PIX! PIX! PIX!

Here's one for all of us who grew up in the 60's to early 80's - a You Tube video tribute to WPIX - Channel 11 in New York. Our cable system (Verto) carried Channels 5, 9 and 11 from New York - plus Channel 17 "WPHL - Phil-a-DELL-phee-uh". These independent stations were as good as gold to a kid. This was long before our local Fox 38 (and later 56). There were morning and afternoon cartoons, oodles of sitcom reruns, Phillies/Yankees/Mets baseball, late night creature features, big city news and so much more.

All of these stations are still broadcasting - but are no longer (for the most part) on our local cable systems. Sadly, these once "independent" stations are now Fox, CW and other network affiliates - and have become much more predictable and less unique ---long newscasts, tacky daytime talk shows, infomericals. Compare them to other stations across the country and sadly they are all carbon copies of each other.

I recall "Dick Tracy" and "Mr. Magoo" on WOR (Channel 9) instead - and there's plenty missing here (TV Pix - the first interactive TV Video Game, Twilight Zone, Channel 11 news, The Yule Log) - but still, this is a nice trip back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njs9NuDopC4#watch-main-area

Hotel Hell!

Trip Advisor.com has ranked The Dirtiest Hotels in the United States - and we've made it!

Dirtiest Hotels - United States
(based on TripAdvisor traveler reviews)
1. Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco, California
2. Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Missouri
3. Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia
4. Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia
5. Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
6. New York Inn, New York City, New York
7. Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach, Florida
8. Capistrano Seaside Inn, Capistrano Beach, California
9. Desert Lodge, Palm Springs, California
10. Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

Tripadvisor.com is a great site - by the way - we use it for recommendations every time we travel.

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Sunny Came Home

Not only is it above freezing today - but there's abundant sunshine! The older I get, the more I notice that my mood IMPROVES on sunny days. How about you?

While I hardly ever leave work by 5pm - it sure is nice having a few minutes of sunlight for the afternoon commute - and I think we all feel more awake getting up AFTER sunrise - even if that's only a few days each year.

Looks like we're gonna make it through this winter thing after all!

Route 115 Petition

After two fatal accidents just days apart, there's a growing movement to improve safety on Route 115 in Bear Creek. Increased traffic over the past few years has only aggravated the problem - especially with those unfamilar to "the big hill".

Click here to see (and sign, if you'd like) The State Route 115 Safety Improvement Petition which will be sent to our State House and Senate Representatives.

Bye Bye Sy!

From an MTV "Bulletin":

Simon Cowell announced today that this season will be his last as a judge on American Idol. CNN reports that next year, Simon will bring the popular British talent show, The X Factor, to the U-S and he’ll be a judge on that series. There is a chance he might bring an old friend to that show too. Cowell spoke about former American Idol judge Paula Abdul saying, “I adore Paula. Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity.” Simon’s final season on American Idol premieres tomorrow night at 8 PM Eastern on FOX.

We've been hearing rumors regarding this for a long time now - but this appears pretty official --- Mr. Nasty appears ready to leave the biggest U.S. TV Show of the past decade in just a few months. I think his departure could do this show in. Seriously. Without that drama - there's just not as much entertainment. Plus, they've added Ms. Nice, Ellen DeGeneres, as a judge this season. I doubt Ellen will be very critical - she'll probably throw roses. In a way, I guess she's "the new Paula" - but perhaps with a better singing voice! Unless Kara really starts to get tough this season - or they find another curmudgeon - for 2011 - I think Idol is in trouble. Seriously. Well, let's enjoy this season together - and all of Mr. Cowell's wisecracks. He won't be holding anything back!