Update on 'Refrigerator' Perry

CBS2 Chicago/AP reports that the former Chicago Bears/Philadelphia Eagles player William 'Refrigerator' Perry is upgraded to Fair condition. 

This is good news.  I am really pulling for a good and complete recovery.

It will be a rough and tough road for him, as I have earlier wrote about.  But now it's all uphill.  Once he gets over the hill, it just gets better.

-- Matt

What Were They Thinking??

This story from the AP has really struck a cord within me. 

Basically, over the skies of Lower Manhattan NYC earlier this morning.  Police and authorities said this was a 'staged photo op' with a decoy Air Force One plane and fighter planes behind that.

Why?  Why would anyone approve of this?  Is there any logic going on with this person?  So, the person apologized.  Fine.  Now resign.

In this day in age of the world, the people of NYC are always going to be on alert.  They are always going to worry.  And no doubt that they would.  People of NYC are tough people.  But a event like this are just stupid.

-- Matt

Be Smart and Don't Panic

This blog post is not a normal posting here, so just bear with me ...

That is the words of advice you hear on the news now.  Every channel.  Every network.  All because of this 'swine flu' bug that is going around.

And I want to express that point, yet bring up some topics that may not have been brought up yet.

First of all, don't panic.  This is not Steven King's 'The Stand' virus.  America and the world will be here tomorrow.

Second, use common sense.  If you are sick, stay home.  If you know someone who is sick, keep your distance.  Not saying this to be rude or anything, but you don't want to get sick at all, now do you?

Third, and this point has not been brought up yet ... HOW did this happen?  What was the reason?  This is not food poisoning, and this wasn't done by unprocessed food or bad conditions to raise that.  So, how is this happening, and why.  That is an answer we need now.  Not later.

I think President Obama and his team are handling this crisis well.  And we need to do so as well.

-- Matt

Former Chicago Bears' Player in Hospital

You see this headline, and it just might be another story to you.  And to most people, it would.  But if you read the article from ESPN.com, you will see that it hits close to home for me personally ...

William 'The Refrigerator' Perry is in a South Carolina hospital in serious condition after he had a relapse due to the after effects of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  He was diagnosed with GBS back in June of 2008, and he is back in the hospital again.  He is listed in serious condition, but is expected to fully recover.

About 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with GBS at the age of 22.  It was the scariest time of my life.  But, the recovery that I made helped me realize who I was and what I can accomplish was a person.  I made almost a full recovery, although I really can't run.  I also have nerve pain in my feet and ankles from time to time.  And that is expected to stay with me for the rest of my life.

Myself aside though, I really do feel for Mr. Perry.  What he must be going through is very scary and the thought that I know what he feels is quite surreal.

My heart and thoughts go out to him and his family.  My advice:  Keep your head up, believe in your faith, make a goal to get back where you were before this all happened, and don't let nothing stop you.  This could be the most rewarding time of your life, and your sense of yourself that you develop after this is something you will keep forever.

I will make it a point to keep up to date very closely to this story.  Let's all say a prayer/thought for him.

Best of luck.

-- Matt

Classy Pizza Place

While I was in Connecticut this weekend with friends of mine, we ate at this pizza place, Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, CT.

This place has been featured in national travel shows on Food Network and I also think the Travel Channel.

New Haven was a very neat town that also has Yale in it. The people in the town were very nice and this pizza joint was on spot.

They make the pizza's in a coal oven that reaches temps of over 2000 degrees. The pizza was excellent, with a bit of a smokey taste. But with the unique shape of the pizza (an oval meets a square), it seperates it from the rest.

If you ever get to that city, make sure you check it out. You won't be disappointed.

-- Matt

Less than a week to go ...

Less than a week to go until the Patriot-News redesigns their newspaper to meet the needs of readers in this busy techo-heavy world.

Make sure you check out the redesign website if you haven't already. They added what the sports section will look like and they have a detailed FAQ for any questions that you may have.

I have also learned that through this very blog, that we have supplied them over 25 hits to the website. They have thanked me for helping them get out the word.

I guess that we will have more readers now, if they know about this blog, and I'm happy for that. Thanks.

