A Final Thought From Tampa …. January 30, 2009

Dateline Tampa …
It’s a strange feeling as I wrap up Super Bowl week and head towards Super Sunday and the Steelers vs Cardinals. Here I am at the biggest party in America and there is nothing but bad news surrounding me. Every time I turn on the TV and watch local or cable news and [...]

Super Bowl Thursday January 29, 2009

I just got off the air with Jim and Randy from the DVE morning show on radio row at the media center here in Tampa. Those guys are fantastic and two of my favorite people in the world. They not only do smart, funny radio but have hit just about every Super Bowl party – [...]

New Pics From Tampa January 28, 2009

Sorry to hear abut all the snow and ice back home. I wish all of you could be here. Not just to enjoy the great weather, but also the Super Bowl. In the meantime, take a look at some of the snapshots I have taken ( when  I have time ) here in Tampa.

The madness [...]

Super Bowl Wednesday January 28, 2009

I survived the Super Bowl media day here in Tampa.
While most consider it tame but past media day standards, I saw enough to give me nightmares for the next few days. There was a spanish-language reporter in a red evening dress, another spanish language reporter in a sexy cheerleader outfit interviewing players and yet another [...]

Super Bowl Tuesday January 27, 2009

Hello once again from Tampa.

We survived the first day of Super Bowl week with no injuries and only a few minor technical problems. Yes, the weather is a s beautiful as it looks on TV. With the snow and ice that’s descended upon western Pennsylvania, I must admit its nice to be here.
The Steelers arrived [...]

Super Bowl Monday January 26, 2009

Hi from Tampa where the weather is a balmy 79 today with clear skies and I am not about to apologize for that. After freezing my butt off at the inauguration, I think a little warmth is well deserved if I so say so myself.

BIG Ben and little Andrew in Super Bowl Media Center
Our gang [...]

Here We Go! January 23, 2009

It’s hard to believe it was just three years ago we were bound for Detroit for the Super Bowl. Jerome Bettis’ homecoming, the “One for the Thumb” and the Hines Ward’s MVP performance.
Now, here we are again. Except this time, we are headed to a new location. The Steelers go south to Tampa to start [...]

My View of the Inauguration … with Pictures! January 22, 2009

Finally made it back. After staying up some 36 straight hours to work, travel and sit outside in the cold, I am back from the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The mass of people waiting into the perimeter at 7am.
Everyone I have seen has asked me the same thing: what was it like? Sure, we all [...]

Heading to DC … to See History January 18, 2009

I will not be blogging for the next few days, probably Thursday at the earliest. It’s not because I’m getting lazy, but rather I am off the DC for the Inauguration and don’t plan to bring a laptop with me. Even if I had one, I don’t know when I would have the time or [...]

Changing the Name is No Game January 15, 2009

It seems a little hokey and goofy at first. The Mayor of Pittsburgh dropping the “Raven” from his last name – replacing it with “Steeler” – and changing his name for AFC Championship game week to Mayor Luke “Steelerstahl”.
However, it became very clear as the day went on the Mayor’s decision to play along with [...]

Steeler Nation: Relax! January 14, 2009

I was at my desk and, next to me, a co-worker of mine sat down at called up some old Steeler video on YouTube. What did he watch? The final moments of the 1994 AFC Championship game when the Steelers lost to the Chargers in the final minute.
That moment told me all I needed to [...]

“The Bachelor” Post-Show Analysis January 13, 2009

OK, I admit it.  I’m hooked on the show now. I started watching last week and got caught up in the personalities, the silliness and the train wrecks. As you know, working at an ABC station, I have network programming on every set in the building. I can’t turn away from it, so I started [...]

My Favorite Time of Year January 12, 2009

I think I have mentioned time and time again that the question I am always asked by viewers and people I run into when I walk down the street: Do you miss sports? I kind  of think of it as a strange question since I haven’t been a sportscaster at WTAE since June 2006.
However, I can [...]

Pittsburgh’s Secret Ingredient January 9, 2009

There’s a great article in the New York Times today about the Pittsburgh economic renaissance. Entitled “Pittsburgh, There Is Life After Steel“, the story tells its readers about how Pittsburgh recovered from its steel industry collapse of the 1980’s to become one of the nation’s few thriving economies in this current recession.
There really is nothing [...]

Too Good Not to Be True January 8, 2009

There are days I cannot create blog material than what’s really happening in this insane world of ours. Let me give you two specific examples of truth being better than non-fiction:
Cookie Monster Chooses to Eat Healthy
I had not watched “Sesame Street” in a few years but seeing that the live stage show was in town, [...]