Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

What A Piece of Junk

I hate to shop. Virtually all the shopping I do is online. Over the years I have had pretty good luck. With the exception of some shoes that did not fit, and a watch that never got delivered, I have successfully spent thousands of dollars online without travail. Until I ordered the Smartparts SP15MWA digital picture frame from Tigerdirect.com.

The first one I ordered was here in two days. I ripped open the box and read the directions (yup! Sure did!!), put the memory card in, connected the power and ... NOTHING. It was DOA. The returns process was pretty easy and since I figured it was an isolated thing, I ordered a replacement.

The replacement came last night and worked flawlessly for about 3 minutes. Then the Smartparts frame began emitting the smell of melting plastic and went blank.

This time the Tigerdirect.com RMA guy was a bit of a jerk,but I still got the RMA. I am not blaming TigerDirect for the bad products. This thing is obviously a piece of crap. The images were pretty good for 3 minutes, but 2 out of 2 bad units is not a good record. Avoid the Smartparts SP15MWA. It's crap in a box.

Felix Goes Pumpkin Picking!

We are at Linvilla Orchards today for the annual family outing to choose our fall pumpkins. Felix came with us and we are awaiting the arrival of Grandma, Pop, Aunt Carin, Andrew and Ellie.

Felix Goes to Breakfast

Emma's kindergarten class has a special friend named Felix. This week it is Emma's turn to bring Felix home for the week. Last night, Felix had pizza at home.

Today, Felix is out to breakfast with us at the Green Apple Bistro in Moorestown. Later he will be at Mount Laurel Day with the family and maybe John's baseball game.

Welcome Felix!

Friday Fantastic Four

Earlier this week you might have seen the post I had about the display celebrating the coming of Autumn in front of Marc Vetri's restaurant on Spruce Street.  There was an array of flowers, a dozen or more pumpkins and a box of apples for passers by to sample.  Sadly some cretins smashed the pumpkins and stole the apples and we are left with only the flowers.

This pisses me off.  You've got a guy trying to do something nice for his neighbors and the community and some clueless jerk shows us his true colors by destroying it.  Classy!

So this leads me to this week's Fantastic Four:

What four things piss you off the most?

1. Senseless destruction - this one tops it all for me
2. People who spoil secrets. - just plain old mean
3. People who don't clean up after their dogs.  How about I come over and take a dump on YOUR lawn?
4. Littering - you can't wait until you get home to toss your Big Gulp cup? You gotta throw it out the window?

A bit of a downer way to start the weekend, but please go forth and enjoy!

Fall is Planting Time

There is a lot to do at Another Delco Guy's new abode, but one of the things I added to the list this week we planting a little grass. A few days and a lot of watering later and the baby grass is here!

If only the rest of the projects were so easy. Sigh!

Little Princess at Dance Class

It's Emma's second week in dance class. She's trying very hard but has some catching up to do!

It Must Be Fall

Marc Vetri has the pumpkins and apples out in front of his eponymous Spruce Street restaurant, so it must be fall!

Last Party of the Summer

We are at Jimmy and Heather's celebrating the great weekend weather and Robin and Brian's engagement. It's getting a bit chilly as the sun goes down, but everyone is having a great time!

Friday Fantastic Four

There's no looking back.  The window has slammed shut on summer and we're in full-on fall mode here in the Philadelphia Region.

I will admit I was hoping for a few more days of warm weather, but we will just have to wait until our annual late October Indian Summer.

It's time for an Autumn-themed Fantastic Four:

What are the four things you most like about fall?

1. Not sweating.  I like the warmer temperatures of summer in some ways, but there is nothing better than an afternoon drive with the sunroof open without having to worry about melting because of the heat and humidity.
2. Fall colors.  From the clear blue skies to leaves changing to the yellows and red and oranges of the mums to the incredible Halloween displays that will be going up on lawns across the nation, fall is the prettiest time of year.  I used to make sure I drove to fall conferences just to see all the colors.  With the kids it's harder these days, but I still want to get out and shoot some foliage this fall.
3. Fest beers.  While you seem to be able to get them earlier and earlier every year, my favorite style of brew is a malty, almost sweet fest style.  I've had two good ones this year so far and am looking forward to finding a few more.  Maybe at Blue Monkey's Oktoberfest.
4. Planting. I don't know how a kid from suburban Philly got it in his blood, but I love to plant and grow things.  It's said that Fall is for planting, and I have been trying.  I have some mums and pansies in the ground and some grass seed spread too.  Maybe a few shrubs next ...

So what do you love about the fall?

