Back from Disney

Ahh, yes, the Phils make the World Series, the election's driving me nuts, so what do I do? Make a break for Orlando and Disneyworld this past week to experience warm weather and great hospitality for a week.

More to come on the trip.

Bonus Video - 10/19/2008

From one of my Favorites of all time "Trading Spaces". Wouldn't you like to make money by shorting FCOJ??? Maybe doing this will save our current economy!

Video of the Week for 10/19/2008

Sometimes, you need to see morons at their best to make your day that much brighter...

WE'RE IN!!!

THE PHILLIES ARE IN THE 2008 WORLD SERIES!!!! I can barely contain myself!!!

Phillies NLCS vs. Obama/McCain Debate #3?

Your hero and mine, Matt Stairs, Rocking LA with a Game Winning Two-run HR Monday night

Are you kidding me? Is there really a need to discuss this one? From Brett Myers heroic playoff at-bats to Shane Victorino's formal claim as the franchise's official "Mr. October," the 2008 Phillies have become a team of destiny who's heroics will be discussed as Delaware Valley Folklore as much as the 1993 team. Tonight, they have the opportunity to do something they haven't done in 15 years - punch their ticket to the World Series. With our ace Cole Hamels taking the mound, we have an excellent opportunity to make the dream a reality. Screw politics, a World Series is what true Philadelphians really crave!!!

UPDATE: My sister just called, she won a lottery for tickets to Game 5 of the World Series. If it happens, I'm there!

Media Borough Council Meeting on Thursday

For the two or three of you who actually check this blog for "All Things Media" (Remember that?) - looks like there's going to be a council meeting This Thursday. Here's an ever-so-convenient link to the Agenda.

Here's my preview of what to expect this fine Thursday evening:

• Comments from the public are interesting at every meeting, and fascinating. Some of the public's questions are really sharp in bringing up major issues facing the Borough (e.g. Whatever happened to the hotel?) However, there's usually one really dopey question each month that has me laughing harder than anything Family Guy can parody. Enjoy.
• Distribution of Media 5 Mile race proceeds - Ooh, Paydirt!!! Check out some of Borough Council's older meetings here, where there have been battles over where the money goes for the annual 5 mile race that seems to be a regular political squabble. Republicans claim money goes to sweetheart scholarships for Democrats' kids, while Democrats claim the statement has no backing, all without providing breakdowns of distributions - you know - cause they're a "Private Organization". How convenient. We should see some fireworks.
• Environmental Advisory Council - Brian "Out of my League" Hall. Yes, the position ripped away from Pete Alyanakian, the guy who created it, so Brian could bolster his re-election resume, always a meeting favorite of mine. Since the ouster, Brian's done nothing more than read a few general announcements that can be read on Town Talk or on Channel 10 during the day. Maybe we'll see Hall/Alyanakian battle - as there have been a few since the beginning of the year
• Fencing Along Third Street Bridge - my favorite useless bridge next to the swim club! This may spar a debate about what to do with said bridge. Want my opinion? Tear the thing down or let Upper Providence pay for repairs! We've lived without it for, what, nearly 10 years now? Why change anything?
• Traffic Ordinance Amendments - Ernie Derrickson. Looks like there's an ordinance to pass. I have no clue what's in it, and yes, I'm too lazy to pull it up for you (If someone has a copy, I'll post it and give you credit). In the past year, Jim Cunningham has fought for more crosswalks and a lower speed limit on State Street. While we now have more paint on our roads than I-95, the speed limit on State Street remains at 25 mph, which is a problem. Even if this ordinance pertains to another matter, I am sure we'll have some interesting discussion.
• Bid/Award - Maintenance Contracts - Ernie Derrickson. Hear me out, folks, it doesn't matter which party is presenting contracts of this type, YOU ARE GUARANTEED A DEBATE BECAUSE SOMEONE'S ALWAYS IN ANOTHER'S POCKET. I believe we'll see some finger-pointing and accusations here, whether or not they're real, who cares? Get your popcorn ready for this one.
• Road Improvements & Intersection Repairs - Ernie Derrickson. Poor Ernie! What did he do to get such a rough agenda this month? Don't worry, E. When the meeting's over, I'll slip down to the Iron Hill and buy you a pint, if the Oktoberfest is still on tap, I recommend it, it's delicious! Anyway, this could be an interesting public issue - e.g. "Why hasn't my road been paved?" It could also lead to some Speed Bump debates, and maybe a continuation of the State Street speed limit.
• Authorize Solicitor to Draft and Advertise an Amendment to Dogs and Animals in Public Places - Ernie Derrickson. Three words - CATS ON LEASHES. Could this get any more entertaining?

If I can find time, I'll try to do a summary of the meeting. Your comments and observations are welcome, hey, I may even steal your lines for a post on this blog! Email me at jokelanddotcom@yahoo.com (Yes, that's my real email address - long story) with your insights during the meeting!

