DVD Pick: Man on Wire

The power of the dream. It's the late 1960's. A French wire-walker sits in a dentist's waiting room and sees a newspaper article about the planned construction of The World Trade Center. He draws a wire across the image of the Twin Towers. So captivated and so eager, he rips out the page---and leaves before his appointment---with a toothache. He knows what he has to do.

Phillipe Petit does realize this dream. It will take proper planning, patience and deception---for him--the most difficult aspects. The simple part will be walking across the two towers a quarter mile in the air.

Yes, it did happen on August 7, 1974---the same week President Nixon resigned---and this is the story.

How did Petit's crew fool everyone? How did they get all of that equipment up to the top? How did they initially get the cable across the two towers?

Even better than the conflicts are the mind-blowing photos and footage of the walk--which lasted nearly an hour!

Rightfully so, "Man On Wire" was named Best Documentary at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was given the Audience Award. Petit and his crew tell the story all over again. Their lives have never been the same.

I can't stop thinking about this film.

Busy Afternoon

Yesterday, I had three appointments in three hours. That may not be too unusual for a working mom, but for me, that's very busy.

1. First, a photo shoot. Not exactly my thing---but I know even I will look good with a little help from John at KDP Studios in Kingston. They've been kind enough to do shoots of our staff, and you'll see them soon at Magic93fm.com.

2. Then, I drove over to Sarno and Son for my measurements. Yes, I will be wearing a tux in the Magic 93 Wedding Show on Sunday at Mohegan Sun. If anyone can make me look good, it'll be Sarno and Son! (They did the tuxes for our wedding. I'd recommend them wholeheartedly).

3. Finally, my final Ear, Nose, and Throat apointment with Dr. R. I had a nasty upper respiratory infection Christmas week (vacation week, naturally) and was so wiped out that I didn't leave the house for a week. Doc found a lot of blockage, but we've been able to get back on track.

Then, my wife and I went over to La Tolteca in Wilkes-Barre for dinner. Couldn't have meat on Wednesday, didn't have it for lunch on Thursday, shouldn't have it Friday---so I loaded up on ground beef.

Nice weather (so far) today. It feels like April!

Enjoy the weekend!!

Ew!!!!

The world's most pierced woman has added more punctures to her body, bringing the grand total to 6,005.

Elaine Davidson, born in Brazil, made the Guinness World Record official in 2000 when she had a mere 462 piercings - 192 of which were in her face.

Nine years later, Davidson has thousands of piercings including more than 1,500 that she says are 'internal.'

"I don't enjoy getting pierced, but to break the record you have to get to a high level. I wanted to break the record," the Telegraph quoted her, as saying.
"My family don't even like tattoos or piercings. But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me," she added.

Idoled Out

Season Eight of American Idol is making me grumpy. The show is sputtering this year, and if these are the 36 best available contestants this year---Simon, Randy, Paula and Kara are clearly to blame.

Round 2 of the Top 36, was a little better than Round 1, but Round 1 was (let's use a Simon term) "ghastly".

I've begun to "watch" the show from the "other room", doing computer work (bills, radio stuff, anything) ---only looking up occasionally and mostly just "listening" to the show.

Last night, five contestants made me look up.

First, Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle. Yes, I have a sense of humor, but his act is already played out. He's not a horrible singer---but what's the difference between his act and an Elvis impersonator? Part of me wanted to vote for him to bring this show to its knees, but the logical part that takes over says---if he goes through tonight---I'm done watching. Maybe I'm just looking for a boycott excuse., but after eight years of my life and a declining show---I'll take one.

So, the good singers...

16 year old Allison Iraheta, who brought out "Alone" by Heart.

Megan Joy Corkery--"Put Your Records On". What's up with these arm-length tattoos?

Kai Kalama's straightforward "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted". The judges called it safe, but to me just "listening", it sounded pretty strong.

Adam Lambert's wild "Satisfaction". He could turn into an annoyance, but I'd call that the best of the night.

Predictions to Advance:

Boy: Adam

Girl: Allison

#3: Megan Joy.

Remember, if Nick gets through I'm out. Anyone know where I can join a Tuesday or Wednesday Night Bowling League?

I Got Nothin'

Just getting ready for bed and remembered that I forgot (can those words go together?) to blog today.

