I Hate Falling Back an Hour

Today might be the worst day of the year. There are a few close seconds, including the day after christmas and tax day. But falling back an hour on the last Sunday in October sucks. Then someone chimes in "But we get an extra hour of sleep."

Tomorrow driving home from work at 5:30 it will be dark. Those of us that work normal hours in an office building will have two opportunities to see sunlight until early spring, possibly on the commute to the office, and at lunch. That's about it. No wonder depression occurs more often in the cold, dark, winter months. (But we gained an extra hour of sleep last night.)

It's a good reason for the fire department to tell you to change your smoke detectors.

Then there is the argument about children at the bus stop in the dark, trick or treating in the dark. No joke, there is a Halloween Saftey Act Bill in congress to extend DST. (But we all got that extra hour of sleep!)

Trick or treaters will have their wish in 2007 when the Energy Policy Act of 2005 goes into effect. This will extend DST from March 11 to November 4 to increase energy savings.

I hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep. I will be waiting to "spring forward" in March.

Back in Action - Ready for Danger, One Last Time

The DVD cover says it all: The Complete Final Season. Yesterday, season seven of MacGyver was released on DVD. While I haven’t made this all-important purchase to complete my MacGyver library yet, it will be happening any day now.

Best Buy and Circuit City better be stocked because this Phoenix Foundation fanatic is ready.

The final season was shortened to 14 episodes. Episodes in which Murdoc appears for a final time, we learn Mac’s first name (Angus), and a tearful goodbye to Pete Thornton.

Unfortunately, the two made for TV movies from 1994 weren’t included. But that also means there is hope for more duct tape and Swiss Army Knife action.

Now, MacGyver fans are relegated to MasterCard commercials with an aged Richard Dean Anderson and early morning reruns on Nick at Night and WGN.

That’s if you don’t own the MacGyver DVD library.

I Got Slammed

with poetry last night. It was the 2006 Just Poetry Grand Slam at the Firehouse Theatre on Broad Street. I'd never been to a poetry slam before. It was a new venture for me. I wanted to attend the poetry slam for two reasons. First, to see what a poetry slam was all about. Second, to support two of my co-workers in the competition.

While neither one of them took home the golden mic and $500 first place prize, it was an incredible experience. The Just Poetry Grand Slam consisted of the monthly slam winners over the course of the past year.

Even though I might not necessarily agree with the ideology/beliefs of some of the spoken word poets, I respect them for what they do. Getting on a stage and sharing their personal feelings and emotions isn't the easiest thing. Probably the best part about the poetry slam is that there is no music or props involved, just a poet and a stage.

And it's not boring either.

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out a poetry slam, it's an experience you will never forget. To learn more about the slam, visit www.justpoetryslam.com

Here is a more detailed summary of last nights events.

Jim Webb on "Towel-heads and Rednecks"

James Webb used the word Towel-head in a recent interview with the Washington Post. How odious of him! You probably won't find this on your evening newscast or on the front page of tomorrow mornings paper. But then again we are talking about the liberal media.

Funny.

If Sen.George Allen even muttered the words Towel-heads and Rednecks, it would be blasted everywhere. Below is an piece of the interview. For the entire Washington Post article, click here.


"Every movie needs a villain," Webb says. He could let the statement end there, but instead, he does a strange thing. In the midst of a Senate race marked by accusations of racial insensitivity on both sides, he says this:

"Towel-heads and rednecks — of which I am one. If you write that word, please say that. I mean, I don't use that pejoratively, I use it defensively. Towel-heads and rednecks became the easy villains in so many movies out there."

Later, Webb's press secretary learns of this quote, and the next day Webb is calling a reporter from a fundraiser in Atlanta:

"I used the words that are used to stereotype them," he says, adding that he was using both terms "defensively." "I'm really upset if this is going to end up being the guppy that eats the whale here."

No need to fret Jim. After all, it's just insensitive remarks about Arabs.

Talk about a snoozer.

"Employee of the Month" Gets Demoted

My wife and I saw “Employee of the Month” this past weekend. We both left with the same feelings. Dane Cook is a stand up comic, not an actor. Jessica Simpson is a pop singer, not an actress.

