Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody who forgot their umbrellas and those who carry them all the time!

Maybe it's because my mind always flows in 17 different directions at the same time or maybe its because I don't watch a whole lot of television any more, but I could win a gold medal in a remote control Olympics.
For instance, I give you Monday night.
After throwing a load of laundry in the washer, I sat down expecting to watch the Phillies-Marlins game. When I clicked on the television, the Packers-Vikings football game was on.
So, I checked the Phillies score, then went back to the football game. Well, that lasted about two minutes before I checked the food channel and watched about five minutes of 'Unwrapped.' Then it was back to the Phillies game for two pitches and to the Monday Night Football game for about three plays. OK, let's check to see what else.
Well, about three minutes of 'Alexander' on AMC was about enough before heading back to the Food Network. Then back to the Phillies, then a rip through all the channels, a check on the football score. Five minutes of CSI-Miami and back to the Phillies, where I managed to sit while Brad Lidge finished off the Marlins.
If you are wondering how anybody could follow all this, well, you can't. The biggest reason for all the switching: There are too many darn commercials. Every couple of minutes there seems to be a break with some annoying people talking about Cheerios or wanting our vote for president.
By the way, what is more annoying: Food commercials or election commercials.
I think we should merge them. Have Barack Obama lauding Trix, while John McCain does a spot for Uncle Sam's. Then we can cut down on the commercials and save the batteries in the remote.
Wait, they've already appeared together in a commercial hawking breakfast:


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Rise and Shine

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.


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Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

OK, I'll admit it first: I tape television shows and fast-forward through the commercials.
It's not that I don't appreciate the need for advertising. I know buying things makes our country go around, it's just that commercials are annoying.
It's bad enough the shows on television are mostly stupid, but, adding the commercials, can make the headache last even longer.
Over the years, there have been some inspired ads. Ones that made us laugh.
Yet, after the four millionth time it runs in an hour, even those are annoying.
For instance, there is a commercial running right now for a new car equipped with a rear-review camera. A bunch of nudists crash on a road, are offered a ride, and hilarity ensues. Well, actually, it was funny the first couple of times, but it's just annoying after seeing it all the time.
There are some just annoying from the first viewing.
Cheerios, that old breakfast cereal we ate as a youth because our mothers were conned into thinking it was good for us, is the latest to 're-invent' itself.
There's no doubt you've seen these ads where two annoying people talk about the 'benefits' of eating Cheerios. Mostly, to help lower cholesterol. One has a guy doing housework while his wife eats. They have some kind of bet. In my mind, they both win and should leave us alone.
In fact, get all these annoying people off the air.
Here, though, is the way it's supposed to be done:


Or this one:


Or this one:
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Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Time, obviously, changes everything.
If you knew then what you know now, you might have done things completely different five years ago. You didn't, so you deal with it and try to change things.
Speaking of change:
After taking in the Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute, the boys really started to get into the whole 'Star Wars' thing.
They wanted the figures. They wanted the games and, of course, they wanted to see the movies.
Having enjoyed the films when they first came out, it was fun to go back and experience it again.
Now, I saw the original films in the theater and maybe one other time on video or TV (can't remember which). It didn't become an obsession or religion like for other people.
When the 'new' chapters came out a few years ago, I didn't have any pressing need to see them. We did watch the third 'new movie' a few months ago on television, but found it overly long and a bit disappointing.
Anyway, the boys wanted to watch, so we saw the original (now called 'A new hope') and, last night, finished watching 'The Empire Strikes Back.'
Many may not remember, but the big scene where Darth Vader announces he is Luke's father was so shocking when it happened that it was talked about like a culture-changing event.
So, when the scene was coming up last night, I watched for reaction.
There was none. They already knew the twist. Of course, it didn't stop the enjoyment of the movie. In fact, it just guaranteed this weekend will be spent watching 'Return of the Jedi.'
This would probably have been more shocking:


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RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Having worked most of my life after the sun had set, anytime I wanted to watch a television show, I would tape it.
Then, either later that night or the next day, I would watch the show, fast-fowarding through the commercials.
So, I really didn't pay too much attention to them. I don't need a commercial to figure out what I need to waste my money on anyway.
Having started this morning wake-up in January, I've been able to catch the shows during the normal run. Which means, except for when I have the remote in hand and check around, I am forced to watch the commercials.
Well, maybe there are a couple of humourous ones, but most are just plain annoying. Not only would I not buy their product now, but I feel like tracking down the master film and destroying it.
Morning television is the worst. If it's not a political ad, then there is this one for something called 'Honey Clusters.' It is apparently some kind of cereal. They are trying to show it's good for you. Some snot-nosed teenager with a whiny voice makes me hope Honey Clusters go the way of cheap gas.
Anyway, here are some good ones sent along by a favorite reader:


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RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

So, we have Memphis vs. Kansas for the NCAA Tournament title tonight. Like most, the 9:20 start is just too late for me. Why do major events tend to start later and later all the time? I understand the networks want ratings from California, but, with pre-game and a longer-than-usual halftime, it's probably going to push midnight before the game is over.
Just like the World Series and NBA Playoffs, the games are negating a big part of a possible viewing audience: children.
Sure, most of them would probably watch the new adventures of Spongebob or Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, but they aren't given a chance to see these events.
With all the pressure being put on children at school, they need to get to bed earlier and earlier. With games pushing the midnight mark many of those who would enjoy the games the best are no longer able to watch them.
Add to that the overpriced tickets for a 'regular' game and suddenly it's a lot easier to sit in front of the television or play video games.
Then, we wonder why more children aren't out being active.
Just a thought.
Anway, here's a funny photo sent along by reader Raymond Supper from Tampa, Fla.:


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