-- Matt

Why Tea Parties Failed

Well, yesterday was the day that we all bit the checkbook, in a sense. April 15th, Tax Day. I had my taxes done like 2 weeks ago, so I wasn't one of those last minute people, but yesterday the collective responsibilty of Americans were completed.

However, instead of just doing that job and moving on, some bitter people from the loser side of the election of 2008 showed up, in numerous 'Tea Parties' across America.

Why?

They say that America and the government is wasting money that we don't have. They say that we have been taxed enough and that the role of government is expanding and becoming ever more there.

What they failed to mention is that all of them paid their taxes. What they did was just futile, and served no purpose. We live in a different day and era then we did only just 1 year ago. The failed (none) economic policies of the president before Obama created this mess we are in. All Obama is doing is just trying to fix the mess.

But, these people don't believe it. Headed by right-wing ego high talk show hosts like, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly they made people believe that America is not the country it was. We are turning socalist. This is nothing but pure rubbish.

Keep in mind that Glenn Beck, before 9/11/2001 was nothing. He was a no-name radio host who was in small markets. After that fateful day in American history, he was hoisted into radio and now television via FauxNews. He even came up with this '9/12 Project' where he asks Americans to bring back the mentality and direction of that day.

This country is coming back from depression and recession. If spending money (that we contribute through taxes) will help bring us back, I am all for it. We need a mindset that we will survive this, and we are. So, instead of arguing, just enjoy the fact that you still live in the greatest country on this planet.

Lastly, the comments of Texas Governor Rick Perry is just disgusting. He said that if the US government continues to meddle in the business of Texans, that we just might, just might, have to leave the union of the USA. Sir, with all due respect, that is impeachable comments. I hope citizens of the great state of Texas (which once was a country itself) wake up and see that these comments have no place in today's day and age.

No recession is like any other. So with this one. Sometimes, what we must do is swallow our pride, shut up, and let things work out. President Obama and members of Congress started to roll this ball. The ball is rolling. Let it continue to roll. If you don't like it, sorry. Republcians, you had your time. We had to put up with 8 years of Bush and company. Now, it's President Obama and his administration to shape and form this world.

So please, kindy ... Shut up and sit down.

-- Matt

Stupid (or smart) College Freshment Break into Stadium

Story from Pennlive.com this afternoon has me laughing.

Looks like five college freshmen from Villanova University broke into Lincoln Financial Field overnight last night in Philly ...

What were they looking for? Perhaps the invisible super bowl trophey? No. Were they looking for the coach, Andy Reid, to see if he was like 'working'? No.

They were trying to steal a seat. Seriously.

Now, of course they will be charged with crimes, and they should. But let's step a step back and logically think about this, Phily ...

In reality, the five freshmen from 'Nova did you guys a great service. There is one less seat to watch a crappy team play. Believe you me, it benefits all.

-- Matt

2009 Dallas Cowboys Schedule

As I said before, the road to the Super Bowl next NFL season in the NFC goes through Dallas.

This is what we can look forward to the next season.

WEEK 1 - 9/13/2009 - @ Tampa Bay - 1PM
WEEK 2 - 9/20/2009 - vs. NY Giants - 8:20PM
WEEK 3 - 9/28/2009 - vs. Carolina Panthers - 8:30PM
WEEK 4 - 10/4/2009 - @ Denver - 4:15PM
WEEK 5 - 10/11/2009 - @ Kansas City - 1:00 PM
WEEK 6 - BYE
WEEK 7 - 10/25/2009 - vs. Atlanta Falcons - 4:15PM
WEEK 8 - 11/1/2009 - vs. Seattle Seahawks - 1:00PM
WEEK 9 - 11/8/2009 - @ PHILADELPHIA - 8:20PM
WEEK 10 - 11/15/2009 - @ Green Bay - 4:15PM
WEEK 11 - 11/22/2009 - vs. Washington - 1:00PM
WEEK 12 - 11/26/2009 - vs. Oakland Raiders - 4:15PM
WEEK 13 - 12/6/2009 - @ NY Giants - 4:15PM
WEEK 14 - 12/13/2009 - vs. San Diego Chargers - 4:15PM
WEEK 15 - 12/19/2009 - @ New Orleans Saints - 8:20PM
WEEK 16 - 12/27/2009 - @ Washington Redskins - 8:20PM
and finally
WEEK 17 - 1/3/2010 - vs. PHILADELPHIA - 1:00PM

Eh, we have to deal with the Eagles again, last game of the year ... But, it is in Dallas. I guess I can accept that. Overall, I think an interesting schedule.

