Dreary Day---Nothing To Say! So, Let's Just Look at Some Spectacular Photos

Thanks Michael. Great pics!

Less Blogging

Well, for those of you who actually check in each day to read this blog, my apologies. I thought it would be easy to come up with something to write each day---and the truth is sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't.

This blog got off to a strong start with more than one post a day in February, but lately I've been more sporadic. Partly due to lack of content, but other times I've just been too busy.

So, we'll progress in this fashion. I'll write, not for the sake of writing---but when I have something "blog-worthy".

If I were paid by the blog, I'd get something up every day, but I think these are more reasonable expectations.

OK?

Unhappy Almost Monday!

Quick American Idol Recap

Certainly a great night of music. You couldn't miss with these songs! Well, um...Scott, Megan and Michael did. All appear to be in danger of going home soon if not Thursday.

I've not been very kind to Matt, but he and Kris got the show off to a pretty good start with "Let's Get It On" and "How Sweet It Is", but the highlights were a little later:

Adam's "Tracks of My Tears" and Anoop's "Ooh Baby Baby". Smokey Robinson is a genius. If you can't pour your heart into these tunes---give it up. I think the song carried Anoop, but Adam is a strong talent and made a great restrained yet inventive move tonight.

Danny's "Get Ready". I really like the slight rasp to his voice. Not his best, but he's always at least very good, and still a favorite.

Allison's "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". That finish was amazing! At sixteen she sure grew up fast. If she doesn't go too wild, she may end up in the top three.

"There's People Out There Turnin' Gold Into Cash"

Paraphrasing John Stewart (not The Daily Show, you young bucks) from a song I never much cared for--- but it's true---the price of gold is bouncing around from an all-time high near $1000 an ounce!

We've been advertising several places on Magic 93 that will buy your gold, and in these tough economic times---it may be a opportune time to sell.

My mom and sister both sold some of the jewelry they didn't want and made close to $2000!

Well, they then used some of the cash to buy new pieces---but what I'm trying to say is you may have some gold around the house you don't want anymore...or don't need.

The only gold jewelry I believe I have other than my wedding ring (which ain't goin' nowhere), would be my class ring. I wore it for a couple of weeks back in high school, and that was it. Don't know how much I'd get for it---if anything---but I'd gladly trade it in for a new grill...or even a steak! Now, where did I put it? May take me another 23 years to find.

DVD Recommendations

Two DVD recommendations:

"Milk". Sean Penn is mighty good here (Oscar noticed) as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man in America to hold public office. You can feel the optimism break through the fear of thousands gathered together in San Francisco's Castro District, simply because they had nowhere else to go to be themselves. Milk wasn't an egotist, just part of a movement. While the film drags a little bit once it leaves the streets, this is modern history not to be neglected.

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Jason Segal (Marshall from "How I Met Your Mother") wrote and stars in this comedy as a TV composer just dumped by his longtime actress girlfriend---who apparently was out of his league in the first place. While they both get away to "forget" each other, they end up in the same place and cross paths every day and every night. The humor is crude ("40 Year Old Virgin and "Knocked Up" director Judd Apatow produced), but somehow heartfelt staying plausible in an Access Hollywood kind of way. Better than "Knocked Up" and certainly in a league with "The 40 Year Old Virgin".

Both films are Rated R and for grown-ups.

Number Crunching

Who does the bills in your house? I do, and I'm usually pretty good about it. Everything gets paid on time...and I keep good records. Or so I thought! Switching to online Billpay was easy and I save a bunch of $$$ on stamps annually. Plus, you then have another day or two to hold on to your money.

About once a week, I check the registry, matching the totals in our checking account (joint---and that can be a subject for another blog). Usually I do this late in the evening, around 9:30 or 10. I log all of the past week's check card purchases, MAC withdrawals/check card purchases to the big legal pad...and add our direct deposit funds.

So tonight, I'm plugging along and it finally hit me. There was a large difference between what our online banking account said we had and what was on my ledger. A big gap---around $ 300! The good news was that my ledger had the smaller amount---so if there was an error, I probably shorted ourselves, not the bank.

After an hour, I caught two mistakes. The first was a purchase I wrote down twice tonight. (Yes, I'm a little drowsy and was watching TV while working, but that's not a good excuse). The other was a math mistake of nearly $200 in November. I use a calculator and even then re-check my math each time I begin a new page, so I have no idea how this happened, but I subtracted too much! Fortunately I caught it, and now my legal pad is at least close enough to the online banking amount that I can go to sleep without panic.

That's all the excitement from here. Hope your night was more eventful. Let's hope it's a great PARADE weekend!

Idol Finals (Finally) Underway

Last night, the top 13 squared off on American idol.

I've been pretty bored with it this year, but the show got off to a great start---with the first seven contestants proving they all belong in the finals.

Then, Anoop came along and did a ho-hum version of “Beat It”. Yes, it was Michael Jackson night. Fortunately, because Michael’s vocals are so unique, no one really tried to sing like him---and the performances were stronger than expected.

