At this rate, MJ's Beijing-bound. She participated in her first 5K run last weekend, wrapping up the last leg of a team entry into the annual Y-Tri.

At the Y-Tri, you either smoke, or in the case of Bibs number 10, 168, 122 & 9, you get smoked!

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, rank and file

Super Bowl reactions? MJ dropped a real eye-opener while watching some post-game coverage. "Who does Eli's brother play for?" she asked with a straight face. Wwwwwwhat just happened?

I say good for Eli. I was pulling for him out of sympathy. Being a 5 fan, it's easy to spot when a QB is getting a raw deal from the hometown fans. Not to mention the Patriots' comeuppance has been long overdue.

But it's important to remember it was the Giants. Sure you pull for them in this one, but visions of Bender pacing through the living room during the game's closing moments were a bit over the top. And tales of tears for Elisha from various Instituters is well past the line.

At the end of the day though, to have made such investments into this season and the final, most thrilling chapter features an N.E. Heartbreak at the hands of Giants, all I hear are the words of an immortal: "for who, for what?"

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, nfl

Months ago: It took awhile, but watching dishes finally became pain-free. However, reviewing monthly statements with a fine-tooth comb is strongly advised. Expect to make some phone calls.

A month ago: Cha-ching! A 15-1 (Charlie Batch = dream-killer) week 17 propelled The Institute Pick'em Frenzy's 10th ranked entrant all the way to the top of the final standings. He is I and I am him, slim with a tilted brim.

A few weeks ago: Corporate structure shake-up at the Institute. Marketing's top dog tabbed fall guy. Domino effect?

A week ago: You know, this '08 Bushisms page-a-day calendar was a clutch gift from MJ. Sure they've been around for a few years, the Bushisms become poetry knowing this is W's final year on the job. "First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."

Just days ago: This, That and He Said What? makes it's triumphant return! This semiannual posting craze is sure to catch on.

Yesterday: In a roundabout way, a sister school is claiming that they're sitting more students because their web site is (intentionally?) crappy. If they had a well-designed, easily navigable web site, so goes the argument, prospective students wouldn't be frustrated into calling. Sister please! (Noss-ism?)

Today: There wasn't a trace of ice on my morning commute until I started down that hill on Little Creek Road. Suddenly, my brakes wouldn't catch and I was flying, veering to the left and to the right, seemingly out of control. There was a pick-up off-road by the stars-and-stripes barn and a fellow on the other side of the road waving his arms frantically, then bailing as my swerving sport wagon barreled closer. I was going too fast and the road was too slick to turn off into an open field. A car was at the bottom of the hill, astutely peeling off onto the nearest driveway. I zipped by that car as Little Creek began to finally level off. My speed lowered and my brakes finally caught. Eeeewwwwwhat a rrrrush! A rush I hope to never experience again.

Labels: Dish, MJ wants to be on my blog more, nfl, road-trips, work

What's that Shannon? Let The Music Play? Like I have a ch... wait! My office mate is moving to her own office (with radio) and a new hire will be moving in. Suddenly, the relationship I've forged with adult contemporary is on the rocks. This could get messy...

First of all, Rose, why do Alicia Keys and Corinne Bailey Rae still only have one song each in rotation? Keys couldn't even drive when "Falling" came out. "No One" is the joint. "Trouble Sleeping" ditto. They're not Business Radio enough for you?

Now don't even try to recapture my soul with Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up." It was better the first time when Aaliyah featuring Slick Rick sang it!

Anymore, It's like I don't even know you... Thousand Dollar Thursday winners struck it rich in the AM and PM this week?

How could you? I thought I told you I only want new stuff from Enrique Iglesias that includes sound effects from a game room. The Ping Pong Song was pop at its finest, and the best use of table-game audio since Blackstreet's "Good Life" dropped in a billiards break. But you passed over the table tennis track, instead serving this "Somebody's Me" mush.

Speaking of mush, there's Meatloaf that can be sliced and served with onions and barbecue sauce that unsettles MJ. And then there's Meatloaf that attempts to recreate entire hokey, down at the dixie high school musicals in four minutes and some seconds that unsettles myself. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is pure torture.

This split is getting ugly, and the Rose knows it... Tracey Chapman followed immediately by Corey Hart. Wow, a whole 4-song catalog between them. You know what? We're through.

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, music

What did we learn from last night's 20-12 Philly loss to DC? I need to locate the JVC's AM Loop Antenna. The only thing more painful than watching the Birds break down in the red zone was listening to the MNF booth - Barkley's guest appearance included - "calling the action." I found the decision to override actual play-by-play and color commentary with the soundtrack to Days Of Our Lives an unbearable one. MJ summed it up best when she briefly dropped her People magazine below her chin to question "why are they still talking about this?"