Thoughts??

-- Matt

Update on what's going on

Sorry I haven't updated much lately.

Just been busy with work and life. It has been fun and going well. Also producing/generating my Class of 2009 Legacy Songs list from my iPod. That hopefully should be done tonight.

Also, seems like I have been using Twitter much more than blogging. I however, need to find a balance betweeen the two.

Finally, the NFL schedule for 2009 is released this evening at 7PM. Once I get the Cowboys schedule, I will post it on here. I am hoping that my one friend will have special commentary on the schedule. Maybe I should pest him and find out, or encourage him to do that.

Hope all is well.

-- matt

DEVELOPING STORY: Gettysburg College Student Stabbed to Death

This from WGAL-TV Lancaster, PA.

Quite a sad story that is still developing this late morning.

What is this world coming to?

-- Matt

DEVELOPING STORY: Gettysburg College Student Stabbed to Death

This from WGAL-TV Lancaster, PA.

Quite a sad story that is still developing this late morning.

What is this world coming to?

-- Matt

Idol: Scott goes home

As I accurately predicted, Scott went home last night.  And rightly so.

And with that said, the theme for next week's Idol is ...

Songs from movies.

Should be interesting ...

-- Matt

American Idol in Review: 4/7/2009

This week's theme on Idol was songs from the year the contestants were born.  And this week, finally, did not disappoint.

Most singers chose songs that complemented them, but some did not.  Adam Lambert once again kept everyone awed by Gary Jules 'Mad World'.  Matt Giaurd wowed everyone by Stevie Wonder's 'Part Time Lover'.  Danny did 'Stand By Me'.  Kris did a crowd-pleasing version of the Don Henley classic 'All She Wants to Do is Dance'.  Allison had the only 90s song of the night, and she did not disappoint with a Bonnie Raitt ballad, 'I Can't Make You Love Me'.  

The following will be in the bottom 3:

Lil Rounds, with a disappointing version of the Tina Turner classic, "What's Love Got to Do With It".  Yeah, on my twitter I said I liked it, but overall, it just did not do what it needed to do in the long run.

Anoop will be in the bottom 3 with his bad performance of the Phil Collins classic, 'True Colors'.  Some may like it, but eh, it just did not do it.

But the last person in the bottom 3 and my prediction for going home this week will be Scott.  He did some 80s' power ballad that 1) I did not even know and 2) was bad, very bad.  To his credit, he did lose the piano and he used a guitar.  That is when it went bad ... I feel that he put himself going home because of poor execution and that bad high note he screamed.  

Bye, Bye Scott!

And with that, the 5th American Idol judge has spoken!

Good night everyone.

-- Matt

Snow ... In April?!

You betcha!

Snowing right now outside my 2nd floor window.  Oh yeah.  But don't worry.  Warm weather will come back.

Got a bit of a headache today (why always on my day off?) so I won't be going to Shippensburg for the CBS21 weather summit.  There is always next year.

Hope all is well.  Hope to post again sometime tonight.

-- Matt

Update to Pittsburgh Shooting Story

UPDATE: 3:39PM ...

A press conference has just been completed about 10 minutes ago and some information needs to be clarified:

Looks like the man who did the shooting was at the house all along.  Police responded to the house from a 911 call, saying that there was a domestic disturbance.

The suspect had a bullet-proof vest on during the crime.  After the 3 officers were killed and 2 injured, he gave up.  FOX News Channel and WTAE-TV both report that the suspect was afraid that President Obama was going to take his guns away, and that he was not going to let this happen.

As of now, looks like the suspect is in the hospital, and is charged with 3 counts of murder.  And it is quite possible that they will go for the death penalty in this case.

More updates later as they warrant.

-- Matt

3 Officers Shot Dead in Pittsburgh

From WTAE-TV Pittsburgh: 3 Officers Fatally Shot, 2 Injured in Pittsburgh Shooting

What is going wrong with this world now?

First we had the tragedy in Binghamton, NY, now this. And from how the story told, this guy wasn't involved AT ALL. He just flipped.

This is why we need mandatory gun control in the United States. Unless if you are a cop, there is really no reason to have guns. Why can't people talk out their issues like normal people? Why does guns and violence have to seep through all aspects of life? I just don't get it.

Earlier in life, I lost my best friends because he chose to be juvenile with guns. I know how this complex works. Been there, done that.

Something about this needs to be done. When will Obama address urban violence and gun control???

-- Matt

10 Stories: 4/3/2009

Well, it is quite windy outside.  We are under a Wind Advisory until 4PM on Saturday.  

Also, got word from one of my friends in Northeast PA, that WYOU-TV the CBS station from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre TV market has decided to dump news all together.  Even though they suffered poor ratings for years, it is no excuse to dump news.  Broadcasting & Cable says that WYOU figures they will save close to $1 million a year by doing this.  Also they, say that viewers, 'don't care about news'.  Really?  You must be kidding me.

1:) Well, it is back to the drawling board for Michael Vick.  A bankruptcy judge rejected his plan to come out of financial turmoil.  Story from WSB-TV - Atlanta, GA.

2:) The New York Yankees are about to play their first season game in their new stadium, and the reviews are already rave.  Details from The San Diego Union Tribune - San Diego, CA.

3:) A wake is a terrible time to have a fight.  BUT, what if that fight was over beer?  Only in Arkansas.  Story from WPTY/WLMT - Memphis, TN.

4:) Shocking story today from Binghamton, NY.  A guy walked into a immigration help center and opened fire at everyone inside.  13 people, including himself are dead.  No motive has been made public.  Details from The Washington Times - Washington, DC.

5:) A 13 year old teenager went on a 1,400 mile road trip to Texas, to be part of a rodeo.  And his parents were obvious to his not being there.  Kinda gives a new meaning to, have truck, will travel.  Story from Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Fort Worth, TX.  Hee Haw!

6:) When a recession hits, everyone suffers, including the tourism industry.  Looks like due to this, 2 high profile tourist attractions will delay opening.  Details from WESH/WKCF-TV - Daytona Beach, FL.

7:) A karaoke DJ was killed, next to his equipment.  Story on this from WMC-TV - Memphis, TN.

8:) Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's sister-in-law has been arrested for illegally entering a home, not once, but twice to steal money.  I wonder if Palin will get this lady off the hook ... Humm ... Details from WBTV-TV - Charlotte, NC.

9:) Talk about I want things, my way ... New York Times Co., who owns the Boston Globe, says if they do not make millions of dollars in concessions, they will close The Boston Globe.  Story from The Wall Street Journal - New York, NY.

Have a great weekend.

-- Matt

Sneak Peek: The New Patriot-News

The Patriot-News is redesigning their award-winning newspaper on April 20th, 2009, and now you can preview what the paper will look like.

You can also view videos from the Publisher and various editors explaining the need and reason for the redesign.

Go here, to view it. 

Looks like it is going to be a nice touch up for the paper.  They had the current design since 2002, so it is time for a change.  

-- Matt

Idol Results

Good evening.

I hope you like the new look to the blog.  I thought we needed something new so here it is.  Let me know what you think.  

Tried to produce a top 10 stories, but I really could not find anything interesting to mention.  Maybe tomorrow will not a slow news day.

Anyway, what about American Idol?  Here is the results ...

BOTTOM 3:

Allison, Anoop and Meagan

GOING HOME: 

Meagan

Meagan did something VERY stupid tonight.  Ryan asked her what she thought about being in the bottom 3 and she replied, "Simon, I know what you said and to be perfectly honest, I don't care what you think".  WTF Meagan?!  You are in the top 10 on Idol this year and that is your response?

Well, Simon returned the favor then.  Before she sung he said, "Well, I am not going to beat around the bush here, so I will be honest.  You don't care, well we don't care either.  This is your swan song, so enjoy".  

That was kinda rough, BUT good for you Simon.  

Next week, the theme is songs from the year they were born.  Should be a great show.

-- Matt