How about Adam’s “Black Or White”? Talented for sure...and way over the top indeed, but that’s his ticket. This guy is a natural performer. He may scare the crap out of Mid-America, so I won’t predict him as the winner this year, but I think he is certainly top three material---as long as he doesn’t go too wild.

I’d also put Danny and Lil in that top three, so there’s a prediction for you.

Two contestants are going home tonight, supposedly…and I’d say these folks are in danger:

Anoop
Megan Joy (lousy “Rockin’ Robin”)
Matt (I don’t get him, but the judges love him)
Jorge (who was both good and kind of bad in the same song).

Now, Simon eluded to the judges having some sort of say, so maybe America will eliminate two contestants…and the judges will save one of ‘em.

So, I’ll say Megan Joy and Anoop are voted as the bottom two. Megan Joy will go home and they’ll save Anoop (again).

We’ll see.

Oh…and this season’s winner will be Danny (pictured above). No contest! At least as of today.

Eye Doesn't Need Help, or Does Eye?

The other morning I was shopping and an older person asked me to read some fine print on an item. The print was small and I was able to read it---only after squinting.

My eyes are unusual to say the least. Prior to my Lasik surgery (done only on my left about ten years ago) I was near-sighted AND far-sighted! Somehow I found a way to correct my vision the best I could without lenses (glasses--which I only wore in 3rd and 4th grade), but obviously it wasn't perfect. Still, I lived with it.

The Lasik has enabled me to see better than ever---my depth perception has impoved, so has my golf game...and driving. The doctor did tell me the one drawback of the surgery would be needing reading glasses sometime around age 40. I'm fifteen months over 40, and I may need them.

I spend lots of hours each day staring at computer screens. My "view" setting is "medium", and that's not a problem. Our news computer which I consult for the show has smaller text and to me, sometimes the lines run together. They can be difficult to read on air. I find that reading magazines and newspapers, especially in poor light has become more challenging.

Again, I see very well---except for the definition of tiny objects up close---and I'm going to try and put off the reading glasses for a little while longer. I'll keep you posted.

One Hour and One Month Ahead

After I finish this blog I am going to take a nap. The time change has gotten to me. I was up early this morning---around 7:15---which was actually 6:15. It was a very productive morning, but now I'm pooped. It's great to be "an hour ahead" as we'll be able to actually go outside and do things after work. I won't even mind cutting the grass---the first half dozen times or so.

Even better than the sunlight is the weather. Yesterday at our Shoppes at Montage broadcast it was actually, dare I say it? OK---It was WARM! It felt like April! I was wearing a sweater and nearly broke out in a small sweat. It felt good. I'm not complaining. Once the sun went in and the breeze kicked up it was cool---but not cold.

We're going to see (I'm sure) some fluctuations in the weather this month. Don't forget to put your jacket back on before you leave work...and don't forget where that ice scraper is. You never know.

Recommended Restaurant: Fire And Ice On Toby Creek

Just a quick recommendation for a great restaurant---Fire and Ice on Toby Creek (111 S. Main Street, Trucksville aka Route 309 aka aka Formerly "Yesterdays").

Gary Edwards, former chef of the Radission Lackawanna Station is a co-owner (along with the Fasula family) and the food is excellent. Wonderful breads (fresh baked in the hearth oven), hearty soups, fresh seafood and my favorite to date---the Yesterday's Bar Burger, topped with Cooper Cheese. My wife ordered the Cedar Plank Moroccan Salmon and it was exceptional.

I'd write more, but it's very early.

Anyway, we don't put very many restaurants in heavy rotation, but after going "five for five", it's now a favorite.

We've felt very comfortable dressed up/dressed down---in the dining room/in the bar. Service is friendly. You can order full meals, or appetizers/sandwiches---and prices are quite reasonable (including the desserts!!!).

To S**k Or Not To S**k?? THAT Is The Question.

"

Earlier this week, we added the new Kelly Clarkson song to the Magic 93 playlist. It's title is "My Life Would Suck Without You", but our DJ's will simply call it "My Life".

"Suck" is one of those words that no longer seems to be offensive. My parents would yell at me for using it back in my high school days, but now---even some four year olds say..."That sucks".

Frankie even used the word "sucks" once or twice on the air, though he simply may have been quoting someone. I generally stay away from saying it on the mic, but use it in daily conversation.

So, since Kelly is a very popular Magic artist and because we believe that our listeners would not find the song offensive, it's on the station. Also, the sentiment isn't crude, as her life would "suck" without him. He's apparently a good thing for her.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

American Idol Recap

I'd do a little Idol Recap this morning, but between 8pm and 10pm, I was babysitting my nephews and watching Spongebob Squarepants. The same cartoon several times in a row.

By 10pm, we were all asleep.

Now, I understand why Frankie doesn't blog everyday. Kids can take a lot out of you, but it's most certainly worth it.

UPDATE: I'm zipping through the show on TiVo between 7pm and 8pm.

