"Im Back"

I was down the shore for the weekend..but I am well rested and BACK! Two movie reviews for the summer coming soon...check back

"Just for the Record"

Since my internet was down before the final four in the NHL started I didnt have a chance to blog about it. Canes in 7, and Oilers in 6.

"Comcast Hates Me"

For about the 6th time since I got cable at my apartment I am having issues with Comcast.

Last night I was watch Season 2 Rescue Me DVD, and when it finnished I wanted to check up on the fighting Phils. However, the cable was out and after unplugging the box and plugging it backed in (solves some of the problems) it was still not working. I got the icon for the box followed by a typical vauge error.

"These Advance Features are Not Available at This Time"

Appernently actually watching moving images with audio is considered an advanced feature by our friendly neighborhood monopoly. So, I resorted to calling up for help. The first guy told me that my box was "looking for signal" that wasnt there so it didn't know what to do. Also that it "might" be back up in a half an hour or so.


Of course since the guys response to me was based on basically nothing another episode of Rescue me later and I was back on the line.

This time I got a girl who gave me the same suggestions. She than told me that something must be really wrong, and pointed out to me I was getting no signal for my internet with. It's just dead.

Nothing we can do.

We dont know why this is happening.

The best thing they could do is send tech out Friday, during the day. But, I have this thing called a job. So I couldnt take the day off to wait for their idiot repairman. So, now that pushes it to Saturday which will likely sour my plans to go down the shore.

So, no cable, no internet for me. From this awful, awful company.

I used my sales skills to get them to take 20 bucks off my bills.

I will likely squander that at Happy Hour tonight, since im going straight to the country club after work.

"Best of Bush"

When he is not setting the stage for World War III and getting ready to start nuclear war with Iran Bush does provide some laughs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efVin_K6W_s&search=President%20Bush%20CNN%20Speech%20Rehearsal%20Media%20Bias

"Where is Superman?"

About a month and half to go till Superman Returns!

"Funny Jaws Spoofs"

I came across these spoofs of Jaws one is a fake trailer making it look like a heart warming adventure, the other is cartoon bunnies recreating the movie in 30 secs.

"Verizon to Invade Comcast Country"

The stage is set. The War has begun!

"Good Old Dan K"

Dan K and I have had a history of random emails that make no sense and usually out of nowhere. This is a throw back to when in gradeschool we would have each other randomly to pages in our textbooks to point out random pictures that were normal for a textbook and not even the least bit funny. However, we would find them hilarious. For example..turn to page 256, and it would be a crossing guard directing traffic. Turn to page 156 a dog walking in the park. Now we just do it through emails Now almost our entire communication in the last year or so has been mainly random pictures of the Sopranos, or off the internet with no explanation or any text asking how the other person is doing. I am pretty sure he has no idea I moved out. Im sure he doesn't know my girlfriend left me. He could have a kid for all I know, or have moved out of South Jersey, or emailing me from his bunker waiting for the end. I have no clue how he likes the married life. None. My latest email was classic Dan. Subject: The End of the World Body: I think we're all going to be dead within 2 years. There seemed to be some type of download that didn't work on my end (likely my computer can merely do what his could in 1999) which made it all the more random.

"Here We Go Canes"

I just don't get it. Before the season started this team was expected to go no where. Than people said when they started out great it wouldnt last. Now they are up 3-0 against the Devils who no one thought they could beat. On their way to the final four. Everyone has thought I was crazy for saying this team was going to far. Duke thought Tampa would beat them and still tells me they are not a good hockey club. They have owned the NJ devils. I said all along it was going to be this team out of the East. I would love to see Brindy win a cup. Now with San Jose their likely foe, I think they will.

"June 30th"

"Super Sunday: The Trailer"

The new Trailer uses More of John William's original score and includes a glimpse of Brando as Jor-el. Also, lots of footage with Lex, which lead some people to complain. Still looks like a good movie to me. http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1426641&sdm=web&qtw=640&qth=400 see for yourself.

"Round 2: Picks"

WEST



Oilers vs Sharks.

The Oilers suprise run will end by fate of the Sharks. Cheecho and Thorton will dazzle again and light up the Oilers.

SHarks in 6.

Ducks vs Lanche

Okay, I really didn't pick either of these teams to make it out of the first round alive. So, I am going to go with the Colorado in 6.

EAST


Ottawa vs Buffalo

Yeah, the Flyers are long gone, but this is going to a hell of a series! Its going to be wide open hockey and Ottawa can actually keep up with Buffalo. The Flyers looked like the team that always gets their asses kicked by the Harlem Globetrotters.

Ottawa in 6.

NJ vs CArolina

Cant stop the Hurricanes. Carolina in 7! Yeah I said it! I know even after they came back from being down 2-0 people still dont respect this team. But they are the real deal. Look out NJ!

"Daily News Movie Madness!"

The Philly Daily News has put together a movie madness bracket for the summer movies. Kind of like the March Madness but with movies. The idea is to guess what movies will make more money than than others. All the directions are there and it seems pretty fun. THE DEALINE IS MAY 5 at NOON. Sorry for the delay but I just found this yesterday. Hopefully those who want to do this can enter. http://pdn.philly.com/2006/bracketmaster.asp

"Only the Good Die Young"

I pretty much love my job, so going to work Monday morning isn't the drag that it was with most my other jobs (or going in at all for that matter). However this Monday was a total and utter shock for me

A co-worker of mine, who pretty much trained me in my department since I started last year passed away from a heart attack early Monday morning.

As if it isn't shocking enough to hear that your co-worker is dead. It was overly shocking because he was 32 years old, not heavy, not a heavy drinker, didn't smoke and was full of life. 32 is a mere 6 years older than me. I never heard of someone dying of a heart attack that young.

Its extemely tradgic because he just go bumped up to pretty much the highest position in the office last December. A job he had wanted for a very long time. He leaves behind a wife and a 3 year old and a one and half year old.

I guess lifes not fair, but it just seems like total bullshit for a good person to just die so young. It just doesnt make sense. The office is pulling together but this week has been really rough so far and the funneral is Friday which will be just awful.

I guess you really never know when your time is up. This guy was on top of the world and he is gone in the blink of an eye.

It really makes you take stock, I guess no one can really know what I am talking about unless they have been really jolted by losing someone close to them out of the blue who was so young. I worked very closely with him over the year I have worked there. I even went on a business trip with him last summer.

"Flyers Suck"

The Flyers got destroyed tonight and sent home for the summer. This by far the worst team they have had since they started making the playoffs again in the early 90's. For the first time in my entire life I shut off a Flyers game (out of anger) after one period of play. After the 3rd goal I litterally did not watch another second untill I flipped back (and timed it perfectly) to see the final 20 seconds tick off.

Yeah, you can make the excuse off all the hurt players. But the team just didn't want to play tonight. Thats the bottom line. They were ready to go home. I can't think of anyone other than Gagne, Carter and Richards I want to see make on the team. No exageration here. All the others are expendable including Foresberg who they could get a bunch of great young players for at next year's trade deadline.

Sadly, the Clarkie will be under the illusion that his team is a cup team and do nothing to build for the future and likely not make any deal like that. Don't worry about next year, worry about 5 years from now. Build and grow a team together, don't just rent players and buy washed up talent, through them together in hopes they will win the cup. It doesnt work. They have tried it for over 10 years.

Rebuild, Rebuild,Rebuild.

If that means writing off the next 3 years at cup years, so be it. Thats the only way it will work.

Anyway, according to Jay if you add up all 4 teams its 90 straight seasons with out a championship.

Why not check out the Curse of William Penn on a day like today. Check it out. I don't know its serious or not but it looks like they made a movie about it. The music is perfect.

Flyers Suck


http://www.phrustratedphan.com/home.html

"Even"

Well, I was going to recap each game by game. I have been real busy and never got around to it. I really need to get a laptop so I can blog while watching the game or a movie like Drew used to do. I plan to swing back into that starting with game 5. What can I say what a difference a week makes? The Flyers are right back in it. Sure, the HAVE to win in Buffalo at one point, but I think the Sabres are the team doubting themselves now. I think who ever wins game 5 wins the series. We should see game time is 2pm Sunday. MOre to come...

"He's a Magnet!"

GAME 1 RECAP
ROUND 1
Flyers 2 Sabres 3 2ot
The gloomy weather in South Jersey yesterday pretty much summed up the fans and medias expectations of the Flyers actually making it out of the first round of the playoffs this year. However if the Flyers are going to be a one and done team, they should proved yesterday that it would be an enteraining round.

The first game had what 3 playoff games usually have in it. Bad calls, great saves, double OT, Umberger getting knocked back to the AHL, and lots of hard hits.

First lets give credit where credit is do. Robert Esche might have played one of the best goalie performancs I have ever seen a Flyer do. He kept them from being blown out. Some of his saves were amazing, and it is shame that his teammates did not win the game for him. I put away any doubts about who should be starting last night.

Early in the game Peter Forsberg coughed up the puck which resulted in Buffalo going up 1-0. Earlier his line missed an open net. If they had raised the puck it would have been an early lead for the Flyers and taken the fans out of the game.

