Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

The Snowman Is Hanging On!

On Tiger and His Statement

The restaurant where I ate lunch had ESPN News looping when I went in today.  The Tiger Woods statement was shown in its entirety at the top of the hour.  It wasn't a pretty 13 minutes. 

Is it just me or has someone scooped Tiger's brain out with a melon baller and inserted an android processor which just mouths words in a nearly human manner? i know the guy is known for his focus and lack of emotion on the golf course, but this was just unreal.

The presentation varied between the world's #1 golfer and uber philanderer staring at the papers in front of him and reading, or apparently freezing up in his speech and looking straight at the camera.  Not pretty either way.

The best part was at the end when the robot known as Tiger walked over to his mom and his programmers had them embrace ion a long hug while the rest of the people in the front row stared at them, praying 'please god don't let him try to hug me.' 

My brother and I had a spirited IM discussion about the Tigercast.  He was amazed at the 'entitlement' the public felt toward Tiger and how much is being expected of him.  Matt notes a belief that Tiger owes us nothing.  I beg to disagree.

One of the reasons this guy has such problems is that he has no emotion beyond himself, not for golf, not for his wife, not for me, a fan of the game, or apparently for anything else. And he showed it again today.

While it's very true that infidelity is common in the world and probably more common among sports stars, that isn't really the issue.  What I saw today was a guy trying to come before the public for its blessing and doing it with such hollowness that he was rendered unbelievable and even more pathetic.  

He didn't have to do this.  Tiger chose to be part of the public theater.  If he was going to go out there and do this, he had a responsibility to do it well.  If he couldn't do it well (which was apparently the case) someone should have told him to just stay silent and move on to the next phase of his therapy and ignore us.  Because otherwise he ends up looking like a guy who felt like he had to go out and say that he was putting his wife and family first, but not because he necessarily felt that way.

I am not at all saying I won't be a fan of Tiger the golfer when he comes back, but I'll be a fan for the same reason I always have been- because he can do amazing things on a golf course, not becasue he is the accessible everyman on the golf course, a la Arnie Palmer.  In the mean time, I want him to go away and get better and stop wandering though my life, blathering on about things it's clear he has no solid grip on yet.

Cavalier Alumni Game In the Books

Cavalier Basketball Alumni - 2010
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Whew! That sure was a lot of fun!

On the day that John Dzik lost his first game as head coach in over five years, 30 of his former players put on a heck of a show in the annual Cabrini Cavalier Alumni Game at the Nerney Fieldhouse in the Dixon Center.

The House That Dzik Built was busy all day as the women's Alumni Gmae kicked things off at 11am, followed by senior point guard Deana DiAmico leading the women's team to a 70-56 win over Marywood. The men kept things rolling as Kevin Misevicius became the 14th member of the 1,000-point and led the Cavs over Marywood 91-77. The win locked up home court advantage though the CSAC playoffs.

And then the old guys had their moment in the sun. John Mack kept us organized, Coaches Kelly and Keeley called the action from the table and the Blue squad topped Eric Tidwell's Gray squad 83-76 in OT. The game featured a ceremonial tip from Cabrini President Angelella George, some nice outside shooting, a few Laval Pickney dunks and a lot of griping about my 'coaching' from the blue squad.

In the end we all had a good time and I'm thankful that so many guys came out. Special appearances were made by former coaches Rob Rowe, Ken Schiller, Steve Harrow, Matt Alzamora, and Bob McTamney. Super fan Paul Engle was in the house as were the best managers ever, Kelly Gallagher and Phyllis Cohen. The thirty players brought a throng of moms and dads, friends, family wives, girlfriends and children. My son John loved the basketball, the humor, and the fellowship.

I've been involved in Cabrini hoops in one way or another since 1988. This year the folks at Cabrini got it right. The president was there an involved. The game was prime time. No more being ignored by the administration or relegated to a 9 am game. Joe Guinta and his staff, currents Cavs coach Marcus Kahn and the folks from the Mansion treated us well and I am here to say we appreciate it.

Coach Dzik had planned to be here this year, but when he had to take over the Piedmont women's program for the rest of the year, we had to do it without him. He's 6-1 as a women's coach this year and is enjoying things, but looking to turn the reins back over at the end of the year. I spoke to Coach last night as he licked his wounds from his first loss. "I still hate losing," he said. "Some things never change I guess."

He's right. Some things don't change. Coach Marcus Kahn has restored the program to respectability and a spot in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll. We all loved seeing each other and telling old stories. Everyone on campus Saturday was a winner and no one go hurt. Now there's a good way to spend a day!

We come back because we enjoyed our time in the gym. We love the guys we played with and it's great to be involved in something that has endured over four decades now. We've got kids and busy lives, too much to do and too little time, but we still find a way to get back each year and keep it going. Because we're part of the chain and we need to honor the guys who play today as well as those who have gone on and can't any more.

Thanks to everyone who made the day great for us. A few photos from the day are up on my Flickr site. See ya next year!

Washington Square Gridlock

I am 90 minutes into my commute and have not moved in 30!

What Else Ya Got, Mother Nature?

John and His Snow Friend
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

So we're all dug out here in Mount Laurel. School and work resume tomorrow. We've shoveled out the driveway and built a snowman and played video games. And now life returns to normal.

The fiancee and I are headed into Philly for dinner at Marc Vetri's Amis and all is right with the world. Tomorrow we have normal Fridays followed by a weekend of birthday parties, Valentine's Day celebrations and waffles for breakfast.

And then on Monday ... more snow!

Super Snow Day 2 - Part II

Blue Skies Again!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Can you believe this? It's officially the snowiest winter on record! We've got our second day off this week from work and school, the second major snow storm in a week and the Big Dig Out is just starting.

The skies are blue, the temperatures are icy and the wind is biting. Kids are beginning to move around and the coffee is hot. Hopefully that will be enough to get things moving today.

Special thanks go out to Mike for stopping by in the thick of it yesterday and getting rid of the heavy, wet snow on the driveway. We've got about 8 or 9 inches left of much lighter stuff to get rid of today. Thankfully we've got power and no trees in danger of falling today.

How are you weathering things?

Out and About During The Lull

I am taking advantage of the lull in the storm to run out and get q few things we forgot. The roads are slushy but not terrible and it's just beginning to sleet again in Mount Laurel, NJ.

Now it's time for the Super Bowl!

Shoveling Done!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Ok so the snow is cleared and the salt is down. My back medication is chilling in a tumbler and I am ready to enjoy the hot tub for a bit.

The we are heading to Carlo and Anne's to root on the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.

Snow pictures are up on my Flickr site.

Hopefully your shoveling is done so you can enjoy the game!

The Dig Out Is Underway!

Bare Sassafrass Tree
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Enjoy your pre-Super Bowl Festivities everyone!

Snow Has Stopped, Shoveling Has Begun

Snowpalooza Update

It's wild here in Mount Laurel, NJ!

Snowpalooza!

Snowy Pine Tree
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

We at Another Delco guy are up and about on this snowy Saturday, taking photos and assessing the snow event that is pounding the Philadelphia region today. John Bolaris is on Fox 29 saying that this snow storm will be one of the five largest ever, bigger than the December, 2009 storm and maybe even THE largest ever!

Fox 29 has a very cool new technology going allowing viewers to live steam video from their iPhones, showing conditions from all over the Delaware Valley.  The app's video is a little choppy, but still very fun to watch.  It's miles ahead of the guys at Channel 6 with their ancient graphics and stupid Action News ruler.

I have no idea how they are measuring snowfall totals, because the blowing and drifting has accumulations at my substantial, but not ostentatious estate varying from a mere 3 inches to over 20 inches. Regardless of how much we're going to get in the end, we will have some shoveling to do when it all winds down.

Snow and Watermelon

I am not sure what it says about the American consumer economy that we are gearing up for a major winter storm here in South Jersey and yet you can still buy fresh watermelon at Shop Rite.

A Coating of White

Sunday Morning Snow
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Another Delco Guy and family woke up to 14 degree temperatures and a coating of snow this morning. It seems like there should be some more snow given the fact that it snowed for about 6 hours yesterday, but we've got just enough to make everything look pretty.

And make me have to figure out how to get it off the driveway!

On Facebook

Apparently Facebook is the new place to announce your engagement

I've been thinking a lot about Facebook lately and social networking in general after I announced my engagement on the site in December. The flurry of congratulations from random people I have not seen in months or years was stunning. My childhood babysitter, a guy I coached baseball with for my son's team, some folks from college and high school. It all seemed a little bit odd. These are good people, all of them. And I love to see what is going on in their lives, but it did make me stop to think.

Why do people (myself included) who rarely buy birthday cards for people they see every day suddenly start posting birthday wishes for that cute girl from grade school who now lives in Montana, the wife of the guy who used to play in a band I like or the kid's teacher from 3 years ago? I get that it's convenient and way easier than a card and a stamp and writing and mailing and all, but really, why bother?

Three basic reasons, I think.

One is that Facebook helps us be the people we'd really like to be. You know the ones, the people who send cards for all the major holidays, keep up with what old friends are doing, know the ages of all their cousin's kids, make the best guacamole for parties and always seem to have great photos of the kids in the Christmas card. We can't every really be that person. He (more likely she) is a freak of nature akin to folks who can bench press cars and are 7 feet tall.

But yet, with a minimum of effort, Facebook lets us pretend to be that person, even in the most diluted way.

The second reason is that Facebook is all about helping us connect with who we used to be. It's a lot less about who we are today than who we used to be, or even who we wanted to be back then. It opens up a lot of windows into the past, where we see ourselves 15 pounds lighter with 80s hair and a goofy smile on our faces. Some of those windows are best left closed, like the ex who was kinda weird and stalkerish or the former boss who drunkenly hit on you once but never mentioned it again. Best to just click ignore on those folks.

We still seem to end up with an army of people we sorta remember from high school and people we didn't really hang out that much with in college to go with the people we don't talk to much at work, the assistant coach's wife and the contractor that did a lousy job on the door. Facebook is the way the geek from chem. Class gets to talk to the star quarterback or the hall monitor gets to chat it up with the hot cheerleader, albeit 20 years too late.

Bottom line is that it's a continuous class reunion, with all the fun chatter, awkward remembrances and naughty possibilities running 24/7 on your netbook in the living room while the kids do homework and your spouse is on the Wii Fit.

The final reason that we all say happy birthday to the jerk father of the jerk kid from the soccer team and join causes we could care less about is that Facebook easily fulfills our basic need to just belong to something, to connect with others and be somehow larger than the person in the existence we have today. It's a pretty basic human need. Facebook is the bridge club and afternoon corner tavern of this generation. None of us bowl anymore, but we all play Farmville and tell the world about our latest Bejeweled score.

And in the pale blue light of the LCD screen, that is what passes for connection and human bonding as we move into the second decade of this millennium.

Getting The Engine Started Again

It's been a while since I actually sat down and pounded out a blog post at the keyboard.  There have been a lot of reasons from there being no compelling sports on TV, to a new game I am playing that takes up too much of my time, to business with family and kids over the holidays, to just feeling like I needed to take a break to freshen up my thoughts and get ready for a new year.

I've got a few blogs in the can now and ready to go.  I'll be musing on the new way to announce your engagement, finally getting around to the year that was 2009 and also catching folks up on the life I live here as Another Delco Guy In South Jersey.

Somewhere along the way I may share some new photos, drop in a restaurant review or two and get things moving here again.

Sorry for the month off, but I am back now!

Live From the Wachovia Center

Flyers vs. Rangers!

Working at an Art School Has its Benefits

Today, UArts is mounting its exhibition, "Seductive Subversion," Women in Pop Art 1958-1968. If the first piece is any indicator, this is going to be a very interesting show!

De - Christmasing

Wow! More Snow!

While I admit I have not been paying much attention to the weather (or this blog for that matter) it came as some surprise to wake up to an inch os snow this morning. Wonder how much more we are going to get?

Monday of Winter Break

Shaking off the cobwebs from a great family party. Smelling the coffee brewing. Helping a friend with a year-end move. Heading back to Delco for more family time.



Gosh, working in higher ed has some benefits!

Christmas is for Children!

Merry Christmas!

The Kids Are Ready For Santa!!

Favorite Christmas Ornament

Snowstorm Aftermath

While I would like to say that Philadelphia looks beautiful under a blanket of white, I must acknowledge to truth of the situation. Philadelphia looks paralyzed today, grey ribbons of icy slush hemmed in by truck-sized piles of snow, the growl of snow blowers and the curses of pedestrians everywhere in the air.

A Family that Shovels Together Stays Together

Safe and Snug at Home

Blizzard and Lights
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Well I braved the 16 inches of snow we have here in Mount Laurel to get you this shot of our Christmas lights in the Blizzard of 2009.

The roads are barely plowed and our driveway and walk are unshoveled.  What's the point when you are getting an inch of snow an hour?

The kids enjoyed the day and are looking forward to even more fun in the snow tomorrow.

Six Inches of Snow and Counting

The snow is superfine and dry. It's like shoveling baking soda.

Two Inches of Snow and Headed to See Santa

We decided to get out for the last time before we get snowed in so we are headed to see Santa!

Ponytails and Reindeer Antlers!

Fleetwood Holiday Pageant

John's class is putting on its holiday pageant tonight and he just had his big moment with the sleigh bells. Ahh fatherhood!

Day-Long In Service Training!

Yay! I can't wait!!!

Macy's Holiday Light Show

Another Delco Guy and fam are roaming the streets of Philadelphia and have happened into the Center City Macy's at the Wannamaker Building. Bring on the show!

UArts Fall 2009 Crafts Crits

No. That pile of beer bottles in the lower left is not trash. If you guessed it is a sculpture, you would be correct!

Elves Decorate at UArts

One of the holiday traditions in Student Financial Services is decorating for the holidays. This year we have added a fireplace to the office and Elf Stephanie is hard at work hanging our stockings!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Char's birthday and I just wanted to say how happy I am to have her in my life. 

She's doing a great job as a new mom and helping to manage a new house.

Char is my sidekick out on the town, my friend when we are at home, my partner when we are doing all the tough things.

So happy birthday to the most important woman in my life.  I love you sweetheart!  Have a happy birthday!

Marlton Tavern - Meh

Quick review: expensive, below average food, drinks that reek of cheap mixer and indifferent service. Verdict - McDonald's at WalMart is better.

First Snow at the New House

Swarthmore Christmas Tree is lit!

Gingerbread House Decorating

We are here in Swartmore with the family and some friends for the annual Newsome holiday gathering.

Headed to the Swarthmore Tree Lighting



Hats, glove,s boots, snow pants, long underwear, we got it all!

Tiger Woods Accenture Ad

Based on this week's news, it seems like Tiger is more of a 'doer.'

Seen in The Nashville Airport

All I can say is huh?!?

Flight Delayed

US Airways 3648 is delayed, so I have taken refuge from the frigid Nashville temperatures at Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery. Hopefully I get home tonight!

Big River Grille and Brewing Works

Short review: The beer is pretty good and the food is pretty bad. Verdict: skip it

Loose in Downtown Nashville

Pretty town. Hope the food and music are good!

Their Lights Are Better Than Mine

Everything about the Gaylord Opryland is BIG and the Christmas lights are no exception.

Great View, Huh?

At least I got a suite!

11,000 People in One Room

This is a BIG conference!

I Am At Opryland!