"Going the Distance...Going for Speeeeeeed!"

So, it spring again and people are talking about being in shape and living healthy and all that crap. Lots of my co-workers join a gym called riverwinds near my work, because of the town I work in we get discounted memberships. It is supposed to be awesome they have a pool with a slide, lots of places to run, a steam a room and tons of weights to work out with. But, I realized since its in the other direction of my apartment, I would never go. SO, I would not join and not throw money down the toliet.

What could I do? Well my apartment is has a small gym, which has just what I need a bike, a treadmill, because I just want to run and feel like I am more active than I currently am. I know most people like to lift weights and thats the cool thing to do, but the thing with weights is that they are really heavy. Running is also nice and cheap, and I get to be outdoors during most of the year if I commit to it.

Problem is with my gym is the only open in while the office is open. The office closes at 6pm sharp each night. I am lucky if I get home at 5:30, but its usually closer to 6pm. So, there goes that. Now they have been telling me since November that they are getting cameras in there and it will eventually be open late, but I am starting to think that they are just messing with me. Since, you know it is Spring time.

A few Saturdays ago, I was able to get into the Gym and actually did some running. I actually felt great the next day like I did something good for my body for once, instead of trying to drown my organs with beer. Now that we haven extra hour and thanks to global warming with 70 degree weather in March, it was perfect time to start running this SUnday! Well not really, because Saturday I went to a Beerfestival, but more on that later. To be honest a few summers ago, I did run 3 times a week for about two months or so more. I started to see results finally.

I went to run at a the tire park (although there are no tires there anymore making people who didn't live here before 1999 look at me like I am Space Alien when I refer to it as that) and thought to myself. 3 times around the park Keith...er Tucker. Okay, I ran like 50 % of the time and walk the other 50%. Yeah, just starting out right?

Yesterday, I took the day off. Tonight, though I truely had an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. I was invited by the guys at work to go to a happy hour, followed by Rick who was going to the Tank for dinner and a few brews, than by Price who was going to the Stone Grill with a friend I hadnt seen in years, than by Ed who was hitting up Harpers with "HeadCase". I turned all four chances down in order to run.

Oh, yeah I was going to do this!

I started running, and thought to myself a few things.

1. What the hell am I going to do with my car keys? I can't leave them in my car right? In my pants they just weigh me down and annoy me. If I clinch them in my hand, I look less like I am jogging and more like I am fleeing a crime scene.

2. Why are my pants I bought for running years ago big on me now? After years of not running? Maybe bending elbows is a much better way to stay in shape.

3. Damn that cute Italian Girl in front of me has a nice butt.

4. I wonder what drink special is at Harpers tonight!

5. God I am out of shape

6. Of course I kept playing rocky music in my head and a few choice quotes.

So yeah, again I had to stop a few times because of being totally out of breath and wishing I was basically dead. All the while the cutie italian girl was zipping around the park again and again. At this point I started to question the whole "get in shape thing" is this really time better spend than sitting at happy hour? or on my couch watching tv?

I had to dig deep to get around 3 times(I don't even want to know what short distance that actually is), and the third try was more walking and looking around than actually running. But, me blowing off happy hour was a step in the right direction right?

Than again I would have to do this 3 times a week to see any kinds of results and that really takes dedication. Would it be better to just wait till after the 1st heart attack? I mean if anything I am skinny for my height, I am certainly not heavy.

Damn my legs hurt.

Okay readers! How long does everyone give me before I throw in the towel?

"Top Dog is Dead"

As of April 15th Top Dog will be no longer. The nightclub/sports bar will now go after a different crowd according the Courier-Post. The owner will make it another cookie cutter family grill and dinning place. The upstairs club will now be only for banquets.

"To, stay in this business you have to change with the time" said the bar owner.

I didn't realize that going out trying to meet people and getting drunk was out of style. But, I guess I am not in the biz. The place will have a more girly name and be known as "Taylor's Grill". Apperently, there is one in Willamstown already. I recall the owner wanting to open up ap place. I guess I just never noticed it opened since I am not in the target customer age range.

I did enjoy the bands there, and I am sure a lot of people will miss that. But, I honestly only have gone there like 3 times a year the last two years if that. But, still its sad since I went there for my 21st birthday that it will be converted into a lame dime a dozen family place.

HAlf shirts will be replaced by blue hair and early bird specials.

I have to be honest though the few times I ate there I didn't really care for the food, so I hope that if this guy wants to have banquets that he fires all the chefs and hires new ones. Last time I was there was when I had business in the area. The happy hour buffet was pretty decent. Well it was free so.

They say the dinners will cost $10-20 and the banquets can fit over 200 people. Which is I guess where they will make their money. I don't know who would want to have a banquet at Top Dog though. I wonder how much the smoking ban killed this place money wise. Bars and clubs in NJ dropped like flies when it was passed.


Maybe Sharkey's will become the elite bar of south jersey.

Times are changing.

"28 Frozen Days Later"

Tired of the cold you are not alone?Pretty cold stuff. Toronto had the coldest month in almost 20 years. Here are some other cold hard facts. So, Chill out and sit back and read.

The average temperature in February 2007 was 32.9 F. This was -1.8 F cooler than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average, the 34th coolest February in 113 years. The temperature trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is 0.3 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. 1.56 inches of precipitation fell in February. This was -0.46 inches less than the 1901-2000 average, the 16th driest such month on record. The precipitation trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is 0.00 inches per decade.

I bet its Bush and Haliburton doing this to drive up oil prices. I just can't prove it yet.

"Tucker's World Jinx"

Well if you recall my "No March of the Penguins" post you have would think the penguins were going to stay. Not so, almost hours after I posted that it became well unofficial that they were staying and now things are leaning towards moving again, maybe Kansas City again. Stupid, jinx.

"The Thin Yellow Line"

Today's broadcast of the Flyers/ Penguins game on NBC was a joke. They never had a penalty clock up the entire game. So, when players were in the sin bin, I never knew how long they still had to go. I could never tell how much longer a two man advantage was going to be either. All they did was put a yellow bar up under the name of the team that had the power play. Sometimes, that didn't even get that right by putting it under the wrong team. I know the Igloo is an old building and is why the game was not in HD today, but the fact that they couldn't put a clock up for penalties was a pathetic. As far as I know, they never bothered to even tell the viewers why their broadcast lacked a feature that was created in the early 90's. It was a total disgrace, and I imagine the papers might mention it tomorrow since lots of people are bitching, but there was simply no excuse. One of the worst things I have ever seen in all my years of watching hockey from a broadcast standpoint.

"My Scrubs Post"

So, Scrubs seems to be at a cross roads. Zack Braff is not sure if he wants to come back for season 7, and its at the point that the creators say they will not do a 7th season withouth him. NBC has told Scrubs to not film a final epsiode. Which makes me worried, because NBC at the saem time has not said they will be back for a season 7. Their are rumors that ABC might pick up Scrubs next year, the reason is that ABC is owned by Disney, who also owns touchtone which makes Scrubs. This is why Scrubs is not shown in HD, because touchtone doens't want to spend the money on it. Season 6, has not been that bad, but it is really starting to show signs of rot. Yeah the musical episode was a hoot, and the Iraq epsiode was pretty intresting, but story arch wise they are starting to tread water, and the one they are doing this season will have to end soon. Tonight, however what they did there was no excuse for. They did a clip show, which is basically highlights of the entire series, funny, romantic and sad linked by about 5 mins of new footage. In the era of tv shows on DVDs, there should be some kind of law against shows like this. I laughed when JD pretty much told the viewers tonights epsiode was going to be lame (The Simpsons do the same inside joke each clip show). Someone is supposed to die this season on SCrubs, but I am starting to think the show did tonight. I hope it bounces back next week, and as sad it is to say, I think its time to retire the show. I would hate for it to be on occassionally like King of Queens was this year, or have the show burned off in the summer with new shows like Drew Carey was a few years ago. NBC has a history jerking Scrubs around, so maybe the creators and cast should just play it safe and give fans a good send off this May. The season isnt awful, but I don't think they have enough jokes or ideas to fill a 7th season. Might be time to pull the plug.

"Life Sabre"

During the crazy day that is the NHL trade dead line that saw Ryan Smyth become and Ilsander, it was the worst team in the NHL that surprised a lot of people.