R J Umberger was the unfortunate vicitm of a legal but hard hit in OT. However, the postgame people say he is going to be alright. Despite the fact he didn't seem to know where he was for part of the game.

One of the biggest stories was the disgraceful officaiting. It had to be one of the refed games I ever saw.

The Good:
At least the Flyers killed off the man advantage well. Even the BS OT powerplays for Buffalo.

Point the Ponder:
When the Flyers were killing off the man advantage. Petr Nedved was offside. Not be an inch but he was clearly hanging out near the Buffalo goal. What in the hell was he doing? The puck was at the Flyers defensive ciricle when they were about to launch it down the ice only to be offside since Petr was way down on the other side of the ice for no reason.

"Flyers Fight Song"

The Flyers now have a "victory" song which will play after each win. Which if my predicit is right you will be lucky to hear once before they realize what an awful song it truely is. I wonder if the people who wrote this song realized the team plays in a city that jeered Santa Clause and launched a full beer cup at the face of the Sabres coach a couple years ago.


Check it out.

http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2555.asp

Tuckers Cup Picks: The East

(1) Ottawa vs (8)Tampa

Tampa won the last cup. They won't win this one. The barely made it into the playoffs this year, and one of the weakest teams in the playoffs. They simply don't have the goal tending to GET HER DONE.

I am pretty sure these teams never played each other in the playoffs and they both game in the league the same time.

Tampa could steal a few with their scoring touchs. I expect a wide open run and gun match up here with tons of goals.

Ottawa in 6.

(2) Carolina vs (7) Montreal

Montreal has been tearing it up the last month or so and turning lots of heads. I have really been impress the way they have been playing.

However, they are no match for the Canes in a best of 7 series. Its funny everyone thought the Canes would be bad this year, than when they were good, they said it would last. Than they just missed the #1 seed in the East, and people still think they are a weak team.

It really bewilders me. This team is the real deal.

Canes in 5.


(3) New Jersey vs (6) New York Rangers

NEw Jersey was flying high at the end of the season and the Rangers sunk to depths of hell.

At anyrate Jagr and Nylander are a force to deal with. The Rangers actually have fans that will be behind them. The Devils have 3 fans. I think this series will be a huge battle with quite a few overtimes.

The Devils will prevail in 7 games.

(4) Buffalo vs (5) Flyers

Before people think I am being "negative" or "hater". Lets be realistic neither Flyers goalie is better than Buffalo's back up. So it doesn't matter who is in net.

If not for the road trip winning streak during the holidays, the Flyers would not be in the playoffs. They have shown a few moments of greatness in the 2nd half the season, but not enough to forgive the awful play.

Granted the Flyers have missed half their team, but sometimes the playoffs are a matter of w ho is still standing at the end of the spring. The Flyers are in no condition to be that team. The defense is terrible and the Scoring is hot and cold.

If the Forsberg gets hurt before the Flyers first win, it might be time to get the brooms out in Buffalo. The Flyers beat BUffalo just once all year, and can't win in Buffalo and can't kill pentalies at home.


I hope I am wrong on this one, but I although it will break my heart to see them go out in the first round. I am just trying to pick these match ups the best I can. I will be Flyered up, but I have almost zero confidence in this team, and you get the impression that most the players are down on themselves right now after a month and half of poor play. NOt to mention they have not won back to back games in a month, and have a bad record against playoff teams.

I think Philly could win one game, but it will likely be a one goal game.
Buffalo in 5.

Tuckers Cup Picks: The West

(1) Detroit vs (8) Edmonton

After all these years the Red Wings are still a playoff machine. With the Likes of Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Shanahan, Yeserman and Cheilos, there is just way too much fire power for the Oilers to over take them.

The younger players play years ahead of their peers, and the older players like Shanahan who had an awesome year are still a force.

Detroit in 5

(2) Dallas (7) Colorado


Colorado must have wanted to make a bid for the worst trade of the season which was won by Boston when the delt Thorton, when they traded for Theodore who played bad this year and was hurt at the time of the trade.

Somehow Dallas has gone under the radar all year despite play almost flawless hockey. People just forgot all about Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow both had great years. Oh yeah and Marty Turo had 3 shut outs which is pretty damn good in the Western Conference in the new NHL.

Even so Colorado has a lot of heart and will make a fun matchup to watch.

Dallas in 6.

(3) Calgary vs Anahiem (6)

The Flames have a ton of fire power in Inginla, Amonte, and Huselius. Oh dont forget they have the best goalie in the entire conference in Kiprusoff.

Flames in 6

(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose

CHeecho( seen above), and THorton. Thats all I have to say. Oh wait, also no Vokum for Nashville. Sharks will wreck back up CHris Mason who has barely ever played in the NHL.

Sharks in 5

"Heartbreak in Stratford"

My father who was on the school board for over a decade lost tonight by 3 stinking votes. It really sucks because it ment alot to my father is who a retired teacher. I think this would have been his fifth term. I am not sure if Sucks is a strong of enough word to lose by 3 votes. My family has had so many personal issues going on lately, this is the last thing we needed. Hopefully I got all the crappy stuff that will happen to me out of the way for the calendar year now. Seriously, would you have rather lost in a blow out? Or lost knowing that there is a good chance people that were supposed to vote for you had a wave of laziness or apathy come over them at the last minute?

"Worst President Ever!"

Don't know how much water Rolling Stone holds in the world, but they seem to have declared Bush the worst President in the history of our country. This by far could be the most memorable cover since the time they showed Jennifer Aniston's ass in the mid-90s.

Come on Drew, Jay give points to support this claim.

"Smoke Night Recap"

So, this past Friday night marked the end of smoking in public places in New Jersey. I had planned to get some people to go out for the historic night in south jersey. However, my plans didn't go as I hoped at first. I had planned to get a large amount of people to the bar and have the smokers smoke more than usual, and the non-smokers smoke cigars.

I called Duke who told me everyone was coming over to watch Dr. Who on the Sci-fi channel and had no desire to go out at all. This apparently a new version of the long running show. Think of how some of your friends are about Desperate Housewives or Lost and multiply that by two and you have the level of obsession of the show they have. They even had downloaded the very same episodes that are all seen the episodes that are airing now months ago when they were airing in England. Its become a weekly event for them.

So, that left me with my friend Rick who like myself does not smoke(well Rick does when he is majorly intoxicated). The two of us were to lazy to actually get cigars.

We first went up there at 9:30 since I had to be up early for half day of work. The night started with tons of people lighting up. I wondered if they even cared about anyone smoking that night up till last call. However, the bartender told me that the cops told them that all ash trays must be behind the bar at 12:01 or she would get a $250 fine.

There was a bit of a buzz going on in the bar that night, and the smoking pan in NJ was being talked about quite a bit. Some how myself and the dude next to me got into a discussion about it. He was from Millville in Cumberland county, which is a different world.

He kept calling himself "ghetto" and blame "punks like me" for the smoking ban. I told him, I didn't really vote for anything towards a ban so I doubt it had anything to do with me.

Before midnight approached Rick and I agree to stay till the ban went into effect. Around that time some people I knew from highschool came up. One was getting married in Jamaica in a few weeks. So, we shared a beer together. Next thing I knew a bunch of people Rick knew came up and it turned into basically a party.

Later, some dude who I found to know common people with told me he lived next to my house for years (I have no idea who he is). He even invited me to some party the next night. It was pretty random, and all the groups of people just kind of mingled for once, and almost no one was sitting at the bar, just hanging out and shooting pool.

When midnight came the last cigarettes went out and the new social scene known as outside the bar started. Now, this is a new thing for me. I mean I was playing pool with Rick, the random guy and his lesbian friend (who told me she was not of the legal drinking age) and since they both smoked it turned into a very long couple of games, stopping for their smoke breaks. Now, what is the edict here? Can a non-smoker go outside and join the smokers ?

During the game Rick wondered off a few time (I'm pretty sure he was kicking game to one girl) so a few times I went outside, since I already knew everyone there it wasn't strange. But its clear that most bars there will be socializing inside and out. Sometimes the outside was better than the inside.

The bouncer told me he was worried about having more problems thanks to the ban. He explained that many local bar owners were worried about drug dealers having a much easier job of making sales. They don't even have to enter the bar.

The cops never came to check if anyone was smoking indoors (if they need they may have seen the one guy smoking a joint outside the bar) but for the first time that I can remember I could actually see across the bar without a smoky haze.

For the last time, I threw my clothes that were worn for a mere few hours in the wash due to the reek of smoke smell.

Will the ban kill bars? Maybe. Or at least make people stay there for shorter periods of time. I know since my friends are pretty well split with smokers and non-smokers I maybe sitting there awkwardly waiting for them to return or take their next shot.

I didn't smoke cigars that night, but Rick did get drunk enough to smoke a cigarette and some drunk girl told me I should start smoking weed, so that counts as something right? Despite the fact the no one was down (or I neglicted to call them) the strange mix of characters that meshed together that night made smoke night rock.

"Sad Day"

For ever since I can remember I have gone to a little produce stand called Bucks on Laurel Road near where I grew up. As a kid I was taken there often by my parents, and years later my parents would become friends with Buck and his wife through a common interest.

The the couple now in their 80's has ran the stand for decades with the help of their kids and the friends of the family. The season would kick off around now this time of year, with flowers followed later by delicious tomatoes, corn and other summer treats.

I was looking forward to this season since my new apartment is not far from my house where I grew up and Bucks was not going to be out of my day after a day at work.

However, I found out this weekend that the Easter weekends that just ended was the finale for Buck Produce. Their daughter is moving to Florida leaving the eldery couple with no one at all to help them with their business.

So, despite the fact they still have a farm, some land, horses the stand will still as empty during 4th of July as it does during the dead of winter.

Truely a sad day.

"Next Stop: Hartford?"

Is Sid the Kid waving good-bye to the Pittsburgh faithful? Perhaps. There is a rumor that the would be buyer of the team will move them to Hartford! The hockey hotbed! They won't play in the mall where the Whalers played, but the great city of Hartford would have a new hockey team.

Super Mario has to sell the team, and attempts to keep the team in Pittsburgh seem to be failing. The city could careless if they team stays or goes, and their plan to have slot revenue support the team, might not even be legal after all.

So, as the Carolina Hurricanes the team formerly known as the Hartford Whalers prepares a likely return to the Cup finals, hockey fans in Hartford have two reasons to be pumped up. Meanwhile although this humble blogger predicited greatness, the penguins hockey club was been on of the worst teams in NHL history. Rookie Sidney Crosby is the only bright spot on the team who could reach100 points before the season ends.

Since nothing is offical yet, its unclear when the team would actually move. However, I imagine it would be after all efforts are played out to keep the team in Pittsburugh. If they do all fail and the sale is bad in the off season, could that mean a the team might even play in the MALL awaiting the new arena to be build? Or would they have one last tour of duty in Pittsburgh?



I would really like some sort of feedback on here considering the comments have been light lately. Pretty soon I am going to have to resort to off color remarks about Drew's mom for no reason.

"Losing and Misery in Philly"

Its becoming harder and harder to stay a happy Philly fan anymore. Lets see you have the Sixers who before tonight's game despite having a playoffs spot were 4 games below .500 and doing everything in their power to be eliminated from the post season spot. The eagles are off a terrible year, with coach Andy Reid having about as much control over this team as a student teacher.

Meanwhile the Flyers came up short last night against the Rangers when they could have went into the lead in the Atlantic division with a win. Although it was a playoff like exciting game and real thrill ride, at the end of the day it was likely the Flyers last shot at the crown.

The Flyers are up and down all the time. If they went out in four games the first round I would not be shocked. Nor would I be shocked if they made it to the final four. It's just hard to believe in the team, because they will lose a bunch of bad games in a row, and the next day the players all say the same things.

"We didn't play a full 60 mins"; "We really just came out flat"; "We pretty much got one goal and were thinking about the first round of drinks after the game"; "Ah, gee we sure are sorry, it won't happen again I swear it wont!"

Monday, was the Phillies home opener. I have really been looking forward to the season this year for some reason. Ryan Howard played awesome in the pre-season breaking a grapefruit record for homeruns by the fighting phils.

Now I am pretty realistic and from what I read about the pitching a wild card spot is about as lofty as I should set my expectations. Anyway, all I asked from this ballclub was to win the home opener. They couldn't even do that. Not only that they made fools out of themselves.

Now I am not ready to bury this team yet (the papers and sports radio have been acting like the season is over), but it is just a frustrating feeling of disappointment that always goes hand and hand with cheering for any of these teams. I was counting down the days to the home opener and they were out of the game in two innings.

Yeah, Yeah I know you can't win them all. But can't we just for once win the big game?

"Snow Way!"

Old man winter must not have gotten the memo that it was time to punch out. Someone
forgot to tell him its spring time!


It snowed in south jersey today. Although there was no accumulation it came down fast and furious several times over the course of 5 hours. Some of the snow limited visiablity and caused various accidents all over the place.

Although its rare to snow in April it does happen. In fact my last interview for the job I currently have was around this time last year and it was snowing than.

Pretty crazy stuff, I have heard that Scranton got close to 6 inches today, although it melted quickly.

Im going to dollar dog on Sunday at the ball park (I have yet to come up with cool nickname for htat place) and hopefully Old Man Winter didn't buy tickets either.

"All Strange Things Real and Fake"

So this weekend a few very unsual things occurred in the NHL.

On Saturday the Toronto Maple Leafs desperate for their playoff lives slammed Buffalo who was has been struggling worst than the Flyers recently. The final score was 7-0 Leafs. At one point Biron was pulled in the really goings in favor of Ryan Miller who let up a goal on one of the first few shots he faced. By the start of the next period Biron was back in net. Meaning both goalies were pulled it was that bad.

On Sunday the Flyers effortlessly rolled over the Ilsanders who are busy deciding what golf course they will be playing on in 3 weeks. With well over 2mins left the Islanders pulled their goalie. At the time they were losing 3-1. The Flyers scored a goal on the open net almost right away, and the Islanders kept their goalie out despite being down an impossible to return from 3 goal deficit.


Meanwhile during my NHL2k6 on my playstation. The season I was playing, I finally decided it was time to turn of the computer trades. Since Brind'amour the heart and soul of the Hurricanes was delt to the Devils. But even worse yet, Mario Lemiuex was traded to the Ilsanders for basically nothing.

So, the owner traded himself. You would have thought they would program certain players not to get traded during the season. In past verisions of games I knew a way to "cheat" and return players to teams basically over ridding dumb trades the computer does.

Something is really funny about seeing Super Mario zipping up and down wearing the blue and orange. I wonder if he has to fly back and miss time with the Islanders in order to make board meetings.

"Tommy Petty & Friends"

Tom Petty and the heartbreakers are going to release yet another albumn sometime this year. In order to promote the albumn as usual Petty and the boys are taking it to the road.

HOwever, Petty said he wants to do something different this time around. Last year they brought the Black Crowes with them. So, I think they are leaning towards bringing bigger more modern acts around with them.
The three candiates this year are all people I would not mind seeing in addition to Tom PEtty.

THe acts include Pearl Jam, John Mayer and the STrokes.


So who is down for living up in the worst city in America for two straight years and enjoying some good music?

"Tucker Vs the Spider"

On the wall by my computer tonight was easily the largest spider I have ever seen outside of a zoo or on the discovery channel. It was so large that for a second I swore it was a joke my father was playing on me. Since he had been here the other night, I swore it had to be fake. This thing was at least the size of my cell phone. The frist swipe I took at it, it litterally leaped onto my computer desk. The second swipe (With a larger roll of newspaper) made him into a mile of oooze and gore. That could have been an escaped pet for all I know. That thing was frigging huge. I am going to sleep with one eye open tonight. Hoping that his brothers dont seek revenge and spin me into a web of death.

"Flyers Wives"

This is just a link to a good article on the origin and the reason for the Flyers wives fight for lives carnival an annual event and how it started.

"RIP TERMINUS"

My friend Drew has been the author of a blog for many years, it is with great sadness and shock that I inform my readers (who dont already know) that TERMINUS is dead. Drew has quit blogging. I guess the republicans have won and Drew is bowing down to the man. There is no more movie reviews, no more Dr. Who updates, and no more TERMINUS. Click on the link and go back and read his various articles.

"UGh"

I thought this weeks Sopranos was really good.

However, the minute I got to work people were bitching about it.

Saying that "Nothing Happened" and there were no "Expolsions or deaths"


It really drives me nuts. The show is about two famlies. The blood family and the crime family. This episode in particular was about the blood family. Call me a nerd, but I like character driven episodes. Which is why I liked season 4 so much, which is clearly the least popular.

I mean in that season you had Tony and Carmela break up, Ralph become a simpathic character (briefly), watch the slow corruption of Carmela's cousin Brian, and the really two faced side of Paul Walnuts.

You can't have a scar face type plot every week.

What show does?


I still think she show has remained great the entire run. Its one of very few shows that I actually "Love" on the air right now, and there about 5 I "really Like"

"Summer of Death and Doom"

The experts think that the North East (and if you check the map particuarly the Garden State) are prime for a colsion course for death, and destruction by being hit by one of the worst hurricanes in the area's history.

Supposedly the pattern is close to that in which produced deadly storms in the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's.

The Northeast is staring down the barrel of a gun," said Joe Bastardi, Chief Forecaster of the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center.

They claim it will likely hit us this season, but if we get spared in 2006, than 2007 is when we will meet our doom.

"Echelon Mall News"

Supposedly there will be a big announcement about the mall Weds morning at some point. So, keep your ears peels and id suggest checking WPVI or the COurier-post during the day while you are at work. If its a big story I am sure they will have it. I will report back after work (I cant blog at work).

"Flyers Rant"

So, they Flyers tie the game at the last minute against the best hockey team in the league the Carolina Hurricanes. Actually it was the last two tenths of a second. They forced overtime, and won in a shootout. Making it back to back shoot out wins, and I thought that would be the game that pulled their heads out of their asses.

However, come Saturday (a game I was on hand for) they totally lost any momentum they got from the last second heroics from rookie Freddy Meyer. The Flyers not only gave up 6 goals, but they lost with less than 30 seconds left in the third period.

They spent most of the 3rd period on their heels, taking dumb pentaly again and just letting Buffalo take over the game. It was ugly.

Over the last 15 games, the Flyers can only beat teams who have no shot at a playoff spot anymore, and fall like a deck of cards against most of the playoff bound teams. The defense once a bright spot with this team has been a disgrace. They keep leaving the goalie (no matter who is in net) left high and dry. Letting players skate all over the place. Leaving star players uncovered, making dumb passes in front of the net, throwing the puck out the center in stead of actually using the boards, and losing the battles in the corners.

The offense has been just as bad. They players seem to just quit if they have a one goal lead as if that is enough to win a game. In stead of going in for the kill they just sit back and let the team hang around and hang around before they know it the game is tied.

The pentaly killing is ranked 29th of the 30 in the league. They can't win any important face-offs anymore, and their powerplay looks as bad as it did years ago when all the players blamed the coach.

Awful, just awful.


This team is going to be out on the greens early this spring if they don't wake up soon!

As I type this they are losing to the Penguins 1-0. Letting Sidney Crosby do whatever the hell he wants on the ice, and acting like they are drugged everytime they get the puck into the offensive zone.


WAKEUP!

UGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

"Angry Tom Hanks"

I didnt watch the Oscars (although I like movies I find the Oscars a waste of time) however, apperently Tom Hanks was caught on live tv mouthing cuss words to someone. From what I can see it looks like he says F---ing Douchbag or something to that effect.

Two theories are out there on why he said this. First that it was a play on some joke host John Stewart said during the oscars. Which even though I didn't see the joke, it didn't look good natured.

The other theory is that they promised him they would not play the forrest gump music when he came out to present the award for best director. However, obviously they did.

Check the video out: www.defamer.com/hollywood/oscars/oscar-mysteries-tom-hanks-potty-mouth-158694.php


Supposedly, Hanks said he is "past" Forrest Gump and it was too far in the past. I really had when actors bash their older movies as if they are all high and mighty now. The movie bridged his carrer from comedy and sometimes drama guy, one of the biggest lead actors in the 90s.

I think it was likely Hanks things he is better than that movie, because I once saw him bash Turner and Hooch once on Conan. Not like joke bash, but bitter that anyone would ever tell him they liked him in that movie. That movie did him good too at the time, it being a hit around the time Joe Versus the Volcano and The Bonfire of the Vanities came out which were both dogs at the box office and with audiences.

Don't get me wrong, I love Tom Hanks, but if thats really why he was cursing he really needs to get a grip. Millions of struggling actors would kill to have just one of the roles he has had. I mean he did when an oscar for it, and it was the er..oscars. So, it's not really far out there to play that music.

One more thing, now that Crash won best picture. Tony Danza can hold his head proud and say he was in an Oscar winning film.

"Spring Starts"

The snow storm I blogged about before was called off. Not only that its going to be getting close to hot weather on Sunday. We should have no trouble breaking 70 degrees. March and April are supposed to be pretty warm and April should be borderline hot.

Check it out.

Crazy global warming...

"One Foot in the Grave"

The last thing the Echelon Mall had going for it, was that one of the two remaining anchor stores was Boscov's a somewhat popular store that you couldn't get a deptford.

That will come to an end this coming fall now that Boscov's plans to move into the Deptford Mall. I assume they will take up the empty Strawbridges store. I highly doubt that that Echelon Boscov's will update themselves at all. So, shoppers will just go to the NEW Boscov's not the OLD one.

Months ago it was annoucned the mall would be scaled down and part of the land would be used for a super market, and a strip of stores (huh?) in addition to over priced town houses.

You would think if everything was going to be revamped new blood would have gone into the mall. Instead the opposite has happened. The remaining rats are leaping from the ship. The Mildly popular Ritz Camera Shop closed a few months ago. In addition CVS and Gap Kids are pulling out at the end of the month and Radioshack is rumored to be not far behind.

In addition the Mall must have totally thrown in the towel on the food court, because a jewerly store from the empty part of the mall will soon take up long vacant food establishments.

Things have gotten so bad, that my friend Rick works in the mall tells me that the McCdonalds opens up basically whenever the person with the key to the fast food place rolls out of bed. Leaving customers facing a pulled down gate most days well into the lunch hours.


Most stores have cut their work force to the bare bones and have two or as few as one person working. A common sight is a gate pulled down and a message saying "Be Back Soon" on the store.

"Primeau's Fate"

Keith Primeau who has not played since early fall,because of a concussion will address the media Tuesday morning. If he doesn't play the rest of the year it will open up salary cap room for the Flyers. Which would likely result in Clarkie making a move at the trade deadline. Perhaps getting someone that can actually win faceoffs.

Primeau played like a bat out of hell in the 2004 playoffs, despite still feeling the effects of his previous concussion.

To be honest, I would not be shocked at all. In fact I am half expecting Primeau to not only say he is not returning this season, but not at all. He is just too messed up to return to the game of hockey and play at the level he used to play at.

So, internet surfers at work, check to the Flyers webpage around lunch time.



http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2460.asp

"Old Man Winter's Last Stand"

If we are going to get any more big snow storms, or snow at all for that matter it will likely be the start of next week.

Here is the thoughts on what could happen next week

http://www.fox29.com/_ezpost/data/31615.shtml


Maybe Jay won't have to go to many weeks having to work all 5 days.

"Darren McGavin dies at 83"

Actor Darren McGavin passed away at 83 this weekend. McGavin was best known playing "The Old Man" in the classic holiday comedy "A Christmas Story"

In addition to numerous TV appearances including having the lead in 70's sci-fi series Night Stalker, although short lived the show was inspiration for the long running X-files. In fact the X-files creator was so influenced by the series and a fan of McGavin he was cast in two episodes of the X-files playing the original head of the X-files.

In addition to the X-files McGavin was nominated for an emmy for playing Murphy's father on Murphy Brown.

Other notable film roles included the Natural, and the Adam Sandler's father in Billy Madson.

To read more about McGavin check this link out. He died of natural causes, and he lived a long life, but even still I always liked his work. Bit of a bummer.

In addition to reading about the passing of Don Knotts from 3's company and Andy Griffith Fame. Not to mention his guest shot on Scooby Doo.

"Sopranos Season 6 Trailer"

If you havent seen it yet. Here it is. The trailer for the season 6 opener.

"Port of Problems"

Over the weekend it became public that a United Arab Emirates (UAE) based company control of ports of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Miami, and New Orleans. Bush says that UAE is big partner on the war on terror.

The big stink that two of the September 11, 2001, hijackers were from the UAE. To make matters worse, according to the Justice Department and the 9/11 Commissionmost of the hijackers received money channeled through various sources based in the UAE.

Was Bush just a sleep at the wheel when this happened? Or will he prevent it from happening?

I doubt either. Since I doubt such a huge move that would effect the country would not be brought to the president's attention. Also, the White House went on the defensive by the middle of Sunday.


Related CNN article
I can only hope they come to their senses and prevent this from happening. Maybe I am just being paranoid and my general concern of this company running our ports is offensive to people. However, I think we should really in this day in age of terrorism letting a company based in an area of the world where its confusing enough trying to figure out who wants to blow us up and who doesn't have access to where all our food comes in and access to an easy way to destroy most the major cities on the east coast just might be a bad idea.

For someone who ran his election campaign on keeping America safer Bush at the very least has a lot more explaining to do here. This is a fairly large contradiciton to anything he has stood for if you think about it.

"Port of Problems"

Over the weekend it became public that a United Arab Emirates (UAE) based company control of ports of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Miami, and New Orleans. Bush says that UAE is big partner on the war on terror.

The big stink that two of the September 11, 2001, hijackers were from the UAE. To make matters worse, according to the Justice Department and the 9/11 Commissionmost of the hijackers received money channeled through various sources based in the UAE.

Was Bush just a sleep at the wheel when this happened? Or will he prevent it from happening?

I doubt either. Since I doubt such a huge move that would effect the country would not be brought to the president's attention. Also, the White House went on the defensive by the middle of Sunday.

I can only hope they come to their senses and prevent this from happening. Maybe I am just being paranoid and my general concern of this company running our ports is offensive to people. However, I think we should really in this day in age of terrorism letting a company based in an area of the world where its confusing enough trying to figure out who wants to blow us up and who doesn't have access to where all our food comes in and access to an easy way to destroy most the major cities on the east coast just might be a bad idea.

For someone who ran his election campaign on keeping America safer Bush at the very least has a lot more explaining to do here. This is a fairly large contradiciton to anything he has stood for if you think about it.

I never understood why everytime the olypimics fool around all the other networks that are not airing the winter games just roll over and die. They usually take place right in the middle of sweeps too, and traditionally networks will just throw reruns on of all their popular shows.

Anyway looks like some of the networks are finally saying the hell with it. Lets see what happens, and it is paying off. FOX is still running new American Idol, CBS is still running new Surivor and ABC is still running new Desperate Housewives and Lost. FOX won the night with American Idol and NBC is feeling the sting.

Read this article for more http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060216/ap/d8fqf40g0.html.

Oh yeah and I thought of this idea years ago. So, if I worked for a network I would be getting a huge bonus and could buy robots with lazers and lots of other cool stuff.

"Is Netflix Shafting Frequent Users?"

Apperently the more you rent the more you wait with Netflix. The internet movie rental company that has given Blockbuster a run for the money the last two years. Will loyal supporters jump ship? Will Drew ever want to be my Netflix buddy?


Check it out folks! http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/10/netflix.renters.ap/index.html

"Old Man Winter"

Finally Old Man Winter has arrived. He was about two months too late, but anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow is expected in much of south jersey tonight (saturday) through tomorrow. My final prediciton is that it will max out around 8pm. Just getting back from being away for a week, the timing of the storm couldnt be any better since I have little desire to do much.

"Sounds Like a Classic"

Now with no hockey for a month I have more time to watch movies off Netflix. I came across the new release Gingerdead man. Evil never tasted so good! When Sarah Leigh (Robin Sydney) testifies against three murderers in a death penalty case, she never expects them to return to life in the form of delicious desserts. But that's exactly what happens when their cremated ashes accidentally fall into a batch of batter and are baked into a trio of gingerbread men. Now, the adorable yet evil cookies will stop at nothing to find the woman who sent them to the electric chair. Sounds like a winner....the cover is classic.

"Leaving on a Jet PLane"

Gone on Business for a week. See you Saturday!

"superbowl Predictions"

Any last minute predicitons?

"Exxon Mobil Corp. , the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Monday reported a quarterly profit of $10.7 billion, capping a year of record earnings dominated by surging oil and gas prices. The results pushed up Exxon's profit for the year to a staggering $36.13 billion -- bigger than the economies of 125 of the 184 countries ranked by the World Bank. Profit rose 42 percent from 2004."---From Ruters.com


Wow, the same company that charges almost every other gas station more money per gallon. They must really be hurting by the whole Katrina deal. You know its amazing how the minute the hurricane hit the prices sky rocketed. Yet, the even when all the transportation issues were fixed it took months to go back down.

Also for almost no reason at all prices have spiked again in the past 3 weeks. Its to the point that oil companies barely come up with a reason why they are up. I hear because of the winter oil prices were up. Its the warmest winter that I can remember in the entire north east. It barely gets cold at all except for at night. Besides, shouldnt they catch on by now that people run the heat in the winter and try to catch up with it.

The sad thing is, there is nothing we can do about it at all.

"The Whale"

We have talked about this many times at the bar. But here it is the official list on this site of all the players that have played for the defunct Hartford Whalers. I also breaks down all the netminders.

Duke and I were talking I couldn't recall the two goalies from the 90s that I that were going to be awesome, so I looked them up it was Mario Gosselin and who could forget Mike Lenarduzzi? Of course neither them were Sean Burke who not only still plays today but shut out a certain Philly hockey team this afternoon.

A quick count I came up with 14 players in the league still playing that were once Whalers. Glenn Wesley was the only player left on the hurricanes who played for the Whalers even though he was gone for awhile. Jeff O'Neil left this summer who at that point played his whole career with the team.

So, check the site out. I enjoyed it. How could I have forget the CVS line?

"My Secret Phone"

So Duke and I were at the Flyers game a few weeks ago. Afterwards we went to Chickie and Petes for a post game dinner/drinks.

93.3 WMMR was there, and they gave out cell phones for some contest. Of course it was too loud in there to hear what the rules were. ALso, no one seemed to be pay any attention. They handed phones out and I thought it would ring or something if I won.

Who knows.

All I know is the phone actually works, from downloads, to text message to making actually calls. I have no idea why, but its been weeks and it seems like I have a free phone with no bills of any sort. Perhaps the service will be cut off one day or something. But right now it works just fine. I can even play mrs. pacman.

From what I gavered from the contest is that you are supposed to pass the phone on or something so other people can enjoy it. That really dosent make sense if they cut off the service or you have people calling you from the previous friend.

As anyone heard of this promotion?

If a man commands me to do stuff on the phone one day should I do as he says?

"So Long, Super Mario"

Mario Lemieux has retired again and with recent health problems and his age. It will be for good this time. Lemieux retired once before and was away from the game for almost 4 years. He shocked everyone and came back. That year he led the Penguins to the final four.

Super Mario also became part owner of the team and has kept the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Without him they would have moved years ago.

Mario said he is ready to go and pass the game onto the young players like Sid Crosby.

Do you consider Mario's final years after his retirment a success?

Also to read more go here.

"IMDB & Sopranos"

So I was bored the other day and was on the internet movie database as usual. I was floating through the Sopranos page and found something interesting.

If you click on some of the regular guest stars it tells what actors appear in epsiodes of season 6, along with the epsiode title.

For example you can find that the character Rosalie Aprile apears in the episode 6.5 "Mr. and Mrs. Sacramoni Request"

Also Capo Vito will be in the season opener "Members Only" and at least live to espisode 6.6 "Live Free or Die"

One possible clue could be the fact that the Benny charcter is only in the first show at this point. Benny was the low level wiseguy who portected the Soprano family from the black bear last season. He ended up in the hospitial after almost getting beaten to death. Also there is someone credited as doctor. Perhaps he never got out of the hospitial.

"What I have Learned"

Here is what I have learned since living on my own.


Without George Foreman tons of guys that live on their own would be dead with in the first two months. Also, if they can ever come up with one that self-cleans. It would change my life forever.

Grease down the drain is bad.

Grease in the trash can smells terrible after a day or two.

Cleaning sucks.


You will never buy everything you need for your apartment. Each day you realise you dont have something you need. It never ends.

Used stuff saves money.

I honestly have no idea where my socks go. I have several pairs without mates.

I can actually cook some stuff.

Cleaning really sucks.

It will never stop raining for more than a day in order for me to enjoy my deck.

I can talk to myself a lot more and wear pants a lot less living alone.

My notions on getting a dog have been put off, because of money and time. I do however have a Scooby Chia pet. I guess that is a step in the right direction. Provided the seeds actually sprout this week.

Living alone food can go bad and go to waste. Also, when you grocery shop it seems like everyone else eats better than me.

Without Liza I wouldnt have half of what I do in my apartment.

There is a fine line with apartment heating bettween the artic and a flaming inferno.

"Since Tucker Has Been Gone"

Bid Laden told us that we are all screwed.

Spring started 4 weeks ago in South Jersey apperently.

The Flyers went on an impressive run winning most of their games on the 11 game road trip. The longest in NHL history. Going losing in regulation twice.

Jimmy Carter went to the hospitial.

West Wing was cancelled by NBC. Which was by far my favoriate show that I never watched an episode of.

A smoking ban was put in place for all public buildings in South Jersey. Including bars and resturants. Casinos dodged the bullet. Most people I talked to are actually cool with the notion. Although some bartenders are concerned it will kill business. Oh, and a bunch of strippers are protesting to NJ lawmakers.

Everyone is really big on that gay cowoboy movie. About the two cowboys who love each other.

I went to a Pizza Hutt Itlaian Bistro, and it was terrible.

"The Comback"

In order to put our rumors of the fate of Tucker's World. It is tonight that Tucker's World is going to be relaunched. Easily the longest gap bettween updates in the blog's history comes to an end tonight. I certainly needed the break and plan to return to updating a few times a week.

Hopefully the comeback will last longer than the short lived awful HBO show.

"Merry Christmas"

Well, if you haven't noticed on here the updates have been few and far bettween the past month. Well to be honest its been hard to get on here and update. I have major problems with my computer in my apartment. Also now the new apartment takes up a lot of my free time to clean and what not. But now that obviously all my shopping for Christmas is done, I will have more free time to decidate to the blog. I have had so many rants that just never made their way out of my brain no the the blog. So keept his in your daily routine to check at work or whenever.

As per usual here is my traditional christmas story posting.



"The Gift"Some time around the first week of the year. I took a second look at one of our traditional Christmas decorations; it was a complete and total eyesore. It was a gift some old lady gave my mother 10 years ago for Christmas and I guess she felt obligated to put it on the tree each year. It was a gaudy looking knitted cat. It was one the most hideous things I have ever laid eyes on.

They say its thought that counts well it’s the thought that angers me when I see it every year.That same Christmas like every year an epidemic spread through the grade school. This year it was in the form of Sega, the newest video game system. Over greasy square pizza, pale yellow peas, and flavorless mashed potatoes shaped like an ice cream scoop, I would hear all the kids discuss the latest video games. I would try my best to stay absent from the conversation. I wouldn’t know what to say when they would ask me if I had gotten past the castle board yet.

One day went I went home I sat my father down and tried to tell him how I would benefit from having a Sega game system of my very own. I told him it would give me better hand eye coordination and against the popular notion it made kids zombies, I told him it acutally made them think and make quick decisions. He went on and on about how when he was a kid he would just use his imagination to have fun, and how kids today are spoiled. I think that conversation is had all over America in every family at one point and time. I used to think that my parents and all the other parents would go to secret meetings at night or when all their kids were in school and discuss stuff like this. I pictured a man with a gavel leading the meeting and hammering home the idea of telling children why they are spoiled and to shove vegetables down their throats. One time I actually searched my mother’s purse for a pamphlet when they got home late the night before.That Christmas I was hoping for a miracle.

I rushed down the steps that morning and studied each mystery. I did the shake test, the weight test and the hold them up to the sunlight test. As I tore, open each one my chances of getting the coveted Sega was getting slimmer and slimmer. All kinds of flashes were going off from my mother’s camera capturing images of me, and my reactions to each present. Later that day my family and I went to my aunt and uncle’s for dinner.

I was in a miserable mood the whole time. The only bright spot was that my cousin Robby who was about my age was there. And guess what he got for Christmas? Of course the very same Sega system. He told me he got it weeks before Christmas even came. Robby and I were always highly competitive. So while the sweet smell of the pending ham dinner dissipated through the air we settled down in front of the television. With all those weeks of practice, he had on me he humiliated me. I think he set a record for goals scored in a hockey game, shot my plane down about a dozen times, and beat me all over the wrestling ring. I went home feeling worse than I did when I realized I wasn’t getting the Sega.

On the ride home my father tried to reach out to me. But I just pushed him away. The image of my wrestler I was controlling laying on the floor after about 30 seconds was burning in my mind. I sat in fit of rage in the back seat as my parents were in the front. My father turned the radio down. He told me that maybe one day I would get one. But I didn’t hear it. I wanted to tell him how Robby’s parents weren’t any richer than we, that I was the only kid that didn’t have a Sega. But all that came out at the top of my tiny lungs was I HATE YOU! And instead of saying anything after that. I just repeated I HATE YOU! Because he was driving of course he had his back to me. But we passed a street light that light up the rear view window and I glimpse of his face. Suddenly I didn’t want to yell anymore. I did not apologize either, in fact no one said anything. The car just hummed along the rest of the ride.

About two months later I got a Sega for my birthday. It funny the minute I unwrapped the gift and realized what it was, I almost had to fake excitement. Sure I spend many a night in the glow of my television going to far off lands and winning championships, but I could never take those words back. At least in a video game you are blessed with more than one life. At the time I meant the words that came out of my mouth. I hated my father as much as I hate that stupid knit cat now. One time after coming home from a fishing trip with my father after many years of those words keeping me up at night, it figured it was time to apologize. However my mouth froze, I never did. I like to think that my father knew what I was thinking. Like I said they say it’s the thought that counts. I put the rest of the ornaments in a box, and I carried them basement. I placed them in a closet we hardly used. It was full of dust and mildew. I rested the box right on top of the Sega.

"Super Sunday: The Teaser"

Somehow I pretty much missed this. The Superman Returns Teaser has been out for a weeks. IT was on during Smallville apperently and before Harry Potter in some theaters.

Anyway here it is. If that link doesnt work Simply look up SUperman Returns on IMDB an go to the view trailer section.

It's pretty kick ass. It has music from John William's score (it was used in the very first scene of the first film). It also has a voice over by the late Marlon Brando who played Jor-el in Superman: The Movie. Director Marc Singer (X-men, and X-men 2) said he used the voice over through existing footage and stuff that has been sitting around in vaults.

Thats a good sign if SUperman 2 is going to be released in a directors cut verision next year, because it could mean the scene bettween Reeve and Brando will be restored. Brando was deleted from the sequel when it was released because of a fight with the studio and director Richard Lester who replaced Richard Donner who originally was intended to direct the first two films.

Singer seems like he is pretty excited and proud to be working on a Superman film and wants to pay tribute to the original films series. I have high hopes with the cast and the hype. I can't wait for the movie.

"Richard Pryor 1940-2005"

Legendary Comedian Richard Pryor died of a heart attack in his sleep this past Saturday. He was 65. Here is a CNN article about him. It's sad, but his quality of life was terrible for the last 5-10 years so its also a blessing. Most my friends know that I was a fairly big fan of the actor/comdian. I plan to write up something in my own words going over his film carrer. BUt for now just check out the link. Also, might be a good time to talk about your fav. Pryor films and moments.

#$#@$@^%!^!

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/12/247078.html

"Don't Drive So Close to Me"

I am never one to complain about cops.

However, the other day I was driving (your driving along, your driving along) and knew a cop was behind me. I saw him sitting in the parking lot. He pulls out behind me. So, since he is behind me I am making sure I am doing the speed limit.

So, what does the cop do? He rides up my ass. Now keep in mind this was a very windy night, so when I rather not have anyone that close to me since stuff was blowing around on the streets.

Anyway, I mean what am I supposed to do? If I step on it he could nail me for speeding. I also knew that that area was a big time speed trap. If he doesnt want me to speed, than dont almost touch my bumper as your driving behind me. I don't know if it ticked him off that I was doing the speed limit or what. But at least I know he couldnt give me a ticket.

"Sopranos on DEMAND"

Sopranos fans should be happy. They don't have to shell out money for the over-priced DVDs. Well as long as they have digital cable. The entire series (starting with season one through New Years Day) will be available on DEMAND for free (if you get HBO obviously) leading up to Season 6 sometime in March.

For those of you that want to get back in the habit of the SUnday rital tune in Starting tonight at 9pm when HBO starts showing Season 5 (the last season) over again.

Its free if you have HBO so this a great chance to relive the series and refresh yourself on what happened so far. Seeing as where its been 2 years it might not be a bad idea.


2 questions

What is everyones top 3 SOpranos moments? I want others to get the ball rolling than I will chime in.

2nd question does anyone know how to tape off on DEMAND?

"Snow TIme"

Its hard to imagine, but its that time of year again for my blog. As I write this we are getting our first flakes of the year. This system should be done by the time most people are awake on Sunday, or have turned over to rain by than. The big issuee is Monday into Tuesday which could give us from 5-7 inches of snow. A tricky storm that dropped off a lot of the computers for almost 24 hours is now showing back up again. This could be one that sort of sneaks up on everyone.

Also, many experts think we are getting slammed next weekend with a storm. Way to early to tell but he conditions are right.

Check out Rob's Gurianos updates right here.

As for my blog. I should update a lot tomorrow. It is not like you have an Eagles game to watch or anything. Come back and check it out.

"Back Soon"

This weekend I will actually be updating my blog. I have been super busy this last two weeks, but will finally have time to blog this weekend.

check back kids!

"The Sopranos"

If you are like me than you still watch the weekly Sopranos reruns religiously(tuesdays at 8pm currently season 5) and hope that Santa gives you some DVDs for Christmas. Anyway since Season 6 is still almost half a year away, why not kill time by trying to figure out what Sopranos character you are.

Take the test as a male or female if you would like. I was Paulie Walnuts.


The test.

"Xbox 360"

It is coming to a gamestop near you this Tuesday. Gamers far and wide are trying to be the first people with it.


Read Matt Katz's article from this SUndays Courier-post

"Finally Cold"

Its about time. Its almost Turkey Day and I was wearing shorts yesterday. Freaking global warming.


Anyway its getting cold. FInally.

"Penguins Crosby is the Real Deal"

I am certainly glad to see Sid "the kid" crosby living up to loft expectations set for him by the NHL. I mean before the pucked dropped on the new NHL he was on the TONIGHT SHOW. Hockey players never get on there.

Earlier tonight Crosby was really tested after getting roughed up by Derian Hatcher resulting in two chiped front teeth for the 18-yearold rookie. After taking a retaliation pentaly Crosby made up for it, buy getting two goals and an assist. Including the game winner on break away with roughly 30 seconds left in OT.

Now, granted two years ago the goal would have been illegal, but Crosby acted as if he was 10 year veteran and made all the right moves. Crosby will rule this league in two years, and catching him now is seeing the first chapter in what will really be a legendary career. Crosby is truely one of the most gifted players to enter the league in a very long time.

Games 20
Goals 9
Assists 15
points 24

"Beds"

So I am in the market for a new bed, and let me tell you its a pain.

First off when you go into these bed stores they understandably make you lay down on the bed to try it out. So there I am position laying on the bed as the sales person hovers over me. Talk about power position. I have to curl up and lay on my side like I normally would in my sleep. As strangers pass me. Or even more akwardly im the only one in the store.

I sit there under the bright lights of the store laying on the same bed half of South Jersey has laid on. Trying to imagine the union that could form between my and this bed for the next decade at least. You are talking about someone who takes four trips to the store in order to pick up a new pair of sneakers. Only to end up with black sneakers that look mildly different than the pair they are replacing.

I generally have a rule not to buy anything the first time out. Kind of like when you go around the board in monopoly once before you can purchase a property.

Anyway, I lay on the bed trying to figure out if the bed is too soft , or too hard. On one hand the cloud like softness seems nice. However, I start pondering about it hurting my back, but the "firm" ones make my feel like I am sleeping on a rock.

When I do find myself enjoying the comfort of the bed it soons vanishes when I roll over and see the price tag. THe other day the sales lady was trying to tell me what a good deal it was. I wanted to tell her that it cost almost 3 times what I sold my last car for. Once she started talking about financing the bed, I knew it was out of my ballpark.

The longer it takes me to make the decision the more doubt I will have in whatever purchase I will make. Which every day that passes the level of buyers remorse that I will have increases two notches.

"Cap Hurts"

So like all the new NHL rules. There are actually a lot of things about the salary cap not realized till now for many fans.

For instance everytime an NHL team calls up a player from a farm team the money goes against the cap. Usually the player is paid per day on a two way salary towards the cap.

This concept I think makes it tougher for teams to move players in the system. For example Flyers rookie Jeff Carter struggled mightly to start the season. In years past he likely could have been sent to the PHantoms for a wake up call.

However, this year if they called up a player it goes against the cap. So calling up RJ Umberger in his place would have been more costly. In fact he was eventually called up due to several injured players. The day before he played he skated with the Phantoms, because if he even skated with the Flyers at the SKATEZONE, even that would count against the cap.

"Tucker Vs the Man"

Well I guess it should be vs AOL. For some reason American Online won't let me publish posts. So it took me two days to realize this , and changing the template for no reason now. Anyway AOL and Tucker's World are soon to part ways. Eventually I plan to retire MST3Keith@aol.com as the email contact on here.


Anyway sorry for the lack of posts and random blank posts. Things should be back to normal. No more posting through AOL for TUcker. Sell your stocks if you have any.

"Welcome Back Ed"

"No More 5 on 5"

I am all in favor of more goals, however I am getting sick of the refs calling everything. Half the games are determined by powerplays.


I mean you have team someteams have like 10 powerplays a game. Calls are being made anytime a player falls to the ice. ANYTIME. Even if they just lose their footing (which happens often given the speed of the game) or a player takes a dive.

Kind of hard to play defense when you can't touch anyone, or dont know the rules.

"Spooky"

Check it out if you bored.

http://darkartsmedia.com/DevilsTrampingGround.com.html

"Lame Series"

The World Series ended last night. As far as I can gather no one cared or even notice in the area. Not one person talked about it at work. No one was talking about it on the radio. Very little media coverage.


I know most people in the Windy City are Cubs fans, so I don't even know if they care despite the White Sox not winning a world series in forever.

I think this was the least cared about finals in any of the major four sports in our entire lifetime.

"Ghost Cams"

Just in time for Halloween (Duke's fav. holiday) I am posting a link for GHOST CAMs. Apperently a new trend on the internet. These cameras are set up in supposedly haunted locations and are on for 24 hours.

One is of a library so you can randomly see old people reading if nothing else, another good one is of this dude's victorian house. So, why not try to capture a ghost or ghoul while at your office desk. If your boss askes you what you are doing, just reply simply davling in satan's domain and searching for evil.

Seriously though I check these out once in awhile since I found them a few days ago.

Now of course I am pretty cynical about this stuff, although I am really interested. I did find what looked to be a woman standing there in Camera 3 for victorian house (under old haunted house). Because it was my understanding from reading the site that he lived there (he does) I emailed him about the finding. There are instructions on how to "capture" a still and cut and paste it.

Because, it was dark the picture was fairly grianing so I asked him what it could be that actually looks like a woman. Here was his response.


Hi, I have seen it quite a few times. In the filessection of the group I have a voice recording taken inthis area where I ask if she sould tell me what shewas waiting for, and a voice answered "No"...so it'snot just you.-david

Spooooooky,huh? So if you find a figure or ghost or gobblin follow the instructions and send it to him. I have the picture still saved if anyone wants it emailed to them. Of course keep in mind this is the internet the land of the hoaxes and con-artists. Also I found an image on this camera the night I found the webpage. What are the odds on that?

At any rate just click on my email link if you want a copy of it. The image whatever it was vanished when I reloaded the camera seconds later.

Happy Ghost Hunting.

http://www.geocities.com/tstrmwtchr/ghostcam.html

"End of the World According to Flash"

Here is one theory of how it will all end. In flash cartoon form of course.

"Tucker's Bag of Rants"

1.You would think that people who enter politics are some how wiser than the average Joe. Certainly when it comes to money. You know come up with this superior way of thinking to bring money aside from raising taxes and what not.

Well pennsylvannia is implementing slot machines galore across the keystone states. Slot machines?! Slot Machines?! Really? Thats the best they can come up with? I could have came up with that idea. Now IM not saying that gambling is evil or anything. But that is a pretty simple idea.

2. Anytime something goes wrong President Bush will make a speech and in combination of giving cute patriotic names to stuff (freedom, patriot Etc) he says they will spend money. Spend, spend,spend. No real indication of where this money is going to come from. Considering we have a huge debt right now it makes it even more puzzling. If you can just write checks when there is no money in the bank. By all means I can do that job for the President. Either this money will never be spent, or the national debt is a bunch of Bologna.

3. Is it just me or does honestly no one care about the race for governor in NJ? No one ever talks about it ever.

4. Why does Rowan keep badgering me for Alumni events, and more money? Please just leave me alone. I have no interest in doing either. Stop printing up this garbage and mailing it to me. Just go back to your goal of taking over the entire town of Glassboro.

5. Why on Earth did National Geographic name Philadelphia the next great city?

6. How is Al Lewis who played Grandpa Munster still alive? He outlived the actor who played his son by 10 years at this point. Maybe they can wheel him out for the Wayans brother's film adaptation of the TV series due out next year.

7. Will the fact that I am eating at McDonald's a lot more lately result in massive weight gain or me winning a prize with my monopoly pieces?

"Wilma"

If the comic book guy was a weatherman he would be in all his glory right now.
Hurricane Wilma is a cat 5 and being labeled the WORST ATLANTIC STORM EVER!



Read here.

"Test"

Check this out you can find out where you range on how liberal or conservative you are. I clocked in at 21. Which is closest to Colin Powell. Do I have any Jesse Jacksons reading my blog?

Check it out.

"The Mantis Commeth"--fixed

My old friend Harry (aka Old Mantis) has jumped on the blog band wagon. It looks to be a good read, and hopefully won't head for and early grave like Jenna and Mindless and Muglife.


Check out what the Old Mantis has to say.


Old Mantis.

"Return of the Bad Jokes"

Back by Popular Demand (except for that one random guy that has begged me to stop these) its bad joke Wednesday. Back for this week in buffett style. Scroll on down and let the growning and head shaking begin.


What do fish say when they hit a wall?


Damn!


Why did the wrestlers have to fight in the dark?
Their match wouldn't light.


What did the lightbulb say to its mother?

I wuv you watts and watts.

Why should you never run behind a bus?
You will get exhausted.

What did Tarzan shout when he saw the elephants coming up over the hill while wearing sunglasses?
Nothing. He did not recognize them.


AND FINALLY


A man visited his doctor for a regular checkup. The doctor checked him out and gave him some bad news. "There are two things wrong with you," he said. "You have cancer and Alzheimer's."
"Well," said the man, "at least I don't have cancer."

"It Came From South Jersey"

Yet another reason not to have kids. Okay, not really its just this nasty little plant think growing in a New Jersey lake. Experts aren't quite sure what it is. Perhaps Lima Beanz can take a field trip there and take samples.


http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=animals_oddities&id=3523301

"NHL Gone Extreme"

Take a look at the ESPN scoreboard for Saturday and SUnday. Clearly scoring has gone up. Take into consideration the fact that the Flyers were down 2-0 against the Devils. Before that ment the game was over.

However, the Flyers won 5-2. 2 goal leads are not a big of deal as they used to be.

Check it out.

Bring on the 50 goal scorers. How many 100-point scorers will there be?

Always a belated congrats to Sid "the kid" Crosby who scored his first goal in the NHL this weekend. So, far he is living up to the hype 5pts in 3 games.

"Dvd Rant"

2 Things.


I recently realized how lots of crappy straight to video sequels keep coming out. I was in Target recently, and this man was there with his two children. They saw a copy of the Sandlot 2.

They kept asking for it over and over again. He kept telling them it wasn't good and they tried to make it like the first one with different kids and it didnt work. That it was not the one they wanted. The kids recongized the cover and the concept and kept badgering him till he bought it.

Think about it most crappy sequels like the Casper sequels and Air Bud movies are always found near the check out line. So kids can con their parents. Another reason not to have kids.

Also, a new trend I am hearing about is TV series being billed at complete seasons on DVD, yet they are actaully the sydnicated cuts of the show. After Networks airs a show once say a sitcom they cut about 30 seconds out when the rebroadcast them to fit in more ads. Than even worst when a show goes into syndication (usually after four seasons or 100 epsiodes whatever comes first) they delete two mins of the show.

Even though out there somewhere the original cuts exist. Perhaps its the fact that the syndicated ones are already cleaned up for the most part when they are packaged to be shown in reruns. At any rate some funny lines, jokes and general flow of the shows are lost when these minutes are deleted. Sometimes its just a longer scene, and occassionally if you have seen both cuts you will release that missing scenes are somes referenced.

The Cosby Show, Alf and Rossane are among popular sitcoms that have issued the syndicated shows off as complete seasons.

"Free Pucks"

Hockey fans and digital cable/dish subscribers rejoice. Starting today the hockey package is free till OCT 31st. Which means you get every hockey game for nothing for 4 weeks. That actually will include a handful of NHL pre-season games being playing today (Saturday) and tomorrow.

"Same Old JR"

JR is up to his old tricks out in LA mugging for the camera and getting concussions. He notched his 11th career concusion earlier this preseason. Perhaps thats why he agreed to be on Last Call with Carson Daly (airing tonight as in THursday).


Read here.

"The Spork"

Most fast food restaurants like KFC give you a spork to eat your mashed potatoes. For those of you that don't know a spork is the combination of a fork and a spoon. So, you have all the scooping action of a spoon, and the ability to stab thing with small prongs on the end of the utensil.


My generation is raised on fast food, and of course is totally famliar with the concept of a spork. Yet, I have never seen it in kitchen ware form. Meaning, it never comes with a dinning set. I have never seen them made of anything over than plastic.

I mean sets come with, pickle forks, cake forks, gravey spoons and soup spoons. Yet the spork has yet to make the leap into the dinning sets. I mean not that I always wish I had one, but if I had the choice of a set with a spork, and one without sporks. I tell you what im going for the spork.

Why no sporks?

"Back Tuesday"

Hetic hours and other stuff have kept my from blogging.

I will not be near an internet for awhile. So no updates till Tuesday.

"Super Sunday: Special Editions?!?!"

Rumor has it that since there will be a new superman movie out next year. That warner brothers will re-issue all the DVDs that Christopher Reeve starred in as two disc special editions.

This could be interesting if its actually true. Because, we would find out if the Marlon Brando footage from Superman II was really "lost" or destroyed". Also we may finally find the truth if the original cut of SupermanIV was destroyed. The movie bombed so bad with test audiences that the studio cut well over 30 mins of fotage. Leaving a movie that makes no sense in many parts.

I can't imagine what more they can do with the first film since they added a lot with the release a few years ago. All eyes will be for what is released for Superman II and Superman IV. I can't imagine what they will do with Superman III. I would like them to delete the scene where Richard Pryor falls off the 400 story sky scrapper just for cheap laughs. But I doubt that will happen.


They would come out next year, but it might only be in the UK.


GO here for more details.

"Shootouts Galore"

In case you haven't heard by now the NHL will now have shootouts after 5 min 4 on 4 OTS if there is not a winner.

The 2003-2004 season the Flyers went to OT 21 times and 15 of them were ties. Who ever wins the shoot out will be rewared a goal and say the game was 2-2, the winning score will read 3-2. Also, the goals scored won't count for players totals.

Anyway these shootouts will be not only fun to watch, but it will have a very big impact on the game and standings. There are no more ties, so games bettween divison rivals will ALWAYS SWING TWO POINTS. For example the Flyers fall to the Rangers. Thats 2 points the Rangers will gain on them if you add the point the rangers got and the one the Flyers failed to get.

What will happen is the shootouts will force another "special team" in addition to the PK and PP units. PLayers will be hand picked by coaches in order to help put the game away. Players like Mario Lemuiex will still be a huge threat. Yeah he is 40, but come on what goali still wants to face super Mario on a break way shot?

Coaches are going to have to consider who to dress and GMS who to keep. Players like Sami Kappanen might go up in value. He is not Brett Hull, but that man has got some serious moves that will come in hand when faking the goalie out of his skates and putting the puck in the net.

This will allow more exposure for the superstars too. Highlight reels on ESPN every night will have a close up the player going in for the kill.

The toughest thing is going to be goalies trying to deal with this. It will be their worst nightmare. Even the best goalie in the world will have trouble with the shootouts. Take the skills competition for example. Its a very low percent of pucks that are stoped.

Also teams that are defensive minded are going to be in trouble after OT ends and the shootout out beings. Look at the Penguins roster compared to the Devils. The devils will be slightly better team this year, with better goaltending thatn the penguins, but the penguins will smoke the Devils in a shootout. The Devils do have Elias and Mogliny (I consider Friesen more of sniper and there for less of a threat). The Penguins have Mario, Sid Crosby, Sergi Conchor Mark Recchi, Ziggy Palffy and Ryan Malone.

In order to get the coachers and players used to it. The NHL is having shootouts for every single preseason game regardless of the score.

"The Plan..."

I just realized that the last comment was #666 for Tucker's World! How EVIL!!!!!!!

Anyways here is the plan for the Echelon Area. Or at least someone who can draw a lot better than me's vision of the new area. Laurel Road is not the one that turns into White Horse Road, it is just another street near the mall with the same name.

THe Anchor stores on the "slimed down" mall confuse me a bit, if they plan to keep Strawbridges (soon to be Macys) and Boscovs. They look like they are misplaced.

I dont know where all these people are going to park.

CHECK HER OUT.

Coming Soon:

Shootouts Impact on the NHL

"PREIT Plug on Wal-Mart Plan

ECHELON MALL COULD BE DEAD OFFICALLY BY THURSDAY




The people of the Voorhees who feared a Wal-Mart bringing in to much traffic to their area can breath a sigh of relief. Yes, instead of a Wal-Mart they will be getting an addition street in that section of town in addition to 100s o new residents who will live there in new condos. So, yeah all the people living there and street with a purpose for people to drive on to pull up to stores is really going to..um not be any traffic problem...er..yeah.

PREIT has said they are waving the white flag and giving up on the Wal-Mart. They were to purpose for the millionth time to the people of Voorhees their plan to have a Wal-Mart, Resturants, a new stores. The people had already planned to yell an scream about how much Wal-Mart sucks.


Instead they plan to according to the mayor "present the town with more of town center". Kind of like a mainstreet (who cares if that entire concept flopped)that you can drive up to the stores and resturants and park. They claim the mall will be cut back to the original 1970 blue print. Back in TL's mall rat days when there was no Pennys or Sears.

The new bedroom apartments of the condos will go for a mere 1,200. They even were nice enough to promise no section 8, or low income homes.

Thursday the concept will be presented, and likely in the papers the next day, so I will try to provide a link to it. I don't really understand how other stores and condos are going to help the remains of the mall.

I was right about the condos, and if im 100 percent right. PERIT will offically sign the Mall's death warrent in 48hrs. The mall will be town down down completly and there will be no mall.


So, as long as the new residents are really quiet, dont drive trucks, the construction is done with silent hammers, people don't actually want to go to the "town center", than the people of Voorhees will get their quiet traffic free neighborhood they were fighting for.


For more details go to todays Courier ARticle.

"NHL on XM"

Pretty sweet.


I don't have XM, and forget which one of my friends does.


Here is the story.

"Ophelia to Hit NC; Move Up Coast"

After a few days of hovering near Florida Hurricane Opheila is finally moving. Now near the Carolinas it is expected to make landfall late this Tuesday.

After hit makes landfall they expect it to veer off to the north east, but the effects of it will be felt in NJ. Wheather it be just high winds and rough surf at the beach, or more remains to be seen.

Either way its going to make its presence known to the garden state.

Track Map


Meanwhile Hurricane Maria and Nate went spinning out into the colder water of the Atlantic, and won't bother anyone.

"Al Qaeda Warns of LA Attack"

As if its bad enough that I have to see the date 9/11 all day, I wake up this morning to check the Drudge Report (one of 5 websites I actually look at), only to find that some lovely American turned Islam extremist is threatening Los Angles on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The guy apperenlty lived in California, and got into a obviously dangerous crowd. This isn't the first time that he made a tape for his Al Qaeda employers. However, its rare that they usually pick out a city be name and tell us basically putting the city on edge

"Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne, God willing. At this time, don't count on us demonstrating restraint or compassion,"

Check out ABC online for the story and video.

After the hurricane do people feel less safe due to what they feel was a slowed effort for help? Does anyone else think this terrorist looks a little too much like Subway's Jared?

"Gilligan Gone"

BOB DENVER 1935-2005

Bob Denver who played Gilligan on Gilligan's Island passed away earlier today.

Despite the fact that the show only ran for 3 seasons, it seemingly never has left the air. The cartoonish lovable buffon of a character that Denver protrayled still entertains kids to this day.

A few month ago I was at store on the board walk that sold through back stuff to old shows. They have a plague with the cast of the show and facts about the shows run. Two little kids ran over all excited yelling.

"Gilligan!"

So, I guess kids still watch the antics of the castways much like I did through reruns during teh summer and days when you are home sick from school.


Denver apprently died of a combination of treatment for cancer in addition to having heart surgery earlier this year.

Yeah, Denver may have been type casted after that, and in fact the only work he really got after the show ended were TV movies, about the castways. At the same time his character will still be falling into the lagoon entertaing kids for generations as if it was a new show.

For the record Ginger, Mary-Ann and the Professor are the only living cast members.