My excuse: no eating between meals, and a lack of sugar to the brain.

Well, I'm a good Catholic boy, right?

Um...Pretty good?

Fair?

I'll stop now.

FAT TUESDAY!

I've been a bad boy lately, eating everything that's not nailed down---burgers, chocolate, ice cream, Chinese buffet. I don't drink much (maybe one glass of wine and/or a beer a week), but I am an obsessed foodie. I'll travel an hour out of the way for a great meal.

Yes, food is my sin.

With Lent tomorrow, this is a perfect opportunity for me to get my act together. I should think about that today---in between bites.

Photo above: Dottie's Diner in Woodbury, CT--one of the best donuts I've ever had!

(By the way, for AMAZING Travel Tips bookmark Roadfood.com . It's an incredible website for casual, regional food).

GREASE Revisited

On Saturday Night, my wife and I stumbled on ABC Family. They were just getting ready to start "Grease".

Normally, I'm not one to re-watch ANYTHING. It drives my wife crazy, but I generally don't watch reruns, movies twice, etc. There's just too much else that I'll never get to see, but "Grease" was a childhood fave, and I hadn't seen it in at least twenty-five years, so what the heck!

Back in 1978, my Uncle Gene, mom, sister and I went to see it at the General Cinemas in the Wyoming Valley Mall. The grown-ups loved it, because well---they lived it. It was a trip back to high school for them---though admittedly a little different. I loved it for the whole 50's vibe and the high school story. We then saw it at least two more times as the film moved to the other local theaters---Wyoming and then Forty-Fort, if I'm not mistaken. To this day, I don't think I've ever seen any other film in the cinema three times.

So, anyway---thirty years later, here are some thoughts:

1. Most of the leads look far too old to be teenagers.

2. The music during the car race sounded a whole lot more 70's than 50's.

3. My wife noticed this when she saw it as a child---How did Sandy not know where Danny went to school? If they spent the summer together you think she would have asked him that.

4. The songs/sections I didn't like then ("Beauty School Dropout", "Worse Things I Could Do") still didn't cut it.

5. While the content was edited for TV, there were a few bawdy comments that I'm sure I didn't "get" back in 1978.

6. Sandy is still cuter as a good girl.

Also, I just read that...

---Henry Winkler (Fonzie) was considered as Danny, but turned it down because he didn't want to be typecast as a greaser.

---Marie Osmond was considered as Sandy, but turned it down because she didn't want to convey to an audience that you had to be "bad" to get a man.

Would've been a whole different movie, huh?

Still, it's a lot of fun and today's teens seem to love it too.

Oscar!

Tonight's the night for the Academy Awards.

Make some popcorn and try to stay away for at least the first hour or two.

OK, some predictions and thoughts.

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, Batman Forever. This has to be a lock, right? I hear the movie is strong, and he steals the show. A Netflix DVD copy has been sitting atop my TV for a couple of weeks. Almost watched it last night, but then we decided to watch "Grease" on ABC Family.

Supporting Actress: Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler. She shocked everyone winning this same award for My Cousin Vinny back in 1992. I walked right past her on a NYC sidewalk a few years ago. Didn't recognize who she was until I was a step away. She's even prettier in person. Haven't seen the movie, but I'd like to.

Lead Actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler. Oscar loves a comeback. This is it. Plus, Sean Penn won a few years back

Lead Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader. Though you can't count Meryl Streep out.

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire. Finally something I saw. I did like the film, but could think of a half dozen better---and I've only seen about fifteen 2008 films. Oh well. I don't see how this one could lose.

"The Junk Drawer, Part Two"

Last Sunday, as posted here, I spent HOURS cleaning out our "junk drawer". It's still very organized. Normally, I mess it up in the weeks that follow...but it took me SO LONG this time, and was SO frustrating that I promise to forever keep it tidy.

Why did it take so many hours? Because of all of the change. We had two small bowls filled with change, but then the change overflowed all over the drawer. It was a disaster, several years in the making!

I wrote that I was saving the best part for last...and here it is! My wife gave me a Change Counter Jug for Christmas...and boy did we fill it up! $ 275.72. The darn thing was SO HEAVY it almost broke a folding table!

Now, the coins have been rolled and deposited...and the Mrs. bought already bought herself a pair of Ugg boots. Well, there's $75.72 left for me---about 28%. I can't believe she even let me keep that much. I'll hang on to it for something, eventually. Thank God the economy doesn't depend on me, because it would come to a screeching halt. Oh, wait a minute...

Going, Going, Gone

Wow! What a quick sell-out this morning for our Half Price Friday offer. 100 Gift Certificates to Cafe Rinaldi in Old Forge sold out in about three minutes. That's one of our quickest to date. It's a great restaurant...and we'll have some very happy diners, for sure.

Many of you wanted them, but didn't get them. I'm sorry about that. We only have 100 certificates per week. So, I'm offering a few tips to get your certificates before they sell out.

1. Just before 9am (say 8:55 or so), go to Magic93fm.com and then click on the Half Price Friday page .

2. Have a credit card handy.

3. Then click on the restaurant you want. Keep refreshing (the F5 key) until you see "Buy Now" on your left side.

4. Once you do, select how many you want (most have a limit of two certificates)...and then type away. Do not answer the phone. Do not take a sip of coffee. Victory can be yours! :)

Hope that helps.

--

Enjoy your weekend and keep warm!

Magic 93 Music Panel

We get a fair amount of email when it comes to the music we play on Magic 93. While we can't play every song requested, we try our best to play our audience's favorite music. The best way to help us pick the music is to join the Magic 93 Music Panel. Click here to sign up.

http://wmgs-fm.fimc.net/goout.asp?u=http://ratethemusic.com/wmgs

This week our panel is rating songs from the 1970's. Early results have Lynyrd Skynyrd next to Barry Manilow?!?! Both are in the top ten. We'll look at the results and add some songs to our weekday music mix, Flashback Weekend or 70's at 7. If we're playing some of the most disliked songs, they may get a rest.

Again, you really do help us build the radio station, so join the Magic 93 Music Panel Today. It's Free and Fun.

CD Review: Lily Allen

"It's Not Me, It's You" - Lily Allen

The second album from the English MySpace breakout (with a title that plays on George Costanza?) is smoother than her first, “Alright, Still”, perhaps due to a healthy dose of 80’s inspired production. While it may not peak as often, it’s still very sharp and clever---a little more mature , you could say.

Allen had been splattered all over the covers of the British dailies for her off-stage antics. They may pale next to Amy Winehouse, but still aren’t much for her mum to be proud of. Hopefully, she’s beyond that now, even acknowledging that we all have addictions (well, there's a start) in the album’s opening cut.

A hip-hop fan, Allen has no fear in being frank, from a boyfriend who doesn’t take care of her, shall we say, romantic needs, to a big buh-bye for George W. Bush. I can't even print the title of that one, but as nasty as the words are---the melody couldn't be any more "nice". At this point, I should mention that an Edited Version of the CD is available.

Highlights include “The Fear”, a dancy tongue-in-cheek self-assessment and a jab at new millennium consumerism, the kiss-offs “Not Fair” and “Never Gonna Happen”, and the gorgeous new love in blossom “Who’d Have Known”.

Lily's a big star back home, but I'm not sure if she'll conquer America. She sounds VERY British---and that may be a turn-off, but at just 23, she's also a very gifted songwriter and social critic with two excellent albums in her arsenal.

Just watch her, but don't get too close...or you may end up in a song.

Click here to watch "The Fear" (courtesy of You Tube, etc.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD-c6cx98ls

80's Fashion Returns?

They may be a couple of decades old, but if you still have your 80's clothes (whether or not they still fit), don't toss 'em out.

Shoulder pads, acid-wash jeans, and even legwarmers are back. Well, at least among the ultra-hip at New York's Fashion Week. Dark lipstick too!

Men's fashions may not necessarily be as in vogue. Don't think I still have those parachute pants or Docksiders around.

See story here.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090217/ten-fashion-week-day4-5e343d7.html

Of course, this could be a quick trend, perfect for a recession.

So, if you got 'em, slip 'em on and strut---or sell them on Ebay. It might be the perfect time to cash in?

A New TV Era OR Why Is There Snow on My Screen?