Some thoughts:

1. Von got the show off to a good start. He's not my favorite style of singer, but he was strong.

2. Alex was pretty lousy. Bending those notes, I thought he was auditioning to be the next Jonas Brother.

3. Jorge has a very good voice, but at times I couldn't understand a word he was singing...and we all know every word of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me".

4. Everyone told me how incredible Lil was. I'd call her very good, but was a little disappointed in her song choice. She didn't really shine until the final line.

5. What does Nathanial have tattooed on his neck? That's what I noticed most during his performance.

6. Ju'not's "Hey There Delilah" was nice. Didn't some else do a somewhat similar version in Hollywood?

Best group of 12 this season by miles.

Prediction time.

Going Through: Scott, Jorge, Lil
I'd be cool with any of these: Von, Ju'not, Felicia, Kendall

Actually, all seven should be in the top twelve.

WHA?

Being married changes everything. If I was single I'm sure I would NEVER watch certain TV shows, like "The Bachelor"---but since my better half has been watching it all season, I've been ignoring it mostly---but picked up just enough passing interest to watch last night's season finale on ABC.

So...Jason (The Bachelor) has narrowed his future hopeful bride-to-be down to Melissa OR Molly. To be honest, in my limited viewing, both girls seemed like pretty good choices. I liked Melissa, a little bit better---but I'm not sure why. Jason did too---by bidding Molly goodbye. Molly retorted by telling Jason that he was making "a mistake". Jason then began weeping like a baby. Could he have made the wrong choice? You wouldn't think so in his PROPOSAL to Melissa. It was one of the most tender, seemingly genuine moments in the show's history. The End. Happily Ever After.

Nope.

The follow-up show shows Jason in a closed set (no audience). He comes out and says that since the proposal there has been no "chemistry" between him and Melissa. Melissa is backstage. She is then brought out. Even though they've been together many times, he decides to break up with her on TV. So not only does he do this, he then tells Melissa that he has feelings for the other girl (Molly) and wants to pursue her. Molly then comes out and is floored by the fact that Jason has feelings for her. At first she seems unsure, but they are smooching away by the end of the hour.

A former Bachelorette finalist, Jason was chosen because America had fallen for him---a good guy---a single dad with an adorable son. Now, America sees him as an opportunistic schmuck. There was no reason for him to break up with Melissa on TV. I hope Molly sees through this.

The Bachelor is good Monday night fluff, I suppose, but fluff is what it is even for the contestants involved. Some contestants are there for the screen time. Others may think they are falling in love, but THIS IS A TV SHOW---not real life. Yes, I may sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but this does cheapen the prospects of "marriage". Once the cameras go off, people do act differently. It's just human nature.

Melissa was strong. She'll be better off...and more-than-likely the next Bachelorette.

Perhaps they are all just following the script?

How LOW Can It Go?

As I write, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is below 7000 for the first time since 1997. For those of us who have another fifteen plus years of work, conventional wisdom says we'll eventually get this money back---and buying low now should help---but for those months to years away from retirement, it's a whole 'nother world.

Imagine having, say $ 500,000 put aside for retirement---money you've been saving, while others have been living it up---yet all of a sudden the poor market conditions reduce your retirement savings to $200,000. Maybe you should've taken that around-the-world cruise instead? I say that half jokingly, but many older Americans are in this situation. Do they continue to work years past their planned retirement? Those already retired are looking for work...and there are not many new jobs to be found. Hard working people are doing the right thing and still getting shafted while many CEO's don't even know how much money they have. Something is way off kilter. This is not the American dream.

I'm not an economic expert by any means, but it appears to me that we have become a nation of reckless spenders---from the government to the people. Our national debt is ridiculous. Yes, consumer spending drives the economy---but when we are constantly spending way more than we actually have---and piling on the debt---we have truly dug our own holes. I have several friends in credit card debt. The irony is those friends with the HIGHEST debt couldn't even tell me what they originally spent that money on. My sympathies lie with those who are in debt for hardships.

A co-worker of our is a big day-trader. A few months ago, I asked him "How low could the Dow go"? His guess: "6700". That answer seemed very scary then, but at this point, I think that's a bottom we could all live with.

Hang in there.

MARCH IS HERE!

...but Mother Nature didn't get the memo. We didn't get the snow this morning, but there's some in the forecast for early Monday---and boy is it cold!!

We were out of coffee this morning, so I went to get some and stopped at (an outdoor) flea market along the way. I was looking through a box of old records (which I collect), and my hands got so cold I had to stop. My fingers would barely move. This is March...the month of Spring. It's not supposed to be this cold...

...but it often is. I remember bitterly cold St. Patrick's Day Parades, leaving minor league baseball games early, nearly chattering on the mic at our Magic Easter Egg Hunt.

It has been warmer lately (on the whole), and yes---we can probably handle another small (please let it be small!) storm or two. Remember, March comes in like a lion, but out like a lamb. So, enjoy the month...and don't forget to turn those clocks ahead next Saturday Night/ Sunday Morning.

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Nice seeing so many listeners and brides-to-be at our Wedding Show today at Mohegan Sun. Yes, I did hit the slots on the way out---playing for about ten minutes. I lost two dollars.

Good night.