The Flyers dealt a 2nd round draft pick for Martin Biron who was the Sabres #1 goalie for quite sometime. He lost his job last season to Ryan Miller. Not, so much that Biron is bad, but Miller is awesome.





This is a fairly big gamble for the Philadelphia Flyers simply because Biron can walk as of July 1st. However, the front office for the orange and black seems to be confident he will be happy to come back and build something here next season.





They are counting on him being happy being the #1 goalie again, and hope he likes the area enough to want to unpack his bags and stay for awhile. I can imagine they will be pitching stuff to him the minute he meets up with the team.





Basically, I guess its bold move, since the wanted to sign him anyway and gave up nothing but money for him come July. But, again I think they are rolling the dice in order to keep him here. I would not at all be surprised if they sign him in the next few weeks to a longer term deal.





We picked up tons of young talent, now its time to get some proven players. I like Biron, and honestly from what I understand he is likely the best goalie that would be out there come July, and I am confident he will stay a Flyer.





The Flyers need to make a run for one or two quick veteran forwards. Many of these young guys aren't really ready to carry the load and would be better off as Phantoms.

"Deadline"

Kyle Calder, Alexi Zhitnik, Nolan Baumgartner and Peter Forsberg might not be the only ones leaving Philly. The trade deadline is this Tuesday afternoon. Others expected to be delt include Geoff Sanderson, Robert Esche and maybe Hatcher.

The Flyers are just getting a bunch of unproven youngerster and draft picks for their talent. Calder might have been one of the worst trades in the history of the Flyers, maybe in the NHL. He was awful.

Most the players that the Flyers have gotten in trades will not have any impact really for 2 or 3 years if at all. The thing with the "prospects" trades in hockey is that they pan out maybe 40 perecent of the time. The draft picks are good to have, but the Flyers really need to start drafting better.

All, eyes will be on the firesale in Philly tomorrow. I can only hope they plan on getting some quality free agents next summer. God, knows they will have plenty of cap room.

"You're Playing Beer Bong!"

So, last night (assuming your reading this Friday) on the way home from work Rick and myself stopped off Sharkeys for some grub and a few drinks. Turns out they are actually going to do beer bong every Thursday night now. Thats awesome. It kicks off at 8pm, and this was the first week. They just decided to do it, so I think no one really knew about it. I didn't till I walked in that night. We didn't stick around for it, but I think I might check it out when The Office and SCrubs go into reruns which should be soon. Anyone else interested in meeting up for a game on random Thursday at the tank?

"Beers and Queers"

So, after the events of "Better Late Than Never" I got my 2nd wind and join Price among others for a night at Sharkeys for a belated birthday bash for him.

While I was there I was invited by Price to a charity event at a bar in Philly. The event was to be held at a bar called "sisters" which was a lesbian bar, and they were raising money having an auction for strippers. Now, it wasn't explained to me what you got to do with the strippers, but it seemed like a whacky time. Price also promised me that straight girls went there.

Price's friend Stephanie was running the event, and the money was to go to a softball team (the lesbians not the strippers) she was also nice enough to hook us up with a ride with her friend. Now apparently her friend also went to highschool with us, which resulted in an awkward situation when introduced myself to her the night at sharkeys a week prior. Anyway, it worked out great since Price and I had no idea where this place was (I still don't) and Price was happy since I picked him up and he could get hammered and concentrate on bidding on strippers. I on the other hand just thought it was a funny way to spend my night, and figured it would make for a good blog.

The night started off oddly enough. The girl who I don't recall (who will call her "the stranger" from this point on) price, myself and some random dude were off to philly! But, first we made a stop at a random hotel on the black horse pike. I have no idea why were there. It was never explained. The stranger and the dude left Price and me sitting in the running car for about ten minutes. The left with some sort of care package.

I figured at this point there was a good chance we were going to get shot in the back of the head or something. But after about 10 mins they came back with the package and we went across the black horse pike to a really seedy hotel. This time they assured us it was the right one. Than some dude came out and got whatever he wanted. He apparently had a room at both places.

Anyway, off to Sisters we went. However, since the girls the brought us there were running the event, we were there early. Before the event, so Price, the dude and myself sat there awkwardly surrounded by a culture we clearly were not a part of.

Okay, now I was told it was a lesbian bar, and what I hoped for was girls in cotton short shorts and tank tops trying to tickle each other drinking Apple Martinis. That never happened. In fact there were tons of gay dudes there too. I guess if you are a lesbian you really would love this place, there were butch chicks, hot chicks, soccer moms, freaky chicks, fat chicks and well most of them could likely kick the crap out of me. But, before the event yup..we were pretty much just hanging out at a gay bar.

After a few drinks we began to not look like deer in the headlights sitting at a table with flowers on it. We talked to some people. One girl there (lesbian) told us that the straight girls supposedly carry their purses around there. So, people could tell who was gay and who was straight. I have no idea if that is true or not. But Price, the dude and I learned the girl sitting next to us was apparently straight. She was maybe a 5 or 6 on the scale of 1-10. But given she was straight that night she was like a 9. The girl worked in philly, and said she went there after work often so she wasn't hit on like at normal bars. After hearing that, I figured that was a bad sign for any of us. Than she started talking about her boyfriend whom she loved. At that point I lost interest and the dude seemed like he wanted to still get her number or something. So, I left for a bit. Than when I returned she was gone, and he told me she left for a bar where you place pac-man. I was like damnit, that bar sounds awesome. Just people playing pac-man.

Finally the event started, and like the fact it wasn't just a lesbian bar, the night 2nd promise was already broken. The girls that were bidded on were mostly butch, busted and I would rather pay them to keep their clothes on than have them remove them. At one point Price learned which of the 12 girls up for bid were straight. It was only 3 of them. Now I am not sure if Price was kidding, or just drunk but he actually bidded on the first straight girl. I guess all the gay women knew she was straight too, because no one but Price bid on her. In fact I am pretty sure Price bid himself higher for about 20 bucks for no reason at all.

What did Prices 40 bucks (I think that was the bid) get him? A pair of panties and about 5 minutes of conversation. Since the event was over, the stranger and the dude who were our ride were ready to go. At this point, I figured to myself it was funny enough, it was almost midnight, I could still get a couple drinks in at Sharkeys. But Price came down to the steps (the even and club were upstairs) and told me there were tons of straight girls there and I should stay and have fun! He swayed me (that and the 4 or 5 beers at that point) to close the place out. Upstairs we went. Stephaine would take us home.

I scanned the floor. ..chicks dancing with chicks, and dudes dancing with dudes.

"Eh, I guess they left..." Price.

So, there we were. Price introduced me some random lesbian girl he met up there. See Price had come up with this great theory that we befriend the gay friends and win them over, and they would hook us up with their straight friends because they would like us a lot. I told Price that it sure seemed like a lot of work. He never really sold me on the idea. But, hey I was stuck there so I might as well mingled. The bar was just like any other really bad club music and we had a horrible time hearing anything.

At one point Price vanished (no idea where he went) and I was still upstairs talking about the lesbian. It turns out that its all the same really. She talked about dating getting harder as you hit your late 20s and about her really long relationship she once had what didn't work. I exchanged similar stories. It was nice and all but I figured I should try to find my friend. I found him down stairs talking to some random people. Than he went upstairs again.

I figured I would order one last beer and just chill the bar and wait for the others to be ready to leave. Now, I could be crazy at this point in the story. But the bottom part of the bar was pretty empty. I just sat there writing on a pad of paper which I guess is designed to give out your numbers at such places. I was just scribbling mostly. I am pretty sure the dude at the end of the bar was checking me out. Now, I am not a homophobe or anything, but I wanted to keep my record of not having to tell a dude I wasn't gay in tact. It was close to last call. Usually I see at straight bars guys trying to hustle a girl at the last minute to get number, laid or pretty much anything. I might have been the almost 2am bottom of the barrel for this guy. I didn't stick around I darted back upstairs.

The dancing was winding down, and most people had coupled off at this point. But in the end, its all the same. Some people were looking for their soul mate, some for a quick lay, some people are looking to cheat on a loved one and some poor souls were standing in the shadows outside the dance floor. Likely wondering when their same sex partner of their dreams would sweep them off their feet. Than there was myself clearly the only heterosexual left in the bar for a good two hours aside from price, pounding my last $4.75 miller lite. I thought to myself two things.

1. This was amusing, but never again
2. This is going on Tucker's World.

"High Hopes"

Spring has sprung in South Jersey and so has hope for the sports world. The ice has melted t he mercury is rising and as is the hopes for the Phillies this season. While the Flyers and sixers are so bad they can't draw even half a stadium anymore, people went nuts earlier this week to buy Phillies tickets. They don't even start till April!

Jimmy Rollins has declared that the 2007 Philadelphia Phillies are the team to beat. There is a huge buzz going on right now around the team. Why not with all the starters they will have on the mound, and Ryan Howard, Chase Utley back and likely better this season.

I am not saying that the William Penn curse will end this year, but I don't know if it has been this up in the air in a long time. The players are all young still and in their prime, and not yet bored with the game.

The season at the very least will likely be one we are talking about for many years from now.

"Death By Numbers"

There is a 2nd teaser for the Sopranos released that was kind of lame, but this is the third one for the final episodes. Again this one shows no new footage, but its pretty amusing anyway. I must warn you that if you have not been caught up with the entire series the concept of this teaser is to recap all the deaths by episodes numbers. Also, there is brief nudity related with one of the whackings, so watching it at work might be a bad idea.

I was suprised that they didn't include Mikey from Season 1, he was Uncle Junior's right hand man and had pretty famous whacking. Not to mention the fact that Paulie still is haunted by him.

Anyway, check this out.

"Don't Let the Door Hit Your Ankle on the Way Out"

The Peter Forsberg saga has come to and end tonight. Peter skated with his now former teamates before the Flyers/Leafs game tonight. But, by the drop of the puck Forsberg was MIA. Rumor started right away that he was traded and heading out of town.

By the first intermission it was confirmed that only the NHL needed to sign the paper work and Peter would be on the next flight out of here. The Flyers captain has been traded to the Nashville Predators

Apperently the Flyers agreed to trade Peter Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent and two draft picks. The first pick is a 1st round pick for this year. The 2nd rumored to be a 3rd round pick that the Flyers will only get if Peter stays with Nashville in the off season.

That is right the saga and drama might be over for now, but Peter could sign back with Philly during the summer. But, he could also retire and leave the game behind. Forsberg will be on a really good team now and have a chance to bring another team the cup. It would be Nashville's first ever cup.

An emotional week for the players and fans coming on the rout of the Red Wings for Keith Primeau night, and having their one time savor of the team basically abandon his team. As talented as he was, he was a poor captain. Obessed with his skate problems, he would talk about nothing else but his ankle or his skate. He rarely seemed to offer advice or chew anyone out for their play. WHen the team got down he would just drop his head on the bench and look down at the floor, or perhaps his skates. Guess thats why Sakic was always the captain. I am not sure Peter ever felt comfortable with his role.

Rumors for the new CAptain or Mike Knuble and Sami Kapanen both who signed on for a few more years with the club.

I hope these prospects pan out for the Flyers, and I guess you can't argue that they had to get something for Forsberg. But at this point, I would not want to see him return. He left his team in trumoil and I don't see why anyone would want to accept him back as the captain.From what I hear some players have quietly said if he goes, he shouldn't bother coming back. Of course others, such as Gags would likely want him back. I wonder what he said when he left the ice for warm ups.

"Have fun sucking guys, I am going to go play in the playoffs and try to get another cup!"

The Flyers will really have a ton of free money under the cap now if they decide not to bring Peter back. I know I have to pick a 2nd team now that the FLyers wont be in the playoffs. It will likely be the Penguins, and I can assure you I will be rooting for Nashsville to go out in 4 games the first round.

"Better Late Than Never"

So a few weeks ago I was lucky to get a wingbowl ticket at the last second. Yeah, I know its been almost two weeks, but I promised I would blog about it.

The night started around 2:30 am when I woke up to make it over to my friends place in Pitman. I arrived there around 3:30, and we made it to Philly at 4am.

Now I guess my mind wasn't all there at 3am when I left my house, but I didn't bother to take my gloves. It was about 24 degrees and snowing out. So, yeah that made my hands freeze, and it was hard to drink my beer in the parking lot. We stood in the parking lot for about 2 hours or so pre-gaming.

My friend's friend only have punching bag gloves for me. Despite the fact that they had the fingers cut out, it was better than nothing. Although, I clearly appeared to be looking for trouble all morning because they are punching gloves after all.

Our seats were behind the action, but we had to wait till about 7am to start drinking again, because of some stupid Philly law about not selling beer before 7am. Anyway, we were all pretty much feeling good.

Girls were flashing like crazy, but its illegal to show it on the big screen. So, you had to see them in the crowd or hope to god that a hot girl in your section was drunk enough and hated their father enough to show her bare chest to strangers.

Sadly though the girl in our section never showed us everything and was a bit of a skank. It was The best view I got were middle aged over weight women. So, yeah I guess our seats werent that great after all.

The thing that you must learn if you go to WingBowl is the the security guards will break up crowds and make the girl that is putting on the show sit down. So, just stay in your seat gentlemen. If you make a crowd, they make the girl stop and make you all sit down. Of course there wasn't much regard for rules or laws at Wing Bowl. From smoking in public places to, throwing objects onto the stage, and I would imagine under age drinking. Who cares, its Philly, its wing bowl.

The winner was one of the pros again this year, which prompted El Wingador to come out of retirement for next year. I just hope its not like when Jordan or Mario came back and were just a shell of their former self. I really hope El Wingador plays the way we remembered him when he left the sport of fat people eating wings.

The actual event was over in what seemed like a flash. It was hard to hear the people talk because the speakers in the WATCH OVER YOU center suck big time.

The after party was at Finnageans Wake in Philly. Yeah pretty much drinking all morning long. They had a buffet for like 6 bucks, and since they felt really sorry for my drunk friendthey let him eat for free.

Now he kept saying he wanted to go to strip club. I was pretty indifferent, but since my friend hooked my up with the ticket, I told him anywhere he wanted to go was fine with me. The other dude had a girlfriend and no real interest in going to a strip club and wasting his money. Eventually we talked down to one. However, my poor friend was flagged in the parking lot. I thought to myself I have never seen anyone ever flagged in a parking lot in my life. Not to mention the fact that I would only have been working for 3 hours normally.

So back to the bar we went. It got a lot crazier in there, contestants were t here and even former Eagle Hugh Douglas who was part of the Wing Bowl broadcast team. HUgh was giving free beer and t-shirts out. But at that point I was pretty much done. It was pretty much all dudes in there and I already at like two meals and was getting rid of my buzz.

So, my friend thought he caught his 2nd wind and fired us up to got to another strip club, this time he was going to "act sober" and everything was going to be "Cool". About 20 mins later he was sleeping in the car out could. At this point me and other dude kept trying to wake him up, and than we just started talking smack to see if he would wake up. Nothing. We pulled into the parking lot and considered waking him up. But he was out cold.


By 2pm I was napping with blurry memories of guys with wing sauce on their face, women flashing, and wondering how much longer I could have gone being outside without fingers falling off.


I was thankful to go again and every red blooded south jersey male should experience Wing Bowl once in their life. I plan on going for that hat trick myself.

"The Trilla in Phila"

If there is such a thing as playing a big win in the worst season in a team's history last night was just that for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Charged by the former Captain Keith Primeau who was honored last night in front of a sellout crowd the Flyers played their best game of the season. They held their own the entire game and exploded for 5 goals in the third period.

It was a loud sellout crowd and seemed like the days of old, which was bitter sweet when you realize how far down they are in the standings. It will be likely next season before we get to experience something like that again.

For the first time all season the players were smiling on the bench. Despite the good feeling of the night, the reality of the situation was clear with over ten scouts at the FLyers game all trying to check out Peter Forsberg. Many teams that will actually be in the playoffs were there to see if he still has it, and are many are interested in renting him for a cup run.

"Tucker's World Soda Can Drive"

So Pepsi is promoting the Flyers with 10 cans honoring 10 Flyer greats. I would like to collect them all if possible. So, if you are drinking a soda can and you see a dude that looks like a Flyer on it. Please drink it and save it for me. I don't even drink some of the sodas that are listed on here that will have Flyers on it. Here is the list of who is on what. What will you get out of it? Well nothing at all, just the satifaction of holding on to and empty soda can untill the next time you see me, feel free to put a comment on here when you get a can for me. You know what? Because of the likelyhood of not getting all these cans by myself. Whoever brings in the most cans gets a free dinner at Starview diner on Tucker's World. Rob, if the winner is your mortal enemy I will let you know who he or she is.

"Orange and Black Saturday"

They needed over time, but Simon Gagne lifted the Flyers to their first win on home ice since Black Friday at the Watch Over You Center last night. The Flyers knocked off the equally pathetic Saint Louis Blues when they had 4 on 3 peco power play. It was Micheal Leightons's first start and action at all as a Flyers. Leighton cliamed off waivers a month ago is likely to slide into the #2 spot if the Flyers are able to find any takers for Robert Esche at the trade deadline. This plan hit a snag with Esche having hip problems right now. Leighton had been set down to the phantoms to get his game ready. He played alright I guess. Most the goals weren't really his fault, but at the same time he wasn't anything to write home about. At any rate I hope he still gets a start this week I would like to see him in action again in hopes that we found some sort of waiver steal. The win puts the Flyers 11 points out of 29th place (out of 30) and 26 points out of a playoff berth. This is as of Sunday morning.

"Trim Spa Baby!"

I am sure all my readers have been wondering over and over again why I havent posted about the death of Anna Nicole Smith. Well, I was staying at my parents for a few days and their stupid computer doesnt work.

Anyway, Ann Nicole died earlier this week much to the joy of americans everywhere that had her in their death pool. I don't think I ever heard so many jokes cracked about someone dying when news got out around my office that she died.

Anna Nicole was truely watching a 10 year trainwreck. She started off pretty normal I guess as a Guess Jeans model. From there she went to pose for playboy and at the time was considered the hot girl. She even looked as if she was going to have some what of an acting career in a 1994 starring in movies like Naked Gun 33 1/3 and The Hudsucker Proxy. However, that didn't last when she married that old dude. From that point on she was pretty much known as that money grabbing whore that married and old dude for his money.

At this point tabolids fell in love with her. She was really the first poster girl for the 24 cable news networks and the sleazy shamless cable network shows E! that pretty much started around the time she became household name. Daily updates on what she was doing and how it effected America as if she was a really important public figure would even take up time on such "news" channels as CNN and FOX NEWS.

Later came her E! reality show, where if you ever watched it would certainly think she belonged in some sort of nuthouse or rehab rather than on tv. She was drugged up and made an ass out of herself everyweek not making any sense. She also proved what a horrible mother she was by forcing her son who had no desire to be on the show appear. I saw one show where he just begged her to stop having cameras following her around.

As for her "career" her craziness and weight gain pretty much killed it. She did straight to video flicks and guest shots on tv shows but noting more than that. Sadly her son died last fall almost exactly the way she did under a cloud of mystery.

Might sounded like a mean they died post, but really its just more about the way humanity will always be interested in the suffering of others. Certainly the media wouldn't keep us up to date on Anna if we weren't rewarding them with buying their magazines, hitting up their webpage and tv ratings would they?

"Frozen"

The current temp, out right now is 11. Thats right 11! Might not seem to cold for you midwest readers, but Its pretty damn cold for South Jersey!

Tomorrow might the coldest rush hour in well I don't know how long. Doesn't look like we get above freezing for a few days, and not by much when we finally do. Could there also be some snow next week?

"Goodbye Echelon, Hello Town Center"

The extreme makeover for the Echelon Mall begins this week. The empty J C Penny's and Sears will be torn down in the coming weeks. This will kick off the transition from the Echelon Mall to the Voorhees Town Center. The Echelon name will eventually be dropped all together from the scaled down mall.

Many of the empty stores have buisnesses just waiting to move in when the place is over hauled, and there is a new entrance made on the Macy's end. The project hopes to have the scaled down mall completed by the holiday season of this year.

In addition to the overhaul, a grocery store will be added, along with a road way to drive up to upscale shops like the failed Mainstreet concept miles away on the other side of town. There will also be high end town homes build in some of the parking areas that rarely get used now at what was the Echelon Mall.

The Voorhees Town Center also hopes to attract a bar/ dinning place and already has the liquor licence in place. The entire project should be done by late spring or early summer of 2008.

"No March of the Penguins"

What appears to be an endless NHL storyline will finally end on Friday. The city of Pittsburgh is set to announce (at least ESPN.com thinks so) tomorrow that they are going to build a new rink for the Penguins. So, after various rumors of moving the team to dumb ass places like Kansas City, it appears the Penguins will remain in Pittsburgh after all. The team was been in trouble since the late 90s and got to the point that if the city didn't help build them a new arena they would just peace out. Good news, because I love them staying where the belong, the team has a lot of history in the city. Crosby and company will stay put, it is great news for Pittsburgh and for the NHL in general.

"Wing Bowl"

Well I realized recently that not everyone knows what Wing Bowl or understands what it is. I was talked to Price about it and he acted like he was talking to a "space alien". Anyway the great philly event is held every Friday before the Superbowl.

It started 15 years ago when the morning show on 610 WIP realized that since the Eagles usually suck there is nothing ever to get excited about this time of year. So a wing eating contest was invented.

The event got bigger and bigger each year, to the point that they now have it at the arean that the Philadelphia Flyers & Sixers play. They event is huge now and they have each contestant come out dressed up usually with wingettes. They are usually just strippers promoting their various clubs and wing bowl after parties.

What is crazy is that since this is put on live radio for the morning show is the events start around 5am. So, people sit out in the parking lot and drink till the doors open. Than flood in and watch the show down bettween wing eaters.

Most the people that go are guys, but the girls that do go love being the center of attention and usually without little but some cheering flash random strangers.

The event used to be free, but since they had to turn thousands of drunks away in years past you now need a ticket. Tickets cost a mere 5 dollars and goes to some sort of charity. Who cares which one?

The event is attended by many big names in local sports and media and afterwards the city is packed full of post game parties.

I went to Wing Bowl about 5 years ago with a bunch of friends, and early this week I was lucky enough to score a ticket for Wing Bowl 15 from a friend at work.

Expect a full report sometime,um well in the future I guess.

"Groundhog Day"

Hard to imagine, but the big day is FRIDAY! Click here to get into the spirt of things. Whats everyones plans?

"Mighty Tucker Strikes Out"

So, when you are single and you have friends that are couples. Often times they give you cliche advice about dating, and meeting someone. I guess they if anyone should be the "experts" in the "game" since they are both obviously with someone.

One of my favorites is, "It happens when you aren't looking"

I don't know if I fully understood that. I mean awhile back I bought a can of soup to work for lunch. However, when noon rolled around and my belly was growling, I could not find the soup can anywhere. Checked the drawers. Nope. Under the desk. Nah. Did I leave it in the car? Apparently, not. But, its not like I would just be on the phone at my desk and my soup can would sprout legs and come walking up to me, just cause I wasn't looking. I thought maybe I left it at home but that wasn't the case either.

As much as that theory gives many single people comfort, I have to think you have to proactive, if your looking for a relationship or to get laid. You have to go out there and get it, like anything else in life. Education, good job, or and building your ideal life in general.Unfortunately, that involves you have to have balls and approach women. Have to be interesting and charming. Recently Rick and myself were at one of our local establishments that we often frequent that serves beverages of the beer type nature.I was putting on my weekly music set at the music box, when a girl came up and started talking to me. We spoke for awhile. Eventually, I returned to my bar stool with Rick.

She was there with 3 female friends and a dude. I came to the conclusion that dude was with one of the girls, but not the girl I was intersted in talking to.Over a few more beers Rick and I started discussing a course of action. I said, it is tough, because of her friends around her. The couple and the two girls started playing that shuffle board bar game behind us. The dude and the girl were closer to Rick and me. The girl of interest and her friend (who was hottest) were on the other end.

came up with a great plan, that I thought was great anyway. I figured I needed to find out here deal, like if she had a boyfriend or not. I thought about asking her one friend (who I also talked to) but they were on the same team and next to each other. I could ask the girl closer to me, but the dude might think I was hitting on his girl. So, it became obvious to me what I had to do. I had to talk to the dude. The DUDE was the key! What do I say to the guy to break the ice? I had to make sure I asked him about the girl. But at the same time, I would have to make it less awkward with small talk. I started to tell Rick, I was going to talk to the dude. You know maybe open up with sports, ask him how the saw dust shuffle board game was going. Than, be like what about your friend down there. I had to talk to this dude.


At this point Rick was saying things like:"Why would you want to talk to the dude?!?!

""Keith (Er, I mean Tucker) , your insane, I think your losing it""

It's a dude, just get some balls and talk to the girl"

So, eventually I knew what I had to do. Time it perfectly. When she went to the restroom. I would too. So, hopefully we would both walk out the door at the same time. Yeah, that didn't work, I came out before her.

But, yeah I can see how the whole wingman comparison comes into play. The bar we sat at was like our air craft carrier, and sometimes you have to peel off and get a mission done. So, thats what I did. As my wingman wished me godspeed.

However, the bad thing is, yes its actually like being in a plane. So, that means when things go horribly wrong like in a plane, there is not much you can do. Just franically bound your controls as the sirens blar and the red lights go off. Her hotter friend was nicer to me, and invited me to go with the group back to the original side of the bar. At this point it was clear that the girl either forgot who I was, or just decided to be a bitch to any guy who was talking to her. Just pretty much a one way conversation. I may have trouble reading girls sometime, but it was clear the plane had been hit, and I was going down in flames.

The smoke poured out of the back of the plane there was no way I could make it back safely to rejoin my wingman. I had to land. Luckily, when I turned around my friend Allen was there playing pool, so it was almost a seemingless turn around to him. So, I shot the breeze with him for like 15 mins, and acted as if I cared about his pool game.

Yeah I crashed and burned, but thats what you have to do sometimes I guess. Girls don't just come easily. Better get shot down than kick myself for not talking to the girl (I have had tons of those nights) and learn from your mistakes. You always have to be on the look out, though for your chance.So, eventually I got back to the aircraft carrier. My wing man gave me a moral victory speech and that was that.

But, thats the game of being single. You have to play it. Even when you get past the first stage. THere is the whole how long do you wait to call the girl stage, the who is winning the phone call count game..etc..A few days later after my cell phone went flying in my car when I had to slam on my breaks. I started looking for it in my car when I got home for my cell phone. When I reached under the driver's seat I found the soup can.

"Signs of Life"

My God! Good news fans, the Flyers are showing signs of life for the first time in weeks. As a matter of fact they appear to be beating the crap out of each other. It looks like Todd Fedoruk is trying to hit Joni Pitkanen, and why not, everyone else in the league is. Fedoruk swings and misses. I don't know Monte it looks like Fedoruk is carrying his left a little low. This could hurt him in the later rounds.


Yeah, Todd "The Fridge" Fedourk hit lazy d-man Joni Pitkanen in the kisser during practice at the SKATEZONE earlier this week. Double points to catch what movie reference that was.

"Mean Streets"

Philly got out of hand this past year, and Mayor John Street didn't seem to care. We were narrowly beat by Detorit last year as far as murders. Also, it is kind of hard to say it was just one section of Philly. Check this link out with all the murders last year.

Its actually a really good break down on what happened. It gives you locations, although all the red dots the mark bloodshed might make it hard to read the words. You can sort, by sex, age time of day, and even what objects were used, which were mainly guns.

Mayor Street gave a press conf. on New Years all proud that the counter had been set to zero again. As, if he solved anything. A week before he was firing back at other city workers, basically saying they aren't doing anything about it. They blasted back saying he his the mayor and should be telling them what to do. It was a battle of the egos, but no one cared it seemed about trying to stop the killings.

Street, doesn't care too much because he can't run again. Even if he did, I am sure he would win, because the democrats have convinced many people that they are the people party. Certainly, not in this case given the fact almost all of his staff were crooks. He is either the most bumbling mayor who can't figure out all the stuff that goes on under his nose, or the most protected corrupt mayor who has his soliders protect him.

"Rise & Fall"

So if you looked at the Philly Skyline recently, you might have noticed there is something rather large in the middle of center city. Well, that is the frame of the soon to be finnished Comcast Tower. It will be the biggest building in all of Philly. I can actually see it down the street from my apartment where you can see the whole skyline.

Here is what it will look like when it is done. RIght now, its not too much to look at just the frame of a building, but its already taller than One Liberty.

Now a recent article I read about the Curse of William Penn, pointed out something I never heard before. I didn't validate this but it claimed there are actually 7 buildings bigger than William Penn. The Philly teams since 1983, when the law to not build anything bigger than William Penn was over turned have gone to the finals and lost a combined 7 times. A building for each heart breaking defeat in the finals. Could this mean the Phils will lose in the World Series this fall? Will the fall into the same fate as the others? Is this rise of this building going to make the Phils fall short? The current time table is actually this fall for the tower to be totally done. Only William Penn knows for sure. Well, also Doc Brown, what with that time machine and all.

"NEW SOPRANOS TEASER"

Its very simple, but has got me fired up for the end of the show. It shows Tony standing at the bank of a river. There is audio from all the first 6 seasons. Great lines.

"Are you in the Mafia?" Meadow

"I want what I am entitled to" Carmela

"I AM A MADE GUYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Ralphie

"Not in the face" Pussy

"....My little nephew...." Uncle Junior


many more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Zg1Q_WFVg

"Tucker's Banana Plant Oct 1,2006- Jan. 15th 2007"

Rip seems just like yesterday. Sorry, I forgot to water you for like a week and you didn't get any sun where you were at. Sorry, buddy. RIP

"MLK"

"One Crazy Mother Blogger"

Jenna is back in the blogging business. And by business I mean killing time by writing stuff and not getting paid for it.

Anyway, look like Jenna's blog will have a different tone to it. This time focused more on being a mother and all that stuff. That should be a good read, since my life is about as similar to a "single mother" as it is to a "space alien".

I was alarmed to read that she was cheating on my best friend with a guy named Mason. But by the time I finished jugging my beer in order to empty it and use it as a weapon against the woman who betrayed my best friend I realized it might actually be the same guy.

So, what can we learn from this blog? Perhaps tips on life after one of our condoms breaks? Maybe readers will be so horrified that they will never want to have sex again. Honestly, parenthood to my is like this total mystery. How people do it.

I can only hope that I can return the favor. She could learn the life of a bachelor. Like how to determine what old food in fridge is actually making that awful smell. Or how happens when you drank the last beer and your too drunk or lazy to drive to the liquor store. She may have a blog about how kids keep you from sleeping at night. But what about if you get really into a playstation game, or want to watch just one more Sopranos DVD before bed, is it worth the hour or so less of sleep for the night? Also, where all the damn bitches at?

Now poor "Mason" might be hit in the balls by his son. But, today I wondered to myself, what if I was hurt in my apartment? I don't really have any "pop in friends" and I am constantly losing my cell phone. So, there is a good chance a domestic accident could lead to an early grave. For instance today I was putting my groceries away. I was leaning down packing in the breakfast cereal, but I forgot to close the cabinet door above me where I store plates and drink stuff. So, I cracked my noggin really good on it. As I lay there cursing in my empty apartment laying on the floor flopping around in pain, I thought to myself two things.

First, how come on tv and movies people get knocked out so easily. If I was in a movie or tv show I would be out cold for like 30 mins. Second, what if I really knocked myself out. I would pretty much be laying there for awhile it wasn't the real world. I have the bump on my head to prove it.

I laid there with cartoon birds flying around my head. I thought to myself. I guess that's why people needs a significant others in their lives. Not only for her to give me anotherum, lets say stress reief outlet on a regular basis, so I don't have to wonder if my causal drinking has slid over to "problem" status or not. But, to say, hey jackass, your gonna crack your melon before it's too late.

"4th & 15"

Well the Philadelphia Eagles fell short Saturday night. So, the championship drought continues. Now, I am no expert in football by any means. But, I really thought that they should have gone for it on one of the final plays of the night. Down by a field goal, I figured they had nothing to lose when it was 4th and 15. Now normally you wouldn't do that but the amount of time left, wouldnt give them much of a shot to stop the running game of NO and run down the field again. I mean, yeah they may not have been able to get the first down, but at that point they had a better shot of that than preventing the Saints from cutting their throats altogether. I don't know.

I would like my readers that know a bit more about football to weigh in on what they think Andy Reid should have done.

Its over now, but at least they made it interesting. As they say around here. There is always next year! Bring on the phils.

"Wild Times"

Could Old Man Winter be coming to the party fashionably late? Weatherman Rob Guarino thinks so. He seems to think the next 3 weeks will be pretty fun for us weather dorks. Check it out here.

"2007: The Year We Made Contact?"

Something was going on in the skys in the windy city. Are the aliens ready to come and zap us all with their death rays? Read here for details.

"The Final Days of Tony Soprano"

I jumped on the show watching seasons 1-3 as they aired them leading up to season 4. I aboustely love the show. I now have all seasons except for season 6 part 1 on DVD. I will eventually get that one when the price of the 12 episode set comes down a little bit.

Season 6 part 2 kicks of SUnday April 8th. They added an additional show, so it will actually be a total of 9 episodes now. I am not sure if the finale will be supersized or not at this point. I am hoping for a 90 min show or maybe even 2hrs that would rock.

I love this show, I just love it. I am watching the DVDs and am on season 3. I hope to be able to predict what Tony is taking out of the fridge in each scene at one point. The music is great, the charcaters are great and I honestly think the show is still quality tv in season 6. Each season really has it's own personality. In fact season 4, most people hated because it was much darker in tone, but I loved it.

Season 6, is a bit more artsy at times and really about the characters most than stories, which pissed some people off. But, I tell them just got watch 24 if they are start complainig to me "nothing happens". Going back you can check out the minor characters a little better like Benny, Eugene and Vito. I always kind of liked Benny even though he got his butt kicked by Artie this season. Kind of reminds me of all the little guys that try to act all gansta.

Anyway, anyone that needs a refreshing on what happened to Johnny Sacs, Vito and Johnny Cakes fear not! HBO is running season 6 again! Starting a week from this Tuesday at 9pm! HBO will run the season 6 opener "Members Only" and the 12 shows from the first half of the season will pretty much bring you up to speed and lead you right into 2nd part of season 6.

Do yourself a favor if you have netflix, start from the season 1, there is still plenty of time. Just pretend that A&E never got the rights to the reruns. There is not way that show can even resemble the actual series. How will one of the greatest shows in tv history end? Only time will tell!

"No Joy in Tucker's World!"

So, it has come to my attention that some of my readers have come here for entertainment purposes. Let me straight the record straight right now! Blogs are ment to be taken seriously.
Blogs aren't ment to be fun and a form of entertainment. People come to blogs for serious discussion and it should be the most important thing they do all day. Certainly comments and reading the blog should not be "for your own amusement"

Remember, this isn't some sort of Mickey mouse operation to find your news sources like MSNBC or CNN.com. Tucker's World is much bigger than that. You need to make sure your comments are better than anything you ever wrote in college and certainly aren't intended for fun or anything that will bring joy. Again, that is not the purpose of blogs. "This is not your platform"

Here is how I want the readers to treat this blog in their life on an importance scale the least important being on the bottom.

Reading and Commenting on Tucker's World
Religion
Friends and Family
Work

Remember also not only has it changed the world, but reading it is a god damn privilege. You should be grateful that you have found this blog. Remember though, that his blog is all about me though. Also, that I am much better than everyone of you. Obviously, since I have created the best thing on the entire internet that should already be clear.

Blogs are about a set of strict rules and enforcing them. It is not about fun and joy. Comments ment to bring joy or to make it worth it for you visiting this site other than to kiss my ass "are not welcome". I am better than everyone one of you and and everything I write must be taken seriously. Everything I say is right, and anyone who takes my blog in order to pass time or enjoy themselves is pathetic. Joy and laughs most be silenced. This might sound to those with inferior minds as the ravings of a prick who takes things too seriously, but please keep in mind that I am better than you.

Thank You

Tucker

"Rip Old ManWinter"

Its offical winter doesn't exist anymore. Plain in simple it's over. No more snow, no more cold, no need for jackets anymore. It's done. South Jersey "winter" is as follows now. Warm, and rainy, or warm and look like its going to rain. Thats it. Global warming has gone extreme. The end is near. Buy porperty in Indiana, it will be ocean front property soon. Look out for all the dead floating ploar bears. Click here to read about how the human race is adjusting to the death of winter.

"Twenty O Seven"

Mosco wanted to do something different for New Years Eve when he was in town. So, Duke came up with us going to the constitution center for a big bash they throw every year. So, Duke,Mosco, Jay, Jenna, Neil, Sara and Ed went. We hoped on the Patco which is the train that takes you from South Jersey to Philly.

We all had to get suited, up and Mosco and Duke even wore tuxes. It was pretty sweet.

We got there and there was light food, and open bar which was pretty nice. People warned me that the wait would be long to get drinks, but it never was. The only problem is towards the end of the night they started running out of certain stuff. Aside, from that I never had a problem getting drinks really.

Things started off slightly slow, but as we all started drinking. At one point Mosco and I were waiting for drinks with Duke being our go to guy getting our orders. We were going to start roaming around after that since, the party was two floors and had a roof top to hang out on. While we were waiting an amazing hottie who wore dark gloves offered me a spot at the bar to go ahead of her. Now, a much cooler guy would have taken her up on the offer, and ask her what she wanted. I am not that guy, so I told told her my friend was getting our drinks and pointed to Duke. The process was taking a few mins, and I realized I blew it. I thought to myself, I could still squeeze in there and ask her what she wanted but would it be too awkward since I missed my chance. Mosco even realized this the whole time and kept poking me to make a move. I didn't we just walked away.

I than realized for me to not have to kick myself for a few weeks. I needed to find the girl again. So, I went on a quest for her. Mostly fueled by 5 captain and cokes, but also a ton of New Year's Spirit. I have no idea what I was going to say to her, or if she was there with someone or not. But I figured I would try. Mosco eventually saw her and said she was with a guy. After the rooftop fireworks. I passed her as we came off the roof. At this point I realized, if life was like the movies she totally would have been single and we would have found each other at midnight. But life is, well more like life, so I just watched her walk the other way. I was totally at peace with it for some reason. Like I totally lost interest. I guess I if I have a new years resolution it is not to over think things.

2006, was year of rolling with the punches for me. I had to attend 3 funerals too many, and got out of a long term relationship. I don't speak to my ex at all, and never intend to ever again. I figure I am fine, and she can't possibly be any more angry, depressed, and full of hate at life in general than she was when we last talked. But again that is life not the movies, and life just keeps going on. That what 2006 really taught me.

At one point we were all leaning over the wall looking down at the over crowded dance floor below us.

I turn to Duke, and said to him.

"2007, is going to be a great year!"

Of course I had nothing to base this one just in a good feeling I guess. Below us were thousands of strangers living in the moment. I am sure many of them had just as many down, and plenty of them had a lot more downs than I did last year. But, in the end, what can you do? You have no control of things life. People that mean something to you are going to leave you at some point, as you will them. Also, you can't find the right person for you just because you feel like it. But as I sat there with a bunch of friends most of them I have known for years and years. Watching the people below filled with booze and hope for 2007. I thought to myself I really have no idea what 2007 is going to bring me or anyone. But being amongst friends is a pretty damn good start.

"Fools on a Train"

So, my friend Ed had never rode on the Patco train in his life. News years eve was his first experience. Riding home from the party were Duke, Mosco, Ed, Jay, Jenna and myself. Duke went randomly by himself to one end of the car, while they rest of us went to the other end amongst the hot, likely underage girls. We all made fun of him, but he had the last laugh.

It at been what seemed like a 30 minute wait to being with before boarding. Mosco and I killed time having a spitting contest with random girls who we would later sit with. So needless to say after a night of fairly heavy drinking the train couldn't come soon enough.

It wasn't very long before an altercation started on Duke's side of the train car. I have no idea what it was about, but we were still in Philly so I thought we might be on hand for the first murder of 2007! Although, I think I heard on the news the first one came about 12:15, so it would have been lame, and only been like the 2nd.

Anyway, the cops ended up arresting some chick and the dude that was with her got off too. I thought that was entertainment enough for Ed, but the show was just starting.

A few stops later a black guy got on with his date apperently a white women. With in a few seconds he was yelling (sometimes into a cell phone) that all the white people were staring at him. That we all were leering at him because he was there with a white woman. It was totally random because he was sitting on our end of the train and no one really looked at him untill he started shouting. The white woman he was with looked like she was in her late 40s and he looked like he was in his late 20's that kind of struck me as odd, but certainly no one was giving this guy a hard time. But he wouldn't have.

He began to yell over and over again.

"Get of My Face!"

"Everyone is looking at me, like I am a space alien!"

He must have said like 5 times. But clearly no one was talking to him let alone getting into his face. But he kept saying how racist we all were and saying all the white people were against him.
Later, he was standing up and saying he would beat up all the white guys on the train. That we were all laughing at him (at this point most of us were because it was so aburd) and that he was going to punch us all in the face.

He than started to blame "The Bi-polar" for his actions and kept telling everyone he had it. Screaming it. Jay, at one point said he was afraid we were all going to catch "The Bi-polar."

Anyway the racial rant got cut short when one of the girls who Mosco and I were having a spitting contest with start vomitting all over the floor. She threw up like three times and stunk up the entire car. It was totally nasty and I had to cover my nose the entire time, to stop my from vomiting myself all over Mosco's rented tux.

The girl's sister was nice enough to call her and her friends a cab at the stop they randomly got off at. I have to think everyone on that car well be telling that story for quite awhile. Whether it be to their parol officer, the good people down at acora, or me the next time I say, I say lets ride the PATCO!

"Happy New Year"

"Networks"

A few years ago, there was a big debate that network TV was dead. Cable and HBO along with DVDs and other forms of entertainment had taken over. However in the last few years networks have wisely responded and the reality tv show crazy that isolated many viewers finally died.

Really you could point to ABC who was dead last for awhile, and brought shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives out 3 years ago. They became almost instant hits, and the other networks took note. Fox also had success with shows like 24. Many other networks figured maybe good story telling, good casts and oringinal ideas is what they would need to bring back network tv.

Recently many tv critics actually declared our times right now, a new golden age of telivison. Which is pretty damn exciting. Really there is something for everyone without even having to go to cable channels anymore.

This year, however for me would be the year that tv really changed. For years were told about the convergance of TV and the internet and viewers being more in control of what they watch and when. I was started to doubt that day would come, but by a few weeks into the 2006-07 season it was clear the time had arrived, and telvision would never be the same.

CBS offers almost all of the shows on demand for free, and if you can't find it there simply go to the CBS website the next day and watch your show for free. That way for me, it allowed me to start watching the "The Office" (NBC offers it on Demand for $2 per show though) and I would watch Survior Friday when I got home from work on Demand. Also, it allowed me to watch HIMYM again if I wanted to because CBS leaves it up for a week. FOX also jumped on board with the online demand fad. NBC actually has deleted scenes each week for "The Office"

Even cancelled, shows lived on after they were pulled from the lineup. I never watched the show, but the big budget triller "Smith" is on CBS including quite a few shows that never made it to air. They were also nice enough to put text on there for where the story was going, for espisodes that were never shot.

Now, people talk about the show, but you really have to be careful, because many people don't watch them when they air. You might have to wait a few days in order to ask someone if they though "The Office" was funny last night. Most people don't watch the show live anymore it seems, and eventually the line is going to be more blurred and blurred and people will get around to shows like they get around to movies. Although, I am old school and like to watch them the original air night. It is nice to know if I have something that actually requires me to leave the apartment, that I don't have worry about VCRs or be sad that I dont have a DVR. Because, the show is waiting for me the next day.

It doesn't matter to me since I really don't think anyone watches the shows I watch, so I have to go on IMDB and talk to strangers about the shows that I watch. While all the cool kids are talking about dinosaurs on Lost, or that mean doctor guy on House.

"Yup, Saddam's Dead"

It was a historic day, Dec. 29th 2006. Although, I guess the date can be debated, but that it what day it was in America when Saddam got hanged by Iraq.

I have to say it was pretty crazy all the trials and BS we went through, and we hand him over to Iraq, who are just like: "Um, yeah we are going to kill him"

Seems like a pretty big waste of time sort of if you think about it. Anyway, He was horrible person and was the cause of so much suffering and death that I guess you could say he had it coming.

Seems like it happened pretty quick and some people didn't even know. When Rick and I were have our Friday night ritual conversation about "Whats going on tonight" I asked him if he was fired up for the Saddam hanging, and he had no idea what I was talking about.

Might go down for our age group as one of those "Where were you moments" I can always say I was at Dukes when it happened. Later this weekend I plan to post "Where were you moments" for me and my age personally that I think are what would be considered important moments of "our" times. But, I am too tired to do that now.

Anyway, one thing we learned about Saddam when he was in our custody, was he loved Doritos. He just loved those snacks. Kind of funny, this guy who was full of such evil and horrible ideas, and killed thousands of people, just loved the cheesy snacks.

You have to think that he was sitting there one day cursing our America, and "The Great Satan Bush" when he opened a fresh delicious bag of Doritios. Than he tried to fight back the enjoyment of it. But, as you know you can't eat just one. So, he went for another. I bet he had to fight back a smile of the American invention. Trying to remind himself how much he hated America. But at the end of the day, he may have had all these bad thoughts about us, but thought to himself, these Doritios are pretty damn good! Yeah, I might want to kill all Americans and kill people I don't like, but I just can't stop eating these buggers.

"Eagles Fly Into Playoffs"

Call it the reverse Tucker's World Jinx. Since I posted that the Eagles season was over and everyone should throw dirt on them, they have not lost a game. Not only that, they gave all the fans in the Philadelphia area a last second Christmas present by making the playoffs.

Back up Garcia has calmed the Birds a bit and thing have really come together. In addition to Garcia's solid playing, the team realized playing defense is a pretty good idea.

It is kind of hard to comment on the game since the NFL just had to have a game during Christmas and I didn't get to pay too much attention to all the plays. However, the time the Cowboys were a yard or two away from a touch down, and Eagles stood strong and prevented them from scoring just makes you realize this team is capable of what we thought.

So 3 weeks ago, people were saying, "There is always next year"

Now everyone is fired up and caught up in Eagles fever. One guy called up 610 earlier this morining, and was say dropping the "S-word" over and over again. People are putting their heart into this team, and hanging their hopes in the turn it around story of the year. What could possibly go wrong?

"Merry Christmas"

Just a quick message to all my readers. Just wanted to wish everyone reading this a Merry Christmas. Even to those that read this blog that I may have no idea about. Thanks for all the comments this year, and hopefully Santa was good to you this morning. Feel free to post about family Christmas traditions crazy or other wise.

"The Gift"

Well this is Tucker's World Christmas Tradition, to post this story. I wrote this story, back in my Camden County College Days. Just for the record it isn't a true story, but it is based on a few actual events.

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 my 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.

"Arter of the Year"

The Arter of the Year Award goes to ROB ARTER!

"Our Story So Far"

Here is a great article that sums of the 2006-07 season for the Philadelphia Flyers who lost their 8th straight game tonight. First time the Flyers have ever lost 8 straight. Watching a game right now is like having your head dunked in a toliet for 2.5 hours. I will stand by my team, but its been like a punch in the gut and someone ripping my heart out all season long. Someone please tell me that I feel asleep watching the Phillies, and its only September and the Flyers season didn't actually start yet.

"Transformers: Trailer"

First off sorry for the dip in the amount of posts, but I have been real busy with getting ready for the holidays and was down in Atlantic City for the weekend. Anyway here is the offical trailer for the Transformers movie due out July 4th. Click here to view.

Honestly, it looks like a random action movie. It looks nothing like the transformers I know and love. I really think many nerds my age that will see this movie will be let down. Kids like my nephew will love it. PLus they seem like they are way to focused on the humans. Lame.

"Coyote Ugly"

Coyotes Center Jeremy Roenick was signed over the summer for his 2nd stint with the team. JR hoped things would have gone better after his trainwreck LA season, where he fought with the coaches, and was let down production wise.

This year, JR's new role is that of a leader, but mostly a 4th line player. ALthough he does play on the 2nd powerplay unit the Coyotes who are just about as bad as the Flyers, and he has only had one goal and a handful of helpers.

Earier this week owner Wayne Gretzky told JR he had to sign, because JR was having backspasms. JR, said he was feeling good enough to play, and he wanted to play. The Great One said, nah you got to sit this one out.

JR at this point got pissed off and stormed out the office. He left the arena while the game was played and found sat down a nice resturant for dinner and a beer to watched the game on tv. JR claims he didn't do this, but apperently its a team no-no not to leave if you aren't playing. You are supposed to sit in the pressbox.

"What, do you give your support from the press box? Give support with pom-poms from the press box? ... There's nothing that a player that's not playing can do. If anything, they want players that are not playing away because it's a distraction." JR, said.

Wayne says he doesn't plan to bench him for a long period of time, provided he thinks JR is healthy enough to play. However, with other former Flyer Mike Ricci returning to the line up, JR's small role is even more worthless. At First Wayne was fairly mad though, and said that he needs to act like a man.

The Coyotes are so bad, their season is over already. JR's has claimed that its his last season in the NHL. Some people think there might be teams out there that might want him at the trade deadline, at the very least to fire up the players, faces offs, and in hopes he will get his groove back. But, most fans think his days are numbered.

JR could be the next in a sad trend of players being forced into retirement. Earlier this month the Pittsburgh Penguins waivered John Leclair. No one claimed him. Than he was told he had to report the AHL team. John had no desire to do that. So, finally the Penguins and John split ways rather than suspsend him for not reporting. They gave him a nice hunk of his salary, and said good luck with life.

Leclair said he doesn't want to retire, but at this point someone would have taken him. It doesn't look like he will have much of a choice. JR's rocky relationship with coaches and hot temper aren't going to help him getting traded to a contender come MArch. In fact he could be sat out again soon, and eventually waivered.

I feel bad for JR. He never won a cup, and thats all he wants. That and to be able to play this game for the rest of his life. He doesn't want to let go yet. At the same time its hard to watch how his famous wrist shot is just not there anymore. He struggles for ice time and just doesn't score anymore. A simliar situation happened to Luc Robatile last season with the LA Kings. He eventually got his 2nd wind and scored a bit more. Not like he used to but enough to not be wasting a roster spot. Hopefully, JR can turn his game around and wrap up his NHL days on a good note.

"Peter Boyle, dead at 71"

Sad news, I am sure you all know by now but Philly born actor Peter Boyle passed away on Tuesday as result of heart disease.

Boyle, best known for playing Raymond's father on the long running hit sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond" also has a long history of films. I first became aware of him as many people my age did, watching Young Frankenstein on Cable, although as an Adult I don't find the movie all that funny, I loved it when I was a kid.

Boyle also starred in the political movie The Candidate, and"The other Hunter S. Thompson movie" Where the Buffalo Roam. In addition to those he played in many more well known films such as Taxi Driver, Johnny Dangerously, Malcolm X, Monster's Ball and the Santa Clause trilogy.

One of his best roles for me however, was his guest appearance on "The X-files" as a troubled fourtune teller. He actually won and Emmy for that role, and if I ever made a list, that would be in my top ten best X-files of all time.

What I thought was rather classy, (I didn't see it) but I am told Ray came on during reruns of the syndicated sitcom and said a few kind words, as did some other cast members. I can't think of a time anyone ever did that for a show that had ended its run. Pretty nice.

Boyle was 71. Fans can get once last chance to see Peter in next year's Shadows of Atticus due out next spring.

"Christmas Cheer"

I watched this several times at work. Also a few time when I got home. I can't get the song out of my head and I can't stop watching this. Here is the link.

"Not As Seen on TV"

Often times I read the DVD reviews online of movies or tv series that I enjoy. A few weeks ago the first season of How I Met Your Mother was released. My first point is that I hate people comparing this show to Friends, to me it is a lot more like Undeclared (wish HIMYM would ditch the laugh track but I don't think CBS would let them) type of humor.

Anyway, much to my let down apperently they could not get the rights to a lot of the music used in the 1st season. Not to much of a big deal you might think,but the music is really a big part of the show, and carefully picked out by the writers. Heck the creators of the show are in a band. The show usually uses underated bands, cool covers, or bands that haven't made it big yet. They also use other bands not usually played on the radio like Supergrass.

Anyway, what this means is on the DVDs a lot of the songs from what I read were removed and replaced with generic music cues, because they could not retain the rights to the songs. Now this isn't anything new. In fact it's totally prevented some shows from ever reaching DVD, like the Wonder Years, full of popular rock music. So, I guess I should be happy about it getting to DVD at all.

What, I don't get is how some shows don't have this problem. Scrubs pumps the show full of popular music and has wall to wall emo type music that has a following. Yet, they never ran into this problem. Does it just depend on how much the people releasing the set want to shell out? I mean I am sure The Wonder Years has to be tough with the Rolling Stones songs in it all the time. But one of the songs HIMYM had to cut was a Nada Surf song that fit into the epsiode perfectly. I mean who would have though Nada Surf would give up such a fight or charge so much to hear about 30 seconds of their song to be heard?

If I ever get season one on DVD, I would like to try to introduce the show to some of my friends who dont watch. Which is pretty much anyone. I swear I am one of three people (my friend Rob (not arter) and my mother) that watch this show. Now, if I do introduce this show to anyone I will be doing so with part of the show's heart removed.

Anyone else been frustrated by their TV shows being edited or cockblocked from release? I am sure there are more out there. Also, can someone explain to my how when CBS re-ran the episode "The Slutty Pumpkin" from Season 1 for this past Halloween why they can still air it with the Nada Surf song, but the DVD set can't have it? Stupid laws..

"Getting Strong Now..."

At the end of the month Rocky will take on Mason "The Line" Dixon. Rocky born and raised in Philadelphia it is up in the air if he is considered part of the Philly sports championship drought or not.

We all know that Rocky beat Apollo Creed and won the heavy weight championship in the 1970's, and also beat Clubber Lang in the 1982.

But here is where it gets blurry. Rocky did technically beat Drago in 1985 which would be after the 1983 cutoff for the Philly drought. However due to the fact that it was not approved by the boxer commission and played over in Russia many people don't count that as a true championship for the city of Philly. Granted, Rocky did manage to bring down communism and made one of the most memorable speeches since Martin Luther King Jr., but lets face it was not acknowledged by the very boxing commission that gave him his very belts earlier in his carrier turned their back on this one.

Yeah the people of Philly and America for that matter felt good about Rocky beating Drago because it was the height of the cold war, and after the death Apollo Creed in the ring with Drago it made it feel almost like there was casualties in that war. Rocky's victory over Drago made us all feel about our country and last face it when all those Russians started chanting Rocky, it was clear that he had done more in one night than Reagan had done in 8 years to end the coldwar.

However, I have to side with a rule is a rule, and say that although it was big moment in American History it doesn't truly count as a championship thus keeping our streak going back to 1983. The curse of William Penn was extremely unkind to Rocky.

Years later he strung a rising boxer star, and even stood ringside to Tommy "Machine" Gunn. At this point it is unclear what really went down, but we know from public records that Rocky had fallen on hard times the man who won our hearts when from living in a huge mansion with a robot to living in the ghetto part of Philly on the border of being homeless after losing all his money in a bad business decision on by his longtime friend and financial advisor. At any rate many people saw Tommy Gunn as Rocky's chance at redemption, but before things could come to fold Rocky and Tommy had a falling out. The strained relationship came to blows, literally on the streets outside a Philly bar. Tommy and Rocky never made it to the championship.

So, this December with Rocky (despite the people on 610 mocking him for his age) will go toe to toe with Mason "The Line" Dixon, who was only 8 when Rocky first fought Apollo Creed. But I heard he was in crazy shape and training like man hell bent on a mission. Against all odds yet again, the city desperate for championship is counting on him big time. Some people think its only team sports that count to end the streak. What does everyone else feel? If Rocky wins this fight, in your hearts and mind has the streak been ended? Can the man who when from rags to riches to rags again and once owned a robot lift the curse once and for all?