Good Morning everybody from Marcus Hook to Monterey (and everybody in between)!

There is a trading deadline in Major League Baseball today. To some, it's a national holiday, to most it's just a shrug of the shoulders.
Since the Phillies have never really made a big deal at the deadline, it's understandable why there isn't much interest in multi-millionaires leaving one team for another. The Phillies are always happy with what they have and sit on the sidelines watching other teams improve for a chance to win a championship.
Seriously, though, do you blame Phillies ownership when you really think. They are packing the stadium nightly and selling a ton of hats, shirts, whatever. Winning a championship won't sell more tickets. Winning a championship might sell more hats and T-shirts, but that money is shared among teams.
So, be happy, Phillies fans, to watch a team every night. Just don't worry about taking a vacation day for a parade in October.

Speaking of parades, apparently they are shutting down a part of Center City this afternoon to celebrate the Philadelphia Soul's Arena Football League championship. Which, of course, got me thinking: Aren't there enough parades already?
We have the Mummers, Easter Columbus Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other parades in between.
Actually, maybe we need more parades. After all, there is a parade on the highways every day. How about adding a marching band to the morning and afternoon rush? Why don't we follow all those Aqua PA construction vehicles around with a car full of clowns?
How about a weekly Saturday morning parade? I'm sure U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7) would be interested.
Let's shut down Baltimore Pike in Springfield every afternoon for a home-from-school parade.
Or, there could be this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning and stay in the air conditioning if possible today.

All of a sudden, California doesn't look so good. First there are fires all over the place, then an earthquake hit Los Angeles. Now, they say 'THE BIG ONE' may be on the way. Wait a minute, perfect weather all year? OK, never mind.

So, we have the Rolling Stones playing concerts while pushing 70. The Who (Roger Daltry 64, Pete Townshend, 63) are coming to the area this fall. Van Halen toured last year in their upper 50s. John McCain, 71, is running for president Now, there's word out that Cheech, 62, and Chong, 70, are going to reunite for a movie.
Well, I guess it's real, we can all forget about retirement. Although, Cheech and Chong were funny in their day, I don't know if their comedy floats these days.
Let me know what you think:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning everybody (especially those waiting in line to audition to be the next American Idol)!

Just in time for high school juniors to seriously think about their next step, the Princeton Review came out with its annual list of college rankings.
CHECK IT out here.
While the Review ranks colleges in everything from academics to the social scene.
Of course, the list that really gets the pub is the top party schools in the country.
All the usual suspects are there (Florida, Penn State, West Virginia, etc.)
Now, I don't remember these lists all those years ago. It was probably out there, but the Internet wasn't around, so the news didn't come as quickly.
Anyway, is there really a difference in the partying from say Florida, which is ranked No. 1, and Swarthmore? OK, there is probably a difference there, but in the grand scheme there really isn't much difference between Florida and Pittsburgh. Having visited one and attended the other, I have some first-hand experience.
If you are looking for a party at any college, chances are you'll be able to find one without much trouble.
Meanwhile, MIT is ranked No. 1 for students who study the most.
So that gives you a range. The bottom line is students have to find the school they like best. Outside rankings don't mean much when the school year starts.
By the way, these rankings and those that take the time to compile them leads to another thought:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning out there!!

Hope you are enjoying your Monday morning. That cool temperature makes it ever so bearable as the summer hits its stride.

By the way, apparently the Philadelphia Soul won the Arena Football League championship Sunday.
It appears to have been met with a big 'Oh Well.'
Sure, it's exciting for those involved with the team. They can now jack up ticket prices next year and put up billboards with Jon Bon Jovi's smiling mug next to a trophy.
Other than that... whatever.
Remember, the Philadelphia KiXX and Phantoms each won championships in the last few years. Let's not forget the Wings and Freedom. All won titles, but it doesn't take away from the failures of those other teams.

