"Bike Lane Narrows"

Maybe one of the most pointless things I have ever seen as far as construction. Down Atlantic Ave, that goes through many Camden County towns, there is a strech where they were doing construction for awhile. I assumed at the time they were just making the road wider. I could not really understand why though. Turns out they wanted to put in a pike lane. Okay, thats quaint idea. There is one out in I think Marlton, but its a long strech of road where no one is, and an actual nice place to take a bike ride with the weather is nice. But putting a bike lane on this streach of road is curious to say the least. For one reason, it only lasts maybe 2 miles if that. SEcondly, a about 3 times in the short lane, the lane "narrows". There are signs warning the poor guy on the bike that his lane is about to become just small enough to fit a bike if he stays perfectly inside the lines. It just looks like they couldnt paint straight, or they ran out of room. Than after about 3 times of narrowing, the bike lane just ends right before a busy intersection. They ask the drivers to share the roads with the bikes! Thereis even a picture of the bike indicating harmony. But basically what its saying, is "Good luck guy on a bike, this was a pretty half-assed idea. Now your relaxing ride will end in you trying to get across this intersection. Now, when your need the bike lane the most, its not there for you. Mocking you, with a short lived private lane just for you. Now you have to go back to driving on the road, with guys that apperently need signs to remind them, that they shouldn't run you over. Oh yeah the lane is really short and doesn't start back up. Maybe you can just ride back and forth like a moron on the same section of road." The sad thing is, people got paid to do this, I imagine tax money was spent on it. People voted on this. There are like close to 10 signs in a small section of roads giving you updates about "The Bike Lane" By the time you went the distance from one intersection to the other, you are already sick of reading about the bike lane. You would have th ought they would have asked other towns if they wanted to get connect tot he bike lane. But, it doesn't appear they did. So, its just pointless.

"Flyers Trade"

I could write a whole bunch about the Flyers trade, but it could be summed up in one word. That word is awesome.

"Bada Bing"

So I am sure you have all been waiting to hear what I thought about the Sopranos finale. Well I am sure you heard by now (if you were not one of the millions watching) that the show cut to black in the middle of a scene and thats how it ended. The final scene had Tony waiting at a resturant for his family. He puts on a Journey song, first his wife Carmella enters than his son AJ. Meadow his daugther finally makes it in after trying to park her car.


Now this pissed many people off but, before that I want to adress the big theory out there about what happened. Many people thought it was black because Tony got whacked and thats whyey everything stopped. Okay, thats a good theory, but already many of the email or whatever going around on the internet just have things flat out wrong. The shifty guy with the Members Only jacket was not Phil's newphew and the black dudes that walked in were not hitman from earlyin the series. In fact they looked almost nothing liked those guys and were a lot younger. Also, people bring up the line in the season 6B opener "Sopranos Home Movies" with Tony and Bobby on the boat, the scene was replayed in the next to last show "The Blue Comet" so there might be
some meaning to that. However, he does not say "Everything goes black", he simply says I bet you never hear it coming. So, that quote got messed up by people sending emails out.

Here are other theories:

The audience got whacked

Tony was going to jail and just soaking in what little time he had left with his family thats all there was to the last scene.

David Chase hates everyone

Despite some plots being tied up, Tony's fate will forever be left up to the viewer to decide. If its a happy ending for Tony his family you want, than thats how it ended. If you think it would have been cool if Tonys brains got blown out all over his oninon rings than thats how it ended for you.What David Chase did really got people talking and angered most. It started up debates on the internet. I honestly, after being puzzled about it first actually didn't mind the show. In fact over all the episode was good and the final 9 shows as a whole were great.

Now most people that fight on the internet are saying that they think anyone that didnt like the ending is stupid. I dont agree with that, it is what it is. The people that hated the ending are being told they kiss David Chases ass, or whatever. The show really stayed true to itself for the most part, it was always about the Tony's double life. His family at home, and his crime family. "Made in America", the finale, focused more on his home family. The show really made people realize that tv can be better than movies, and broke new ground. It did it really by making its own rules, and than breaking some of them. I always spent much time after each show talking to friends about the show, about the meaning behind certain things and where the show is going. I was sad that it was over. But, really the show has left us with the gift to do that forever. Talking about Tony's fate.

Now, I am not saying thats how I always wanted it to end. But aside from the ending scene. There was quite a bit of closure in the final show. Anyone that watched all the shows (some like 3times) like myself couldn't help but find the Tony/Uncle Junior scene emotional, the NY/NJ conflict was resolved, and Paulie had some classic moments. The show was always about the peoples everday lives really. Really, The Sopranos isnt like anything that was ever on tv before, and likely nothing will come close to it for a long time. It was a great ride really, and if you think about it the fade to black was pretty much what the Sopranos for the most part was all about, like it or not.

"Penny's Loves Tucker"

I got a letter from Penny's saying how much they love me! They said the really value me as a customer, included with the letter was a check for $2.27! No, reason for why they did this, but whatever. Lets go to the mall everybody!

"Lazerbeak Eject, Eject!"

Eject!

"How Sweep It is"

Phils Rule!


Mets Drool!

"The Blue Comet"

Here are two great YOUTUBE links to hype you up for the final Sopranos. Quite simply one of the best shows in tv history. First up a link of all the characters with the tradmark "OH" "HOOO" lines. Here is anther great link that pays tribute to the show, manly the cast the amazing cast of this show lots of times these fanboy videos dont work, but this coldplay song is perefect with the clips. Lastly, here is an old commerical for Dunkin Doughnuts with Paulie Walnuts, playing ..you guessed it. A wiseguy! I plan to post some more about the show before the week ends. It will be a very long time before a show comes a long that I love this much. Fired up for Sunday, but in the same way a little sad. Including a picture of paulie. For some reason this guy always points with two fingers. The old Paulie two point. I hope he does it one last time this week, cause I always get a kick out of it. He does it in almost everyshow.

"Many Happy Returns"

Well for those of you still reading, you may have noticed that there has been a huge drop in the amount of posts lately. Well I guess over the course of almost five years of writing this blog there have been peaks and valleys. Obviously, there has been a big valley

I plan to get back into my groove with writing on here. Hopefully, most of you have stuck around. Anyway, seems my going back to blogging full time isn't the only thing that has made a return. Many awesome stuff is making a come back.

If you are like me, you were mighty pissed when Y-100 died. There was simply not rock stations anymore. Sure there is MMR, but honestly they play only like two bands. Although I dimissed, WYSP as a talk radio station years ago, I am told that they still play music on weekends.

Anyway, since Y-100 went belly up. I found 91.5 Camden County College's radio station. Punk heavy, but really got some good music on there. Sadly, it fades away if you get like 20 miles or less away from campus. 88.5 XPN has I have listened to for a few years, started doing Y-Rock (a reference to the fallen Y-100) at night. Some really great occassionally hard stuff. When XPN isn't playing that. They are playing some really good indie stuff. Not for all tastes granted but I really enjoy it. A few months later I found 106.5, almost the same problem that 91.5 has. You can't get it all places. What rocks about it, is that you can get it on the way to the shore. Now 106.5 is more like DRE was or Eagle 106, no throw a bone to the people who don't really like rock crap that Y-100 did. I think it would win in a fight with Y-100. Two weeks ago, yet another rock station showed up on the dial. 104.5, they are like the tube network of radio. No talk, just music. When was the last time MMR played Alice in Chains? 104.5 has a great rock set, and digs deep to the vanished 90's bands. Check it out, no need to buy one of those fancy smancy XM thing a bobs.

At Shady's a few weeks ago. I bumped into a long lost friend Chris Arter! I figured he was on a tour bus like in Almost Famous for the past two years. Turns out he never really left south jersey. The two of us caught up and it didnt seem like we didn't see each other for years. We ended up hanging out later that weekend.

Now I know very little about music compared to Chris and he knows pretty much nothing about sports compared to me. So, that always made for interesting or funny conversations. I imagine if we keep hanging out that I still have my work cut out for me. Since Chris asked me during the cup finals game, if the players ever start beating up their teamates during a game, or when he admited he never heard of Ryan Howard.

Anyway, another return was the same day. Chris and I went to little ceasears. Now for those of you that forget, little ceasars was pizza chain around here in the 90's that apperently is trying to come back! It had been many many moons since I had one of their pies, or their trademark crazy bread. They offer a great deal. Pizza that is 5 bucks, and ready. You go in, and say give me a pizza, and they hand it to you and its 5 bucks. I think its bigger than Dominos "large" pizza that costs like 17 bucks or whatever now. Of course, I know by my age that ma and pa places usually have the better pizza, but pizza for 5 bucks. Well they should name a road after the person who came up with that idea!


Tucker is back look out internet world!

"RIP Jose Chung"

One of the best X-files ever.....

"100 Quotes"

This link is awesome. Someone put together a video clip of famous movies with people saying numbers. Starting at 100 and going all the way down 1. Pretty cool. I liked most the movies too. There is a list of the movies, but its more fun trying to see if you can figure out the movies yourself first. Check it out.

"paradise lost"

Might be old news now, but I was going to write this a dozen times over the last two weeks. The Ritz movie theater in Voorhees, has been bought. Not only are they going to phase out the art movies they have there which are usually films rarely seen in any theaters, they will start to allow kids. The Ritz known for its indie movies, cool loby with cake, and booklets for the up coming movies will know be a place to bring the kids. As a single guy, this totally sucks. I hate having to put up with other peoples kids when I dont have to. It was nice that such a theater would offer you a chance to get away. Now, at the Ritz, kids will be there to run into you at the food stand, kick your hair, and be really annoying overall. The Ritz was something special, because when ads would say starting at "select theaters" it ment the Ritz. I rarely had to worry about if a movie that was and inidie movie that got no press would come to the Ritz or not. It always would. Not anymore, kids will be there, and it will play mostly the same movies that all the other dime a dozen theaters play. YOu have the Cinemark which is located in the middle of a ghost town. One wonders how much longer that theater can hang on, if the Wal-Mart never arrives. There is alway Lowes in Cherry Hill, that is over run with highschoolers who like to talk on their cell phone throughout the entire movie. Sucks.

"Walk Like a Man"

Wow, maybe one of the best all time Sopranos shows ever tonight. Can't gripe that nothing happened tonight. One of the biggest shocking moments easily at the end of the show. Great, stuff just one of the best shows in TV history easily. Last weeks show was big let down for me in many ways, but this one was an out of the park homerun.

Awesome, just awesome. Kind of made me really sad that the show is ending.

"Bad Luck Tucker"

I have been to three Phillies games this season, granted the one game was a pre-season game against the Red Sox, but still 3 games. My record is 0-3. If you are keeping score its 21 "The Other Guys" 12 PHillies. I could be on pace for a new record in hurting my team.

"Rat Packing It In"

SCott Mellanby the last remaining member of the Flyers 1987 cup finals team has hung up his skates. Scott was part of the team that faced off against the great one and those Oilers, many feel were the best team ever in hockey. The 1987 Flyers came from behind and went 7 games with that team.

During his stay here Scott build a rep for being touch and scoring that ugly goal when he was needed the most. HE may not have created the concept of crashing the net, but he sure was a good example of it. Watch the highlights of him back in the day as he fires towards the net, with sticks in his face, and people trying to drag him down. Many times he would get one from standing in front of the net and by pushing his way around in the crease. Never afraid to drop his gloves, which is likely why his nose and face look so different now than his Flyers days.

He was delt to the Oilers, and eventually taken by FLordia in the expansion draft. One season there was just magical. It was that season where before a game, a rat ran out in the locker room. Scott killed the rodent with this stick. He would go on to score two goals that night, and it was dubbed a Rat Trick.