-Steve

Have we bypassed Gil?

During the political banter on the last post, Dave made a key observation. This raggedy blog, who's posts come nowhere near its original intent, has received more comments than Spencerblog in the last week. Is this a tribute to keeping comment moderation off the blog, is this because I try my best to keep the doors open for discussion, or is this because we're tired of the rules over at Spencerblog?

Zo on voting McCain/Palin

I found this guy interesting, he really identified with me, although he may be stronger right than I am. Check it out...

Bonus Video

From last season of "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia" A Must-see type of show for laughs!

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Video of the Week - 10/10/08

Simply brilliant...

LOL

Sorry, this one made me laugh - they now have ads for SpencerBlog on Delcotimes.com. Enjoy.

Go Phils

Are you like me? Have you been waiting years to see a winner in Philadelphia? We're at 25 years and 100 professional seasons without a championship - we get the same "wait till next year" or "we'll have to evaluate things" excuse every season BUT - key changes are NOT made, we see the usualy worthless drivel and the cycle repeats itself (wash rinse repeat). However, the Phillies have built a strong core over the last few years with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels. They have a trio of starters who have proven their worth in the last round in Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and the ageless wonder, Jamie Moyer. The balance of position players like Jason Werth, Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino are solid, and their bullpen has had a solid year. I can't help but feel good about the Phillies; while they got into the playoffs last year and were embarrassed by Colorado., they seem to have learned their lesson this year and played very well in taking the first series from Milwaukee. Their starting pitching looked very solid, and I'm led to believe they may have the best bullpen of the four remaining teams. (We can argue Boston) Rather than the usual negativity, I am predicting the Phillies in 6 games over the Dodgers for the right to play in the 2008 world Series. Whats your thoughts?

And this is why Comment Moderation Sucks...

Must be an off-day for SpencerBlog - the world could be collapsing and Gil's blog wouldn't react if he's off. We're essentially cut off from any conversation from DelcoTimes' main Op-Ed/Blogger. And yet we have so much to talk about!

• The Phillies won their series against the Brewers and will square off against the Dodgers in the NLCS starting Thursday
• The Eagles are an annual disappointment
• Sarah Palin's taking the Obama-terrorist connection approach
• There's a debate on Tuesday that I may not waste my time watching
• And my newest favorite show on the tube is quickly becoming "Sons of Anarchy" on FX.
• Oh, and it's pumpkin time at Linvilla.

Where do we start?

Video of the Week - 10/01/08

I'll start posting some videos every week I find from the "Internets" that may be of particular interest and/or humor to everyone.

This week's video is of general Interest. The Clip is of Gene Kelly and Jerry Mouse performing a classic dance routine in the 1944 Film "Anchors Aweigh". I've seen the recent Star Wars additions, seen nearly every Pixar offering, even stomached the recent Transformers Movie (even though I could barely tell what piece of animated junk was what); maybe I'm a stickler, but I'll take this classic over any of the newer animations, it was ahead of it's time 64 years ago and continues to impress today:

Tom & Jerry with Gene Kelly
Uploaded by anabelasugarlee

Trivia: Originally, Film Producers wanted Mickey Mouse in the dance scene. Walt Disney Studios initially agreed, but Roy O. Disney eventually backed out - Disney was in serious debt at the time and needed to focus their energy on their own films. Per Disney "We have no business making cartoons for other people" (Stolen liberally from Wikipedia )

Have a ball, David and Randal

Seeing that the noose is tightening over at Spencerblog - I'll keep this blog open. I'm expecting spencerblog to either close or remove comments alltogether. It's barely enjoyable with the length of time wasted in the threads through the use of comment moderation.

Feel free to post here, if you want a thread or story posted, let me know at jokelanddotcom@yahoo.com. I will delete any comments that involve personal information (e.g. address) - we don't want to go to that level.

Enjoy!

Steve

Trip to hell and Lipstick on pigs

Last night, I got home from a long trip to Grand Rapids, MI that involved cancelled flights in Chicago, a lost credit card somewhere in my voyage, and, to top it off, I got rear-ended in an Intersection in Michigan. To add to the mess, I got to learn that the State of Michigan employs a "no fault" policy in collisions, meaning that I'm responsible for any damages to the vehicle. While I am insured through work with my rentals, it was no fun to site an extra 90 minutes in the rain for a useless police report that still results in my need to flip a repair bill. Ugh.

I got home, put on the TV around 9pm to see who Larry King Had on for the night. Saw Joy Behar and couldn't change the channel fast enough. As I could find nothing else to pique my interest, I flipped on Hannity & Colmes (a.k.a. GOP Spokesman and and creepy bug-eyed conspiracy theorist). I rarely watch the program as I would much rather enjoy a yardstick to my head, but they caught me early on with an "Obama comment" that must have caught fire. Evidently, Obama used the "lipstick on a pig" comment to describe McCain's plans on making changes of his own as President. While, at first, I assumed that it was something contrived by Fox News only, it picked up steam everywhere else. I heard debates over the comment this morning on Smerconish's show as well as the almighty "Good Day Philadelphia".