Meanwhile, the Olympics get underway next week in China.
Is it just me, or is there no real buzz for the Games.
The big problem happened a few years ago when the powers that be decided to change the schedule allowing for Olympic Games (winter or summer) every two years. The build up disappeared and the Games now seem to be every year.
Sure, there will be some exciting performances, but, like this weekend's championship, there is no Soul.
By the way, here's a cool look at what we are missing:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning faithful readers!

Well, despite what the calender says and even though the temperature keeps pushing near triple digits, it is apparently fall already.
The Eagles are playing football, which many believe is the biggest story of the year. More disturbing, though, is the stores are stocking school supplies.
Didn't school just end? Wasn't it only a month ago we were ditching old papers and putting the books away?
Apparently, that's been long enough. There are sales all over the place. We are being drummed in the head if we don't purchase those No. 2 pencils today, there won't be any left come September. Get those folders or your school children will be stuck with 'High School Musical 2.'
Hurry up. Come quickly. Get it done.
It seems we are always looking to the next thing instead of just enjoying today. We wake up on Monday and wish it was Wednesday. When Wednesday comes, we wish it was Friday. Sunday starts the cycle all over again.
'Just get me through today so I can get to tomorrow.'
When tomorrow comes, we rush through it. Time speeds past us before we even know what to do with it.
Here's an idea. For today, just take it minute-by-minute. It's a perfect summer day outside.
Stop and smell the roses.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning everybody, especially those stuck sleeping in the Philadelphia Airport!

That was some impressive lightning out there last night. The sky was lighting up like it was the middle of the day, that is if the middle of the day lasted about two seconds. It's nice to watch this kind of nature from a distance of the safety of a window.

So, the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute issued a memo yesterday linking the use of cell phones with an increase in brain cancer.
Here is Dr. Ronald B. Herberman's memo in full. Here is a related story.
If this is true, maybe we should rethink the need to be 'in touch' all the time. A day doesn't pass without seeing people walking around, driving, and, yes, even riding a bike, while talking on the phone.
Are these calls really that important. I even saw two people sitting at the same table in a restaurant a few weeks ago and each were talking to different people on cell phones.
Take it a little further and imagine the damage those ear things can do to your brain.
When you see people blow through a stop sign because they are talking on the phone you already know cell phones can make you stupid. Now, they can kill you.
So, what do we do ... Sorry, phone is ringing.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, gentle readers!

So, the heat will break today. While most of us expect heat during the summer and just deal with it as part of living in Pennsylvania during the summer, it will be nice to turn off the air conditioner for a couple of days and open the windows.

Meanwhile, for those who don't think the world is heading down the river without a boat, click on these stories:

A Rhode Island man had a blood-alcohol level of 0.491, the highest ever measured on someone who wasn't dead

Keep the bathing suit on, Part One.Apparently a water slide at Hersheypark can become, well, X-rated

Remember when using the bathroom was just using the bathroom? It appears some people have taken the toilet to the extreme

Keep the bathing suit on, please, Part DeuxYou better look right if you want to attend this nudist resort in France. The government will be checking.

Think our courts are filled with frivolous cases? A Greek court dismissed a case this week from the residents of the island of Lesbos which banned the use of the world 'lesbian.'

They say when the world ends, cockroaches will outlast man.Well, a New Jersey man so hates bugs, he blew up his apartment. No really. He blew it up

When is making a lot of money not enough? Just ask Larry Mendte the next time you stop into Wawa.

Finally, from a birthday party in London:


Well, so there. If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning all you coffee (and non-coffee) drinkers!

I remember long ago on a very hot day, I was driving around with my Dad when we saw a guy walking down the street with a hot cup of coffee. I said he was crazy because it was so hot, why would you drink coffee. It took all these years later to figure it out.

Anyway, I, at least, found it ironic that the same day the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit threw out the FCC's fine against CBS for Janet Jackson's 'wardrobe malfunction,' Larry Mendte was charged with snooping his co-anchor's e-mail.
It turns out Mendte didn't just do it a couple of times, according to the authorities, he went into Alycia Lane's e-mail more than 500 times between January and May.
Now, let's give Mendte the benefit of doubt that he only got on to the e-mails at work and not at home. So, that means he was snooping five days a week for 20 weeks. That breaks down to, and I'm not a math wiz so forgive me if I'm off a bit, that works out to more than five times a day for that time period.
How many new e-mails does Lane get a day? We know from the stories she leads a party life, but wouldn't the party people be texting instead of e-mailing.
There must have been some pretty salacious things on that e-mail that kept Mendte going back again and again.
Did he print them out? Was there more than just bikini photos? Let's not go there.
So, it appears the next step is a guilty plea from Mendte.
In the world of television, that will keep him off the air for, what, six weeks. Remember, Marv Albert was accused of dressing in women's underwear and biting a woman on the shoulder. He was off the air for about two years.
Until then, the offer still stands for Mendte to keep busy by being a Rise and Shine correspondent.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning everybody!

So, ever notice how quick a vacation week fades away.
Spent the last week in Ocean City, N.J., which, by the way, can still be a sleepy town, but is only a stone's throw from becoming overrun like Wildwood.
Anyway, after arriving Saturday, the week ahead looked long and relaxing.
There was no need to head out to the boardwalk or the beach that first day, because, hey, we have a long week ahead.
Same the next day. Take it easy, go on a family walk, watch the boats on the bay.
By Tuesday, the week was still a long way away. 'I know, we'll play miniture golf, but just be patient. There's a long week ahead.'
By Thursday, the week is on the downslide and suddenly you feel like everything has to be packed into the day. Get up early, go for a walk, head to the beach, head to the playground, walk on the boardwalk, play games, play miniture golf, watch movies. There's not enough time in the day!
Friday, the finality of it all steps in. We have to get back to the real world, but let's pack in even more. Spend more time on the beach. Let the children play on the sand and in the surf.
What, leave already? Just 10 more minutes.
Finally, the sun is setting and it would be a good idea to do some pre-packing.
No, let's do more. Get some ice cream. Walk on the beach. See the lights. Watch the boats.
No. No. No. It can't be over. We are having too much fun. We are enjoying everything. We are having fun. Don't let the real world intrude.
HELP!


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning out there!

Interesting thing, since we now have the opportunity to get reader comments on our Web stories you get a feel how small is the world.
This past week, we've gotten comments from Ireland, London and Hawaii. We've also gotten plenty of comments from non-exotic places like Georgia, Indiana and Marcus Hook, but it does speak to the power of the Internet.
Imagine that, Delaware County doesn't exist in some kind of bubble. What happens here catches the fancy around the world.

Anyway, found THIS STORY yesterday. For those who don't have time to read (you know how everybody is so busy now they can't barely leave their desks to hit the bathroom), it's about a new list of eight natural wonders.
There are mountains, streams, lakes and the such in places like Canada and Iceland, just to name a few.
So, it got me thinking, what about the wonders of Delaware County (there's not much nature, but, hey, we need more shops)? There has to be some, like the trash that washes up in the Hook. Or, the MacDade Mall. Or, those Grand Canyon-sized potholes that never get fixed on Baltimore Pike. Or, Duffer's.
On a side note, does those in County power should contact the Guinness Book of Records people. We have to have the greatest number of bars and pizza joints in any concentrated area in the world. Can't wait to hear from Kazakhstan to debate that record.
Then, there's this:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Was flipping around the TV Channels (more than 57 channels, nothing's on and Larry Mendte's still out of work) before gathering everybody for bed when I came across the Marx Brothers' movie 'Horse Feathers.'
The plot, much like in most Marx Brothers movies, doesn't really matter. It was just a chance for everybody to laugh. If you've seen the movie, you know what I mean. If you haven't, run out and get a copy. It might be one of the funniest movies ever.
Anyway, while watching the movie, it became pretty obvious the boys were not interested. Anybody who has boys aged 9 and 6 know right away when something is not touching their fancy.
They, along with the Princess, wanted to watch something animated. Doesn't matter what, if it's animated it must be a children's show, right?
So, they were squirming, finally, one asked, "Daddy, what's wrong with the TV?"
Nothing, why?
"It's broken."
It's not broken, there's a good movie on.
"No, it's broken. There's no color. We can't watch anything without color, it gives me a headache."
Just watch the movie.

Well, the viewing lasted about five more minutes before it became obvious my attempt at getting them to watch something a little different wasn't going to work. So, it was off to bed.
The next day, there was a conversation in the office about movies. We have come to a time where movies are bigger and badder. The computer generation makes anything possible. Sure, there are smaller movies still being made, but they don't make a lot of money. Instead, junk like 'Transformers' or 'Alien vs. Predator' dull our senses.
We have advanced technologically enough that old films look quaint and 'cause headaches.'
I'll have to keep fighting the fight.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

It's amazing the money being thrown out for professional athletes.
The 76ers are just the latest, giving forward Elton Brand 82 million reasons to leave Los Angeles for the East Coast.
Just last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy gave soccer star David Beckham $250 million to leave England for Hollywood.
In 2001, Alex Rodriguez was able to convince the Texas Rangers to give him a 10-year, $252 million deal.
You know, looking from here, it's all funny money. Except for feeding your ego, do you really need $100 million to play a game.
Sure, some players who get big deals stay in shape and help their teams win, but, more often than not it seems, that money goes to waste. Remember in 2002 when Jim Thome became the highest paid Phillie ever, taking a six-year, $85 million contract to jump away from Cleveland.
Sure, he hit some home runs and all, but the Phillies never won with Thome cashing his checks.
Back in the day, for those who remember back in the day, the Phillies actually started all this madness.
Early in 1979, the Phillies went out and gave Pete Rose (only the best hitter baseball has ever seen) a four-year, $3.2 million deal. OK, the first year the team didn't make the playoffs, but Rose stirred the Philies drink over those four years. They won three division titles, went to two World Series (of course, winning in 1980) and were a model other franchises followed.
Then the crazy money started. Philadelphia teams never seemed to be big players in this, which made the fans crazy.
Now, the 76ers are making a splash. Let's hope Elton Brand is the next Pete Rose.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Look, I, like most people (men?), enjoy a new electronic gadget when it comes out.
I transferred all my record albums (yes, there used to be such an animal) to cassette tapes when it became obvious they were the future.
I ran to get a CD player when people still thought it just a fad.
I used to get a new watch every year because, well, because it had cool things. I had one with a stop-watch. One with an alarm. One that played a different song every hour. One that had a television remote control on the face that never really worked.
I stood in line when 'Pac Man' came out for the Atari system. I advanced to an Apple with a floppy drive. Then a PC with a CD and CD burner.
I like to play with Photoshop, Movie maker, music rippers, iTunes. It's fun to recut a movie to my 'director's cut,' although I don't think the original director would like it much.
Now, though, I give up because I can't keep up.
The money thing, sure, is a big thing, but the way technology keeps going, everything you buy is outdated a day later.
There's a new iPhone coming out this week. Last year, when the original iPhone debuted, people rushed out and got one. It's a cool thing, but the new one is cooler. There's word of a better one coming out in December and some of the phones being used in Tokyo put everything else to shame.
So, to rush out and get one this week or next week is just silly. In a few months, you'll feel cheated by the new one.
We need a slow down on the gadget front. I need to catch up.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Hope everybody is recovering from the July 4th Holiday Weekend. Isn't it nice when these holidays fall on a Friday? It's never fun to have July 4 fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Those years, you have a day or two of work, take a day off for a picnic and some revelry, stay up too late to see fireworks, then have to get to work the next moring.
When it's on a Friday, though, you get that little extra buffer. Seems like more of a break.

Speaking of breaks, today is the official start of the 'Running of the Bulls' in Pamplona, Spain. While this annual event offers some good video, maybe it's time to give the bulls a break.
After all, they are just animals running down the street. All those goofballs trying to run away are only making them angrier. Of course, it does appeal to some and they seem to have fun even though nine have already been injured
It was at least made funny in the movie 'City Slickers.'
Anyway, here's the start of last year's festival, after that check out a 'Running' that should be more popular and leave the bulls alone:


The Running of the Nudes:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

So, one of those great studies where people are paid a lot of money to find out something useless, actually came up with an unexpected result.
Apparently, scientists in Texas were studying the watermelon. Well, through their studies they found watermelon contains a compound that has the same effect as Viagra.
That's right. The drug with the annoying commercials and the scary warnings has the same effect as eating watermelon.
CHECK OUT THE WHOLE STORY HERE.
In case you have to rush out to the fruit stand and don't have time to read the whole story, here's what the researcher said: "Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it," said Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center (By the way, wouldn't you like to work at something called the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center). "Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."
You know, those side effects like death.
Anyway, watermelon tastes a whole lot better than oysters.


If you have any cool links, photos or know where to get good watermelons, drop a line to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

While searching around for some good reads, I found this.
The question is: If a giraffe can lead a revolution, what's next?
It's funny because anything involving animals doing something different is funny. Just look at the movies, this summer there's going to be a movie about chimps going to space and another about little dogs taking over the world.
Why do we find animals so funny?
Then again, anything's worth a laugh.
Imagine if the lions and tigers at the zoo got together one night and decided to take over. They would be unstoppable.
How about if the circus elephants wanted to take a walk? Would you stand in the way?
How about if apes took over society? Wait, that already happened:


By the way, while that's great, this is better:
CLICK HERE for another version of the Planet of the Apes.

If you have any cool links, photos or Larry Mendte sightings, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning, Delaware County!

A quick review:
Saw the movie 'Wall-E' at the theater Saturday afternoon.
Now, it's a pretty big deal, because with three little ones, an excursion to the movies is a huge undertaking. It has to be the right movie that will appeal to a 9-year old boy, a 6-year old boy and a 3-year old girl.
Believe it or not, those movies don't come around all the time. Plus, it has to appeal to the parents of the three so the 'it looks like a good video movie' doesn't come across their lips.
Thank God for Pixar. The movie company makes cool looking animated movies that has just enough to run across the age groups. Which, when you are talking about a 3-year old, means she can sit still for a quarter of the movie.
Anyway, 'Wall-E,' for those, you know, not in the know, is about the last robot on a trash-filled earth. Apparently, the humans, having finally trashed the planet, escaped in space have been floating around the final frontier for about 700 years.
Every once in a while, the humans send back probes to see if life has resurfaced on Earth.
Well, 'Wall-E' finds a plant during his trash-compacting duties. He comes in contact with the probe, becomes friends, goes to space, has some adventures, comes back and is saved by his new friend (girlfriend?).
Although there isn't a lot actual dialogue, the beeps and bumps of the robots say a lot and there is no loss in the story.
The most ironic thing about the movie is the subtle (well, banging over the head actually) message of overindulgence.
A company (Walmart, Disney) pushed so many needless products onto consumers they had no place to put all the trash. It took over the streets, oceans, everything.
That the movie was financed by Disney makes it all the more ironic.
You can't walk into any store without being beat over the head with Disney princesses. Believe me, there is no store around that doesn't have something with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and their friends smiling from a cup or dish or toothbrush or toilet paper.
It's a good movie to check out, but think, 'What is going to happen to all that trash?'


If you have seen Larry Mendte walking about town, drop a line to onlinedelco@gmail.com