There is simply no comparison when it comes to the Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards as far as watching in on TV. Last night Emmy Awards was a fast-moving show where speeches were not only short and light but void of political statements and actors self-importance. Jimmy Fallon was tremendous as the host as he kept things moving at a nice quick pace…the show ended on time unlike the Oscars which go on forever.
I was happy for the success of “Modern Family” which is an incredibly funny show with a great cast.
A big weekend for Toms River’s Frank Edgar as he defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over former champ BJ Penn in Boston Saturday night. The former Toms River East wrestler and current Rutgers assistant coach beat Penn for the title in a stunning upset in April and backed it up with a convincing victory in his first title defense.
What a start to Dana Costello’s soccer career at Monmouth University. The freshman from Jackson Memorial scored both goals as the Hawks beat NJIT 2-1 in their season opener Friday and then yesterday Costello scored the game’s only goal as Monmouth stunned 17th ranked Rutgers 1-0 in Piscataway. It’s just the second time in 17 meetings that the Hawks have beaten the Scarlet Knights.
Enjoyed a terrific dinner with friends Saturday night at Spicy Restaurant on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights and it even came with a bonus, if you want to call it that. Turns out the cast from the MTV Show “Jersey Shore” has discovered the roof-top restaurant this summer and regularly dines there, where you must try their table side guacamole (it’s delicious). It was almost comical watching people take pictures with their cell phones of “The Situation”, “Pauly D” and the other cast members who were simply eating and talking. “Snooki” was not around…, maybe she was with Governor Chris Christie, who reportedly was having dinner at Hemmingway’s in Seaside Heights at the same time. I know he wasn’t dinning with Bret Shundler.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
It looks like we’ll have great weather for what too many really is the final weekend of summer. Yes I know Labor Day is still more than a week away and of course September might be the nicest month of the year but for many people once the school mode begins than summer is really over. If you drive by schools and fields you see that kids are busy getting ready for the fall sports season, cheerleading, band practice and more. So if this is really your last free weekend then enjoy it…I know I’ll be on the 2nd Avenue Beach in Seaside Park working overtime.
It wasn’t supposed to happen like this but a team made up mostly of players from New Brunswick won the inaugural Baker League Summer Adult Basketball Championship. MAGNACARE led from start to finish and beat
WALLACH’S FARM MARKET in the title game at Toms River Intermediate East. The Wallach’s entry was comprised mainly of ex-Lacey High School players.
On hand at last night’s game were the Toms River National All-Stars, who of course are just back from Williamsport, Pennsylvania and trying to enjoy what’s left of their brief summer vacation. Theresa Tiplady, whose son Michael was a key member of the squad told me the first full day back at home meant loads of laundry. She was good enough to write a daily blog for wobm.com during the Little League World Series and said the entire experience was a positive one. I talked briefly with manager Paul Deceglie who said returning to work meant indeed it was all over as from August 4th until this week he was with the boys 24/7 in Bristol, Connecticut and then Williamsport. For the players school will start on Wednesday so I’m sure they are looking forward to a few days at the beach and just doing what kids like to do.
Final thought for the day and week…..being a Mets fan truly is a form of torture.
It wasn’t supposed to happen like this but a team made up mostly of players from New Brunswick won the inaugural Baker League Summer Adult Basketball Championship. MAGNACARE led from start to finish and beat
WALLACH’S FARM MARKET in the title game at Toms River Intermediate East. The Wallach’s entry was comprised mainly of ex-Lacey High School players.
On hand at last night’s game were the Toms River National All-Stars, who of course are just back from Williamsport, Pennsylvania and trying to enjoy what’s left of their brief summer vacation. Theresa Tiplady, whose son Michael was a key member of the squad told me the first full day back at home meant loads of laundry. She was good enough to write a daily blog for wobm.com during the Little League World Series and said the entire experience was a positive one. I talked briefly with manager Paul Deceglie who said returning to work meant indeed it was all over as from August 4th until this week he was with the boys 24/7 in Bristol, Connecticut and then Williamsport. For the players school will start on Wednesday so I’m sure they are looking forward to a few days at the beach and just doing what kids like to do.
Final thought for the day and week…..being a Mets fan truly is a form of torture.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Grumpy Kevin Returns
So I’ve been a little bit sappy this week with segments about my daughter going off the college and my wife and I being home alone. Today I’m back to my grumpy old self. I can’t accept the following:
• Drivers who refuse to use their turn signals.