Today is the day that all of our area TV stations will be making the transition from "analog" to "digital". You've been seeing this on the crawls for months now.

WSWB (Channel 38) and WOLF (56) made the switch weeks ago. At 12:30pm today, WNEP (16) will change and at 11:59pm, WYOU (22), WBRE (28) and WVIA (44) will follow suit.

This means that if you DON'T have cable or satellite, and you don't have a "digital tuner", you will need to add a Digital Converter (around $50) to watch the local stations on your set.

Retailers reported heavy converter sales over the past few days, but not every TV set is going to be paired up. If you've watched the Classifieds lately, or have been to any Estate Sales or Secondhand shops, you've seen lots of older TV's for sale. Remember, you may be able to buy a set for $ 5 or $10, but then you also have to purchase the digital converter ($ 50 plus). Most older TV's will be useless without upgrading the tuners---except, I suppose, to only serious collectors and musuems.

I guess this officially means the end for my 1973 Toshiba Black and White TV. My folks bought it for me after a good first grade report card. (Or perhaps partly due to the fact that they were getting tired of Sesame Street?) This was our second TV. It was before cable, and I remember carrying it all over the house with a special antenna in an effort to pull in WICZ (Channel 40) from Binghamton to watch "Superman" each day at 4pm. It was fuzzy, but watchable. Hey, we only had four local channels in those days! Soon, cable would change the way we watch TV, but still---about once a year or so, for old time's sake, I'd plug a set in just to flip through the dial and see which channels I could pull in "off the air". Now to do so, it would cost me $ 50...and even though I am sentimental, I am also CHEAP!

Digital TV may be an improvement with better reception and additional channels, but it's sad to see all those TV's headed for the scrap heap.

Goodbye old friend.

--

Just remember, it's still free to listen to Magic 93. While we do broadcast in HD, we have no intention on giving up our analog signal. So don't throw any of your old radios out!

HAPPY PREZ DAY!

I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. For us at Magic 93, it's sort of a long weekend. We're all here today---but we are just (supposed to be) working on the air and going home. So, you could call it a half day. Plus, we then get to take another day off. I'm saving mine for the summer!!

There are very few people in here today, so our lobby area is not open for prize pick-up (sorry).

Those who are here are dressed down---even more so than usual (and that's a scary thought)! I'm wearing my PJ's (just kidding).

If you are working today, I hope you have an easy stress-free day.

--

Who was our greatest Commander-In-Chief? According to historians, it's Honest Abe, then George! Abraham Lincoln topped the Annual C-Span Historians Presidential Leadership Survey, he's followed by George Washington---the two men whose birthdays give us President's Day. Go figure!

BEST PRESIDENTIAL LEADERS
1. Abraham Lincoln
2. George Washington
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt
4. Theodore Roosevelt
5. Harry Truman

WORST PRESIDENTIAL LEADERS
1. James Buchanan (our only PA President)
2. Andrew Johnson
3. Franklin Pierce
4. William Henry Harrison
5. Warren G. Harding

Ronald Reagan was rated #10. Bill Clinton #14. George W. Bush finished # 36.

You can see the whole list here.

http://www.c-span.org/PresidentialSurvey/Overall-Ranking.aspx

"THE JUNK DRAWER"

Nearly everyone has "a junk drawer". A slide-out drawer in your kitchen area where you throw EVERYTHING! At my parent's house it was the top right drawer of what we called "the hutch". In our house, it's in the right top drawer of the kitchen cabinets.

The drawer has gotten out of hand...way out of hand...and I must admit, it's very much my fault. At the end of a long day, I'll toss "anything" in there---whatever that has been spending the day in my pants and coats pockets. It hasn't been closing right either...because there's just too much inside.

There are take-out menus, manuals for (some) kitchen appliances, matches (in case the power goes out, I guess), extra buttons for clothes (???), some small dishes filled with change, old (expired?) lozenges, coupons (expired), gift certificates (that we both forgot about---some which we'll spend soon. hooray!), batteries...and some items I still can not identify!

Batteries?

I just went out of the house last week for batteries. We had six of the same size already in the drawer. Didn't know that until today.

What a disaster! I spent two hours this morning cleaning it out. Then, got SO frustrated, I decided to take a nap.

