Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

Sorry - Been Busy!

Sorry for the recent delay in posting.  Between kids and work and travel and such, I can't say I have had the time.

I have a few great posts in the editing bin right now and hopefully will get some writing done tonight on my flight to Dallas.  Look for some posts tonight and tomorrow.

Coming attractions include:

• An overview of my thoughts about the NCMPR conference session I was part of in Atlantic City on Tuesday.  All kinds of goodies about new media, working with bloggers and how social media will affect us all in the coming years.
• Some photo updates from the week, with special attention given to my little birthday princess.
• A hands-on review of my new HP Home Media Server.
• A discussion of photographic rights in public spaces.

Right now I have some shopping and packing to do for my trip, so I will have to see you all soon!

Technology Installed!

I think it's official now.  We definitely live here.  I got the wireless network up and running!!!

We've also got 3 TVs installed and 2 beds.  I've still got to do some modifications to make our bed work properly.

Advil and Troegenator are helping with the various moving-related maladies.

Tragedy at CBP

A 22 year old man lost his life last night in an altercation outside Citizens Bank Park while the Phillies were defeating St. Louis.  The altercation allegedly started inside McFadden's at the Ballpark and moved down Pattison Avenue around the 7th inning. It's a terrible thing and one that does little but magnify Philadelphia's reputation as the rowdiest sports town in America. 

A while back I lamented that The Bank had basically become a 43,000 seat bar.  Security has certainly tightened since then, but it should be noted that this incident apparently started with a bachelor party at McFadden's.  I'm reasonably certain that a scan of St. Louis or Miami or Detroit or Dallas papers this morning will find at least one other death outside a bar.  However the talking heads will be all over our reputation as the worst fans in sports.

On a side note, it's shocking to me that you've literally got to search Philly.com for information on this terrible incident and what you get is this pathetic entry.  I can't believe this is the only content you have on the site about this horrible incident. I know this story happened in the evening, apparently after the Sunday paper deadline, but you're not a Sunday paper anymore gang. To not have a story up on the front page shows a shocking lack of focus on breaking news.

My thoughts got out to the young man who lost his life and to his family.

On Playing Hooky

There is something gloriously liberating about playing hooky.  Doing something indulgent when you're supposed to be working.  Watching the ballgame when you're supposed to be cutting the grass.  Napping instead of grocery shopping.  Going out to eat instead of heating up the leftovers.

I'm avoiding a major writing project right now.  I've perused the internet.  Read about Manny Ramirez.  Did some reading of a pretentious who-dun-it.  Now I'm watching Jamie Moyer get torched by the Mets.

We were supposed to have a baseball game tonight, but the rains came for the ninth straight day.  It should have been the perfect time to really knock out a big piece of the project.

Instead, I'm blogging.

But I feel good about it!

What A Week!

Here Come the Rolls!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

It's been a while since I posted an update, but it's been one of those weeks!

Today we started off with a trip to Del Buono's Bakery down in Haddon Heights, NJ, where the green light was on and the bread was rolling off the oven, finger-searing hot and wonderfully aromatic. We got three dozen rolls and a loaf of iced raisin bread. The rolls are the best I've had, crust and chewy, yet airy and yeasty.

Now we're flipping between the Phils and The Derby. Later, we'll catch the show at RIR.

It was a big week at work with the May 1st deposit day coming and everyone at UArts being generally pleased with where we are despite the economy. We announced some lay-off will be coming, which has everyone concerned, but it's not unexpected with the world being what it is.

John's TAA Bats won over the STRA Royals on Thursday and Emma played very well in her Wednesday game with the Royals.

Early in the week, when it was 90 plus degrees in Moorestown, we were down on LBI for CCD and John's first communion practice. Down on the beach it was about 70 degrees and breezy.

Tomorrow we're headed back down there for John's big day.

I'll try to do a bit better this week with updates, but no promises, these kids have us all running!

A Long, Hot Saturday

After six hours coaching baseball in the sun, Another Delco Guy is relaxing on the veranda, drinking an ice cold lemonade, waiting on the Phils game and reflecting on the Eagles' perplexing first round pick.  Who the heck had the Birds trading up in the first round to take a wideout?  Not me!

Today was pretty much all baseball.  This morning, we made a few adjustments to John's swing that got him hitting the ball more on a line rather than swinging down on it. After his team dropped a 20-17 decision to the Southampton Orioles today, we headed over to our home field for try-outs for the travel team.  He did pretty well, catching the ball cleanly in every attempt and smashing some nice hits. He stands a good chance of making the squad even though he needs to work on both his running and throwing.  John is a pretty big baseball kid, but after 6 hours on the field he was pretty wiped out!

The girls spent the day shopping and are at yet another of Emma's endless string of birthday parties.  I'm going to go check on how the steaks I have marinating are coming along.

Enjoy the weekend!

Wish I Had Been There

Well as some have noted, I was a weenie and did not make the Polar Plunge in Sea Isle City this past weekend.  I've been feeling pretty lousy and decided a dip in the frigid Atlantic was definitely not what my sinuses needed to regain their normal breathing capacity.

As pictured, Carlo and Billy did make the trip and had a good time from all accounts.  Note Billy's uber-booties to keep his tootsies warm right up to the edge of the water.  No word on whether he sported a similar jock strap.

This was the 15th Polar Bear Plunge in Sea Isle and benefited the Sea Isle City Revitalization Committee.  Several hundred put up the $25 for the right to say they had been among the throng who shrank various appendages in the ocean on Saturday.

My condolences go out to the family of Tracey Hottenstein, who was found dead in Sea Isle City Sunday morning.  Hottenstein had been in town for the Plunge festivities.  No further word is available about her death, but various news reports have noted that she was a very positive person who will be missed by her freinds.  My thoughts go out to all who knew her.

Sunday Checklist

Washer fixed - check
Train put away - check
Tree down - 50%
Continue petty jealousy of brother who is in FL - ongoing
Birthday party - next up
Eagles - on deck

Victory celebration - tonight

GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check Out My Jag!

My New Ride
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Sadly it's only mine for a day. My CR-V is back at the Burns Honda Body Shop to correct a rattle in the suspension. Since it's insurance work related to my November accident, I get a rental car for the day.

Enterprise was stripped bare after the woman ahead of me got their last Dodge Caliber. They offered a full-sized Dodge Ram pickup, but I noted the impossibility of parking it in the city. The manager then suggested I might like to drive a Jaguar for a day. I said, "Yes, I think I would!"

It's a few years old and smells like cigar smoke, but it's a lot smoother and quieter at speed than my CR-V with similar miles on each.

Plus it's a Jag!

Obama Closing In On Key Administration Appointment

Labradoodle Molly
Originally uploaded by Missus L

After a process that I think bodes poorly for the incoming Obama Administation, the Prez says he is narrowing his choices for First Dog. It's taken over two months, bu the Obama family has the choices down to a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water dog.

Now they're going to look at shelters. Yeah I'll bet tons of DC shelters have pure-bred dogs ready for the White House.

What I can't figure out is what is taking so long. These were the two breeds that dog experts recommended back in November due to Obama family allergy issues. They're just getting around to this now?

I mean it's not like there is important stuff to do like choose a Commerce Secretary or get a stimulus package together.

Some People Have No Shame

Now I guess that it goes without saying that people who pay other folks take their clothes off and umm uhh entertain have little shame, but this one takes the cake for me.

Hustler Magazine king and first amendment crusader Larry Flynt and the Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis want Congress to, in Flynt's words, "rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America."  I was unaware that the current bout of economic misery had affected sexual appetites.  Flynt seems to think it has and he has his hat in his hand in DC, asking for $5 billion in federal aid. 

I'm not sure it's any sillier than just writing a giant blank check for Wall Street moguls who then party it up at the St. Regis with our tax dollars. 

One Hell of A Year

This is a year people will talk about for a very long time, both locally, as well as nationally and globally.

On a local level, the major story is the Phils breaking the curse of Billy Penn and winning it all for the first time in 28 years.  What a season and what a parade!  Chase Utley said it best.  We also had the usual vultures circling Andy Reid, only to see him pull a rabbit out of the hat again and get the Eagles to an improbable playoff bid.

We lost Johnny Marzano and Ann d'Harnoncourt (the only time those names will ever be in the same sentence) and effectively lost Vince Fumo.  Killadelphia was still violent, though 15% fewer people lost their lives.  Michael Nutter slashed city spending and Willie Goode's squeeze got nailed by Jeff Cole.  In South Jersey, Wayne Bryant went from most powerful man in South Jersey to just another convicted felon.  The Fort Dix terror plotters will go to jail, but not for as long as Bryant.

Alicia Lane and Booker got fired, Larry Mendte was creepy, the Comcast Center opened and Striped Bass and Samson Street Oyster House closed.

Nationally the big story was the people doing the right thing and electing the best man regardless of skin color.  Tina Fey was better as a VP candidate than Sarah Palin and John McCain's campaign looked the same when he was running as it did when it was suspended.  One governor had a hooker take him down and another sold a US Senate seat. 

The economy collapsed, despite every effort to give billions of taxpayer dollars to wealthy people.  Gas prices rocketed to over $4 and then dropped back to $1.35 here in Moorestown.  More than 300 Americans died int Iraq War, a fact that is sadly well down the list of 2008 events.

Michael Phelps outswam everyone in Bejing, including tiny 14 year old Chinese gymnasts.  The big story in China for the year was the earthquake that killed 70,000 people in May.  Terrorists struck Mumbai in an bloody week of fighting that killed more than 300.  Israel began an assault on Gaza this week, preparing for an invasion.

While the economy has had an effect on me personally as well as the rest of the world, I have been lucky this year.  The kids are great, I got to travel to Albuquerque and Santa Fe on a great trip, as well as call the Division III Final Four, visit Sedona, Annapolis, Maine, Disney, DC, Maine again, Gettysburg, Toronto, NYC, Boston, State College and Southern California. 

I got to watch the Phils clinch with John and my princess walk in a parade the same day the Phils celebrated their second championship in my lifetime.  I've got a challenging job and work with great people.  My family made it through the year with no health crises and we see lots of the greatest friends in the world. 

And I made an important decision about my future that I will talk about another time.

In many ways 2008 was a rough year.  I feel very lucky to be able to be looking forward to 2009 while still being able to say that 2008 was a pretty good year here. 

From Another Delco Guy to you - Happy New Year.  Be safe and enjoy!

Exhausted

I'm finally back online here and have to thank Hajii - no lie - who works for "The Comcast" for diagnosing and explaining my internet issue this morning.  It was nothing a new Linksys WRT160N router couldn't fix!

I'm pretty close to bed here, but I thought I'd let you know that all is well here at Another Delco Guy and I have been a bit busy with housework, parties and the Wii for the last few days.

I got a chance to meet my cousin Pat's son Larkin today and that was a lot of fun.  He's a bright friendly kid who was more than willing to let his big cousin hold him for a bit.  Now I'm watching a pretty good thriller named Quicksand on Encore and then I may go to bed.

Christmas Morn

Getting Started
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

The kids have come down to their presents, a nice fire is going and we're starting to get hungry.

John's playing on his new DS, Emma is making a potholder and the Wii is updating itself.

Yup. Santa Char brought Another Delco Guy a Wii.

I'm like a kid on Christmas morn!!!!

Christmas Eve Craziness

Well the house is a wreck, the presents aren't wrapped and guests arrive in less than three hours.  Sound familiar?

After a quick trip to work, Another Delco Guy hit BJs, Target and the grocery store with several million other South Jerseyans.  Now that we've got everything home, It's time to make the place presentable!

Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We'll be busy with the kids and family and friends here, but check back in between your crazy moments for posts on holidays past and present.

Guy Shopping

John and I are out at the Moorestown Mall with about 3 billion other procrastinators. You'll recgonize us from the othe father-son pairs out trying to get things finished up before the Eagles-Skins game at 4.

Emma and Her Gingerbread House

We're in Swarthmore getting ready for Santa's arrival. Emma has meticulously decorated her house and has moved on to eating the decorations.

It's All Over

The four day Thanksgiving Break is winding to a close and with it my fantasy football playoff hopes.  Another abysmal season marked by under performing draft picks and boneheaded managerial moves will go by the boards with my loss today.  Ahh just ten more weeks until pitchers and catchers report!

This was a largely restful break for me, as the kids spent it away with their mom and I had no work responsibilities.  I took some photos, enjoyed my family and friends, had Carlo and Anne over for dinner, shopped, and did a bit of home wiring in preparation for the increased wattage demands of Christmas.

All in all, a pretty good four days.  It's back to the grind tomorrow as December starts and with it the incredible gridlock of Center City Philly traffic at holiday time.  I guess the extra 1% sales tax doesn't deter many shoppers, and there are the holiday shows around town and all of the office parties and events.  I've got a bunch of them coming up as well as all of the students have their end of semester exhibitions and productions. 

I hope you enjoyed your break.  Now get back to work!  The economy needs you!!

Skipping Amateur Night

On one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, I am happily ensconced at home, waiting for the rib eye roast to finish up and sipping a nice Cabernet.  In what can only be observed as an obvious sign of advancing maturity, I have decided to forgo the insanity and the DUI checkpoints and spend the night before Thanksgiving at home.

After a long day that saw my kids kids head off to Maine for the holiday, a bunch of typical work crap and series of negotiations that saw my CR-V finally returned, I'm actually happy not to be headed out into the maelstrom.  While I would enjoy seeing Mr. Greengenes and all my friend at McFadden's, this is more what I need.

Tomorrow I'll sleep late, eat a big breakfast, set my fantasy lineup and then spend some time at both Arlene's and Carin's houses.  I may even entertain watching a few minutes of the Eagles.  I'll make my traditional Thanksgiving post for all of my readers and try to shake my recent spate of melancholy. 

Time to check on the roast.  Have a great night and be safe!

A Quiet Sunday

Ellie is 2!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

We're taking it easy here today, resting up from our night of parties last night.

John and I are watching the Eagles and looking over the photos from Ellie's birthday party last night. We all had a great time last night and if John was 100%, they would have slept over. We'll have to wait until Santa comes to Swarthmore in two weeks.

It was a great party with Carin's usual amazing array of goodies. We took a few hours to head over to my 20th high school reunion. It was fun to see how much some of the guys have changed and how much some have stayed the same. We had a little re-enactment of the lunch table from 20 years ago, with Chris Kopko, Mike Dougherty and I sitting and talking for a long time.

The Doghouse looks great and the bar area was where most of the guys hung out talking about the old days and comparing notes on marriages, kids, jobs and the like. All of the photos and memorabilia really brought back some great memories. I was gratified to hear a number of times that I was told that I look the same. Many of these guys are in sales and obviously lie well.

It was good to see Coach Moke, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Mooney and Mrs. Keenan join the Class of 88 last night. A special shout out to John McCabe for driving the 9.5 hours from Knoxville, TN to be the guy who came the furthest for the party. We left before things got rowdy, but I think the guys may have been there later than the published 11pm ending time.

Blah Saturday

After a week in which I have had two car accidents - neither my fault - and will be headed to an event tonight that confirms that I am rapidly aging, I can't really get up the energy to write much of anything.

On the first accident, I'll say that the kid was very nice, just a terrible driver.  As I sat at a ligt he drove directly into the back of me.  He admitted fault to his insurance company and all is well.  The damages to the CR-V are easily fixable and the $4500 in repairs won't cost me a thing.  I was really pleased with the way that Progressive, Burns Honda and Enterprise worked together to get me into a nice new Saturn Aura by 10 am the next day.

On the second accident, all I can say is deer are really stupid animals.  This one ran right across the road, into the side of the rental Aura, smashing the fender and headlight, then flipped up in the air and smashed the driver's side door.  I was a bit shaken by having to drag the dead animal out of the road, but the kids didn't notice the accident until I pulled the car over.  Once again, kudos to Enterprise, especially Matt Hutchinson and Jessica Karas, for getting me into another Aura after they were supposed to be gone on a Friday night.

Tonight, after Ellie's second birthday, we'll be headed over to Eddystone for my 20th high school reunion at The St. James Doghouse.  I can't say I am super looking forward to seeing a bunch of thickened, balding versions of my high school classmates, but I do have some degree of morbid curiosity.  A few of us have kept up over the years, but for the most part, I have not seem these guys in quite some time. 

I'll let you know how it goes.

Boom!

I was on my way home from a long day at work yesterday when a really nice young man couldn't stop in time and rear-ended me at a stop light. The damage to the CR-V isn't that bad but I am afraid he totaled his Saturn.

The good news is that there weren't any injuries and my car is already on the way to the body shop. The bad news is I am going to be late for work!

More Signs of Economic Trouble

I can't believe the number of emails I am getting from major online retailers, chain bookstores, bricks and mortar retailers, gift specialty stores etc offering HUGE discounts if I buy right now.  40% is about average, but some were going as high as 70% off.  I'm used to four or five a week but right now it's more like four or five a day.

I know the holiday shopping season is approaching and retailers are facing some tough times, but this stuff looks more like stores looking to raise cash and drop inventories.  Print ads in this weekend's paper seemed to mirror the trend.

To me, a rather casual observer of all things economic, this looks like a sign that the consumer economy of the United States is bracing for a major tailspin which will dwarf the problems in the housing market.  We don't really manufacture anything here in the US anymore, except cars, and our economy is services and retail-centric.  Most folks don't make things, they sell things or take care of people in one way or another. 

Thus, these signs that retailers are girding their loins for lean times could be the harbinger of an impending economic disaster that could be years in correcting.

It's easy to throw money at major mortgage lenders and Wall Street firms to steady those markets a bit.  It's a lot harder to bailout tens of thousands of small regional and local stores and dozens of major chains.  I'm not sure where all this is going, but I have to admit I am more than a bit scared.

A Long Day

Well, my back is aching, but I feel pretty fulfilled.  Here's the before picture on the leaves:

Lots of yellow.  Pretty much everywhere.  And it was wet and heavy yellow too.  So after 4 hours of raking and vacuuming and hauling, here is the after pic:

In you can't see the front and back yards that also got fully cleaned up of twigs and leaves.  It was quite an afternoon but with lots of help it's done now!

We also managed to get Emma's new Dora scooter assembled and four sets of window blinds hung.  Now I'm ready for some Mad Elf and the Eagles.

Have a great week!

Not a Bad Way to Start a Week

Cat Power is purring on the speakers, John is reading Calvin and Hobbes and realizing why I originally wanted to name him Cal, and Emma is doing one Lite Brite design after another.

It got chilly overnight, but we're all camped out on the big bed staying warm together.

We're going to go make some French toast soon, but for now we're all just enjoying a slow Sunday morning.

Smoky Morning

The smoke hanging in the air here in South Jersey this morning has nothing to do with the torching the Rays pitching staff did to the Phils lineup last night.

Rather, the acrid haze is coming from a 1900 acre forest fire burning in the Pine Barrens about 30 miles from here.  Last night as I drove home from Matt's house, the smoke was chokingly thick on 295, causing drivers to slow to 45 mph. 

This morning, the smoke isn't thick enough to show up on weather radar, but it is enough to cause a tickle in the back of my throat.  Fire fighters are thinking that the 1-2" of rain forecast for tomorrow will help them get the upper hand on the fire.

The blaze is burning in a section of forest about 10 miles west of where I used to live along Route 563 South of Chatsworth.  There is absolutely NOTHING between the fire and my old house except tress and underbrush.  Not a single house.  Not a single person lives in that remote area of South Jersey.  Remarkable for one of the most densely populated states in the country.

When I lived there one of my major fears was a forest fire.  We did controlled burning to keep the underbrush around the houses to a minimum, but with the relatively unmanaged state forest just 2 miles away, the threat was still significant.  It's odd that when I was down that way Wednesday night, you couldn't smell the smoke there, but you can smell it here today!

Flickr user cawarfel has a great set of photos from the 2007 forest fires along Route 539 in the Pines.

I'm Ready

I've been to the Center City Pep Rally for the Phillies.  I have my Phils NL Champs cap on.  I bought a World Series program, a Daily news and an Inquirer today.  I've read the local sports blogs.  I gotta agree about the friggin cowbells.

I think I am ready.

But the game does not start for another 5 1/2 hours.

One question for the folks out there.  John is 8 and has school tomorrow.  The first pitch is at 8:37 which is after his bedtime.  Now there's no doubt that he is watching some of the game.  My question is just how much I should let him watch.  Any thoughts?

Geeking Out

Another Delco Guy is spending the night on the couch watching the 'real' Star Wars Trilogy on Spike, basking in the warmth of his fantasy football team's mammoth victory over Pete and folding some clothes.

I am not sure things could get geekier.

Well they could when I pull out all my charts and spreadsheets to work on my D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 ballot.

Things to do on Eagles Bye Sunday

Phillies Pride
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Well it's a beautiful day in South Jersey, but I've got my pumpkins and I am not exactly feeling leaf raking. So instead I headed over to Modell's to pick up my supply of Phillies NL Champs gear ($148 including stuff for Matt). Then I got out of there since Shane Vic will be there at 3. Insanity reigns as hundreds of young women needs stuff autographed by the Flyin' Hawaiian.

The I picked up my Halloween costume. Only hint I am giving is that it isn't much of a stretch for me.

After appropriately decorating the CR-V for the World Series I am left to contemplate the piles of laundry and the sink full of dishes.

Sigh!

An October Weekend

We're basking in the glow of a 2-0 Phils lead in the NLCS as well as the first morning where we switched the furnace on.  We're wrapping up a breakfast of chocolate pancakes, bacon and sausage (fat lubricates the heart) here and then we're headed out to enjoy autumn.

The kids want to pick pumpkins, so we're likely going back to Johnson's Farm to participate in the insanity that is a pick your own farm in the midst of heavily populated suburbs in October.  We'll also likely go support the economy by visiting Home Depot for some home repair supplies.  Then back home for a little grillin' in the back yard.

Have a great day!

On Paul Newman

Yesterday I got the news that Paul Newman died just before John and I left for the ball park.  It's not something I was ready for or the kind of thing you want to hear on a Saturday, or I guess any day for that matter.

Paul Newman played the kids of guys I easily identify with.  Guys with fast smiles, quick wit but a darker, more intense side.  There's a reason he played the hero in two film adaptations of Richard Russo's books, Empire Falls and Nobody's Fool.  He was dashing and cool, but a thinking man's star.  And, despite those devastating blue eyes, his on-screen relationships didn't seem to come easily to him.  He was, for all his star power, an everyman.

My favorite role is from Nobody's Fool, where he played Sully, the town handyman and 60-something teenager who enjoys his beer.  It's really Newman's first role that acknowledged his age and he is it with his usual grudging panache.  I'm also a big fan of his work in Absence of Malice, playing the son of a mafia boss who's just trying to make his way when he is accused of murder.  He does anger so well in this film and also brings a mis-cast Sally FIeld along to create excellent intellectuial and sexual tension.  My son knew exactly who Paul Newman was when I decsibed him as the voice of Doc Hudson from Cars.  Newman cut across three generations.

To me, his work as a philanthropist and supporter of liberal causes in addition to his business and racing interests go a long way to demonstrating that Paul Newman didn't just entertain, he worked to show us what we too could do with our talents if we just worked as hard as he did.

Crime in Moorestown

Apparently this passes for crime in my town.

4:47 PM-Suspicious Person-Resident of Fernwood Rd. reported a male subject
apparently living in a tent in Pompeston Creek Park. Officers located subject.
Investigation led to arrest of subject on traffic related warrants.

Camping. 

Working From Home

I'm taking a 'coffee break' while working from home today.  I have been having some troubles with my eyes due to the incredible ragweed season we're having here in South Jersey and a day where I can work in a dark room with no contacts in is a big help.

Luckily I have a lot of writing I can do here at my desk where the monitor is nice and big and I can take breaks, etc.  With gas prices being what they are and the new toll increase to get over to Philly each day, I could sure get used to working from home a bit more often, but the reality is that when you have 10 plus people to supervise and a million meetings to attend, it's just not something you can do all that often.

I find I need to actually sit at the desk adn not lounge on the couch, both for the larger monitor and the temptation to do things like flip on the TV or become otherwise distracted.  Wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt is a benefit too!

Have a good one!

Waiting for Hanna

Summer's Over
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

If this blog entry had a song playing in the background, it would be BIlly Joel's "Famous Last Words." I've stacked the chairs for the fall and the leaves are starting to cover the patio. Football starts tomorrow and the Phils are playing the Mets with the Division on the line.

School has started and the mornings are a bit cooler each day. Summer has indeed come and gone.

Here in the Philly / South Jersey region we're waiting for the remnants of Hurricane Hanna to bring soaking rains and gusty winds, with power outages and tree damage likely. At least that's what Doug Kammerer says. It's warm and still and sticky here now thought, with just the deepening gray clouds portending a rough afternoon.

This is always a time of year that I get a bit morose. Perhaps it's because the Phils have always faded by now, or because The Eagles just haven't ever gotten it done. The weather changes have something to do with it as well, but somehow I think it's something deeper, something that has to do with the slowing down that happens in fall.

It's really one of the best times to live here. The humidity is much lower, the temperatures are cool in the morning, but not the brisk, nose-running cold that comes in November. You can pick apples at the local farms, or drive out to the pines and watch the sunset, or sit at a sidewalk table at a restaurant wearing a jacket.

The craziness of the holidays is just around the corner, so take a minute and slow down for a stretch.

Late Summer Fun

Emma the Artist!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

We've got a few things to do today and then we are headed over to Delco to Grandma's and Pop's. From there we will be going to Linvilla Orchards to do some peach picking and maybe see if the Concord grapes are ready. I am told that the white peach picking is excellent, and white peaches are about my favorite fruit on earth, so we'll bring home a bunch.

After Emma's nap, we'll head home to make some dinner. I've got the grill fixed and the weather is perfect, so my guess is that we'll grill again tonight. Last night we grilled ham steaks and they came out crispy on the outside and sweet and tender on the inside, with just a hint of bacon flavor. We had a great side of yams a la Char, with brown sugar and cinnamon as well as some leftover mac and cheese. We finished the night watching the Phils pick up the sweep over the Dodgers while we enjoyed our home-made brownies!

Have a great day!

Hey There Y'All!

This is Bengali the Tiger from the Popcorn Park Zoo. He was a pretty cool part of a great Saturday. Unfortunately it's been a rough few days since then for Another Delco Guy.

Between this darn cold, work and ex issues, I am laying in bed happy for the respite from the world.

I am looking forward to the weekend. Too bad it's only Tuesday!

What the Heck is THIS???

Somehow I've got a cold.  In August.  How the heck is THAT possible?  I had been trying to tell myself it was just the ragweek coming out and my allergies kicking up, but this morning I am forced to admit this is an actual cold.

