Bad luck...

What a string of bad luck some of my co-workers have experienced...

First, I credit Les Blankenhorn and John Powers for getting on the air at all last night. They were broadcasting the Pottsville/North Schuylkill basketball game. The one main mixer that we plugged into would not cooperate with the phone line we plugged into. Luckily, we had a backup system that we could plug a cellphone into. Unluckily, that unit overheated. Using two separate phones, we conferenced Les and John together, and the broadcast went on.

Second, one of my co-worker's significant other decided to do some redecorating around the house... and broke a window. Unfortunately, they're having a hard time replacing the window... and may be shelling out a few sheckles to get it/them fixed.

Third, both Al Kovy and D-Mike were out sick today, and it's snowing this morning in Pottsville. Hopefully, Dave Fleming won't have trouble getting up here... I'm guessing he's the reason why there was a KYW-TV newstruck up here in Pottsville this morning.

Travel safely wherever you are today. Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle up,
TS

correction...

Correction!

I read the article incorrectly... State Police at Schuylkill Haven will be handling Norwegian Township calls, starting January 1st... not Frackville. Apologies for my goof.

Buckle Up,
TS

Norwegian Township

I gladly call Norwegian Township home. I've lived there since moving here in 1999. I understand why my fellow Township residents are angry at the loss of our one police officer. Yes, we'll have to rely on State Police in Frackville if we have any problems. I haven't heard all sides of the story, so I won't totally comment on it. Wouldn't it have been more efficient to have troopers down at Reedsville/Schuylkill Haven help out... I only ask because of how different weather can get between Frackville and Norwegian Township in the winter.

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While we're talking Norwegian Township... any chance we can get a new cable TV provider? I envy those of who have Service Electric. I'm sick of Comcast.

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So when does the housecleaning begin in Baltimore Ravens offices? I like Brian Billick, but it's time for him to go. His quarterbacks have never been consistently close to the top of the QB class. Yes, their defense is exceptional, but have just as many uncontrollable egos. I have a feeling that by 2010, we won't recognize many of the Ravens.

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Be careful at your Christmas parties this year. I've seen firsthand what a little extra libation can create. Designate a driver.

Buckle up,
TS

Bring home the bacon...

I've heard that aspirin is good for people with heart conditions, and good if you sense you're experiencing heart problems... in fact, it may have saved the life of my friend, Dr. Mussari.

Then I find in the watercooler section of wusa9.com a story on bacon. The nitrates in bacon can help re-open blocked arteries. Interesting... especially since I just had tuna fish with bacon for lunch. My favorite way to prepare bacon is to cook it on the George Foreman grill, and let it bake til it's crunchy. then squeeze the grease out of whatever's left. Turkey bacon tastes good, too.

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I may just change my name to Lofa Tatupu. My Seahawks beat the Eagles yesterday, and Tatupu has 3 of the 4 interceptions.

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I'm heartsick for Redskins Head Coach Joe Gibbs. After the roughest week he's ever been through due to Sean Taylor's murder, Gibbs got bit by an obscure rule. Buffalo was down by two, when they were getting ready to kick a 51-yard field goal. He took a time out to ice the kicker. He then took a second time out... which is against the rules. The Redskins were given a 15-yard penalty. The kick was now 36 yards, which Buffalo converted. The 17-16 loss had to be the worst of his illustrious career. He immediately took the blame for the loss... then had to pack up and head to Florida for Taylor's funeral today.

I hope this doesn't cost Gibbs his job. His critics say the game has passed him by, and his offense is too conservative. However, his players love playing for him. I've been a Redskins fan longer than I've been a Seahawks fan... and one big reason was Joe Gibbs. I hope Redskins owner Dan Snyder doesn't do anything too drastic too soon.

Thank you...

...for donating to Toys For Tots last night. A number of you generously donated... THANK YOU!

Today's musings...

1. The common cold... I'm guessing my allergy shots are working in more ways then one. I haven't had a really bad cold since January. I feel a slight one coming on now... so I rushed down to the store to get Zicam. It's worked well before. I got the mist that you spray every three hours. We'll see how well it works, and if I'm better for the weekend.

2. Christmas Music... I don't mind it. In fact, we have it playing in the back office. The only part I don't like is hearing the same songs by the same artists on this all-Christmas station. I understand that Bing Crosby's White Christmas etc. are standards that shouldn't be ignored. But give me something different every day... I don't wanna hear Auld Lang Syne every day... save that for December 31st.

3. There is no #3.

4. Happy Birthday, Courtney. She's 27 again.

Buckle up,
TS

Toys For Tots

Tonight, I'll be at the Schuylkill Mall from 5:00-7:30 for our first Toys For Tots stop.

I'll have a chance for you to win some goodies if you drop off a new unwrapped toy to Centre Court at Schuylkill Mall while I'm there.

Dave Smith will be on longer today, until 8:00. Then I'll be on after 8:00.

Stop by the mall if you get a chance on your way home from work and donate a toy to those less fortunate.

Buckle up,
TS

A full plate of catching up...

1. Health Update: The pipida scan came back normal. I ended up lying flat on my back for about 90 minutes with limited movement. The nurse first injected me with saline solution, then watched as everything functioned the way it is supposed to. Next was the CCK enzyme, which naturally makes the gall bladder contract. I didn't feel anything abnormal, and the results proved that. Next step comes in January with a visit to the gastroenterologist.

2. Thanksgiving: It's one of my two favorite holidays because it combines four of my five most favorite things... family, football, food, and napping. Ha! I saved the bowling for the weekend. I highly recommend getting Wegman's to handle all the fixins, because everything was sooooo good. My uncle stopped a Cracker Barrel to get an Apple Pecan Streusel pie. I think I ate half of it. I fell asleep during the second half of the Cowboys game. It just felt good to eat meal at a table. I'm looking forward to doing the same at Christmas.

3. High School Football: Hats off to Hazleton Area... hell of an effort against Parkland... too bad someone had to go home afterwards. Salute to Marian, who played the best game of keepaway I've seen in a long time. They'll have to duplicate that effort against a strong Bloomsburg team.

4. Horse Racing/Gambling: The next state to get slot machines could be Maryland. The state legislature voted to let residents vote on whether or not to install slots... that vote will be in November 2008, the same as the Presidential election. Chances are that if the referrendum fails, horse racing in Maryland could be in serious trouble. Some are even wondering if Pimlico could still host the Preakness with slots. There just isn't enough money to fund a full schedule of racing in Maryland at all levels. If it hadn't been for slots, PA would have the same problems that Maryland and Ohio are having.

I could go on and on about the problems with racing in New York, the OTB's and their 20-cents-per-winning-ticket takeout, synthetic surfaces, the V75, owners retiring horses too early, and the high prices at tracks... but I'll save that for later.

Looks like February will be when Hollywood Casino at Penn National will open. There will be racing through December 21st, then a few weeks off until everything is readied at the new facility... should be an exciting winter in Grantville.

I'm heading to Charles Town this Saturday night... it's the one year anniversary of my big superfecta ticket. Maybe I'll get lucky again.

Buckle up,
TS