On the field, there are some concerns. While we've been able to successfully stuff the run, the secondary's injuries are mounting and the play of Sean Consadine has been spotty. Offensively, the book seems to be out already on our starting wideouts' inability to shed the bump-and-run with Reggie Brown playing the role of Todd Pinkston and Kevin Curtis' game looking eerily like James Thrash's. As for the star of ESPN's soap opera, I'll reserve judgement on Donovan's effectiveness (or lack thereof) for a few weeks yet. Getting in synch obviously isn't coming as easily as I assumed it would and he may need a few more games to hit stride. Also, can we please ditch the no huddle?

Taking Inventory

• Eagles offensive TDs, season-to-date: 1
• Minutes spent talking about The View during an NFL football game: 2
• Booming Sav Rocca punts: 1... maybe?
• Eagles record: 0-2
• Fantasy record: 7-5 (the yin and the yang so to speak)
• Office Pick'em: 23-9 (5th place)

Recap Rewind: '06 | '05

Labels: Eagles '07, MJ wants to be on my blog more, Pinkston

Let's get to the targeted content:

Slate discusses what not to name that forthcoming blog of yours...
Link - Don't Drink the Balloon Juice

The article we've heard so much about...
Link - Baby Einsteins: Not So Smart After All

A little propaganda to warm you up for next quarter's holiday season...
Link - Santa: "I Killed Jesus"

And alas, some fun and games to kill time during Mallory's nap...
Link - Scrabble Cubes

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, weekend reading

MJ reports that Mallory’s been spending quite a bit of her Gymboree time hanging out at the basketball hoop (the bucket's like this one, but those aren't my kids). While the rest of the class is gathered for some kooky story-time or clown magic tomfoolery (the clown looks like this, but that's not my kid), Mal-Biz is off on her own, takin' it to the tin. Now while I can’t condone skipping class for a roundball fix, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that was my Penn State York semester two game plan. Like father like daughter, for better or worse I guess.

Labels: Mallory, MJ wants to be on my blog more

OBX'07 Thumbs Up: Pine Island Diner's Hawaiian Burger, Bad Bean Taqueiro's peace, the fireworks for being a scene setting on my camera, Chef Kirby's versatile menu, short and sweet Cinderella at The Lost Colony, fish swimming at Mallory's eye-level at the aquarium, Mako Mike's sub one-hour waiting time, TimbukII mini-golf's exaggerated par assessment, MJ picking up the last leg on the way home.

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, photos, props, road-trips

• On the tube, I've got to vouch for Lil' Bush. I think the voices clinched it for me (see Behind-the-Scenes clip).
  
  
• In my car, I'll vouch for the iCarPlay FM transmitter. When tuned to 106.3, I can scoot from Hanover to The Institute with clean SnyPod sound.
  
  
• In the kitchen, I'll vouch for Joe Corbi's Southwest Queso Kit. Many preparation options are highlighted, but this meal's best designed by MJ; first implementing the Queso Pizza solution, then adding her own flair, and finally rolling the whole thing up into a wrap.
  
  
• Web-wise, I'll vouch for SwitchPlanet. The concept is air-tight, but the interface and usability could be improved. Bonus points for the use of made up currency.
  
  
• In the playroom, Mallory will vouch for a wet washcloth, a wicker basket, a set of coasters and a 1/2 TSP measuring spoon. What is it about toys that kids just don't like?
  
  
• I hope to one day vouch for... setting my vinyl free. A tip of the hat to Old Man Kirby for passing along a link to the Ion USB Turntable.

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, vouchers

Next time you're at Ruby Tuesday's - the Galleria Mall edition - be sure to request the Ken Howell table, if only because there is one.

MJ surprised me by stopping by The Institute on my birthday and treating me to lunch at Ruby's. As we perused the menu, started feeding Mallory, and began discussing the spectacular plans she had in store for the rest of the weekend, I became distracted by the wall decor next to our table. The Tommy Greene autographed 8x10 I reluctantly accepted since he threw a no-hitter for the Phils in the early 90's. But that other photo, I couldn't even remember the guy's name. Ken Harvey I kept thinking, but realized he was a more recent player. I recognized him as a late 80's Philly arm... Ken Holland maybe? Ken Dixon?

The first order of business upon returning to the office was a trip to baseball-reference.com where Ken Howell appeared on the '89 Phillies page. Not a bad season either - he led all Phightin' starters in wins, ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched, and set a team record for wild pitches in a game with five... numbers undoubtedly making the famous Ken Howell worthy of wall space at Ruby Tuesday's... 18 years later.