That season the Panthers shocked the hockey world by going to the finals.

Scott went on to play for the Lanche, and the Blues but never wont a cup. Which is a shame considering all he gave up for the game.

For the past two seasons he was the captain of the Atlanta Trashers. He was a good choice because the young players looked up to him. His work ethic, grit, and leadership skills made him the perfect role model for the younger players.

He won't make the hockey hall of game, and didnt break any records. But he was a hell of a players, and they don't make them like him anymore. Just too bad he never got his name on the cup.

Just think he was playing in a time where there were no ads on the boards, Crosby was just born, and Reagan was the prez. Over 20 years of hockey in him, he was one of those players I watched as a young kid. It was really a good run.

"Gore in '08!"

One step closer to it becoming official! Clinton thinks a Gore 2008 bid is not out of the question!Clinton and Gore are still close, so its not like its just anyone saying this. Gore could be a dark, horse. He became a movie star last summer, and the young people just love Gore. Gore plans to have concerts all around the world to promote global warming awareness. Although, he joked he about running during the oscars (he got one for his movie) keep in mind despite the media coverage the election isn't actually this year it is next year. Gore has plenty of time to throw his hat into the game. I certainly hope he does, if he does I will have to register as a democrat just to get his nomination, because that will be the only time voting would count. Considering he gets the noimination for his party, the state will go to the democrats anyway, but I think he would have a harder time getting the nomination than winning it all if that makes sense. Honestly, I think he might be better off as just running as an indepedent if he fails to get the nomination. A person like Gore would be invited to debates and what not, unlike Nader or Al Sharpton or whoever. My cut paste is not working but, trust me there is a good article on it in USA TODAY online.

"Roll For It"

Growing up on the show the transformers like many other kids my age, for whatever reason its one of the cartoons I can still watch and care about as an adult. I have all the original cartoons on DVD from the 1980's. But, its not just me most of my friends still love the series (though many of them like me have not watched the different verisions more modern additions on the cartoon network that have aired since the 90s) and I guess the people in hollywood realize that because they are making a new movie this summer.

Even times with guys I don't know the movie will start being talked about a 30 mins conversation about the show will start. Talking about the time the bad guys almost drilled through the earth, the impact the first movie had on you as a child(if you really loved Wheel Jack, I don't maybe you were close to tears as a 7 yearold seeing it for the first time over Craig MOffitt's house. I am not saying that was me or anything though). I guess it doesn't usually appeal to females all that much, but for some reason this series has stuck with most guys all these years. If guys needed another reason to see this movie (I still think it might suck). The girl in this picture is in the movie, and if you want to see a less work friendly picture of her click here.

"Goosebumps"

Although they are tied for the least amount of wins in Major League Baseball right now, I am not ready at all to give up on the Phillies 2007 season. Well, not yet anyway. They have dug themselves a pretty big hole. The problem is here, that two teams in their divison the Mets and the Braves are pretty decent. The phillies won today, but they need to get hot pretty much right now, or I too will be forced to write off the season. As odd as that sounds in April. But, at the very least they have already put themselves in the same situation they did the last two seasons, which resulted in no playoffs for the Phillies at all. They have dug themselves a pretty big hole right out of the gates, and there is little sign that the bull pen problem will correct itself anytime soon. Thoughts?

"Spiderman Lookout!"

Spiderman 3 comes out fairly soon, and I think someone just ruined it for me. He reminded that in Spiderman 2, pretty much everyone and their brother find out that Peter Parker is indeed Spiderman!


So, in Spiderman 3 the arch villan could easily get revenge on Spiderman by just going to his place of business and shooting it up right? Or taking MJ or Peter's aunt and killing them.

I don't really see much of a sense of him wearing a mask anymore. Maybe he will quit his low paying job and try to get paid at by the City of New York to fight crime or something.


I wonder how they will paint themselves out of this corner!

"Mike Seaver"

Okay, I have seen this episode of Scrubs twice now, and both times it really bothered me. Over all it was a great show, but they put a pop-culture re fence in there that was flat out wrong. Sadly, I knew this with having to look it up.


JD (Zack Braff) for whatever reason is trying to make his late 2oish brother not look as sad living at home with his mom, so he talked about the mid 80's to early 90's sitcom Growing Pains.

He said that in the last season that Mike (Kirk Cameron) moved above the garage of his parents house, with his friend Boner. His friends didn't remember Boner, so JD just got strange looks.

Okay couple of things wrong here.


1. Mike moved into the apartment disconnected from his parents house many seasons before the final season.
2. I don't think it was actually supposed to be a garage. Because they would always play basketball in the drive way where there was a garage door. The door was not where Mike lived it was perpendicular to where he lived.
3. Boner and Mike never lived together anywhere
4. Boner left for the army the season after him and Mike graduated highschool which was in the middle of the series run. Not only did they never live together at any point, but Boner was never seen again after leaving for the army. Or even mentioned from what I recall.
5. There could be no confusion here, Mike never had anyone live there with him at any point. So, it is not like they confused characters. We all know Leo came in the final season, but he lived in the house with the rest of the family, and I pretty sure he got Mike's old room.


What is the point on doing this when you are way off? They could have made the joke work, instead of making me remove myself from the show for so long both times that I watched it that writers didn't bother to brush up on the Growing Pains before making the reference. Whatever....

"Walk Into the Future"

I went to the Ecehelon Mall this weekend, and they have already start remaking the area into the Voorhees Town Center. The mall, as I reported is to be cut in half, altough it seems to me more like cut to 1/4 the size. The mall ends at that cool sports store down when you go right out of the foot court.

Well there is a long torn up hall way now that leads you towards the only two other stores down there now Radio Shack and Macy's. Eventually they will have an all new entreance to the mall there. The rest has been torn down for the most part. J C Penny's empty building is no longer connceted to the mall but still there. Sears is gone.

If you go left out of the food court the floor has been total ripped up. I guess the good thing is what is left of the mall is already almost full. Execpt for where the theater was and handful of other stores. They have many signs with the new catch phrase, walk into the future.

The mall as usual was pretty empty as usual once you left the food court (which oddly enough has a jewery store in it now) and even the new store Pay/Half didn't seem to have started any kind of buzz with the employees outnumbering the customers (people there out of boredom and to blog material included).


Where one store once stood is now as time capsule to Echelon, the name will soon be dropped but the display case has all kinds of stuff from back in the day. THey have the shovel that first broke ground in the 70's, pictures of when it was an airport, and boxes from Kimbels (my parent told me about that I don't recall that place). THey also have old Courier-Post newspapers about the mall. One from 2001, when the rumors first started that it was going to close. Yes, that's right its been 6 long years and counting since this whole thing started. I was thinking on printing up a blog article and giving it to them, but I am pretty sure they would not put it in the case.

Many people, have their doubts that a new grocery store, townhouses, and a main street like set up will fail horribly. At this point I am glad they finally just did something. Empty Businesses lead to loss in property value, which result in shady people moving in, which result in crime going up. That part of Voorhees, and many of the towns in in that area of Camden County including my home town ( any man of my readers)have seen a huge many businesses bail out in the last few years and crime increase. The mall itself from what I have heard is a victim of a jewelry robbery on a pretty much weekly basis. In addition to almost every office building around the mall being totally empty.

Right now there isn't much to sell to the public but a mall ripped in half and gutted in side, so I don't imagine they will start trying to win the hearts and minds of anyone just yet. But they got their work cut out for them, because of almost a decade of people thinking the mall was either closing or closed already.

As I was walking upstairs where most the empty spots are.

I heard one guy said to his friend as they past me.

"Dis mall iz shot up, yo, for real!"

That is more a less how most people feel about the place.