Now, after the nap. I've got to start putting things back in an orderly fashion. I will try and throw at least half of the items out.

I am really enjoying writing about this because it gives me more time to put off doing this work.

Anyway, what I am not revealing yet, is the best part. I will show you the greatest accomplishment in another post, soon.

You'll be proud.

Happy Valentine's Day

Enjoy the day with someone you love.

OH NO!

Lee Redmond was in a serious car accident earlier this week. She is fine, but her Guinness Book record-long fingernails are NOT! They have been broken. Lee had been growing them since 1979. Many were close to three feet long! See picture.

Questions: How did she comb her hair? Open up her wallet? Put in her contact lenses? What will she do with the remaining fingernails? Make a sculpture?

As I kid, I loved the Guinness Book. Always thought about what it would be like to be the world's tallest man, or smallest girl, but that just wasn't going to happen. This, however is a record we all could at least try to achieve. All it takes is 30 years without any significant labor, or a whole new way of doing...EVERYTHING. Don't look at me, on this one. I can't go a week without biting my nails.

Note: The above photo is giving me the willies, I'm not sure how long I can keep it posted.

DUM-DE-DUM-DUM

Here's my live blog of everything that's "gone wrong" today. Hopefully it will be a short list, but I promise full disclosure.

8:40am Showed up late for a loved one's medical procedure---not serious. They already went in. Problem is, there was a big misunderstanding somewhere. The procedure wasn't scheduled for today. It was only another consultation. Not a problem. So, now I get to work at my regular time now. That's good. First, I need to stop at the ATM for weekend cash.

8:55am MAC out of service. "Please visit one of our other locations." No time for that now. Gotta go to work. That's never happened before. Hmmm...

1:45pm Wrapping up the show on the air. Nothing horrible, but things were just a "little off" today. I don't have a logical explanation. Got enough sleep last night. Double Hmmm...

DISHONOR

No further comment necessary.

My Brush with (Near) Greatness

Did you watch American Idol last night? Did you see Frankie? No, not our Frankie. Singer Frankie Jordan (pictured above)?

Frankie had a very minor hit from a movie soundtrack. It was a pretty good ballad, not much different than something you'd hear Britney sing (but without those "bay bay" annoyances). We didn't play the song on Magic 93, but if it got a little bigger, we could have. To me, the song sounded like a hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig7wWnmGZUY

Several years ago, Frankie stopped by the studios to visit Magic (and our sister station 97 BHT, who did play the song a little bit). She was sweet and humble. With Middle Eastern roots, we were talking about food, and she was bragging about the great meal she had the night before at Kazimi's in Kingston. Nice girl. Good singer. Cute. It seemed like she had a chance to make it---even in the crowded teen-pop field...but she didn't---and I completely forgot about her---until a few weeks ago when she popped up on the Idol auditions. Even then, it took me awhile to remember.

I was going to save this story for later in the season, but Frankie was eliminated last night. Yes, there were better singers, but also there were worse!

---

The most aggravating part of Idol each season is Hollywood wrap-up and the selection of the Top 36. This is where the judges are at their worst!

Many great singers are sent home in favor of those who stand out for other reasons. Why is the head-case Tatiana still around...other than for ratings purposes? This Norman / Nick act was fun for five minutes. Give him a free trip to Hollywood...maybe he could get some bit part film or play? Why did Stephen get a second chance? He forgot the lyrics and walked off the stage. The worst snub to my ears was Jamar, who I would've picked for top ten.

Well, sadly, this show is obviously political, contestants are sometimes selected for their back stories and their demographic appeal. After Taylor Hicks won and couldn't make his label a boatload of money, the focus shifted to younger, more photogenic performers or more commercial rockers. This isn't right. Let the audience decide the winner. All of the Top Ten contestants already have months of free publicity! That's all they need to make it (Daughtry).

--
Hours after the Top 36 is announced, there's ALREADY a change?

From Eonline.com

Joanna Pacitti can't catch a break. Literally.
After making it through last night to American Idol's round of 36, the 23-year-old aspiring popster was sent packing this morning, disqualified because of her previous professional experience—and an apparently close relationship with 19 Television, the company that produces the hit Fox reality competition.
"It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. American Idol contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the top 36," reads an editor's note in a Fox press release from early this morning.
Barton was shown getting the boot during last night's "green-mile episode" in which contestants participated in a "sing-off" in the hopes of being a semifinalist.
Pacitti made the cut. However a number of tabloid reports surfaced in recent days that the singer wasn't exactly the amateur she claimed to be in violation of Idol's rules.