Simpson does a decent job in her role, playing a hot cashier at a wholesale club that only dates the employee of the month. The hot part of her role comes naturally. Thankfully she doesn’t have too many speaking parts. I think the same can be said for her role in “Dukes of Hazzard.” Of course her dad, Joe Simpson, had to be one of the producers. Give it up Joe.

Dane Cook, who plays the box boy trying to woo Simpson, isn’t stupid. Director Greg Coolidge obviously waived lots of cash in front of Cook’s face, and the widely popular comedian snatched it up. His switch from the stage to the screen wasn’t too smooth.

“Employee of the Month” will most likely bomb, ranking eighth over the weekend with 5.2 million in ticket sales. Cook could care less. His career has taken off and he will continue to sell out venues around the country, doing what he does best, stand up comedy.

If for some reason you want to see the movie, here's the plot summary. It isn’t much of one, so I won’t waste my time.

The funny parts are few and far between. “Employee of the Month” is for Netflix. And don’t move it to the top of your Queue.

Foot-Brawl In Miami

This is the result of "Join a Team, Not a Gang" night at the Orange Bowl on the University of Miami campus on Saturday Night. The promotion was put on my the Miami-Dade Police Deptartment. The police department brought it inner-city troubled youths to watch the game between the Hurricanes and Florida International. In the end, they watched one of the ugliest fights in NCAA history. In all, 31 players were suspended for their actions during the melee. The Canes next game: Duke.





The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, John L. White/Associated Press

VThugs

Nobody wanted to do the Hokie Pokie last night after Virginia Tech lost 22-3 to Boston College. But you can bet on the flight back to Blacksburg, the guys were laughing and dancing. Why? Because they are thugs. Move over Miami and Florida State. You have company.

After VT’s version of the Broadway hit “Stomp” last season, starring Marcus Vick (Gator Bowl vs. Lousiville) and basketball player Deron Washington (home game vs. Duke), ol’ Frank Beamer has used his iron fist and suspended some Hokies early in 2006.

Against Georgia Tech, who VT played at home for the second straight season, Beamer suspended receiver Josh Morgan and Ellis for their roles in an off-campus mêlée. Last night, Josh Hyman was sippin on too much Hennessey and was rewarded with a DUI and a suspension against Boston College.

Thugs are nothing new for VPI. Famous VThugs include Jim Druckenmiller, Vegas Robinson, DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, and the aforementioned Marcus Vick. Vick is chairman of the board.

But the thugs still rule the field. It was on display last night in Chestnut Hill, Ma.

The most glaring gangsta-like activity of the game was when Hokie Senior Linebacker Brenden Hill decided to do a dance with less than three minutes left in the game, and the Hokies were down 20-3. I don’t know if he was putting his left foot in, and his left foot out, then shaking it all about. ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit noted this act by telling Hill to “keep dancing. You’re down 20-3, keep dancing.”

This loss really hurts Tech’s chances at winning an ACC title. What hurts more is the fact that they have lost to two of the most challenging teams on their relatively laughable schedule. Besides encounters with Miami and Clemson, Tech shouldn’t lose again this season. But that could be four losses for a “powerhouse” football team.

And finally, a quote from Tech Sideline, a popular VT message board that sums up last nights performance. Why does Frank (Beamer) always have the "Who farted?" look on his face after we have a turnover?

Warner Will Not Run For President

It looks as though Virginia's president count will stay at eight, for now. Mark Warner has decided he wants "to have a real life." How can you blame him? Although, he would have had a great shot at the nomination, being closer to the middle, than the extreme left.

According to an AP report on CNN.com, Warner wants to spend more time with his wife and children. "I know these moments are never going to come again," Warner said. "This weekend made clear what I'd been thinking about for many weeks -- that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge, at this point I want to have a real life.

"And while the chance may never come again, I shouldn't move forward unless I'm willing to put everything else in my life on the back burner," he said.

Warner is known for his $1.4 billion tax increase of 2004, which then created a budget surplus and ensuing arguments of how to spend the money. Warner's legacy in Virginia will be that bipartisan agreement. Today, many still argue if it was necessary.

Yankees Pitcher Lidle Dies In Manhattan Plane Crash

NEW YORK -- A small plane piloted by New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle crashed into a 50-story condominium tower Wednesday on Manhattan's Upper East Side, killing at least four people, authorities said.

Lidle died in the crash.

The twin-engine plane came through a hazy, cloudy sky and hit the 20th floor of The Belaire -- a red-brick tower overlooking the East River, about five miles from the World Trade Center -- with a loud bang, touching off a raging fire that cast a pillar of black smoke over the city and sent flames shooting from four windows on two adjoining floors.

Large crowds gathered in the street in the largely wealthy New York neighborhood, with many people in tears and some trying to reach loved ones by cell phone.

"I was worried the building would explode, so I got out of there fast," said Lori Claymont, who fled an adjoining building in sweatpants.

Young May Cha, a 23-year-old Cornell University medical student, said she was walking back from the grocery store down 72nd Street when she saw an object out of the corner of her eye.

"I just saw something come across the sky and crash into that building," she said. Cha said there appeared to be smoke coming from behind the aircraft, and "it looked like it was flying erraticaly for the short time that I saw it."

"The explosion was very small. I was not threatened for my life," she added.

Richard Drutman, a professional photographer who lives on the 11th floor, said he was talking on the telephone when he felt the building shake.

"There was a huge explosion. I looked out my window and saw what appeared to be pieces of wings, on fire, falling from the sky," Drutman said. He and his girlfriend quickly evacuated the building.

The plane left New Jersey's Teterboro Airport, just across the Hudson River from the city, at 2:30 p.m., about 15 minutes before the crash, according to officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport. But they said they did not where the aircraft was headed.

FAA spokeswoman Diane Spitaliere said the plane was apparently not in contact with air traffic controllers; pilots flying small planes by sight are not required to be in contact.

The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to investigate.

Former NTSB director Jim Hall said in a telephone interview he doesn't understand how a plane could get so close to a New York City building after Sept. 11.

"We're under a high alert and you would assume that if something like this happened, people would have known about it before it occurred, not after," Hall said.

Mystery writer Carol Higgins Clark, daughter of author Mary Higgins Clark, lives on the 38th floor and was coming home in a cab when she saw the smoke.

"Thank goodness I wasn't at my apartment writing at the time," she said. She described the building's residents as a mix of actors, doctors, lawyers, writers and people with second homes.

Sgt. Claudette Hutchinson, a spokeswoman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colo., said fighter jets "are airborne over numerous U.S. cities and while every indication is that this is an accident, we see this as a prudent measure at this time."

However, all three New York City-area airports continued to operate normally, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters said. In Washington, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said neither President Bush nor Vice President Dick Cheney was moved to secure locations.

"All indications are that is an unfortunate accident," said Yolanda Clark, a spokeswoman for Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration. She said there was "no specific or credible intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to the homeland, at this time."

The crash struck fear in a city devastated by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Sirens echoed across the neighborhood as about 170 firefighters rushed in along with emergency workers and ambulances. Broken glass and debris were strewn around the neighborhood.

"There's a sense of helplessness," said Sandy Teller, watching from his apartment a block away. "Cots and gurneys, waiting. It's a mess."

The tower was built in the late 1980s and is situated near Sotheby's auction house. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million.

Several lower floors are occupied by doctors and administrative offices, as well as guest facilities for family members of patients at the Hospital for Special Surgery, hospital spokeswoman Phyllis Fisher said.

No patients were in the high-rise building and operations at the hospital a block away were not affected, Fisher said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

A's Sweep Into ALCS

They did it again! My A's have punched a ticket to the ALCS after completing a sweep of the Minnesota Twins yesterday in Oakland with an 8-3 win.

Many of the baseball guru's picked the twins to win the series and play the Yankees for a chance to represent the AL in the World Series. All the experts on ESPN's Baseball Tonight, gave the A's little chance at winning in the Metrodome, let along beating Twins ace Johan Santana. But it happened, twice.

After an embarrassing 0-9 performance in series clinching situations since 2000, this new look A's team wasted no time advancing to the ALCS, silencing the many critics. In fact, the guys in green and gold never trailed in a single ALDS game.

Clinching a spot early for the ALCS is huge for Oakland. It gives pitcher Rich Harden more time to rest and comeback from his injury plagued season. It also allows manager Ken Macha to tweak his starting rotation if need be.

This series was defined by great pitching by the A's and the lack of execution by the Twins. Barry Zito, Esteban Loiaza, and Danny Haren pitched three excellent games. While for the Twins, errors by Tori Hunter and Jason Bartlett proved to be costly.

Up next, Yankees or Tigers. Go Tigers!


Photos Courtesy of AP

Wisconsin State Representative: Arm Educators

Good morning class. I am your history teacher, Mr. Jones. Now sit down, or I’ll shoot.

In the last two weeks there have been school related shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Just yesterday, Culpepper County schools were closed because of a bomb threat.

What can be done to stop the rash of violence in our nation’s schools?

On Wednesday, Rep. Frank Lasee, a Republican state legislator from Wisconsin announced his answer to the violence. Lasee plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers, principals, administrators and other school personnel to carry concealed weapons.

Rep. Lasee’s proposal comes after principal John Klang was shot and killed Friday at Weston High School in Cazeovia, WI.

Rep. Lasee backs up his argument by stating that Thailand and Israel have armed teachers and workers in schools and that Wisconsin should as well. How often do we hear about car bombs and civil unrest in those countries? It almost an every day occurrence and the schools need to be locked down.

Rep. Lasee’s proposed legislation won’t work for two glaring reasons.

First, the majority of teachers in our country are liberals, voting for John Kerry in the most recent presidential election. There is no getting around that. Liberals and guns mix like oil and water. This reduces the pool of potential gun carrying educators dramatically.

Second, you mean to tell me you are going arm an innocent 24 year old woman that teaches 6th grade science with a Glock? She will probably scream, wet herself, and call the office before thinking about shooting a student or intruder. Again, going with the majority. Most K-12 teachers are female.

Self defense classes might be an alternative to Rep. Lasee’s idea, giving teachers the ability to defend themselves and students without the use of a weapon. Teachers are there to teach, not hang out at the shooting range and practice their accuracy.

Arming teachers isn’t the solution.

Bruce Hornsby to Play at the Byrd

This is pretty interesting. Virginia's own Bruce Hornsby is slated to play a solo concert -The Range will not be in attendance- at the Byrd Theater on November 4th. Yes, the movie theater. The concert is set for 8 p.m. and it doesn't look like there will be any sort of midnight show.

According to the RTD, All attendees will receive a copy of Hornsby's new career-spanning box set, "Intersections 1985-2005."

While it isn't a $1.99 show, tickets are fairly reasonable at $38.50 and go on sale tomorrow at 10 a. m.


To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketstobuy.com or call (804) 794-6700.

The Weather Outside is Delightful

Can it get any better outside. The past 10 days - nix the tornadic activity last Thursday night - have been incredible. It has been the best weather of the year. With highs in the upper 70's and low 80's and lows in the mid 50's, pleasant is the correct word. Quite comfortable by my standards.

A stretch of great weather like this isn't that common in these parts. Most seasons around here change very fast from hot to cold or vice versa.

Even NBC 12 weatherman Andrew Frieden loves the end of September and the beginning of October. I learned that the other day on the morning newscast.

Here is the forcast for the next ten days for the cap city.

Enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.

ABC's "The Nine" Tomorrow at Ten

“The Nine” premieres tomorrow night on ABC. It’s the one series premiere that I am looking forward to during the fall TV season. Yes it is a serial show. Just like Fox’s “Prison Break” and ABC’s other serial hit “Lost.” Hopefully “The Nine” won’t be as far fetched as “Lost” has become. “The Nine” is about nine hostages in a bank robbery that spend 52 hours together.

It might let me down, or get cancelled before November. The life expectancy of most new shows isn’t too long. We shall see tomorrow at 10 p.m. Click here for a link to the RTD review of “The Nine.”