Catching up on the past week...

First Phillies game in Philly... as I felt a cold coming on, my buddy Matt dragged me to a Phillies game. We got to the game a half hour after first pitch, thanks to traffic on the Blue Route and 95. When I saw it was college night, I knew I was in for a show... and not necessarily by the players on the field. 40-degree temps and a 40-mile an hour wind made sitting conditions rather adverse. It was worth the dollar dogs and BBQ pork from Bull's. Some drunk college kid ran onto the field in the 6th inning... what an idiot. Phillies didn't play much better, losing 9-6. Charlie Manuel won't last past June 1st at this pace.

Speaking of Weather... it all depended on where you were with this freaky storm. We only had two inches of snow here in Pottsville. Climb the grade up to Frackville, and you had 12-inches of snow and more. My friends in Alaska are still laughing at me.

Carrie Underwood... is it okay to admit that I have a crush on her? I'll admit that I was stupid for passing up a chance to see her in concert two years ago at the York Fair. I'm still kicking myself for that.

Virginia Tech... I was sitting here at the station when I saw the first report come in of the first set of casualties... then I was floored when I saw what happened later in the morning. I do know someone who goes to Virginia Tech, and was relieved to see that she was okay. If you know one of the victims of this senseless act of violence, my heart goes out to you.

I remember the day that Columbine broke out. My Dad was still teaching at GAR High School in Wilkes-Barre, and was worried for him. When I heard his calming voice, I was okay, but still shocked.

The level of security at schools has changed dramatically since I was in high school in the early 90s. Our doors were never totally locked. There was a level of assumption that nothing would happen, and that no one could ever ransack the place or bring in a firearm. Columbine changed that.

I went back to GAR to speak at career day about a year and half later. All the doors were locked. There was the ever-present buzzer outside the main office. Signatures, ID, badges, the works. I believe students had to wear ID badges. It just wasn't the same... amazing what one event can do. Dad retired at the end of the 00-01 school year. He wasn't around to see the immediate reaction of everyone to 9/11... that's another rough memory for another time.

Depending on how my voice sounds, I may talk with you tonight. The worst of this cold is hitting me. Buckle up, and take your vitamins.
TS