An Early Weekend August 30, 2007

I wanted to let you know that I’m taking yet another Friday off … and starting a long weekend. Sorry I won’t be blogging today, but I will be back on Monday.
I also wanted to say “thanks” to everyone who has taken time over the last year to respond to my entries with your thoughts, [...]

Clarification … and some Comfort August 30, 2007

Before I move on to today’s thoughts, I want to clarify something from my entry Wednesday. Something caused confusion among those who take the time each day to read my blog.

I wrote about receiving a racist postcard in the mail … and I noted that – for better or worse – race permeates everything our [...]

Something Unexpected in the Mail August 29, 2007

A former prominent African-American TV anchor once told me you haven’t really “made it” until you get a racist letter from a viewer in the mail.
After 13 years on Pittsburgh TV, I finally “made it”.
It wasn’t much. Just a postcard from some viewer who wasn’t pleased that I sit next to a beautiful, blond-haired white [...]

Read Any Good Books Lately? August 28, 2007

A question on a survey I just took gave me pause.

The question: What was the last book you read?

I’m still thinking.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to read books anymore. I used to love reading books. It would be nothing five years ago for me to walk into a bookstore and [...]

A Weekend of Discovery August 27, 2007

I’m beginning to enjoy these three-day weekends. I have some vacation time and – thanks to a suggestion from Kelly — I decided to take each Friday off this month. It’s made for some fun weekends and some surprisingly-delightful getaways.
This weekend, Sharon and I went to a black tie event for the Ladies Hospital Aid [...]

No Longer Hip? August 23, 2007

A mid-morning show discussion with Kelly started me to thinking about this topic. I was finishing up the planning for tonight’s “Check It Out” segment – going through the “Ticket” insert of today’s Tribune-Review, when I happened upon a review of band playing in Millvale this weekend.

“Hey, the Squirrel Nut Zippers!” says Kelly.

“Who are they?” [...]

The Fat Virus .. and Fantasy Football August 22, 2007

I’m no scientist, but I think this story is a little hard to believe. Researchers are saying that obesity may not have anything to do with eating habits or heredity. In fact, they are going so far as to say it may not be a person’s fault at all. Preliminary studies are suggesting that there [...]

Crime, Punishment …. and Party Schools? August 21, 2007

I was watching ESPN, which yesterday stood for Entertainment and Speculation Programming Network. The network went on all afternoon, speculating what was next for Michael Vick after he plead guilty to dogfighting charges. Guessing as to whether he would return to the league and what team he would play for and whether he would play [...]

Sweet Home Chicago August 20, 2007

Just got back from a wonderful weekend at home. I spent the last couple of days with my parents and visiting my brother — and both live in Chicago.
Chicago – the place of my birth but hardly my hometown. As they say, I was there long enough to enjoy “a cup of coffee” before moving [...]

Local Goes National August 16, 2007

Before I start blogging away, I just wanted to say “thanks” to everyone who sent vacation ideas. I was absolutely overwhelmed. I got 30 suggestions from all of you — everywhere from the Outer Banks to Aruba. I have decided to forward all these suggestions to Sharon. After all, she is the one making the [...]

Making Vacation Plans August 15, 2007

In my years as a sportscaster, I also became somewhat of a workaholic. Sometimes because of the lack of people available to cover sports and sometimes because of the time of year. I used to joke that once training camp started, summer was over and I told Sharon I would not see her until the [...]

Feeling Great and Feeling Guilty August 14, 2007

FEELING GREAT:
It was cool having Robin back with us Monday morning. We are so happy she is doing well and her breast cancer surgery went well. She appears to be in bright spirits and hopefully she will continue to feel well if she must undergo any radiation.

It was just nice to be able [...]

A Weekend Getaway … to Erie? August 13, 2007

I’ve never been to Erie, so the idea of going there for a weekend at the beach wasn’t exactly the most appetizing proposition I have ever had. I mean when I think of the beach, I think Ocean City, not one hour west of Buffalo. Still, Sharon wanted to go to the beach this weekend [...]

Breaking News August 10, 2007

I have today off, but I wanted to leave you this thought before I took the day off.
Thursday morning was a first for me. While I have been involved in breaking news coverage that interrupts regular programming ( remember Big Ben’s motorcycle accident ), I had never been asked to play such an important role [...]

Facing the Music August 9, 2007

A couple of quick things before the main blogging begins: Kelly’s back and it’s great to see her. After all, it’s been almost a week and a half. As for the name of the Steeler mascot – “Steely McBeam” – I guess I can live with it. But he’ll always be “The Jaw” to me.

Now, [...]