Labels: baseball, MJ wants to be on my blog more

A semi ho-hum edition of A.I. failed to inspire me enough to light up Blogger.com very often this year, so with the help of the SusCom Idol Super Pool 2's blog I'll attempt to straighten the whole season out...

• 02/21/07 - Remember Amy Krebs? Man, she got a raw deal.
  
  
• 02/28/07 - Kenny says "I'm voting to axe her (Leslie Hunt) every week even if it costs me the championship." He says it as though he knew the championship was his and only Leslie Hunt stood in the way. She was tossed the next night.
  
  
• 03/08/07 - Randy starts talking about somebody's boots, I think maybe Lakisha's. This fittingly reflects the viewing audience's growing infatuation with contestants' wardrobe and appearance.
  
  
• 03/10/07 - Todd K declares his "new favorite imprecation to be 'Haley Scarnato!'" May I request a more extensive list of favorite imprecations? Oh, and thanks for the new word.
  
  
• 03/14/07 - Haley Scarnato! cries like a baby, which needs to be grounds for an automatic boot in season 7. Much angst is building among SusCom Idol Poolers regarding Sanjaya's popularity.
  
  
• 03/21/07 - My pick to win it all gets a premature send-off. Kenneth Lee takes a lead in the Pool that he will never relinquish.
  
  
• 03/26/07 - Don't hate, prognosticate: MJ and Todd K correctly identify this season's winner nearly two months in advance. Look, I turned the other cheek to the support of Ozzie Smith's son, but I refuse to accept support of Phillippi Sparks' daughter! E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!
  
  
• 03/27/07 - Stefani seemed kind of nerdy.
  
  
• 04/04/07 - It's a good week to be a crooner as Tony Bennett guests on Standards Night. Unfortunately niether Clay Aiken, John Stevens nor David Radford are among season 6's hopefuls.
  
  
• 04/11/07 - SusCom Idol Poolers unite! A nearly unanimous (9 of 11) combo of Phil and Haley are selected to fair the poorest. Well played by most as Haley Scarnato! is sent packing.
  
  
• 04/17/07 - Todd K questions Phil Stacy's country roots all the while wondering if he's the "dorkiest guy ever"?
  
  
• 04/18/07 - That crying girl's life has taken a devastating turn: Sanjaya Malakar was voted off American Idol.
  
  
• 04/24/07 - The much hyped Idol Gives Back show probably was the season's highlight, far out-dazzling the finale. Still not sure what to think about those bed nets though.
  
  
• 05/02/07 - Prior to double-elimination night, Flood mixes a rare comment in with his picks, going the political route with a Mission Accomplished jab.
  
  
• 05/03/07 - I said it once and I'll say it again: I'm convinced one of the following is true: 1) These aren't contestants, they're dominoes; or 2) Cowell was privy to the ribbon show's voting results and shaped his comments accordingly to satisfy his sweltering ego!
  
  
• 05/09/07 - Some are growing tired of Blake's beat-boxing while others are growing tired of awkward, painful performances by past-their-prime entertainers. Additionally, I must admit Idol's honesty with Sparks to close last night's show regained some credibility with me.
  
  
• 05/16/07 - The judging panel's incessant reminders that "this is a singing competition" come one week too late as Doolittle is sent home. Nevermind Allison's gut - eventual Idol Pool bronze-trophy winning Todd K was the only one who saw it coming.
  
  
• 05/22/07 - Blake Lewis delivers an encore performance of his Bon Jovi cover to open the performance side of the finale. Daughtry, who covered Bon Jovi quite successfully last season, closes it.
  
  
• 05/23/07 - The World's Greatest Entertainer Doug E. Fresh challenges soon-to-be runner-up Blake Lewis to a duel... the kind of duel in which only the bravest of men will partake... a reproduction of drum sounds using one's voice, mouth, and nasal cavity duel! I'm disappointed that Rose Radio has yet to give Doug Fresh the post-Idol-appearance love that it has shown others. I wouldn't mind a little "Cut That Zero" or "All The Way To Heaven" today. Oh, did anything else happen on the finale?
  

Labels: AI, MJ wants to be on my blog more, tape-delayed blog

April was a lousy month to shelf the blog. So I figured I'd recap some of the month's highlights.

First off, MJ turned the big 2-7, her first b-day as a mom. The 3 of us had a chance to spend a fun afternoon at the park.

Labels: Mallory, MJ wants to be on my blog more