I've never heard of anyone getting a cold in August, but as I lay in bed this morning feeling the cool breeze, I thought it felt like September already, so I guess my body has been fooled by the mild late summer we're having here in South Jersey.

Despite me not being 100%, we're headed to The Popcorn Park Zoo today, a small rescue zoo in Lacey Township, NJ and from there to find some good beer at Basil T's.  A late afternoon trip to the Seaside Boardwalk may cap off the day if everyone is up for it.

We're outta here!  Have a GREAT day!!

Halfway!

We're at Matt's today tearing off two ancient, decrepit shed from his house. They were added by my grandfather, who definitely was not a carpenter. One shed is completely gone, the dumpster is here and the other shed is partially demolished.

Fun times!

Moring Update From Maine

My sister Carin's birthday was yesterday and we celebrated at the Wayfarer's Thursday Pot Roast Night in Cape Porpoise.  Big, flavorful chunks of perfectly-cooked pot roast with side of steamed carrots and wonderfully buttery mashed potatoes.  The chocolate fudge cake for dessert was also excellent.  The portions were generous and the bill wasn't too bad, even with having to pick up two bottles of wine at Bradbury's.

We were sad to see Matt and Heidi head home last night, but also very happy to inherit their room.  The beds are way more comfortable than the sofa bed contraption I spent the first night on.

We got food yesterday at HB Provisions, stopped at The Port Bakery and after the cleanup headed to the beach.  The weather was perfect, with temps topping at 83 and a nice sea breeze keeping things cool.  A heavy fog came in at about 3, ushering us back to the house for showers before dinner. 

I think we're headed south today, perhaps to the zoo and butterfly preserve.  And maybe Portsmouth Brewing ...

Nice to be Home

While there are lots of photos of the recent Disney trip up on Flickr, I really have not had a chance to do anything but upload them.  They're not titled yet, but I hope to get it taken care of shortly.

Another Delco Guy spent most of today relaxing and enjoying the downtime after a week of conference sessions and enjoying the week with John and Emma. 

The GF and I are reclining in the A/C now, watching the classically cool George Clooney extend the Oceans franchise to #13.  It's a little slow here and there, but still chic and stylish and fun.

It's oh so nice to be home!

Not Good

The Tiffany catalog came today.  I'm watching the Phils beating the Braves and the GF is thumbing the robin's egg-blue pages.

Could get ugly.

House Lust

215 Hamilton Rd.
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Well, the house hunt continues and it's amazing what happens when you look at houses just say, oh $20,000 out of your price range or so.

This house is in Marlton, close to the border with Cherry Hill, and has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a full basement. And a pool. And a creek with ducks. And a big back yard with bunnies.

It needs some cosmetic stuff, and a kitchen, but it's a great house for kids and parents who like to entertain. I think that if we can swing it, it would be a great place for John and Emma to grow up. Hopefully we get an offer this week and we can move forward with this one.

More photos are up here.  Don't give me crap about the quality.  They were taken with my cell phone while trying to avoid the real estate agent.

On The Market!

After much prodding, the real estate agent finally got the house listed last night and Voilia!! this morning we got a call asking if t the an agent could show the house NOW! Who wants to see a house at 10:30 am on Sunday?

So we rushed around getting dressed and cleaning up from breakfast and such and headed out.

I guess this is how it will be for a while ...

On Tim Russert

RIP Tim Russert
Originally uploaded by timothypedersen

I met Tim Russert last May in Buffalo, New York as he spoke as the home-town guest to a conference he attended. It was a few weeks before father's day and he spent most of his 40 minute speech talking about his dad, Big Russ. He also spun some fun yarns from the set of Meet the Press and took us inside what his day is like.

Afterwards, he stood around the makeshift conference bar with a few of us political junkies and had a beer, talking about the possibilities of the 2008 race that was still a year away at the time. He was down-to-earth, extraordinarily well-informed and generous with his insights and time.

I chose the image today from the 244 on flickr because it was not your standard headshot and seemed to capture the guy I met over a beer in his hometown.  Thanks to Timothy Pedersen.

For quite some time I really didn't think that much of Tim Russert's work on NBC. For some reason, his style and I did not connect and I generally avoided Meet the Press, which I considered a poor competitor to This Week.

Then came the White Board Moment.

On a night when seemingly no one on television was able to explain just what was happening, Tim Russert threw aside the technology and the maps and the millions of dollars of stuff at his disposal and communicated directly with the American public. He clearly showed us what was happening and how important Florida had become.

With a $2 white board.

In that moment I felt understood this guy and how well he connected with the US populace. Last year, I was gratified to find that my analysis was correct, but more gratified to get a chance to hear him talk about his dad and his son, to thank his wife for all of her time spent helping him and to thank those of our group for helping students like his son Luke go to college.

Last week he got to see Luke graduate from Boston College. Russert had done an awful lot in his career, but I am glad that "Little Russ" got the chance to see that moment before the screen went dark yesterday.

Almost There

I've hauled countless bags of trash, decluttered my areas, packed 4 recycling containers to the brim, fixed the dishwasher, hung a pair of doors, fixed the storm door and cleaned tha bathroom.

And yet the house it not yet ready to sell.

We're close, but god this is a pain in the ass!!

Friday Filler

Here's Another Delco Guy Lunch Time Update:

One of my photos is featured today on the Verizon Newsroom website today.  It's a crop of my most popular Flickr shot and provides art for a Paul Hagen story about Philly Phans.  Thanks Pat!

A bit later today, the GF, me and my camera are headed down to Drunken Educators Carousing Teacher Appreciation Night at CBP.  Should be a fun night. 

After that, we'll be headed down to Annapolis for the weekend courtesy of Starwoods points! 

Have a good one.

Updates

It's been a while and I'm getting questions so here's a whirlwind update.

John
John and his Tigers are 2-0, he's 6-7 on the year, but really only has one great hit so far.  I need to get him to the batting cages to teach him to follow though on his swing.  Right now his swing stops when his bat touches the ball.  He's doing very well in school, can write almost all the cursive letters and is SOOO tolerant of his loving little sister.

Emma
Emma has been getting into the swing of spring.  She wants to plant some flowers this weekend.  We had a great time playing at the playground yesterday during John's ball game.  She has been telling a few stories about bullies at school.  I gotta check out whether that is the creation of a 4 year old's fertile mind or a real issue.

Work
Crazy busy this time of year with so many students wanting to come to UArts and the economy in shambles.  Internally we've got an energetic new president with a change agenda.  I love it and him, but it's a bit much some days!  I've got a bit of travel coming up this month and next, so look for some pictures!

Love
The GF is wonderful and we had a fun time last weekend out with Dan and Mary Ann.  We're skipping the UArts Gala because I am on the road and she's got a new dress she's dying to wear, so If you have a formal even you want reviewed, send me an invite!  Her new job is wonderful, but like anything new has had a few surprises!  The house hunt continues.

Family
Mom's eyes are great after her surgeries.  She sees better than the rest of us and I still do a double take when I see her without glasses.  Dad is recovered from his health rough spot over the last month and is working on the taxes.  Matt and I enjoyed the Phils' Opener last week and he is preparing for his GF to move in next week.  Carin, Kevin and the kids are all good, though busy with soccer and school and spring bugs.  We hope to see them this weekend.

Friends
I know I will see you all again soon.  It was great to see some of the Cabrini guys and Bryen and Harry at the opener.  Thanks to Enrico for memorializing it for all of us.  I'm not headed back to CBP until May 2.  Unless you've got a ticket for me....

I'll try to get a few more posts up soon!

Pumping at Matt's Place!

The recent rains have left my brother Matt's basement inundated. When I got here this morning there was about four and a half feet of water down there.

There's a stout 1/2 HP Craftsman pumping down there right now and we've moved about a foot of water to the backyard so far. And only one trip to Home Depot so far!!!

UPDATE:

It took about 90 minutes to pump out the full 54" of water, and it created Lake Brookhaven in the back yard, but things at 3447 are drying out now.  Thanks to li'l bro for the Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron wood-aged brown ale he provided as payment for my services today.   It's simply amazing!

Starting to Look at Houses

  7 Boothby Drive - Garage and Door 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

My girlfriend and I took our lunch today to look at a house we found on the internet.  it's in Mount Laurel, in southern New Jersey, a very nice town with easy access to Philadelphia and very good schools.  The house was built in 1979, has four bedrooms and 2.5 baths.  Similar houses in the neighborhood have sold over the last few years between $350,000 and $395,000.

This one is selling for $249,000. 

Yup.  It's got issues.  It's an as-is estate sale and the place needs A TON of work.  It needs a roof, a full interior paint job, carpets have been removed throughout and the kitchen and baths are original.  The shed is falling down, there is evidence of mice and the list goes on.

Oh yeah.  The oil tank leaked too.  It needs 'soil remediation.'  God only knows what that would cost. 

Photos are up here.

Projects Complete!

 

While I think it looks a bit like an alien mothership descending on Roswell,NM, the kitchen light is up and coolly illuminating my cruddy spackling job.  It took a day longer than planned due to multiple coats of paint being needed, but it's good to have it crossed off my list.