That said, maybe Frankie Jordan wasn't a legit contestant either, but at least she didn't keep forgetting her words.

How much gas is left in the American Idol tank anyway? Well see.

Izzie and George Out?

Us Weekly reports that Grey's Anatomy stars Katherine Heigl and T. R. Knight plan to exit the show by the end of this season.

Heigl, plays Dr. Stevens. She griped very publicly last season about not getting good story lines, so I'm not sure if this season's big one was created for her or against her.

Izzie has been talking to and romancing her dead boyfriend Denny. He passed away a couple of seasons ago. Is Izzie going mad? Is she sick? Does she have a brain tumor? Does anyone care? This storyline has been going on at least a month too long, and I've almost given up on the show because of it. Go make some movies Katherine...and then you'll come begging back to TV in a decade or so. Remember David Caruso?

George O'Malley, played by T. R Knight, is more of a regular guy (less neurotic than Meredith and half the cast) who stumbles into odd situations. He's one of the more caring folks at the hospital. We don't want to see him go.

Nothing official from ABC, but you can probably bet good money they'll both be out soon.

Short Sleeves!

AccuWeather is calling for a high of 58 today...that's only four degrees shy of the warmest February 11th ever...so I broke out the short-sleeved golf shirt today! Other than t-shirts to wear under sweaters or for housework, I haven't short-sleeved it since November or so.

It's generally a little warm in our studio, so the short sleeves will be fine inside. Still, I'm glad I brought my Winter coat to wear on the way home.

Enjoy the day today!

Save Our School!

I know Frankie has this in his blog, but our niece sent us this email:

hey... i have a favor to ask you... you know how they're thinking about closing the scranton school for the deaf?? well my friend's parents are deaf and they really need it to stay open. she asked me if i could try to get a bunch of people to go online and sign a petition to keep it open. if i give you the website, can you sign it and try to get a bunch of other people to sign it for me? i wanna try to help her. thanks!

Thanks Amanda...and THANK YOU in advance for clicking below.

www.sssdsos.org/petition.htm

Internet Safety Day

Today is Internet Safety Day...and a good day for moms and dads to pay attention to how their kids use the internet. There are many ways to monitor the sites your kids go to (and blocking for that matter), but where most grown-ups get confused (myself included) is all of this lingo. Lingo you would find in chatrooms, instant messaging and texting.

I just played "Takin' Care of Business" by BTO and would figure that would mean "Taking Care (of) Business". Nope, "TCB" is "Trouble Came Back".

Here's a very detailed list of somewhat common acronyms. Check 'em out. It's a good way to keep an eye on what your kids are doing...and to stay cool. If that's possible in their eyes these days! :)

http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php

Welcome Back JG!

I'm happy to let you know that Jeff Gordon is returning to host evenings on Magic 93. You'll be able to hear him Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for the 70's at 7 , 80's at 8...and Continuous Soft Rock through the night. You may hear him a bit on weekends too.

In his days off from Magic, Jeff is doing something that involves precision and great concentration. I'd explain, but I'd goof it up.

Jeff is truly one of the nicest guys in this business and we're happy to have him back.

USELESS TRIVIA:
By the way, when I was hired to work at Magic and WARM back in 1989, my first regular on-air shift was 1pm-7pm on Sundays at WARM. I played music before and after the Philadephia Phillies games. Who did I follow? Jeff Gordon. He worked 10am-1pm (following the Sunday Morning Healthline). Andy Palumbo, who is now a reporter and weekend morning anchor on WNEP, was our newsperson. Jeff was very kind and helpful then. That will never change. It's great to be working with him again!

Valentine's Week Winning

Two new contests on the show this week (Magic 93 10a-2pm).

1. Pennsylvania Lottery "Sweethearts" Giveaway. Call in (when we tell you) and win a 20 pack of "Sweethearts"---the new $ 2 Instant Game From the Pennsylvania Lottery. There are ten top prizes of $14,000. That's enough to make any Sweetheart happy!

