Thomas, David Stern should take the team away from him.
Sorry to see Shaquille O'Neill retiring after 19 seasons. There was something about, "The Big Diesel" that made him fun to watch. When he was in college at Louisiana State, one of his teammates was a guard named Chris Jackson. That guy could also play. The two of them were electrifying on the court together.
I forgot to mention in the last edition of a fourth out break of foot in mouth disease. Scottie Pippen became infected. He said in a radio interview that he thought LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan. I just want to know if he tested positive for any hallucinogenic drugs in his system. You're kidding me right? Scottie for that comment alone, you should be thrown out of the sidekick Hall of Fame. That's what you were on those Bulls teams, MJ's sidekick.
Still haven't played a round of golf yet. Got to figure out this thread count thing with the bed sheets first...Leccese out.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Still Complicated

What's today? June 1st. The year is almost half over? Time is flying by way too fast. Last Saturday was one of those surreal days that you couldn't believe. I get home around 1pm after my workout and visit to the dry cleaners. The heavens opened up and around 4 1/2 hours later I couldn't believe the sight. The heavy rain and thunder already made the drenched ground even worse and turned roads and the golf course where I live into a mini-version of the Schroon or Hudson rivers. This is where having a decent cell phone comes in handy. Took some remarkable photos of the aftermath. It was amazing the sheer force and power of the rushing water. Unbelievable.
Last week we had an major outbreak of foot in mouth disease. 3 cases. Fred Wilpon in the New Yorker magazine. Tiki Barber comparing concealing an affair from his pregnant wife and hiding out to some one trying to avoid being tracked down and sent to a concentration camp by the Nazi's. Last but not least, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis saying without football on Sunday, we'll see a rise in the crime rates. At least Fred Wilpon admitted that he screwed up Citi-Field big time.
Does anyone really care who won Survivor, American Idol or Dancing with the Stars? I didn't think so either.
Hockey predictions - Bruins in 6 games, Aeros in 5.
Welcome back to the NHL Winnipeg. Hopefully the Jets name will be coming back as well.
I have no problem ripping Bristol Tech at the drop of a hat. Today they get complimented for two reasons. First one. Saturday mornings on Bristol Tech 2, Australian Rules Football! Yes! That is one of the things on my bucket list. To travel to Australia and see one of those games in person. Love watching that sport. It is sick and awesome in a good way. Remember playing, "Kill the guy with the ball" as a kid. That's what Aussie Rules reminds me of. 2 teams of 18 guys running around in total chaos beating up the one who has the ball while trying to score. The second compliment goes to "Outside the Lines" and their story last Sunday about 7 on 7 AAU touch football/passing leagues.
Jim Tressel, don't let the door hit you on the way out of Woody Hayes Hall at, "The Big Horseshoe!"
The garden is finally planted! My garden is like having thanksgiving with the family. Every year I claim I'm gonna cut back and plant less, but it ends up being the same or even more. Just like Thanksgiving. You want to cut back on what's going to be served, but nothing ever does get cut or left out of the menu. Big thanks to Dave Thomas for letting me borrow his Mantis tiller. That thing is great! Helped out a bunch with loosening up the soil.
Baseball fans, take a moment to think about and pray for Gary Carter and hopefully he'll beat those brain tumors they found. "The Kid" was one hell of a catcher for the Expos and Mets. Happy Birthday Cloutier and Dubray. Still complicated...Leccese out.

Friday, May 20, 2011

It's Complicated...

Hi there. So another weekend has descended upon us and will it ever stop raining!
O.K. now that I've got that off my chest. On to other things.
According to some biblical scholar no one has ever heard of, the world is going to end Saturday May 21st at 6pm. In fact some guy from Staten Island actually took his life savings of around 150 grand and put it on billboards and buses telling of this impending doom. If it is true, to quote Dan Miner. "Have a great night, everybody!"
This week we found out that the most recent governor of California and the world's number 1 most wanted terrorist mastermind had the same needs that most males have. But did we really have to find out about them?
Enjoyed the HIMYM finale. One problem though. Technically, its against the law to blow up or implode old buildings in New York. Now I have to wait two more years til the "mother" is revealed. At this rate, I might just want Stella to come back and be her after all. On second thought...Nah!
I read somewhere that the city of Los Angeles is now looking into banning flavored milks from school lunch rooms. Give me a break. Bake sales, anything with nuts in it, and now chocolate milk! Am I missing anything? Chocolate milk is good for you! I also saw a story on one of the network evening news casts about peanut allergies and the reporter went into a classroom and he had to use hand sanitizer as he entered the classroom. Might as well had one of those devices you walk through at the airport. Also they showed kids who have those food allergies sitting away from everybody else during lunch.
If this rain would ever stop, I could like start getting the soil ready to plant my veggies.
Is there any garden shop in our area that sells Ghostbuster Eggplant seedlings? I would like to buy a couple. White eggplant tastes better than purple or black eggplant.
I'm finding it hard to convince the hummingbirds that come to the feeder at my home to stay there long enough so I can take a picture of them.
Ann Curry is a deserving, worthy replacement for Meredith Veira, but couldn't the Today Show give Hoda Kotb the gig so she wouldn't have suffer anymore by working with Kathie Lee Gifford?
If the Flyers or Phantoms decide not to make any more moves before the team heads to training camp in September, they got the most important one right. Bringing back Joe Paterson as head coach. The Phantoms played some scary good play-off caliber hockey during the second half of the season and Joe Paterson was the main reason why.
Finally, I didn't think changing one little innocent thing on my Facebook profile would cause such a commotion. Sending out some love and props to my fellow gym freaks...Leccese out