Here's my take - While the crowd was chuckling and smiling in the background as he was saying it, I don't believe in any way Obama was relating the comment towards Sarah Palin. If he was, that I must have as well for each time I've said the same comment in the last three decades. I'm not a fan of his, but I believe he's got the class to not make such a statement. However, I believe that his advisers should have tried to coach him from such a statement, mainly to avoid the chatter we have today. It will be interesting to see how long this lingers in the public. My prediction is another 48 hours before it dies out for something new.

Despite the horrendous voyage yesterday, I had the fortune to stop by the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, MI. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, it's also President Ford's final resting place, and a location I would happily recommend to everyone. President Ford, in my opinion, is one of our country's unsung heroes. He knowingly entered the presidency not elected on a ticket and set out to keep the nation stable through the aftermath of the Nixon Watergate scandal and resignation. He worked the aisle with individuals such as Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil to keep the ship afloat, and I believe those two years were a success because they put the country and its people ahead of party interests. In the end, Ford's Presidential Pardon of Nixon was what ultimately cost him the election of 1976, yet today, I believe that the public has grown to understand that he didn't make it for party interests, he did so to save the office of the presidency and to give the country the opportunity to move on. Ford was awarded the Profile in Courage Award in 2001 by the JFK Library Foundation for his actions.


While many of us relate Gerald Ford to Chevy Chase's antics from SNL due to his occasional clumsiness, I find the former president to be a great role model for future generations. Hard worker, selfless, honest, and dignified, Ford may be the most genuine individual to hold the office in the 20Th century (Harry Truman makes this point worth a fair argument).


By the way, its been several days since Spencerblog has been updated, has our pal Gil finally given up? Has Nostra-Steve-us predicted the end accurately? Stay tuned...

Blog Intent

OK, the original intent for this blog was to be a newsworthy yet humerous look at the world of Media Borough, their politics, foibles, fun and etc. The goal at one time was to make a version similar to Philadelphia Will Do, one of the Areas better (not to mention humerous) blogs. However, with work and life as it is, I never had the time to do so. So, in its place, we have a refugee camp.

Feel free to post in the comments section, I may give thread privliges (we'll see), and if you have recommendations for posting, feel free to hit me up at
jokelanddotcom@yahoo.com.

We'll get into my email adress origins in another post...

-S

All's quiet on the Spencerblog front

Checked Spencerblog earlier, looks like the only things coming through are the notices from dave diano and myself inviting the rest of the group to our own blogs for the time being. Speaking of such, the link of the Day is David Diano's Blog at http://padelcowatch.blogspot.com/. Dave is doing the same as I am, opening the blog to the Spencerblog refugees. As I stated on his blog, it doesn't matter where we all eventually migrate to, so long as we have a place where we can continue to debate. I have no plans for moderating comments (Maybe deleting if they're too offensive) but moderating is out - it kills our flow.

I have come up with a conspiracy theory concerning this move - maybe gil is attempting to flush out the old blood and replace us with new blog readers. Similar to Lorne Michaels flushing out the Chris Farley's, Adam Sandlers and Mike Myers of SNL for the Cheri Oteri's, Will Ferrel's and Chris Kattan's.

Which one is randal?

http://whatislove.ytmnd.com/

Spencerblog - Resistance is Futile

Since I don't ever use this blog, I figured I'd post what's being censored at the Delco-Famous Spencerblog.

Today, Gil stated that all posts will be subject to comment monitoring before being added to the blog or left off. In his words, "From now on, all comments will now be monitored for civility and being on topic. " SO... staying on Top, I decided to post one as "PC POLICE" twice to see what happens:

PC POLICE said...
WE HAVE TAKEN OVER THIS BLOG.

YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

Wouldn't you know it was censored? On topic, open expression, fair criticism of the new procedure. Gil must have enjoyed the Olympics in Beijing a little too much, he's taking on their government's mannerisms!

If anyone makes their way over to this "massively busy and on-topic" blog, feel free to comment away, we're not hiding!

To See the slow, painful death of a Blog, feel free to visit http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/gils/blog.html. Tell spencerblog I sent you, if you post gets through!

Coming Soon...

There's Delaware County Blogs, Spencerblogs, blogs about the mighty Joe Sestak and his "Bat Villians" and so on, but none I know of that covers the borough of Media, Pennsylvania and their many stories, events, battles, etc.



With that said, I am opening "Media's Musings" for business. This blog will post news of the borough, upcoming events, political issues and etc. I will happily post community news if its sent my way. Hopefully this becomes everything you wanted to know about "Everybody's Hometown".



Let's go to work!

-Steve