• Employees of drive-thru food and beverage places who seem bothered when you ask for napkins which they did not put in
the bag.
• People who think that the cast of “Jersey Shore” are pretty much
like most of the residents of the Jersey Shore.
• Jerry Manuel saying after another Mets loss that the team is still
in the playoff picture.
• The fact that Little League Baseball uses any form of TV replay
to overturn calls during their World Series. At that level it’s
simply absurd, especially when you consider there are six umpires
on a small field.
• The blatant disregard for Yield signs which to many drivers seem to be a reason to speed up so they don’t have to stop.
* The move “2012” which I saw for the first time the other day. Has
to be one of the worst and most unrealistic movies I have ever
watched.
• People who keep changing their profile pictures on Facebook.
Actually I just don’t know how to do it.
• The pain I’ve been experiencing in my left knee which I’m afraid
might be a real problem.
• People who are miserable all the time.
• People who are happy and smiling all the time.
• Those who feel sorry for the Toms River National Little Leaguers
because most of their summer was playing baseball. Those kids will never forget what they were part of.
• And I really can’t accept this is the final summer weekend before
Labor Day. That’s simply not fair.
• Drivers who refuse to use their turn signals.
• Employees of drive-thru food and beverage places who seem bothered when you ask for napkins which they did not put in
the bag.
• People who think that the cast of “Jersey Shore” are pretty much
like most of the residents of the Jersey Shore.
• Jerry Manuel saying after another Mets loss that the team is still
in the playoff picture.
• The fact that Little League Baseball uses any form of TV replay
to overturn calls during their World Series. At that level it’s
simply absurd, especially when you consider there are six umpires
on a small field.
• The blatant disregard for Yield signs which to many drivers seem to be a reason to speed up so they don’t have to stop.
* The move “2012” which I saw for the first time the other day. Has
to be one of the worst and most unrealistic movies I have ever
watched.
• People who keep changing their profile pictures on Facebook.
Actually I just don’t know how to do it.
• The pain I’ve been experiencing in my left knee which I’m afraid
might be a real problem.
• People who are miserable all the time.
• People who are happy and smiling all the time.
• Those who feel sorry for the Toms River National Little Leaguers
because most of their summer was playing baseball. Those kids will never forget what they were part of.
• And I really can’t accept this is the final summer weekend before
Labor Day. That’s simply not fair.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
"It's Really Quiet"
“It’s really quiet.”
That was my answer when my brother asked me last night what it was like not having any children at home. As I talked about earlier this week the younger of our two children has begun her freshman year at Penn State University and it’s now just my wife and me. Our son, who turns 25 tomorrow, has been gone for two years as he lives in Hoboken and works in New York. Sure he comes home for a weekend visit once in a while but for the most part the noise in our house the last two years belonged to my daughter Alex. She was like a buzz saw, coming and going at a pace that bordered on insanity at times. We kept talking about how nice it would be when she went off to college as things would slow down. Well she’s been gone for less than a week and I have to tell you the quiet is deafening. Doors don’t slam shut, there’s no music blasting from upstairs, the phone doesn’t ring as often and there’s a lot less laundry. We don’t get into heated discussions of where she’s going, what time she’s coming home, who is driving. My wife doesn’t have to remind her to take her vitamin or that she should eat something. Now Common sense would tell you that this is a good thing and we should be happy and part of us feels that way.
However I have to be honest…I miss the noise. It’s not so much the noise but knowing that it would mean she was around. I won’t tell you I miss the stress that comes with an 18-year old daughter but like everything else you have to take the bad with the good and stress was the bad. I miss her voice, her laughter, her smile…even her screaming. I miss her needing me for something because that’s what being a parent is often about.
Actually what I miss most is when she would leave the house and give me a kiss on the cheek and say “love you.” I hope she misses me too…at least a little bit.
That was my answer when my brother asked me last night what it was like not having any children at home. As I talked about earlier this week the younger of our two children has begun her freshman year at Penn State University and it’s now just my wife and me. Our son, who turns 25 tomorrow, has been gone for two years as he lives in Hoboken and works in New York. Sure he comes home for a weekend visit once in a while but for the most part the noise in our house the last two years belonged to my daughter Alex. She was like a buzz saw, coming and going at a pace that bordered on insanity at times. We kept talking about how nice it would be when she went off to college as things would slow down. Well she’s been gone for less than a week and I have to tell you the quiet is deafening. Doors don’t slam shut, there’s no music blasting from upstairs, the phone doesn’t ring as often and there’s a lot less laundry. We don’t get into heated discussions of where she’s going, what time she’s coming home, who is driving. My wife doesn’t have to remind her to take her vitamin or that she should eat something. Now Common sense would tell you that this is a good thing and we should be happy and part of us feels that way.
However I have to be honest…I miss the noise. It’s not so much the noise but knowing that it would mean she was around. I won’t tell you I miss the stress that comes with an 18-year old daughter but like everything else you have to take the bad with the good and stress was the bad. I miss her voice, her laughter, her smile…even her screaming. I miss her needing me for something because that’s what being a parent is often about.
Actually what I miss most is when she would leave the house and give me a kiss on the cheek and say “love you.” I hope she misses me too…at least a little bit.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Play Ball One More Time
The Toms River National All-Stars will play one more game in what’s been an unforgettable summer for the 13 players and 3 coaches, not to mention the families of all involved. At noon today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania the Mid-Atlantic champions will take on the Arabian American Little League in a consolation game that will be televised on ESPN2. The “bash boys” from Mapletree Road figure to get their mojo back today against a Saudi Arabian team that lost its two games by a combined score of 31-0. After today’s game the Toms River group will spend the rest of the day in Williamsport and then is scheduled to leave tomorrow and return home…something the players are probably looking forward to. They have not slept in their own beds since early August and they won’t have much time left before school begins next week. However they have memories to last a lifetime and gave us all something to root for over the last few weeks.
It started with a group of guys playing pick-up games at a local gym and it’s grown into a full fledged summer adult basketball league. The Baker League playoffs begin tonight with the championship game set for Thursday
at Toms River Intermediate School East. Thursday’s championship game will start at 7pm and admission will be $10 with all proceeds being donated to Ocean of Love For Children with Cancer and to the Toms River National Little League team.
Lifeguards in Bay Head will unveil a bronze plaque in memory of the late Don Fioretti this Saturday at 9:30am at Beach Patrol headquarters on Bridge Avenue. Fioretti was the Beach Supervisor in Bay Head for 37 years from 1972 until his death last July. He was also a teacher, coach and Athletic Director at Point Pleasant Beach High School.
The Lakewood BlueClaws are now selling individual game playoff tickets as they seek to defend their South Atlantic League championship. The first-half Northern Division champions will host their first playoff game on Friday, September 10th. Playoff tickets are available by calling (732) 701-9000, online at blueclaws.com or at the FirstEnergy Park box office.
It started with a group of guys playing pick-up games at a local gym and it’s grown into a full fledged summer adult basketball league. The Baker League playoffs begin tonight with the championship game set for Thursday
at Toms River Intermediate School East. Thursday’s championship game will start at 7pm and admission will be $10 with all proceeds being donated to Ocean of Love For Children with Cancer and to the Toms River National Little League team.
Lifeguards in Bay Head will unveil a bronze plaque in memory of the late Don Fioretti this Saturday at 9:30am at Beach Patrol headquarters on Bridge Avenue. Fioretti was the Beach Supervisor in Bay Head for 37 years from 1972 until his death last July. He was also a teacher, coach and Athletic Director at Point Pleasant Beach High School.
The Lakewood BlueClaws are now selling individual game playoff tickets as they seek to defend their South Atlantic League championship. The first-half Northern Division champions will host their first playoff game on Friday, September 10th. Playoff tickets are available by calling (732) 701-9000, online at blueclaws.com or at the FirstEnergy Park box office.
Monday, August 23, 2010
"Love You To The Moon & Back"
Today will mark a first in the 13 years I’ve been airing this daily segment. The words I am about to read or not mine but rather those of my wife Jane. Late last week we experienced the joy and sadness I’m sure some of you have felt when sending your youngest child off to college. It was incredibly difficult for me but harder for my wife…you know that mother-daughter thing. So today I am just the voice…it’s
the word and feelings of my wife.
“No tears mom, I’m so happy and so ready. You and Daddy did an awesome job preparing me for today.” With those heartfelt words of advice from my 18 year old now college freshman daughter Alex, we said goodbye. I didn’t dare to turn and look back for fear that she would see the tears in my eyes that she so adamantly requested I not shed. Anyway, the ear to ear smile she no doubt had on her face was clear in my mind. So began my journey of letting go.
Kevin & I had made this trip to Penn State with Alex many times over the course of the 4 years that our son Brandon was a student there. Of course, I was a nervous parent of a first time college student then, but honestly, that apprehension was short-lived and the knot in my stomach dissipated by the time we got on the PA. Turnpike! Not so this time around. Ok, so the preparation was obviously different with Alex. We shopped almost non-stop for over a month in what became known as Operation Dorm Room for the perfect bedding, clothes and accessories. Brandon’s request on the other hand was simply: as long as it fits and is clean… it’s for me.
As July became August, we were both aware that our days to do all the fun stuff we cherished doing together were winding down. Manis, pedis, beach walks, shopping, lots of shopping we fit it all in. And Kevin, the saint that he is shook his head and gave us his blessing…. He knew how much this time with Alex meant to me. We joked about the quantity of essentials that HAD to fit in the van as Operation Dorm Room became Operation Shove It In. And we were off. My hope, like any mother, is that she stays safe, is happy and makes wise decisions…. These are gifts you can’t buy in any store. Love you to the moon and back, Al. Show Penn State what you’re made of!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 17
Here we go again. For the fourth time in history at Toms River little league team is headed to the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
and for the first team it’s a group of boys whose home turf are the fields on Mapletree Road. Toms River National captured the Mid-Atlantic Region championship with an 8-5 come-from-behind victory over Council Rock-Newtown, Pennsylvania in Bristol, Connecticut Monday night. After a shaky start winning pitcher Jeff Ciervo settled down and threw five solid innings and eventually the vaunted Toms River offense produced with Patrick Marinaccio and Michael Tiplady homering as past of the winning effort. For both teams last night the biggest problem at times was dealing with flying bugs which were everywhere and especially noticeable while watching the game on TV. Speaking of that I have to be honest in saying
that ESPN2 could have done better than using Bobby Valentine as the
so-called expert commentator. While I love the former Mets manager he offered nothing but glowing comments about everything associated with Little League baseball, including the umpiring which frankly I did not think was very good.
Anyway on to more important matters. The players, coaches and manager Paul Deceglie will now bus to Williamsport where the World Series officially begins on Friday with opening ceremonies and games. A total of 16 teams will compete over ten days….8 from the United State and 8 International squads. Toms River National plays their first game Saturday at 11am against Hamilton, Ohio. That game will not be televised but is available through espn.com and you can get the complete schedule for the World Series at www.littleleague.org. The other teams in “Pool A” that Toms River could play are from Georgia and Hawaii and it seems an understatement but that first game might be the key to their chances of having success in the tournament.
Toms River National is the first team from New Jersey to head to the World Series since Toms River East American lost in the US Championship game in 1999. That ended an incredible run which saw the Windsor Avenue league send three teams to Williamsport over a six-year span, including the 1998 team which won it all. All three were managed by Mike Gaynor.
and for the first team it’s a group of boys whose home turf are the fields on Mapletree Road. Toms River National captured the Mid-Atlantic Region championship with an 8-5 come-from-behind victory over Council Rock-Newtown, Pennsylvania in Bristol, Connecticut Monday night. After a shaky start winning pitcher Jeff Ciervo settled down and threw five solid innings and eventually the vaunted Toms River offense produced with Patrick Marinaccio and Michael Tiplady homering as past of the winning effort. For both teams last night the biggest problem at times was dealing with flying bugs which were everywhere and especially noticeable while watching the game on TV. Speaking of that I have to be honest in saying
that ESPN2 could have done better than using Bobby Valentine as the
so-called expert commentator. While I love the former Mets manager he offered nothing but glowing comments about everything associated with Little League baseball, including the umpiring which frankly I did not think was very good.
Anyway on to more important matters. The players, coaches and manager Paul Deceglie will now bus to Williamsport where the World Series officially begins on Friday with opening ceremonies and games. A total of 16 teams will compete over ten days….8 from the United State and 8 International squads. Toms River National plays their first game Saturday at 11am against Hamilton, Ohio. That game will not be televised but is available through espn.com and you can get the complete schedule for the World Series at www.littleleague.org. The other teams in “Pool A” that Toms River could play are from Georgia and Hawaii and it seems an understatement but that first game might be the key to their chances of having success in the tournament.
Toms River National is the first team from New Jersey to head to the World Series since Toms River East American lost in the US Championship game in 1999. That ended an incredible run which saw the Windsor Avenue league send three teams to Williamsport over a six-year span, including the 1998 team which won it all. All three were managed by Mike Gaynor.
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