2. Romance in the Middle of the Day Prize Packs. Call in (when we tell you) to win beautiful Valentine's Flowers from Jerry's For All Seasons in Dunmore and a box of delicious Gertrude Hawk Chocolates. Plus...all of our winners will be in the running for the Grand Prize...a $200 Shoppes At Montage Gift Card and an Overnight Stay in the Jacuzzi Suite at The Hampton Inn Scranton (Montage Mountain Road). Winner announced early afternoon Friday.

Good luck!

Grammy Awards

Some quick random thoughts:

Good for Whitney Houston. She dumped that no good Bobby Brown, got herself some substance abuse help and looked pretty together on stage. At first, that is. After a Clive Davis rant, she began to crumble---losing her place and seemed unable to keep both eyes open. Hope she gets it together.

Never dug the Jonas Brothers, but they did sound a little better to me with Stevie Wonder on his old talk box. Stevie even sang one line like a Jonas. Did you notice? It cracked me up.

What happened to the Classical and Jazz performances? Has Grammy evolved too much? Unless I TiVo'ed too quickly, no Yo Yo Ma?

Album of the Year: "Raising Sand" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I like it too. They sound great together, but it seems like that came out years ago! Well, it was October 23, 2007.

It's late. Good night.

"Get Off My Lawn!"

Recommended Film:

"Gran Torino"

Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a newly widowed retired auto worker in a bad and getting worse Detroit neighborhood. You could call him Archie Bunker, but Archie was never this mean! Mr. Bunker never fired any on-screen shots from his rifle! Walt is bigoted and very stuck in his ways---plus he can't get the nightmares from the Korean War out of his head. The war goes on each day.

Lots of racial slurs are tossed out...and in a PC World, it's a little shocking and troubling. The filmgoers didn't know whether to laugh or cringe---so sometimes they did both.

In many ways, this could be Clint's "goodbye". He has spoken a great deal about retiring lately, and at 78, who could blame him? Walt and Clint (at least somewhat) represent the end of a era---one where the "greatest generation" are seeing their America fade away into a much more diverse nation. A nation with new troubles. Sooner or later, Walt learns and becomes a better person for it. It's not an incredible transformation, but even rarer---one you can believe in.

Clint is magnificent performance and the ending is just perfect.

I think the "words" may have scared away the Academy, but this is one of the year's best films and well worth seeing. Clint has made some his very best films in the past few years: "Million Dollar Baby", "Flags For Our Fathers", "Letters From Iwo Jima" and now "Gran Torino". If he's "going out", what a farewell!!

PB & S

Peanut Butter and...Salmonella.

Here's the link to The Peanut/Peanut Butter Recall List, and it's not just for people!

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm#Candy

You may want to take a look before hitting that vending machine or heading to the store.

I Will Not Fall! I Will Not Fall!

Remember those old Quik Joe radio commercials?

Careful out there. CAREFUL!

The past ten days or so have been ridiculous. Snow on top of ice. Snow melted into water, frozen back to ice. Tire tracks frozen on driveways and impossible to chip away. Ice everywhere. Black ice too.

As I write it is FINALLY ABOVE FREEZING! WHOO-HOO!

I've never been one to worry about falling, but when you have to walk across twenty feet of ice just to get through a parking lot, it's pretty scary stuff. (In dress shoes it's nervewracking enough. I don't know how people stay balanced in high heels!)

Good riddance Ice. MELT!

Well, it sure does feel good outside today. I'd even go for a walk, but I don't want to split my skull open. (Lousy excuse? Lazy excuse?).

AccuWeather is calling for above freezing highs for the next ten days. Enjoy.

Blah! Blah! Blah! Blog! Blog! Blog!

Welcome to my Official Blog Page.

OK, let's do a "first message".

Why can't I think of anything?

OK. Just tell the readers what you are doing.

I'm not doing anything exciting. It's Friday. 10:45. I'm getting ready to go to sleep. Most of the cool people are out doing stuff.

Well, that was an exciting post.

Actually, it's just a test.

Better posts to come.

They would HAVE TO BE, RIGHT?

Thank you...and good night (or good morning, afternoon, etc.).