Curmudgeon

That's the word of the day... a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man.

I've always liked the not-too-overly-cranky commentators who leave you bobbing your head in agreement.

People like Woody Paige of the Denver Post, who is on ESPN's Around The Horn everyday. He's half-crazy, but he's usually always right, and is a great writer. www.denverpost.com

I'm also a fan of Mike Buchanan on WTOP radio in Washington DC. He's a former TV anchor and crime reporter, and has the kind of delivery that straddles blood-and-guts with crankiness and matter-of-factness. www.wtopradio.com and search "Buch Stops Here" for his podcasts... a good 45-seconds every day.


I also like Paul Harvey, the dean of radio newscasters. Just the right selection of stories, features, and anecdotes. www.paulharvey.com By no means is he is a curmudgeon, but knows his stuff.

Give them a read or a listen... after you listen to me, tonight. Buckle up.
TS

Results & Thoughts

Street Sense won... awesome ride by Calvin Borel. If Liquidity hadn't moved a few inches to the right when Street Sense was bearing down on him near the 1/4-pole, then Hard Spun may have gone the distance.

Herb's bets: lost $44.40
Travis's bets: lost $23

Lucky for me, there was no 10-cent Superfecta wagering at Churchill Downs, so I didn't lose anything on superfectas.... although I applaud who ever hit it for $29,000+.

I got my first look on Saturday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs... excellent job!

I also bowled in the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association Championships this past weekend... if it weren't for bad luck, I would have no luck at all. I think my friends and I all go to laugh at each other's misery. My high three-game series for the weekend was 588... which was the highest for all of us.

I did meet a few people from this area... especially Dan & Erica, formerly from Tremont. Dan beat me in a bracket by 2 pins on Sunday... oh well... that's why I get for bowling a 159 game, 60 pins under my average.

One of these days, I'll stop missing so many 10 pins.

One more thing... Paris Hilton, enjoy your time in the most popular hotel in the world... jail. Party's over, kid.

Buckle up,
TS

Triple Crown/Kentucky Derby

Herb's monopoly money wagers:

$3 to win, place, and show on #2, #14, #15, #16 = $36
$2 exacta box on #7, #14, #15 = $12
$1 trifecta on #14-#19-#16, #15-#19-#16 = $2

Travis's monopoly money wagers:

10-cent superfecta box on #6, #13, #14, #16, #18 = $12
$2 to win, place, and show on #8, #10, #20 = $18
$2 show on #2, #7, #15, #19 = $8

If you missed the show this morning on WPPA, Philadelphia Park track announcer/PR director Keith Jones was our guest, and was very informative. Great to have him join us.

He liked #7 Street Sense... so does our Larry O.

Wager smartly. Buckle up,
TS

Comcast of Pottsville

I haven't complained too loudly about our Comcast system since Game Show Network was added in 2002.

I feel it's time to bring up and old complaint.

There are two channels missing from our system that we could use...

1. WFMZ Allentown - Wire TeleView carries them, why can't we? They're making inroads into Schuylkill County to cover this area. You've probably seen the billboards touting that 69News can be seen locally on the East side of Route 61. Technically, WFMZ is a "Philadelphia" station, but we sure could use it on our system.

2. Another CBS station - If WYOU gets knocked off the air for any reason, like the tornado last fall, we have no CBS station. We have 2 ABC's (WNEP & WPVI), 2 NBC's (WBRE & WGAL), 2 Fox's (WOLF & WTXF), 2 CW's (WSWB & WLYH), and 2 MyNetwork TV's (WPHL & WWOR), but just one CBS. Why can't we get WHP out of Harrisburg or KYW Philadelphia?



Just my 2 cents.
Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle up.
TS

One huge garage sale...

I enjoy following what's happening with the gaming scene in Atlantic City. Haven't gambled there in about a year, but I'm still watching what's happening.

The legendary Sands Casino was bought last year, and closed in November, to make way for a bigger place in a few years.

Today's Atlantic City Press reports that a huge garage sale will be held starting Thursday, to sell off all sorts of merchandise... except slot machines. Those were transferred to other properties owned by Pinnacle.

Here's the link: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_story/story/7457174p-7352231c.html

Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle Up,
TS

Breakfast

Where is your favorite place in Schuylkill County to eat breakfast? Email me your responses to tcsparks@pbcradio.com. I'm curious to know.

Have a relaxing weekend. Buckle up.
TS

USA Today's 25th anniversary...

USA Today celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year... I read it every now and then. Growing up in the 80s, the full-color weather maps caught my attention. I would always spend 50 cents when I had my allergy doctor appointments on Friday, just so I could read about everything going on... especially in Sports.

On their website, they have top 25 lists of things that have happened in the last 25 years. Here are some of my views on "25 Trends That Changed America." ...at least my cynical view. Go to usatoday.com for the full list.

Millions living longer -
I now end up waiting in the doctor's office longer...

Global warming -
This debate won't end until we all melt into the Pacific.

Are we safe? -
No.

Snuffing out smoking -
I'll comment on this as soon as I wash the smoke smell out of my clothes

Obesity crisis -
I've regained 10 pounds, thanks to potato chips and ordering out for lunch

Spreading out -
I'm 6'5", of course I need room to stretch my legs.

Supersizing
#4, supersize, with diet coke... how oxymoronic.

Luxury goes mainstream
I still don't like driving the hummer.

Electronic cash
...taking credit cards to the penny candy shops. LOL!

Living alone
Yes????

College stress grows
DON'T BOTHER ME!! ...sorry. Bad memories of 10 years ago.

Sexualization
I'm still a virgin.

States bet on gambling
Kaching!

Makeovers for the masses
I cut my own hair, does that count?

Buckle up.
TS