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Weekend Musings

Hi there. First off Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there and I hope you enjoyed your special day.
I want to get this off my chest first. My one thought that occurred to me after the events of last Sunday night is can we now begin the healing process towards the people of the Muslim faith in this country.
I blame Rob Burnett for ruining television as we know it. He brought us Survivor, then we had American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, The Amazing Race... the list of bad reality tv series' goes on and on. Now we have, "The Voice" which is American Idol except the judges have their backs turned. Bruce Springsteen was so right when he sung
"57 channels and there's nothing on!"
The other day I wake up early, turn on the tv and I see this infomercial for this kitchen gadget called the, "Sous Vide Supreme." Who's hosting the demonstration, none other than my favorite Top Chef contestant, Richard Blais! You just won Top Chef All-Stars and now your hawking some product that most people will use for a month and it will eventually end up wasting closet space! You want to know what "sous vide" cooking is? Just drop a package of frozen corn in butter sauce in a pot of boiling water and wait 20 minutes. Simple as that.
I have to ask all the "How I Met You Mother" fans out there. Who is officially the more annoying girlfriend that Ted has dated, Stella or Zoey? I'm leaning towards Zoey. Why hasn't Robin had a good story line this year? Outside the Robin Sparkles tv show episode, its been all about Barney, Marshall and Ted. It's time to just tell us who the mother is now and end the series.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse: Kendra Wilkinson is going to write a book about motherhood. I have to ask this question. Will it have pictures in it so it will be easier for her to follow along?
For the longest time I haven't had that drive when I go the gym to workout. I used to strive for 60 minutes on the days I didn't take a class. Now I fight to get through 40 minutes. I just want to get it over and done with.
NBC did a good job on the Kentucky Derby, it would have been great if they didn't have a 2 hour pre-game show complete with a red carpet type thing. I think its officially time to put Bob Costas out to pasture. As a horse racing fan, I was curious who would replace Tom Durkin up in the booth. I figured Trevor Denman would be on the mic for the run for the roses, but I was surprised to hear Larry Collmus the voice of Monmouth Park. Good choice. How many days til opening day at Saratoga? It can't come soon enough.
Note to Sandy Alderson, please sign Jose Reyes to that contract extension. He makes the occasional bonehead play now and then, but he also is the most electrifying player the Mets have out in the field.
The golf world lost one of its greats with the passing of Seve Ballesteros. This guy was not some robot with the perfect golf swing every time that was groomed at some country club with a swing coach. He was a scrambler who learned the game on his own and made shots that nobody else could. He also had a passion for the game and you see it and feel it when watching him on tv. Mom and Dad have returned from South Carolina and they look good. Those daily walks on the beach, playing golf and tooling around Fripp Island in the golf cart is keeping them active and young. I just hope they can keep that going for a long time. I'm not finished with them yet.
Finalizing the plans for my trip to the southern fortress of solitude in South Carolina to see what gives Mom and Dad such pleasure.
One more note from Fripp Island. Last year a gentleman decided to retrieve a golf ball from a water hazzard while playing golf on the island. The genius stuck his hand in the water and was attacked by an alligator who lived in the hazzard. His son told him not go after it. There are also warnings on the course. He did it anyway. The genius got a nice 7 figure settlement. I think the jury should have given him cost of medical expenses and a nice ball retriever with a 12 foot extension for his trouble.
A week after planting lettuce seeds, I saw some sprouts and I've got the hummingbird feeder out. Spring has finally arrived...Leccese out.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The arrival of mud and black flies

Hi there. We start off with good news from Easter Sunday. I did not either hurt or aggravate my back video conferencing on Skype with my family who were in South Carolina like I did at Christmas time. Easter was both Skype and pain free.
We fought and won the American Revolution so we'd no longer be ruled by the British Monarchy. So how come we are still obsessed with them 245 years later? Example, at the home page on my laptop, it had a page that you could go to and send a congratulatory message to the happy royal couple on their impending nuptials. Personally, I would have been more impressed if they announced a royal elopement or they snuck off and got married by Elvis at one of those chapels in Las Vegas. Does Will and Kate have a bridal registry and what do you give a royal couple as a gift? Crystal champagne flutes, candle sticks, gift cards to Harrods?
Speaking of getting married, maybe there's hope for me after all. I read where Rob "Deuce Bigalow" Schneider tied the knot. Who's up next, David Spade?
One more wedding note before we move on. This young lady named Robin goes to a Milwaukee Brewers game with a banner proposing marriage to Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. The delusional fan made the mistake of putting her cell phone number on the banner and it managed to make it on camera. Bad move. Robin you've got as much of a chance of marrying Ryan Braun as I do of marrying my secret crush, Lisa Robertson. Slim and not gonna happen.
NBC pulled the plug on Paul Reiser's new show after only 2 episodes! It wasn't all that bad. Come on peacock network execs, don't you remember "My Two Dads." Now that was bad!
Check out the video on You Tube in which Billy Crystal stars with Helen Mirren and Rob Reiner in a spoof to the sequel of, "When Harry Met Sally." Very funny.
One more funny note. HBO did an hour long round table comedy discussion called, "Talking Funny" with Ricky Gervais, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Louis CK. (Who the heck is Louis CK anyway?) It was and is a fascinating and humorous program that really gives you insight on the world of stand up comedy.
Is it just me or is there a lack of interest in the NFL draft this year while the fiasco known as the collective bargaining agreement negotiations hangs over it like a 2 ton weight?
With both the Rangers and Knicks making quick first round play-off exits, does that mean the Madison Square Garden renovations will be completed ahead of schedule?
Who would have thought that Mariano Rivera would have more blown saves than Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez at any point of the baseball season.
Would like to power wash the patio and start lettuce seeds if we get a few dry days in row...Leccese out.