Have a great weekend!

Back To School Night

I have to admit I love going to Back to School Night.  There is something special about sitting in their tiny chairs with the other parents.  Hearing about your children from people who are today total strangers, but will be among the most important people in their lives for the next year is also fascinating.

Add in that this is the first year in a new school and there is so much to think about.  Emma's teacher has both a business degree as well as a master in early childhood education.  I can see her reading her Blackberry with one hand and finger painting with the other. John's teacher is energetic and engaging, and a big sports fan.  Her co-teacher clearly loves John already.  The teachers seem to be perfect matches for my children.

Fleetwood Elementary School is small and homey.  Built as the 60s came to a close, it's in remarkable shape for the 360 or so neighborhood kids who will spend much of their waking moments there until June.  

I hope you all take the time to go to your own Back to School Nights.  I always learn somehting and I always leave smiling.

Pool Problems

Our new house came with a disused custom in-ground swimming pool. Anothe Delco Guy can't swim and neither can his kids, but he's always loved pools.

Until today.

During the storm earlier this week, the black plastic 'pool cover' tore and dumped its load of slime, leaves and dead animals into what had been a pretty clear and winterized pool. Now we have to de-winterize, start the filter and get this sucker cleaned up before we close it again for fall.

Another adventure in home ownership!

Pool Problems

Our new house came with a disused custom in-ground swimming pool. Anothe Delco Guy can't swim and neither can his kids, but he's always loved pools.

Until today.

During the storm earlier this week, the black plastic 'pool cover' tore and dumped its load of slime, leaves and dead animals into what had been a pretty clear and winterized pool. Now we have to de-winterize, start the filter and get this sucker cleaned up before we close it again for fall.

Another adventure in home ownership!

The Throne is Installed

It may not look like much, but this Ice Gray Kohler Wellworth Elongated bowl toilet is a huge upgrade form the Great White Waterwaster it is replacing.

One more thing crossed off the list!

Fall Ball In The Rain

We are underway in the Mount Laurel Athletic Association fall baseball leauge. I hope the rain is not some kind of omen.

Emma's First Day of Kindergarten!

I can't believe that my little princess is off to kindergarten already. It seems like just yesterday that I was visiting her in the NICU. No w she's all grown up!

Day is Done!

Well we almost got one room finished today. It's painted and the new Brazilian Cherry floor is about 80% done. For the neighbors' sake I think it's time to shut the saw down for the night.

Jody Mac Signs off at 950 WPEN

Jody's Last PM Drive Show
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

I kinda saw this one coming, but it still stung when my brother Matt called me and told me that Jody MacDonald, perhaps my favorite sports talker in the business had just signed off for the final time on his WPEN 950AM show.

I've listened to Jody for 20 years, first catching his overnight show on WFAN when I was working overnights. Later, when he was hosting mid-days on 610 WIP, we met when he came to the college radio station I worked at. I still caught his show a good bit when he departed for WFAN, but I was thrilled in 2005 when WPEN made Jody the centerpiece of its switch to sports radio and put him on afternoon drive against Howard Eskin.

As much as I love listening to the guy, he was never the brash, confrontation host that radio GMs and PDs seem to want these days. Wry and funny and full of substance, his shows are for the serious sports fan. So it came as no surprise when the station brought in Mike Missanelli and moved Jody to mornings.

When the move to mid-days came after his heart bypass surgery and he was paired with Harry Mayes, the writing was on the wall. Jody was playing out the string here in Philly and even his most frequent listeners knew it.

I will say here today that I am about done with 950. I used to be a big Misanelli fan, but his show seems sophomoric and silly. The station that said it would never insult its listeners and would be a different kind of sports talk is now just a poor second rate imitation of 610, the much-diminished giant of Philly sports talk.

My best wishes to Jody MacDonald and his family. I will be listening on Sirius and on 1050AM.

Halfway at The DFFL Draft

We are entering the interminable period of the 12 team 16 round draft. Four minutes to take Earnest Graham? Come on guys!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Painting the Westbury

For the last few days workers have been putting decorative touches on The Westbury Bar at 13th and Spruce in Center City Philadelphia. Well known as the divey-est of dive bars, it prompts the question: 'why put lipstick on this pig?' Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

John Says Rick's Steaks Are The Best!

Moments after devouring a Rick's American cheesesteak, John declared that the soft Rick's roll moved the Rick's sandwich ahead of his previous favorite, Tony Luke's. I will agree that it's a pretty good lunch, but I still give the Oregon Avenue landmark the nod. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry