Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine --- Mistakes? Yeah, sure

2009-11-20T06:17:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a windy, but warm Friday in November!

Everybody makes mistakes. It's just part of human nature. After all, how boring could life be if we didn't have to react to our mistakes.
The mistake that happened with murder suspect Abdul Azzia Johnson Thursday afternoon, though, is unexcuseable.
Johnson, in custody for the stray-bullet shooting death of a Chester woman, apparently stole an unmarked police car while shackled.
At first, there is plenty of gallows humor to go along with the situation. Offices around the county were filled with questions like, 'Were they stopping off at Dunkin Donuts?,' or 'O.J.'s probably going to look for a Delaware County home when he gets out of prison.'
I mean, after all, it's an unbelievable situation. How can a murder suspect be left alone in a car? How can he jump over the seat, find the keys and take off?
You know, the police in Delaware County do a fantastic job against unbelievable odds. They are shot at daily. They have to put up with the worst drivers in America. They probably hear plenty of not-so-nice words all the time.
I make mistakes daily (some would say hourly), so I'm not trying to throw stones. Still, some people have to held to a higher standard (right or wrong). Police, teachers, doctors and nurses have a duty to do their job right no matter what.
Sometimes, a mistake is unexcuseable.

Rise and Shine --- Sleep is overrated

2009-11-19T06:14:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome back to Thursday!

Let's see how it goes: The alarm goes off in the morning, you hit the snooze button 100 times and then get up.
Studies keep telling us we need more sleep. We should get eight hours a day. We should get plenty of downtime.
Really, though, who can do that? What with outside noise, work, that pesky alarm, there are too many things working against us.
Then again, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Bulworth Trailer

Rise and Shine --- New moon? Isn't that in the sky

2009-11-18T06:15:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to the crispness that is Wednesday morning!

The last couple of days (months?) we've been inundated with photos, interviews and videos about the latest 'Twilight' saga.
Apparently, this one is called 'New Moon' and it has something to do with vampires and werewolves.
At least that's what I can garner from the previews. Looks like a slick made movie, but one I know I'll never see, not that I have an inclination to see it anyway.
Sometimes, there are just those things you don't get. They can put out stories about the stars. They can put out books about the movie. They can put the book that inspired the movie in the front of the bookstore. It doesn't matter.
Of course, it probably doesn't matter to the makers of New Moon anyway. I'm not exactly the age group they are going after. They are making tons of money from teenage girls.
If I want a vampire and werewolf fix, I'm popping 'Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein' in the VCR (yeah, it still works). Maybe I'm the right demographic for that classic.

Rise and Shine --- Bookstore vs. Library

2009-11-17T06:12:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to another Tuesday in a long line of Tuesdays!

While the city of Philadelphia was battling its budget woes, one of the solutions was to close the library.
Recently, the Darby Library was in danger of closing because of lack of funding Now it appears there is a enough to keep it open.
The state budget process (or marathon) included the cutting of funding for libraries.
Sure, these are all short-sited fixes probably pushed by the book industry. After all, not as many people are reading books, buying books or spending time with books.
It's, of course, a shame because there is nothing like a good book. You can escape into the written word even more than movies (although, I watch too many movies and don't read enough books).
While spending time at the mall Sunday, the family spent almost two hours at the book store. They looked at books. They read stories. They enjoyed the atmosphere.
Unlike the trip to the library, though, the books had to stay at the store.
While being all for retail sales, the library is really the place to check out those books. That way it doesn't end up with this conversation:
"See this book here," Brendan said. "They had it at the Borders library."
Maybe it will be worth the trip.

Rise and Shine --- Ready for the rubber room

2009-11-16T06:16:00.004-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a new week!

For many, this time of year is incredibly stressful. The upcoming holidays combined with the start of winter (yeah, it's way too dark at 5 p.m.), can make the head feel like it's going to explode.
The mailman doesn't exactly help things out. Now, I know it's not his fault, but all those holiday catalogs now falling out of the mailbox only serve to rachet up the stress a few more notches. (Remember back in the day when there was one catalog, the Sears Wish Book? We waited all year for one. Now, they come every stinking day.)
Now, I know there are all these stories out there about the economy getting better. Retail stores are counting on it being real. One of the main reasons we get Christmas decorations and music blaring through the malls in September is because stores need this time of year to make their profit (overinflated as corporate honchos might make it).
The catalogs, though, are something else.
There are catalogs for everything from the fishing fan to the xylophone player in the house.
This weekend came one with so much overpriced junk it was mostly laughable. Aside from the remote-control, talking R2-D2, there was a personal ice-making machine. Now, ice is probably the easiest thing in the world to make. Why on earth would you need a personal ice machine.
What, you need to put it on your desk so you can have fresh ice every day? Can't walk to the refrigerator to fill up a cup? Can we get any lazier?
Later in the book, tucked on the bottom of one page was a Lionell train. Now, the holiday season makes those of a certain age (and many older) pine for the setting up of a model train. Their fun to put together and watch go around.
This train came with it's only table and 'outdoor' track scene. The train went around in a figure 8, through mountains and past a miniature train station.
The price on the bottom: $12,400.
That's not a misprint. $12,400.
The catalog quickly went into the trash.

Rise and Shine --- Comedy ... or not?

2009-11-13T06:10:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to the end of a rainy, weird week!

Just in time for the holiday shopping season comes Sarah Palin's new book, 'Going Rogue.'
Apparently, this is some new form of comedy. The former Vice Presidential candidate (Remember, she was running with somebody named John McCain) takes shots at everbody from Katie Couric to McCain's campaign to the public who voted for the other Presidential candidate.
The Associated Press picked up an advance copy of the book, which, according to the story, contains such jems as:
The Palins never wanted all those fancy clothes, news anchor Katie Couric is condescending, biased and "badgering" and she wanted to give a speech at after Obama was declared the election winner.
Now, that might have been good comedy:

Rise and Shine --- Social media

2009-11-12T06:14:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to some more rain!

I'll be the first to admit I was very, very late to jump in to the social media pool. I ignored MySpace and it finally faded away.
I ignored the first Tweets from Twitter (You are going to the store? Who cares.) All those e-mails from Linkedin quickly went into the trash.
On a whim a few months ago, though, I was prodded into trying Facebook.
Hey, it's always interesting to see where old friends ended up as life continued.
Now, I feel practically worldly.
I realize I know people from such far off lands as California, Boston, Wisconsin, Las Vegas and Bridgeport. My best friend even filed some things from Iraq.
I was able to 'talk' to people I haven't seen or thought of in over 20 years.
I was able to search and find old grade school friends, college friends, work friends. You know as you go from day to day you sometimes forget they are all out there.
It somehow makes the world smaller and gives a sense of community. Sure, there are those 'I'm going to the store' posts, but most are just a few words to let everybody know you are doing OK.
After playing around with a personal page for awhile, I started a Daily Times Facebook page. Thanks to all those out there who have joined. (If you haven't joined yet, why not? CLICK HERE to become a fan) We are now approaching 1,000 people who like to keep updated throughtout the day with the happenings here.
Where the future for all of us will lead is anybody's guess, but now I know there are people out there who are interested.

Rise and Shine --- Taking a Hike

2009-11-11T06:14:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a rainy Wednesday!

So, this past weekend it was pretty nice. Nice enough, in fact, that getting outside was not only something nice to do, but it felt like a mandate.
When it hits 70 degrees in November, you just have to do something, anything, to enjoy the air.
The easy way is to head to a playground and let the little ones run around until they tire out. The problem with that is two fold: First, they never tire out and second it doesn't give much for the parent's to do.
Sure, you can play a little bit. Maybe push the swing (for about five hours), but we need something more as well.
So, it seemed like the perfect day to walk through the woods. A quick drive down the Blue Route found Fairmount Park and Forbidden Drive.
Anybody who hasn't been there, right across the street from Chestnut Hill College, really needs to make the trip.
So, after a picnic lunch, it was time to hit the trail.
Now, when you take three children (ages 4, 7 and 10) on a hike, it could go either way. They could enjoy the thing or make it so much more difficult.
Luckily, this day, they were fascinated by the trees and the chance to do something different.
The air. The leaves. The small mountain trail. All of it made for a nice afternoon. Of course, there were some moments (aren't there always).
We made it up, we made it down. Now we are rooting for some more warm days just to try it again.

Rise and Shine --- Cookies

2009-11-10T06:15:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome back to the Internet!

Is there really anything better than fresh-baked cookies?
There's just something about the smell, the anticipation, the warmth.
You could feel really sick, then, bam, the smell of cookies baking in the oven makes the head feel better.
You could be really tired, but find the strength to stay up to get those fresh ones out of the oven.
Luckily, our house is blessed with one of the great cookie bakers of all time.
Just yesterday, we were treated to some chocolate-peanut butter cookies in the afternoon. Then, after having to keep an appointement Monday night, I was greeted with a fresh batch of chocolate chip-oatmeal-peanut butter-raison cookies.
Couldn't have been better. Maybe we should forget this health-care debate and just make cookies.
It's just what the doctor ordered.
Which of course, brings to mind a classic:

Rise and Shine --- Strange days

2009-11-09T06:12:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome back to a new week!

While going through the Internet this morning, I found this headline on a Web site: House Health Bill is 'DOA' in Senate
While driving around this weekend, there were signs plastered on a couple of lawns 'demanding' health care reform to fail.
There are talking heads out there twisting the information to the point where it seems like any kind of reform is a bad thing.
Why?
Why is it wrong to find a better solution? Why is it wrong to make sure everybody can afford health care? Why do too many people think only of themselves instead of people as a whole?
Of course, none of those questions can be answered. If you ask one side, they shout you down. If you ask the other side, they have no answers.
Look, anybody who thinks health care bills are OK needs to see the whole picture. If a family needs to pay $520 a month on health care there is some kind of problem.
For many, the opinion is: 'Well, that's your choice.'
Really, though, it's not. Health care companies are running this debate. If you don't see that you are wearing blinders. The companies want to continue to make money on the backs of people. They lay off workers and up their prices. They make the co-pays higher and up their prices.
Something has to give somewhere.
We need to contact our Senators and tell them we are fed up. We need quality health care at an affordable price.
There can't be any wavering.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Rise and Shine --- You're no fun

2009-11-06T06:18:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a chilly Friday!

While talking about the World Series last week to a 7-year old boy, it morphed into the following conversation:
'Dad, when you were a kid did you watch Star Wars?'
Well, I saw the movies when they came out. I thought they were pretty good.
'No. Dad. Did you watch the 'Clone Wars?'
They didn't have the 'Clone Wars' when I was a child. It was just the movies.
'Didn't your parents let you watch Cartoon Network when you were a kid?'
I'm sure they would have let me watch, but we didn't have Cartoon Network.
'What, you didn't have a TV like ours?'
I guess the TVs were the same, but there was no such thing as Cartoon Network. We didn't have cable.
'Granpop didn't buy it.'
Well, not exactly. There really wasn't cable TV. We had about six channels to watch and there weren't cartoons on all day.
'Hmmm. How about Nick?'
No, we had 3, 6, 10, 12, 17 and 29. I think there was another mixed in, but they came and went. Mostly there were some cartoons on Saturday mornings. If there was no school, we watched Channel 12. Things like Seseme Street and Romper Room.
'Sounds kind of boring.'
Well, maybe it was, but we also played outside or played games or just ran around.
'You mean like this. AHHHHHHH!!!' (Jumping off the couch).
Sure, that's fun too. Just don't break anything.
'Can I watch TV?'
No. Figure out something else. Just don't jump out of a tree.
'You're no fun.'
Not as much fun as this:

Rise and Shine --- Oh well

2009-11-05T06:13:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and here we are back writing!

Oh well, did anybody really believe the Phillies were going to win the World Series again this year. They had too many pitching problems and couldn't get those key hits in big situations.
The Yankees are a better team right now. The Phillies are right there, but don't have that extra push like last year. By the way, winning one World Series means anything else for the next five years is just gravy. Enjoy the ride, now move on.
Speaking of moving on, less than a week after Halloween, it's already Christmas season.
Yeah, I know, for may shops and stuff, Christmas season started last February. At least it's November and seeing the lights does add a warm feeling. It might seem a little early (and I'm still holding out for a few more warm days), but time does move quicker now.
Or something like that.

Rise and Shine --- Welcome back

2009-10-30T06:25:00.002-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Mischief Day!

It used to be Mischief Night and, as a youngster, I would sit on the porch to make sure nobody tossed any toilet paper. Of course, it never happened, but there were stories...
Meanwhile, today's the day Mom returns home from Iraq. We'll gather into the car, drive to the airport and welcome her back. It's about time.
The trip to Iraq seemed like a good idea when it first came up, seemed like a bad idea when the bill came in, seemed like a good idea when everything was packed, seemed like a bad idea when the plane was delayed, seemed like a good idea when the plane landed safely, seemed like a bad idea when the luggage was lost (thanks United), seemed like a good idea when things could be replaced, seemed like a bad idea when there was a delay (and car bomb) in Baghdad, and so on and so on.
Now it's over and we can all reconnect. We survived a couple of weeks and really are lucky it was only a couple of weeks.
I can't imagine the amount of angst a family has to go through when a trip to Iraq lasts a year or more.
Hopefully it will make us all a bit more tolerant.

Rise and Shine --- Costume War

2009-10-29T06:28:00.002-04:00

Good Morning as we get ready to party!

This should be a pretty exciting weekend. Mom returns home after her 'adventure,' the Phillies are playing in the World Series and it's Halloween.
Which, of course, means a busy couple of days. Unlike work, though, these busy days are fun. There's (hopefully) a lot of laughing and a lot of good times.
First, though, we have to get there.
While the homecoming and the Phillies are set, it's the other one that's causing some consternation.
Last year, the boys wanted to be Star Wars characters on Halloween. So, having not purchased a costume in years, we gave them the option to get one. They, of course, jumped at the chance.
So, we have a couple of Clone Troopers running around the neighborhood. (OK, thanks to the George Lucas merchandising magic, there were more than a few).
Now, those costumes apparently are out of fashion. This year, the Star Wars machine added a few different colors to the 'uniform.' So, naturally, that means it's time to buy a new costume.
Uh, not quite. At 30 bucks, a costume for one night doesn't seem to be the best idea.
So, the battle has been ranging.
'But I don't have Commander Fox. I need a Commander Fox suit!'
Who? Why don't you just be a Hobo (I know, politically incorect, but it's better than bum).
'I need to be Commander Fox.'
How about if I get a magic marker and fix last year's costume.
'NOOOOOO! Then I will only have one. I need two.'
You need .... nevermind. How about this cool Superman suit we have from a couple of years ago.
'I'm not being Superman. I'm not being Batman. I'm not being a hobo. I want to be Commander Fox!!!!'
How about a ketchup bottle?
'You don't understand anything! I'll ask Grandmom!'
So, if you see an outdated Star Wars costume this Halloween, don't laugh.

Rise and Shine --- Jumping ahead

2009-10-28T05:47:00.004-04:00

Good Morning and welcome back to the World Series!

The only bad thing about the Phillies being in the World Series, starting tonight in New York, is we have to sit and listen to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver call the game. A lot of people think Buck is a decent play-by-play announcer. I find him grating and his voice annoying. Maybe Fox should try one of those no-announcer games NBC tried in the 1980s. Then again, it might cut into the Advil bottom line.
As we get ready for the World Series (and our smaller world gets close to getting back to normal), it's time to look around.
Now, it's understood that retail stores are going to push their Christmas items starting Labor Day these days. One store I saw completely ended all Halloween item sales before Oct. 1 and replaced it with Christmas trees and lights.
Still, it is pretty annoying.
Case in point, Tuesday night.
After settling down to catch the annual rite of October, 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,' it quickly became evident this was going to be about anything but Halloween.
From the first 'My Little Pony' commercial to the plug for some new ABC Christmas show, we were inundated with gift-giving, snow and Santa Claus.
Living with a 4-year old, 7-year old and 10-year old (and, believe it or not, being a child once myself), I understand the allure of Christmas. Heck, I get fired up about it as much as anybody.
October, though, is stretching the 'season' a bit too far. Look, children start Christmas wish lists in January, so they don't need to innundated with toy-after-toy, commercial-after-commercial.
All that does is lead to confusion.
'Dad, I need a Transformers race track!'
Why? You didn't need it a week ago. Last week you needed a star wars lightsaber.
'But it looks cool! I NEED it! I also need the lightsaber!'
Ask Grandmom.
Let's enjoy Halloween first:

Rise and Shine --- Earlier and later

2009-10-27T06:29:00.002-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to the day before the night before the World Series!

Isn't it amazing that we are now taking the World Series for granted. It's only been two years, people. Remember all those years of Rico Brogna, Wally Ritchie and Wayne Gomes.
It's still amazing to think the Phillies are back in the World Series. Despite those who know nothing else, this doesn't happen every year.
Meanwhile, the World Series means here an earlier wakeup call after a later night. Thankfully, the Eagles played a bad team Monday night, so there was no reason to watch the game. The World Series, though, won't be over until after midnight starting Wednesday.
It's a quick turnaround, but it beats the alternative.
Meanwhile, with the road home becoming clearer, there's a bit of relief in the house. Get home quickly and safely.
Now, back to putting together a Phillies special section:

Rise and Shine --- Miracle of technology

2009-10-26T05:33:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to a whole new week!

A couple of weeks ago, as Kathleen was preparing for her trip to Iraq, we went out and upgraded to an iPhone.
The thinking was a 'smart' phone, as they are called, would be easier to carry around than a phone and a camera. Plus, with the Internet at a touch of a finger, she wouldn't have to carry a laptop on helicopters.
So, we got the iPhone (scaring the salesperson after telling him we were taking it to Iraq). Got it set up with an international roaming plan (cell phone companies get you where ever and whenever they can).
So, she has the iPhone in Iraq. She was able to use the camera part, but never the phone. Apparently, there are some in the Middle East who still hate Americans. They can track cell phone usage. So, Americans are told not to use the cell phone to make calls ever.
After finding that out (in an e-mail), I was resigned to two weeks of e-mail back-and-forth.
That's when I was able to discover how to 'chat' online using gmail. It's like using the phone only typing and both of you can 'talk' at the same time. And, yes, those of you out there who can't believe it, you can connect with anybody all over the world.
So, I'm beginning to think you might not need a phone at all.
Of course, this is a little ridiculous:

Rise and Shine --- One down

2009-10-23T05:58:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and, yes, we've made it through the week!

While we wait a week for the return flight from Iraq, I was trying to explain to a 7-year old about the Phillies.
You see, after watching bad baseball after worse baseball year after year, these young whipper-snappers don't know anything about the Phillies.
For three years straight the team has been in the playoffs. the two previous years they were right there at end.
No longer does the season end in June. No longer do you have to see the likes of Midre Cummings trying to catch fly balls in center. You don't have to convince yourself that Von Hayes is actually going to be an MVP candidate. You don't have to worry about whether Ken Howell will be able to come back from his latest injury to anchor the starting rotation.
Instead of seeing Wally Ritchie running out of the bullpen in the eighth-inning, you get to see Ryan Madson. Forget Brad Lidge, if you wanted excitement in the ninth inning there was nobody better than Jose Mesa.
No, these fans get to grow up watching Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels (voted as the top player at each position in our highly scientific Daily Times daily poll).
There is not suffering. There is no shaking your head. There is no hoping the players would go on strike just so you didn't have to watch Gregg Jefferies not run out a pop fly. You haven't seen comedy on the diamond unless you could catch Steve Jeltz, well, not catch.
Back in the day, when the Phillies needed a pitcher, they took the bull by the horns and got Joe Cowley. That big offseason free agent was Phil Bradley and we liked it.
So, to all the 7-year olds and to all those who so soon forget ... Ah, never mind, just enjoy the ride.

Rise and Shine --- Flying

2009-10-22T05:56:00.002-04:00

Good Morning and I know of at least three young Phillies fans that couldn't stay up last night!

At about 10 p.m., when it looked like we were headed for a 1 a.m. finish, it was time to shuffle everybody off to bed. When the Phillies were jumping around on the field around midnight, I thought they should get a chance to witness the spectacle.
The amazing thing about children, though, is once they are asleep they are asleep. Try to wake them is like trying to wake a tree trunk. At least in this corner of the world.
Over in another corner of the world, the Phillies were also the topic of conversation. You'll be able to read about that a little later.
It's amazing how united everybody can be. Here we are in Delaware County watching the Phillies late at night, while in Iraq they are taking in the game during the early-morning hours.
I tried to convince a 10-year old that calling Mom and asking her about the game, since it was already Tuesday over there, he would able to get the final result.
He bought it for about a minute, then realized it's just a time difference. You know, the little things you do to keep entertained.
Meanwhile, this photo came across the e-mail last night. Looks like fun:

Rise and Shine --- Normal?

2009-10-21T05:39:00.004-04:00

Good Morning and now that safety isn't as big an issue, it's time to get back to the mundane!

By the way, I was wondering, if the Phillies play the Yankees in the World Series (certainly looks that way) is it more of a 'legitimate' finals than playing the Tampa Bay Rays last year?
It's sort of like asking Steelers fans if their latest Super Bowl title was tainted because they played the Arizona Cardinals.
Sure, you'd like your favorite teams to play the history-laden Yankees, but a title is a title is a title. Now that we are heading to a second Series in the row (it's still pretty amazing), do we need the Yankees to be there as some sort of statement?
I guess that would only make a difference if the Phillies win again. If they go out and lose to the Yankees, maybe they are diminished a little bit.
Then again, that parade was pretty amazing last year.
Meanwhile, as the NLCS (Phillies clinching party?) took the night off, there wasn't too much to follow on television last night.
Sure, you could watch that Yankees-Angels series, and I'm sure there was some good baseball played, but a lull was needed.
Then again, it gets ramped up tonight.
I hear through the grapevine those troops in Iraq will be watching the Phillies tonight as well. I look forward to the story.
Then comes my age old question: Do I let the children stay up to watch the game?
There is school tomorrow. There is work tomorrow. The game won't be over until close to midnight (7 a.m. in Basrah).
Still, after all those years of suffering through bad after bad when it came to the Phillies, I feel like I need to let them watch a possible clincher.
There's still the feeling this won't go on forever.
Meanwhile, a shoutout to Iraq:

Rise and Shine --- Another late night

2009-10-20T05:41:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to another Tuesday in a long line of Tuesdays!

Hey, at least if you are going to stay up until midnight to watch the Phillies, the least they could do is win. Thanks, Jimmy Rollins, for making that 3 a.m. wake up call that much easier to take.
Here we are, into the fifth day of Kathleen in Iraq. She's going to do awesome stories and send over a bunch of photos. I know that, but really don't care.
Right now, she's en route from Baghdad to Basrah. She said she's got great pictures from Baghdad (those not confiscated by Iraqi guards). Once she hooks up with the unit, all that stuff will be available to our readers.
Until then, well, it's a battle. She said she hasn't slept in 25 hours and can't use the phone for fear of kidnapping.
So, in reality, maybe Iraq isn't the safest place in the world right now. Maybe the safe bet is the best bet. Then again, you can't live with 'what if.'
So, as my brain melts while trying to take care of three high-maintenance (Which ones aren't?) children, at least I know there is an end to the game.
It's kind of funny how you miss things when they are gone. You miss a joke. You miss a laugh. You miss the help.
Come back safe.

Rise and Shine --- The waiting

2009-10-19T05:24:00.002-04:00

Good Morning and there was frost on the window this morning! So much for October...

Now that we are more than five years into the war in Iraq, some of the stories seem to get pushed to the backburner.
For the first few years, we were able to read and see everything that was happening in Iraq. We had stories about the soldiers, about their missions, about their living conditions.
Then, it kind of faded away. Sure, there was 'The Surge' and now there is the 'The Pullout,' but they are just words and you don't get a chance to see the real people behind those words.
Late last week, Kathleen Carey went to Iraq to tell those stories, you can follow her trip HERE.
Before leaving, she got in touch with some local military families and how they cope with a loved one overseas. You can read it here.
Now, we know Kathleen will be back in a few weeks, not the year or more of most families. So, at least we can see an end game.
That doesn't make this past weekend any easier, though.
We had no contact (e-mail or phone) since early Saturday morning. She was supposed to fly to Kuwait, then get shuttled to Baghdad for military processing.
Her luggage never made it to Iraq (thanks, United, you run a great airline there). The last we heard, she was waiting the airport waiting for the bags to arrive.
This morning, I found out she made it to Baghdad (after a 13 hour trip) and is getting the necessary clearances to be embeded with her unit (the 1-150th).
The last e-mail had something about a photo, a confiscated passport and an Iraqi guard.
Now we wait some more.

Rise and Shine --- Still in the air?

2009-10-16T06:01:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and I'm letting you know waking three children up at 4 a.m. was suprisingly easy!

Kathleen always has had an adventurous spirit. In high school, she wanted to go to New York University. Despite the pleas of her mother (your going to get killed; New York is evil), she made it to NYU. Interned at New York Newsday (covering, among other things, gang violence in the Bronx). She finished college in three years, graduating with honors.
Eight years ago, she wanted to take a trip to Europe, with a two-year old in tow. That's just insane, people said, you can't take a 2-year old to Paris, Belgium and London. Of course, the trip went off without a hitch (OK, one hitch involving a brand-new Mercedes and a parking garage, but who's splitting hairs).
Earlier this year, Kathleen read Anderson Cooper's 'Dispatches from the Edge,' a book about covering war and the world.
She found her next mission. She wanted to go to Iraq to tell the story of those still stationed there and what their life is like. It took awhile to get everything together, with plenty of hurdles along the way. There was getting military approval. There was getting body armor. There was getting airline tickets. There was convincing the powers-that-be it would give us unbelievable coverage.
It all came together (the starts lined up all along the way) and she left for Kuwait (the drop off point for those going to Iraq) last night.
Of course, it couldn't go off without a hitch. She started missing the family before even leaving, then again while going through the security at Philadelphia International Airport.
When the flight to Washington was delayed over an hour, it appeared the connection to the plane to Kuwait was going to be missed. It wasn't and she's still in the air.
It's not scheduled to land in Kuwait until around 11 this morning (our time).
I'm sure she'll have some good stories about packing, waiting, flying. You can follow them all right here and at www.delcotimes.com.
It should be fascinating. It should be fun. She'll do a great job.
All the while, though, there are four people who hope this is the fastest two weeks in the history of time.

Rise and Shine --- Blanket policy

2009-10-15T06:11:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to the start of a very, very long two weeks!

There was a big story over the last couple of days about a Delaware first-grader who was suspended after bringing a pocket knife to school.
Originally, he received a 45-day suspension and was going to have to go to a reform school (is that what they're still called?) during that time.
Well, of course, the parents raised a stink. Got their story covered by the media and it all forced the school board to rescind the suspension.
The Daily Times editorial board (?) checked in with an opinion.
There was talk all over the radio and TV yesterday about the case. Most were saying it was time to end zero-tolerance policies and decide these things on a case-by-case business.
Well, that's fine and dandy, if we were still living in the 1960s.
The bottom line is children have no reason to bring a knife (be it a Cub Scout pocket knife or a butter knife) to school. They have no need to take a gun to school. They have no need to take any weapon to school.
Bottom line, if parents made sure what their children have in the backpack, none of this would matter.
Now, believe me, I know how crazy a school morning can get. Our house is a frenzy of running, yelling, jumping, packing, fighting and playing. That's all in the first five minutes of waking everybody up.
Still, there is time right before we head out to the car where we make sure nobody is taking something to school they shouldn't.
Last year, Brendan wanted to take a fake pirate pistol to school to show his friends. It was purchased at a pirate festival in Maryland. It's flat, made of foam and makes a funny sound.
There was no way he was getting that in the bag, although he eventually tried to hide it in his shirt.
There have been incidents of Star Wars figures trying to be snuck through. There was even a matchbox car shooter (it makes them go really fast around those plastic tracks). Nothing gets in there except books, homework and a lunchbox.
Would I be upset if something did slip past and the school suspended one of them.
Sure, but I hope I would understand.
It's like the old argument about guns not killing people. Then again, if nobody had guns, nobody would be shot.

Rise and Shine --- Traveling

2009-10-14T06:04:00.002-04:00

Good Morning and, yes, I broke down and put the heat on last night!

Sometimes we travel. Sometimes, we even travel far enough it takes an airplane to get there.
Even though most airlines have done away with movies on flights (at least free ones), I was thinking what would be the best movies to watch if heading on a long trip.
Here are some hopes:
1. Old School. Yeah, I know, it wouldn't fly with everybody (pun intended), but it will certainly make those hours sitting in the tiny seats a bit more comfortable.
2. Bourne Identity. Especially if you are heading overseas with an iPhone in hand and a mysterious look.
3. Joe vs. The Volcano. Nothing like a feel-good Tom Hanks movie to get you fired up about your trip.
4. The Terminal. Never mind, airlines don't have a sense of humor. Neither do passengers after about four hours or so.
5. Lord of the Rings. Not just one, but the whole trilogy. You will be able to fall asleep during the middle run. If not, it will certainly kill a lot of time.
6. Mr. Bean's Holiday. You're stuck next to somebody snoring badly who keeps passing gas. At least you can escape with somebody who had a worse time.
7. Some Like it Hot. Palm trees. Marilyn Monroe. Jack Lemmon at his best. Nothing would make the trip go smoother. Then again, 'Well, nobody's perfect.'
8. Cars. Yeah, you're in a big airplane. The air is sour. The food stinks. The bathrooms are too small. Nothing like a movie about talking cars to get you through the night.
9. 2001: A Space Odyssey. Now, if your really tired or really inot outer space, this is the perfect movie. Long, slow, boring, but great visuals. Just get a pillow with your headphones.
10. The U.S. vs. John Lennon. OK, there would never be a documentary on an airplane. Besides, Lennon preaching about peace among all people would undoubtedly tick some people off. You don't need that on a plane.
By the way, if this movie comes on, ask for an eye mask and ear plugs, because you are stuck in a time warp: