Entry for July 29, 2007
07/29/2007 09:23 am
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It's been a busy week with the niece. Non-stop, except for yesterday.
Tuesday, it was dinner at Chipotle with Sandy. Wednesday, it was the mall. Thursday, it was a trip to the international grocery store and Five Below. Friday, we stayed home because Degrassi was coming on (and I really needed to take Esa for a walk). Yesterday, it was Chipotle for lunch and Borders then chilling at home.
We (Mae and I) watched a really good movie on Lifetime last night - Speak. Mae mentioned that she thought one of her friends read the book.
Today, Mae and I are going to the movies to see Hairspray. Dan said - have fun. He has no desire to see it. He was thinking about going to see another movie, but then decided not too because we would have to wait for him to get out.
I bought a dog trick book at Borders yesterday. Some of the "tricks" Esa already knows, but there are a few that we'll start to work on. Now, if only she'd get the hang of the frisbee!
Work has been good this week without the boss. Had a meeting at National Airport on Thursday and Friday was busy following up on things from the meeting. The rest of the week was calm, so all the work on Friday made up for it!
One more week of work and then it's off to Canada! Can't wait just to get away.
(and their human parents)
This blog started as The adventures of a D.I.N.K. family where the two "kids" are four legged and how we are going to retire early. Now it's a 1 income, 1 entrepreneur, and 1 pup getting closer and closer to retirement.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday Five - July 27, 2007
Friday Five - July 27, 2007
07/28/2007 10:04 am
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THINGS !! (subtitled It's always nice to give AND receive)
1. What was the last gift you recieved? Richard Zednik Jersey
2. What is the last thing you splurged on just for you? CDs - just got 5 of them in the mail
3. What was the most unique gift you've ever received? a incense burner from Germany
4. Do you collect anything? magnets, hockey jerseys, cat figurines
5. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own? probably that I still have all of my barbie dolls
07/28/2007 10:04 am
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THINGS !! (subtitled It's always nice to give AND receive)
1. What was the last gift you recieved? Richard Zednik Jersey
2. What is the last thing you splurged on just for you? CDs - just got 5 of them in the mail
3. What was the most unique gift you've ever received? a incense burner from Germany
4. Do you collect anything? magnets, hockey jerseys, cat figurines
5. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own? probably that I still have all of my barbie dolls
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Entry for July 25, 2007
Entry for July 25, 2007
07/25/2007 09:24 am
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Below is from one of my internet friend's blog. This entry is on birthdays!
******
Here’s what you do. First, post a picture of you on one of your birthdays or at one of your own birthday parties, doesn’t matter which one, just you celebrating your birthday.
Next, I have posted the same number of questions as my age on my next birthday. Copy and paste up to the question number that represents your age on your next birthday. If you’re younger than me, you don’t have to answer as many. If you’re older than me, you’ll have to add a few questions yourself to this meme. Where it gets fun, is if you post it on your blog, it increases the number of questions!
I hope lots of you will play along and have some fun with this!
Let me know in comments that you posted this so I can check out your answers too!
1. Number of states in which you've lived: 2
2. What was the last dessert you had? cookie dough blizzard
3. Look around you. First thing you see that’s red: The top of my diet coke
4. What goes on a hot-dog? onions and ketchup
5. Where did you go on your last out of town vacation? Home to NY - if you consider that a vacation.
6. Your pet’s favorite food? peanut butter
7. Favorite Athlete: Richard Zednik
8. How many DVDs do you rent in a typical month? none - we have Cinemax & Encore.
9. Prefer to swim in a pool or a lake? neither - you'll find me sunbathing on the beach.
10. Prefer to read or write blogs? both - I like to write my own blog, but also read other people's blogs to see what's going on in their life.
11. Favorite pasta dish: plain old spaghetti with sauce.
12. Pen or Pencil? pencil
13. Favorite summer footwear? flip flops
14. Favorite TV or film celebrity: Rick Springfield!
15. What's the last thing you sent snail mail? Something I sold on Amazon.com
16. Have you ever lied about your age? Yes
17. Regardless of what you drive now, do you prefer car, truck, van, SUV or “other”? SUV
18. Can you read a map? Yes
19. How did you come up with your blog’s name? Since it's my name - My mom made it up (Dad's name is Ronald)
20. Favorite c-store candy bar: Reese's peanut butter cup
21. What relative are you the most like? Personality-wise, my aunt Helen. Looks-wise, my mom's family
22. The perfect kind of cake for YOUR birthday? I used to love the yellow pudding cake my Aunt Helen used to make. Yellow cake, yellow pudding and cool whip on top. Way before that, it was always a strawberry cake - strawberry cake mix and strawberry icing.
23. Favorite music celebrity: Rick Springfield!
24. Is your printer an ink jet or laser? Ink
25. Would you say you use a computer more at home or at work? Work - by the time I get home, I'm sick of the computer
26. What size city or town do you prefer to work in? I would be nice to have a FAST commute, so a small town, but of course, the money isn't there.
27. How organized are you? VERY! I do have my unorganized piles though (which I usually know what's in it.)
28. Your brightest moment that you remember as a kid: Brightest? I was never a performer. Stick me in the group and I'm fine.
29. Preferred way to get your calcium: milk, yogurt, cheese, a pill or “other”? CHEESE, PLEASE!
30. Do you prefer candy that’s hard, chewy or melts in your mouth?
I'm not much of a candy eater. When I do, it's Reese's
31. How often do you floss your teeth? Every six months at the dentist office. I just can't get into the habit!
32. Soap in a bar or from a bottle/tube? Bodywash.
33. Where do you get your news and current events from? Internet - sometimes radio.
34. Favorite web browser? yahoo
35. You’ve won dinner for four at a very nice restaurant! Who are the three people you’re taking? Dan, Suzanne and Rick Springfield or maybe Richard Zednik - LOL!
36. Do you like surprises? (let’s say for this meme, they are all GOOD surprises) No - even good ones - I'm a control freak.
37. The dish you cook the best? cook? What's that?
38. How do you feel about legalizing gay marriage? I guess I'm fine with it. marriage is a piece of paper - it doesn't change the committment. It does give legal previliages, but a lot (except health insurance) can be done at the lawyer's office.
39. How many speeding tickets have you gotten in your driving years? one
07/25/2007 09:24 am
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Below is from one of my internet friend's blog. This entry is on birthdays!
******
Here’s what you do. First, post a picture of you on one of your birthdays or at one of your own birthday parties, doesn’t matter which one, just you celebrating your birthday.
Next, I have posted the same number of questions as my age on my next birthday. Copy and paste up to the question number that represents your age on your next birthday. If you’re younger than me, you don’t have to answer as many. If you’re older than me, you’ll have to add a few questions yourself to this meme. Where it gets fun, is if you post it on your blog, it increases the number of questions!
I hope lots of you will play along and have some fun with this!
Let me know in comments that you posted this so I can check out your answers too!
1. Number of states in which you've lived: 2
2. What was the last dessert you had? cookie dough blizzard
3. Look around you. First thing you see that’s red: The top of my diet coke
4. What goes on a hot-dog? onions and ketchup
5. Where did you go on your last out of town vacation? Home to NY - if you consider that a vacation.
6. Your pet’s favorite food? peanut butter
7. Favorite Athlete: Richard Zednik
8. How many DVDs do you rent in a typical month? none - we have Cinemax & Encore.
9. Prefer to swim in a pool or a lake? neither - you'll find me sunbathing on the beach.
10. Prefer to read or write blogs? both - I like to write my own blog, but also read other people's blogs to see what's going on in their life.
11. Favorite pasta dish: plain old spaghetti with sauce.
12. Pen or Pencil? pencil
13. Favorite summer footwear? flip flops
14. Favorite TV or film celebrity: Rick Springfield!
15. What's the last thing you sent snail mail? Something I sold on Amazon.com
16. Have you ever lied about your age? Yes
17. Regardless of what you drive now, do you prefer car, truck, van, SUV or “other”? SUV
18. Can you read a map? Yes
19. How did you come up with your blog’s name? Since it's my name - My mom made it up (Dad's name is Ronald)
20. Favorite c-store candy bar: Reese's peanut butter cup
21. What relative are you the most like? Personality-wise, my aunt Helen. Looks-wise, my mom's family
22. The perfect kind of cake for YOUR birthday? I used to love the yellow pudding cake my Aunt Helen used to make. Yellow cake, yellow pudding and cool whip on top. Way before that, it was always a strawberry cake - strawberry cake mix and strawberry icing.
23. Favorite music celebrity: Rick Springfield!
24. Is your printer an ink jet or laser? Ink
25. Would you say you use a computer more at home or at work? Work - by the time I get home, I'm sick of the computer
26. What size city or town do you prefer to work in? I would be nice to have a FAST commute, so a small town, but of course, the money isn't there.
27. How organized are you? VERY! I do have my unorganized piles though (which I usually know what's in it.)
28. Your brightest moment that you remember as a kid: Brightest? I was never a performer. Stick me in the group and I'm fine.
29. Preferred way to get your calcium: milk, yogurt, cheese, a pill or “other”? CHEESE, PLEASE!
30. Do you prefer candy that’s hard, chewy or melts in your mouth?
I'm not much of a candy eater. When I do, it's Reese's
31. How often do you floss your teeth? Every six months at the dentist office. I just can't get into the habit!
32. Soap in a bar or from a bottle/tube? Bodywash.
33. Where do you get your news and current events from? Internet - sometimes radio.
34. Favorite web browser? yahoo
35. You’ve won dinner for four at a very nice restaurant! Who are the three people you’re taking? Dan, Suzanne and Rick Springfield or maybe Richard Zednik - LOL!
36. Do you like surprises? (let’s say for this meme, they are all GOOD surprises) No - even good ones - I'm a control freak.
37. The dish you cook the best? cook? What's that?
38. How do you feel about legalizing gay marriage? I guess I'm fine with it. marriage is a piece of paper - it doesn't change the committment. It does give legal previliages, but a lot (except health insurance) can be done at the lawyer's office.
39. How many speeding tickets have you gotten in your driving years? one
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Entry for July 24, 2007
Entry for July 24, 2007
07/24/2007 01:39 pm
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0 Pageviews..Wow, what a weekend. I'll have to post some pictures later. Where to start. Everything went well, so it's all good.
We finally got out of town about 10 a.m. on Saturday. Esa was SO GOOD in the car. She stayed in the backseat the whole time and can now jump in and out of the car with no problems. Sometimes, she wasn't quite ready to go back into the car, but she did.
Visited with the family Saturday night. Lil, my niece's dog, didn't really care for Esa. I think it was the size of Esa that scared her. The cats were like "stay away from me". Esa and Lil did bond a little on a walk that night. So by the end of the night it was a little better - Lil wasn't shaking like she did at first.
Saturday night at the hotel was BAD. There was a motorcycle charity event going on and some bikes stayed at the same hotel, so whenever Esa heared a bike, she'd wake up. Plus the fact that she had never slept in her travel crate before (I knew I should have let her try it one night first). Dan was losing patience by like 2:30 a.m. so I finally just took over and she finally settled down and fell asleep.
Sunday, the party went very well. I got to see my former church youth group paster & wife, who's church Joanne and the girls now attend. It's been 18 years since I've seen them. They still look the same. So many people told me and Mae that we look like - even Joanne's mom. After the party, I dropped Dan off and went up to visit my "adopted parents", Ted & Ginny Johnson. It's been a year since I've seen them. Sunday night went much better with Esa. It was quieter so she slept the whole night.
Monday, we picked up Mae by 9:30 and out by 10 a.m. Drive home went well. Esa did well with Mae in the back.
Mae is having friend problems though. She IMed one friend about another friend's boyfriend situation and the first friend forwarded it to the other, starting a fight. Mae is so upset. Then she's having issues with her Mom - Joanne said she thinks Mae is going to become a Lesbian (because of who she hangs out with and what she watches on TV). So Mae & I talked about it. I told her that as long as she's not a druggy or an alcoholic - that's all that matters to me (I need to add, don't get pregnant to the list). We talked about eating - Mae's friends are vegetarians so Mae said she might try it, but the first step is going to be just go without red meat and eat only fowl (Pollotarianism).
Mae was saying that her, her mom & sister had a fight about becoming a vegetarian and being gay. It's just weird that Mae is open-minded to other styles of living and she came from the same area I'm from. Where there are hardly any minorities and everyone is a redneck - it's amazing how much the internet has an affect.
Oh, to be a teenager again. I tried to tell her some stories of something similar, but I don't think I helped. I just told her maybe it's a good thing you're down here for awhile.
The next conversation will be about what she wants to do with her life. We need to get her all set up for success (and the money for college).
07/24/2007 01:39 pm
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0 Pageviews..Wow, what a weekend. I'll have to post some pictures later. Where to start. Everything went well, so it's all good.
We finally got out of town about 10 a.m. on Saturday. Esa was SO GOOD in the car. She stayed in the backseat the whole time and can now jump in and out of the car with no problems. Sometimes, she wasn't quite ready to go back into the car, but she did.
Visited with the family Saturday night. Lil, my niece's dog, didn't really care for Esa. I think it was the size of Esa that scared her. The cats were like "stay away from me". Esa and Lil did bond a little on a walk that night. So by the end of the night it was a little better - Lil wasn't shaking like she did at first.
Saturday night at the hotel was BAD. There was a motorcycle charity event going on and some bikes stayed at the same hotel, so whenever Esa heared a bike, she'd wake up. Plus the fact that she had never slept in her travel crate before (I knew I should have let her try it one night first). Dan was losing patience by like 2:30 a.m. so I finally just took over and she finally settled down and fell asleep.
Sunday, the party went very well. I got to see my former church youth group paster & wife, who's church Joanne and the girls now attend. It's been 18 years since I've seen them. They still look the same. So many people told me and Mae that we look like - even Joanne's mom. After the party, I dropped Dan off and went up to visit my "adopted parents", Ted & Ginny Johnson. It's been a year since I've seen them. Sunday night went much better with Esa. It was quieter so she slept the whole night.
Monday, we picked up Mae by 9:30 and out by 10 a.m. Drive home went well. Esa did well with Mae in the back.
Mae is having friend problems though. She IMed one friend about another friend's boyfriend situation and the first friend forwarded it to the other, starting a fight. Mae is so upset. Then she's having issues with her Mom - Joanne said she thinks Mae is going to become a Lesbian (because of who she hangs out with and what she watches on TV). So Mae & I talked about it. I told her that as long as she's not a druggy or an alcoholic - that's all that matters to me (I need to add, don't get pregnant to the list). We talked about eating - Mae's friends are vegetarians so Mae said she might try it, but the first step is going to be just go without red meat and eat only fowl (Pollotarianism).
Mae was saying that her, her mom & sister had a fight about becoming a vegetarian and being gay. It's just weird that Mae is open-minded to other styles of living and she came from the same area I'm from. Where there are hardly any minorities and everyone is a redneck - it's amazing how much the internet has an affect.
Oh, to be a teenager again. I tried to tell her some stories of something similar, but I don't think I helped. I just told her maybe it's a good thing you're down here for awhile.
The next conversation will be about what she wants to do with her life. We need to get her all set up for success (and the money for college).
Friday, July 20, 2007
Are you heading off somewhere soon?
Are you heading off somewhere soon?
.
07/20/2007 09:13 am
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Yahoo 360 Team Blog - Are You Heading Off Somewhere Soon?
YES! How fitting since we are starting the traveling this weekend!
This weekend, it's driving to NY for my niece's (Chrissy) high school graduation party. I can't wait to introduce the pup to the family. VJ is the only one who has met her so far. It's been a year since we've been in Hornell (for Helen's funeral). Doesn't seem that long. I can't wait to hear Chrissy's stories about her trip to Mexico. She went there on a missonary trip through church and I think she helped at an orphanage. Her first time on a plane and first time out of the country.
Mae will be coming back with us, so the next two weeks will be busy with her. We are always on the go - of course it might be different this year with the pup. We need to keep the pup busy and not crated the whole time.
Then it's off to Canada for a week. Dan's sister & nephew will be meeting us up there at the family cottage on Rice Lake.
September 2 to the 7 - cruise to Bermuda ! WOOHOO! I CANNOT WAIT!
.
07/20/2007 09:13 am
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Yahoo 360 Team Blog - Are You Heading Off Somewhere Soon?
YES! How fitting since we are starting the traveling this weekend!
This weekend, it's driving to NY for my niece's (Chrissy) high school graduation party. I can't wait to introduce the pup to the family. VJ is the only one who has met her so far. It's been a year since we've been in Hornell (for Helen's funeral). Doesn't seem that long. I can't wait to hear Chrissy's stories about her trip to Mexico. She went there on a missonary trip through church and I think she helped at an orphanage. Her first time on a plane and first time out of the country.
Mae will be coming back with us, so the next two weeks will be busy with her. We are always on the go - of course it might be different this year with the pup. We need to keep the pup busy and not crated the whole time.
Then it's off to Canada for a week. Dan's sister & nephew will be meeting us up there at the family cottage on Rice Lake.
September 2 to the 7 - cruise to Bermuda ! WOOHOO! I CANNOT WAIT!
The Friday Five - July 20, 2007
The Friday Five - July 20, 2007
07/20/2007 10:13 am
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0 Pageviews..The Friday Five
1. Do you own a pet/pets? How many and what kind? One husky/shepherd pup.
2. Are you a dog or cat (or other) person? Why? I think I'm more of a cat person - just because they are easier to take care of!
3. If you could have any pet in the world what would it be? A tiger
4. Do you feel a close relationship/affinity to one or more wild animals? (like they watch over you or tend to seek you out) It's got to be bunnies! Since the love our yard - or should I say used to love our yard.
5. If you could be any animal in another life what animal would you choose and why did you choose it? Maybe a cat or dog - but I hope I would end up with a good owner.
07/20/2007 10:13 am
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0 Pageviews..The Friday Five
1. Do you own a pet/pets? How many and what kind? One husky/shepherd pup.
2. Are you a dog or cat (or other) person? Why? I think I'm more of a cat person - just because they are easier to take care of!
3. If you could have any pet in the world what would it be? A tiger
4. Do you feel a close relationship/affinity to one or more wild animals? (like they watch over you or tend to seek you out) It's got to be bunnies! Since the love our yard - or should I say used to love our yard.
5. If you could be any animal in another life what animal would you choose and why did you choose it? Maybe a cat or dog - but I hope I would end up with a good owner.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Entry for July 19, 2007
Entry for July 19, 2007
07/19/2007 10:22 am
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WOOHOO - THE BOSS IS ON VACATION UNTIL JULY 30!
Still, there's work to be done. I haven't done any yet today (except sign off on something), but I have plenty to do. Also need to "host" a visiting airport VIP later today.
Home life is busy and stressful. Trying to get ready for the trip to NY this weekend (I haven't done anything yet), getting ready for the niece to come back with us, trying to keep Esa busy and dealing with some hubby health issues. Nothing serious, but still bad timing. It sucks getting older. I think Dan's finally realizing that and that he needs to take better care of himself. At least with the pup, we're getting out and exercising some!
Last night I finally watched Rock of Love and Scott Baio is 45 and single. I enjoyed the Scott Baio show better than Rock of Love.
Rock of Love is the typical backstage antics and groupies. If I was there, I would have not been given a VIP pass, because I would have been sitting in the corner - or maybe not. If I knew what I was getting into and knew that I needed to get Bret's attention, I probably would have. In real life, I've been backstage and all I cared about is meeting the person and getting pictures or autographs. I was never interested in "hooking up" - you never know where the "rock star" has been!
You could tell that some of the Scott Baio show was staged, but what isn't on the "reality" shows? Same with Rock of Love, some of it was set up - like keeping the girl that everybody doens't like.
07/19/2007 10:22 am
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WOOHOO - THE BOSS IS ON VACATION UNTIL JULY 30!
Still, there's work to be done. I haven't done any yet today (except sign off on something), but I have plenty to do. Also need to "host" a visiting airport VIP later today.
Home life is busy and stressful. Trying to get ready for the trip to NY this weekend (I haven't done anything yet), getting ready for the niece to come back with us, trying to keep Esa busy and dealing with some hubby health issues. Nothing serious, but still bad timing. It sucks getting older. I think Dan's finally realizing that and that he needs to take better care of himself. At least with the pup, we're getting out and exercising some!
Last night I finally watched Rock of Love and Scott Baio is 45 and single. I enjoyed the Scott Baio show better than Rock of Love.
Rock of Love is the typical backstage antics and groupies. If I was there, I would have not been given a VIP pass, because I would have been sitting in the corner - or maybe not. If I knew what I was getting into and knew that I needed to get Bret's attention, I probably would have. In real life, I've been backstage and all I cared about is meeting the person and getting pictures or autographs. I was never interested in "hooking up" - you never know where the "rock star" has been!
You could tell that some of the Scott Baio show was staged, but what isn't on the "reality" shows? Same with Rock of Love, some of it was set up - like keeping the girl that everybody doens't like.
So there are others......
So there are others......
07/19/2007 10:54 am
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So, I'm not the only one obsessed with the weather - at least I'm not as obsessed as these guys!
******
Eyes on The Skies
Backyard Weather Watchers, Tracking Raindrops and Wind Gusts
By John Deiner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; H01
Keith Allen was just 8 years old that day back in the early '50s when he was struck by a thunderbolt.
While touring the Washington studios of WRC-AM radio -- a prize won at a church bazaar, no less -- a DJ named Willard Scott (yes, that Willard Scott) asked him to read a weather update on the air. It was a seminal moment.
The chance encounter turned Allen into an atmospheric addict, tracking troughs and ridges, thunderstorms and blizzards, highs and lows for the better part of six decades. It led to the $1,000 weather station plunked atop his Chevy Chase garage, the mounds of climatological data piled in the corners of his office, the half-dozen digital thermometers propped near windows around his house, most blinking slightly different temperatures. Since 1988, he has been doing the local weather reports for Verizon. If you call 202-936-1212 to hear the forecasts, you've likely made his acquaintance.
"Willard Scott was the best thing that ever happened to me," he said. "The best."
Allen, 65, is among this region's legion of home-based weather watchers, buffs, observers, enthusiasts, geeks . . . call them what you will. Unlike professionals who typically major in meteorology or atmospheric science in college, these amateurs just dig scanning the skies and measuring what falls from them.
They can sniff out the Weather Channel on any cable system in any time zone, but hours of listening to Jim Cantore doesn't begin to satisfy the true fanatic. They're driven to assemble gizmos in their homes and yards to track temperature fluctuations near the sandbox and rain totals from last night's gullywasher -- and then share the micro-data with one another and the pooh-bahs at the National Weather Service.
Allen's personal weather station, for example, includes a hygrometer (measures dew point), a 15-foot anemometer (wind speed) and an electronic rain gauge that sets off alarms at the first sign of drizzle . Super-buffs spend hundreds on automated systems that wirelessly send readings (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity) straight to their computers.
"People just love the weather. It's something we all have in common, and in Washington people are very sensitive about it," said Fox 5 chief meteorologist Sue Palka. "It's almost always the first thing I ever talk about with people, and it's funny how many tell me what it's doing outside."
Unlike Allen, Palka keeps it simple at home. She has a few digital thermometers and a low-tech device to measure precipitation: a metallic squirrel holding a glass tube with the inches marked off. "I picked it up at TJ Maxx," she admitted, "but it works."
She may be on to something. Retiree Marty Brumback, former chief of personnel and document security at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been tracking the weather for 21 years, the past nine at his White Plains, Md., home. Brumback said that for $150, you can piece together an "extraordinarily accurate" weather station in your back yard. It's easy to spend a lot more, however: For about $600, you can install Davis Instruments' wireless Vantage Pro2, a gangly all-in-one-system that'll give your yard that alien-invasion look you're after. According to Brumback, it's among the more accurate stations at the best price.
Then again, he's a big advocate of simple four-inch rain gauges: They're plastic, cheap (about $25) and remarkably precise. You just plunk them in your yard and see how high the water piles up. In any case, he advised, "be careful what you buy. Sometimes the higher-priced devices are no better than the cheaper ones."
Though a member of the D.C. chapter of the American Meteorological Society, Brumback is no meteorologist. (Indeed, about 20 percent of the chapter's approximately 200 members are not professionals; anyone who really, really cares about the weather is welcome to join the group on the local level.)
He's also a part of the Maryland/Delaware Atlantic Coast Observer Network (ACON), a group of about three dozen spotters who jot down every bit of info their weather stations spew out and compare notes. Virginia ACON-ites cull their data with North and South Carolinians. The data are compiled into a report each month and sent to ACON members, as well as the National Weather Service.
ACON was started in 1985 to foster communication among amateur weather observers, according to group coordinator Kevin Shaw, a cartographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But those were the prehistoric days before Web sites with real-time weather data were omnipresent. So why does ACON persist today?
"We grew into this thing that we loved, and we weather observers are a real persistent group," said Shaw, who's in the process of updating his own backyard station. "We just wanted to keep things going."
Another local group, the Washington-Baltimore Climate Review, has several hundred members recording what's going on in their yards. In addition, enthusiasts can join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, whose volunteers measure precipitation and share findings online. Anyone can blog on Weatherbug.com, run by a Germantown firm that operates a network of 8,000 tracking stations nationwide.
But if you just want to know if it's going to rain tomorrow, you can dial the phone and hear the ready-for-radio voice of Keith Allen. Assisted by a staff of eight forecasters scattered around the region, Allen is constantly fine-tuning and updating his Verizon recording; it averages 80,000 to 100,000 calls a day, down from 225,000 in 1985 but still impressive.
Other interests? Well, when he has the time, he watches his new large-screen hi-def TV.
"I love this thing," he said, alternating glances at the set with squinty-eyed glimpses out the window at his cat-adorned weather vane. "The Weather Channel just looks amazing on it."
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07/19/2007 10:54 am
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So, I'm not the only one obsessed with the weather - at least I'm not as obsessed as these guys!
******
Eyes on The Skies
Backyard Weather Watchers, Tracking Raindrops and Wind Gusts
By John Deiner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; H01
Keith Allen was just 8 years old that day back in the early '50s when he was struck by a thunderbolt.
While touring the Washington studios of WRC-AM radio -- a prize won at a church bazaar, no less -- a DJ named Willard Scott (yes, that Willard Scott) asked him to read a weather update on the air. It was a seminal moment.
The chance encounter turned Allen into an atmospheric addict, tracking troughs and ridges, thunderstorms and blizzards, highs and lows for the better part of six decades. It led to the $1,000 weather station plunked atop his Chevy Chase garage, the mounds of climatological data piled in the corners of his office, the half-dozen digital thermometers propped near windows around his house, most blinking slightly different temperatures. Since 1988, he has been doing the local weather reports for Verizon. If you call 202-936-1212 to hear the forecasts, you've likely made his acquaintance.
"Willard Scott was the best thing that ever happened to me," he said. "The best."
Allen, 65, is among this region's legion of home-based weather watchers, buffs, observers, enthusiasts, geeks . . . call them what you will. Unlike professionals who typically major in meteorology or atmospheric science in college, these amateurs just dig scanning the skies and measuring what falls from them.
They can sniff out the Weather Channel on any cable system in any time zone, but hours of listening to Jim Cantore doesn't begin to satisfy the true fanatic. They're driven to assemble gizmos in their homes and yards to track temperature fluctuations near the sandbox and rain totals from last night's gullywasher -- and then share the micro-data with one another and the pooh-bahs at the National Weather Service.
Allen's personal weather station, for example, includes a hygrometer (measures dew point), a 15-foot anemometer (wind speed) and an electronic rain gauge that sets off alarms at the first sign of drizzle . Super-buffs spend hundreds on automated systems that wirelessly send readings (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity) straight to their computers.
"People just love the weather. It's something we all have in common, and in Washington people are very sensitive about it," said Fox 5 chief meteorologist Sue Palka. "It's almost always the first thing I ever talk about with people, and it's funny how many tell me what it's doing outside."
Unlike Allen, Palka keeps it simple at home. She has a few digital thermometers and a low-tech device to measure precipitation: a metallic squirrel holding a glass tube with the inches marked off. "I picked it up at TJ Maxx," she admitted, "but it works."
She may be on to something. Retiree Marty Brumback, former chief of personnel and document security at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been tracking the weather for 21 years, the past nine at his White Plains, Md., home. Brumback said that for $150, you can piece together an "extraordinarily accurate" weather station in your back yard. It's easy to spend a lot more, however: For about $600, you can install Davis Instruments' wireless Vantage Pro2, a gangly all-in-one-system that'll give your yard that alien-invasion look you're after. According to Brumback, it's among the more accurate stations at the best price.
Then again, he's a big advocate of simple four-inch rain gauges: They're plastic, cheap (about $25) and remarkably precise. You just plunk them in your yard and see how high the water piles up. In any case, he advised, "be careful what you buy. Sometimes the higher-priced devices are no better than the cheaper ones."
Though a member of the D.C. chapter of the American Meteorological Society, Brumback is no meteorologist. (Indeed, about 20 percent of the chapter's approximately 200 members are not professionals; anyone who really, really cares about the weather is welcome to join the group on the local level.)
He's also a part of the Maryland/Delaware Atlantic Coast Observer Network (ACON), a group of about three dozen spotters who jot down every bit of info their weather stations spew out and compare notes. Virginia ACON-ites cull their data with North and South Carolinians. The data are compiled into a report each month and sent to ACON members, as well as the National Weather Service.
ACON was started in 1985 to foster communication among amateur weather observers, according to group coordinator Kevin Shaw, a cartographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But those were the prehistoric days before Web sites with real-time weather data were omnipresent. So why does ACON persist today?
"We grew into this thing that we loved, and we weather observers are a real persistent group," said Shaw, who's in the process of updating his own backyard station. "We just wanted to keep things going."
Another local group, the Washington-Baltimore Climate Review, has several hundred members recording what's going on in their yards. In addition, enthusiasts can join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, whose volunteers measure precipitation and share findings online. Anyone can blog on Weatherbug.com, run by a Germantown firm that operates a network of 8,000 tracking stations nationwide.
But if you just want to know if it's going to rain tomorrow, you can dial the phone and hear the ready-for-radio voice of Keith Allen. Assisted by a staff of eight forecasters scattered around the region, Allen is constantly fine-tuning and updating his Verizon recording; it averages 80,000 to 100,000 calls a day, down from 225,000 in 1985 but still impressive.
Other interests? Well, when he has the time, he watches his new large-screen hi-def TV.
"I love this thing," he said, alternating glances at the set with squinty-eyed glimpses out the window at his cat-adorned weather vane. "The Weather Channel just looks amazing on it."
var comments_url = "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/18/AR2007071800657_Comments.html" ; var article_id = "AR2007071800657" ;
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NSSS #2 - Hiding Out - July 17, 2007
NSSS #2 - Hiding Out - July 17, 2007
07/17/2007 10:08 am
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NSSS #2 - Hiding Out
Where do you go to get away? Is it a real place? Is it a mental escape? Where do you hide out when you want to be alone and get away from it all?
Home is my escape - just relaxing, usually in front of the TV, zoning out. I also feel like I'm escaping when I'm at home, just taking care of things (cleaning, playing with the pup, etc.).
07/17/2007 10:08 am
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NSSS #2 - Hiding Out
Where do you go to get away? Is it a real place? Is it a mental escape? Where do you hide out when you want to be alone and get away from it all?
Home is my escape - just relaxing, usually in front of the TV, zoning out. I also feel like I'm escaping when I'm at home, just taking care of things (cleaning, playing with the pup, etc.).
Entry for July 17, 2007
Entry for July 17, 2007.
07/17/2007 10:31 am
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People are dropping like flies at work. We just learned that 2 more people from our regional office are leaving. Then my former GM (General Manager - he went to the mall side of the business), Anthony, is leaving. He's going to go work for our former department head (Steve Johnson for those who know the name!).
Seems like it always happens this way. Either you're happy and stick around through the changes or you get tired of it and you're out of here. Right now, I think I'm staying, but of course, Anthony's already lining me up!
07/17/2007 10:31 am
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People are dropping like flies at work. We just learned that 2 more people from our regional office are leaving. Then my former GM (General Manager - he went to the mall side of the business), Anthony, is leaving. He's going to go work for our former department head (Steve Johnson for those who know the name!).
Seems like it always happens this way. Either you're happy and stick around through the changes or you get tired of it and you're out of here. Right now, I think I'm staying, but of course, Anthony's already lining me up!
Was that the Joker from Batman?
Was that the Joker from Batman?
07/17/2007 07:53 pm
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I forgot to post that I saw this guy that I recongized, but couldn't remember where - I knew on TV but not what program - Yes, he was in his question mark suit.
![]()
Marked Man
Washington's Infomercial King? Matthew Lesko, No Question.
By Peter Carlson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 15, 2007; D01
A doctor in a white coat ambles down a hospital hallway. Suddenly, an old lady attacks, whacking him with her metal cane. Pow! He collapses, falling face-first on the floor. Another old lady kneels over him, rummaging through his pockets, stealing vials of pills.
"That's me in drag," says Matthew Lesko, Washington's infomercial king, the self-proclaimed Guru of Government Giveaways. He's watching one of his latest ads on a laptop computer in a funky College Park coffeehouse, pointing to the "old lady," who is actually Lesko in a blue dress and a pink hat.
On the screen, the doctor-mugging scene disappears, replaced by the image of Lesko standing in front of the Capitol, wearing a garish blue suit speckled with big white question marks. "You don't have to take extreme action to get the health care you need!" he's yelling. "There are THOUSANDS of programs available for people of all ages, all incomes, with or without insurance -- FROM THE GOVERNMENT!"
In the ad -- in all his ads -- Lesko's voice is a high-speed, high-pitched shriek that falls somewhere between Fran Drescher calling her hogs and dental drills piercing your eardrums.
"I'm Matthew Lesko," he bellows in this ad. "For 25 years I've been studying government programs. My new GovernmentMoneyClub.com is the country's largest source of government benefits and includes THOUSANDS of health programs. . . . If your insurance company tells you no, there may be a government program that will COVER YOU!!" He turns and points at the Capitol: " They're not going to tell you -- but I WILL!"
On the screen, a graphic reads: "Only $19.99." It's a typical Lesko ad -- eye-catching and ear-bashing. But there's one problem with it.
"It didn't work," says Lesko, 64, smiling placidly as he sits in the coffee shop. "I don't know what works. You try something and you get lucky once in a while. I'll try anything."
He's speaking in a normal human voice, thank God, but he is wearing one of his 15 question-mark suits. This one's tan with orange question marks. He always wears these suits, except at weddings and funerals. Both of his family cars are festooned with question marks. So is the scooter he rides around Washington. His life is an ad for himself.
Lesko's here in the coffeehouse to meet with his director, Mike Fleg, who has an idea for a new ad. No geriatric muggers this time. This ad will feature Lesko rapping.
Rapping? Is the world really ready for Matthew Lesko rapping about how to get free money from the government?
Fleg thinks so. He's 23 and he just graduated from the University of Maryland. He's here with Elijah Harvey, another new grad, who raps under the name "XL." Together, they explain their idea for the ad: Lesko's walking through a funky neighborhood in his nerdy question-mark suit. A gaggle of gangbangers spot him, and one of them -- to be played by XL -- starts rapping about how lame Lesko looks. Then Lesko starts rapping back, talking about how he knows how to get free money from the government: "I got billions in free money and it's waitin' for you / So come get your money and your life will be new." And pretty soon, the gangbanger's girlfriends desert him and flock to Lesko because he's got free money. Then the music swells :"Getcha money! Getcha money!"
Lesko smiles and sings along: "Getcha money! Getcha money!" Then he says, "I like that. But the beginning is too long. How do we get to the 'getcha money' faster?"
They discuss that for a while, exchanging ideas in a brainstorming session that's interrupted briefly when a guy who recognizes Lesko from TV stops by to shake his hand. Finally, after a half-hour of tinkering with the script, Lesko is pleased.
"Let's just shoot the bloody thing," he says, "and see how it goes."
'I Didn't Write a Lick'
"I was just named fifth-best infomercial of all time," Lesko says.
He's sitting in his kitchen in Kensington, drinking a giant cappuccino that his wife, Wendy, just brewed for him. He rummages around, finds his copy of Stuff magazine and flips to a story called "15 Greatest Infomercials Ever!" Sure enough, his "free money" infomercials are ranked No. 5, right behind the famous Ginsu knife ads and just ahead of Miss Cleo's Mind and Spirit Psychic Network.
What an honor! It's a fitting testament to the genius who made a career out of what might be the ultimate advertising slogan -- free money! For decades, he has used that enticing slogan to sell books that are basically just lists of government programs that may or may not be able to help you out.
It all began back in the 1970s, when Lesko, a Navy veteran with an MBA from American University, founded Washington Researchers, a company that ferreted out information about government programs for corporate clients. In 1982, he published his first book, "Getting Yours: The Complete Guide to Government Money."
"I plagiarized the whole thing," he says proudly. "I didn't write a lick."
He took the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, an 1,100-page government guide to grants and loans, condensed it to 300 pages, added a few snappy introductory paragraphs and -- voila! -- he was on the New York Times bestseller list.
A year later, he produced another book cribbed from government documents -- "Information USA," a 1,000-page guide to getting free info from the feds. That one also made the Times bestseller list -- the same list that included "The Color Purple" and "Garfield Eats His Heart Out."
His business model is simple: "I get stuff for free and I sell it for as much as I can get."
He didn't work very hard writing the books, but he hustled like crazy promoting them. Pimped out in bright red or yellow or chartreuse clothing -- he hadn't invented the question-mark suit yet -- he'd appear on any TV show anywhere, from a Podunk morning show to Oprah, Letterman and Larry King, and he'd start yelling about how his latest book tells you how to get free money! Lesko understands the secret of being a successful talk-show guest: "Just act like an [expletive]."
He sold his first half-dozen books to New York publishers, but after that, he figured he could make more money printing them himself and selling them with 800-numbers advertised on infomercials. It worked: He's sold more than 3 million copies of 100 different books, tapes and DVDs, he says. All of them are about getting stuff free.
"It's always free money and information," says Mary Ann Martello, his researcher for the past 20 years. "Matthew comes up with a title and I find things to put in the book."
"They're all basically the same," Lesko admits. "All that changes is the title."
And even the titles don't change very much -- "Free Stuff for Seniors" and "Free Stuff for Busy Moms" and "Free Money to Quit Your Job" and his personal favorite title, "Free Money to Change Your Life."
About a decade ago, Lesko started wearing his question-mark suits, not just in infomercials but everywhere. At first his wife and their two sons -- Morgan, now 25, and Max, 22 -- were a little taken aback, but now they're used to it. "It's fun," Wendy says, "particularly in this town where everybody dresses like a penguin."
To create his first infomercials, Lesko spent a lot of money hiring Hollywood professionals. Now, he hires eager young kids who shoot cheap and edit on laptops. "They're terrific," he says. "They work for dirt and they're excited and they have good ideas."
Lesko found Fleg, his latest director, by putting an ad on Craigslist. Fleg answered it and agreed to produce ads for $1,500 apiece. At that price, Lesko can afford to shoot an ad, then test it on cheap rural cable stations, and toss it out if it doesn't sell.
"I remember his ads from when I was a little kid," says Fleg, "so it's nice to be actually directing him."
On Location . . . in Laurel
Holding a boombox in one hand and his script in the other, Lesko dances across the handicapped parking spaces of a bowling alley in Laurel, bouncing from one leg to the other, trying to learn the lines of his rap before Fleg starts shooting the new commercial.
You say you spend big money
And you buyin' all that bling
But I got more money
And I'm riding limousines
Today, Lesko's wearing a blue suit with bright yellow question marks. Fleg walks over and hands him a piece of cartoon bling -- a necklace made of a foot-high styrofoam question mark that's been spray-painted silver and sprinkled with glitter.
Lesko laughs and puts it on. Immediately, his suit is speckled with glitter. He takes it off and hands it back to Fleg.
"Let's let it dry for a while," he says, smiling as he picks a fleck of glitter off his nose.
The bowling alley parking lot is getting crowded now with the college-age kids Fleg recruited to serve as unpaid extras in the ad, which he'll shoot in a weed-infested vacant lot nearby. The guys are dressed to look like gangbangers, the girls like, well, sexy women. They stand around eating bagels and bananas and watching Lesko bounce back and forth, practicing his rap: "You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me!"
The kids watch him and laugh. For some reason, they think a gray-haired guy in a question-mark suit carrying a boombox and rapping is funny.
"Who is he?" an extra named Lauren Blick asks Fleg.
"He's Matthew Lesko," Fleg says, smiling. "What else can I say? He's the government info man."
"I've seen his ads," an extra named Tiffany Toney tells her friend Aliesha Zynda. "They're for -- what? Loans?"
"Government money," says Zynda.
"Government money?" Toney says, suddenly interested. "I'll have to ask him about that."
The Cost of 'Free Money'
Yeah, what about that government money? Do the people who buy Lesko's books really get free money from the government?
"Some do, but I don't know how many," Lesko says. "Not the majority, because it takes some effort. You don't just buy a book and make a phone call and get a check next Tuesday. There's money available but it takes some effort."
In 2004, the New York State Consumer Protection Board issued a report claiming that Lesko's ad were "misleading" and "peppered with exaggerations and half-truths about government grants."
The report quoted a Lesko ad claiming that the government gave away $350 billion of "free money" every year. "What Lesko doesn't say publicly," the report stated, "is that the vast majority of this money comes from public assistance programs, such as Food Stamps and Medicaid."
The board focused on one Lesko book -- "Free Money to Pay Your Bills!" -- and found much creative hyperbole. For instance, when Lesko mentioned getting "10% Off Your Restaurant Bill," he was referring to "early bird specials for senior citizens." When he wrote that you can "Get $600 for Each Child," he was referring to the standard federal income tax deduction.
Lesko eagerly admits that he engages in hyperbole. "If we're going to start crucifying people for hyperbole in this society, there's going to be a long line," he says. "If I was writing a diet book, I wouldn't say, 'It's going to take a lot of work and it'll be a pain in the [butt].' I'd say, 'Thin thighs in 30 days.' "
Lesko claims that he refunds the money of any customer who sends back one of his products -- and about 10 percent do. But other customers write to tell him that his books worked.
Barbara Sheperd, a librarian in Michigan City, Ind., says an article in a Lesko newsletter led her to a state program that gave her elderly mother a low-interest loan to put a new roof on her house.
Ronnie Brandt, a New Jersey folk singer, says he saw one of Lesko's infomercials and bought a book that helped him get state and federal grants to perform historical songs in schools. "I think his books are great," he says, "but you've got to do the work."
And then there's the Zufall family, who are dairy farmers in Lisbon, N.Y. Two years ago, they bought three of Lesko's books and a DVD called "Free Money for Everybody." From the DVD, they learned of a local government program that gave them $12,000 to help pay for a gravel walkway for their cows.
"It gets them out of the mud," explains Levi Zufall.
But a $12,000 government grant for a private cow path raises other questions for taxpayers: Which would be worse -- if Lesko is exaggerating how much "free money" is available from the government? Or if he isn't?
'Go Getcha Money!'
Now, Lesko's standing in the lot behind the bowling alley, waiting for Fleg to start shooting the ad.
"Thanks for coming out," he tells the two dozen extras who are gathered around him. "I just hope I don't look like some old guy trying to look hip."
He doesn't. Actually, he looks like an old guy standing in a forlorn vacant lot wearing a question-mark suit and a necklace made of a spray-painted styrofoam question mark.
With a hand-held video camera, Fleg shoots the scene of the gangbangers laughing at Lesko. Then he shoots the scene where Lesko does his rap --"You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me." Then he begins to shoot a musical number in which Lesko and a group of hip young people -- who are wearing bright yellow T-shirts with black question marks glued to them -- dance exuberantly to a catchy little jingle:
Step with it -- go getcha money!
Slide with it -- go getcha money!
Stretch with it -- go getcha money!
It's quite a show, and a couple of local guys wander over to check it out.
Marcus Sanders, 34, thought he recognized the man in the question-mark suit, but he was mistaken. "I thought he was Bob Barker," he says. He looks a tad disappointed.
"Hey, that's the money man!" says Fleming Rice, 59, who says he's retired from the D.C. Department of Mental Health. "I've seen him on TV."
Rice takes a couple steps closer to Lesko and the dancers.
"Hey, can I borrow a dollar?" he yells to Lesko.
The money man doesn't answer.
"Just a dollar," Rice yells. "Help me out with a dollar."
"Let me finish here," Lesko says.
"Just a dollar!"
Sanders starts walking away. "Come on, let's go," he tells Rice.
Rice doesn't move. "I wanna see him dance again," he says.
Lesko calls over an extra in a yellow question-mark shirt, and instructs him to take a present to Rice. It's not a dollar, it's a DVD titled "Free Money for Everybody." On the back of the box it is touted as "a laugh-out-loud fun ride to a mountain of money!"
Rice puts on his glasses and studies the DVD for a long moment.
"Free money!?!" he says. "Where's it at?"
07/17/2007 07:53 pm
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I forgot to post that I saw this guy that I recongized, but couldn't remember where - I knew on TV but not what program - Yes, he was in his question mark suit.
Washington's Infomercial King? Matthew Lesko, No Question.
By Peter Carlson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 15, 2007; D01
A doctor in a white coat ambles down a hospital hallway. Suddenly, an old lady attacks, whacking him with her metal cane. Pow! He collapses, falling face-first on the floor. Another old lady kneels over him, rummaging through his pockets, stealing vials of pills.
"That's me in drag," says Matthew Lesko, Washington's infomercial king, the self-proclaimed Guru of Government Giveaways. He's watching one of his latest ads on a laptop computer in a funky College Park coffeehouse, pointing to the "old lady," who is actually Lesko in a blue dress and a pink hat.
On the screen, the doctor-mugging scene disappears, replaced by the image of Lesko standing in front of the Capitol, wearing a garish blue suit speckled with big white question marks. "You don't have to take extreme action to get the health care you need!" he's yelling. "There are THOUSANDS of programs available for people of all ages, all incomes, with or without insurance -- FROM THE GOVERNMENT!"
In the ad -- in all his ads -- Lesko's voice is a high-speed, high-pitched shriek that falls somewhere between Fran Drescher calling her hogs and dental drills piercing your eardrums.
"I'm Matthew Lesko," he bellows in this ad. "For 25 years I've been studying government programs. My new GovernmentMoneyClub.com is the country's largest source of government benefits and includes THOUSANDS of health programs. . . . If your insurance company tells you no, there may be a government program that will COVER YOU!!" He turns and points at the Capitol: " They're not going to tell you -- but I WILL!"
On the screen, a graphic reads: "Only $19.99." It's a typical Lesko ad -- eye-catching and ear-bashing. But there's one problem with it.
"It didn't work," says Lesko, 64, smiling placidly as he sits in the coffee shop. "I don't know what works. You try something and you get lucky once in a while. I'll try anything."
He's speaking in a normal human voice, thank God, but he is wearing one of his 15 question-mark suits. This one's tan with orange question marks. He always wears these suits, except at weddings and funerals. Both of his family cars are festooned with question marks. So is the scooter he rides around Washington. His life is an ad for himself.
Lesko's here in the coffeehouse to meet with his director, Mike Fleg, who has an idea for a new ad. No geriatric muggers this time. This ad will feature Lesko rapping.
Rapping? Is the world really ready for Matthew Lesko rapping about how to get free money from the government?
Fleg thinks so. He's 23 and he just graduated from the University of Maryland. He's here with Elijah Harvey, another new grad, who raps under the name "XL." Together, they explain their idea for the ad: Lesko's walking through a funky neighborhood in his nerdy question-mark suit. A gaggle of gangbangers spot him, and one of them -- to be played by XL -- starts rapping about how lame Lesko looks. Then Lesko starts rapping back, talking about how he knows how to get free money from the government: "I got billions in free money and it's waitin' for you / So come get your money and your life will be new." And pretty soon, the gangbanger's girlfriends desert him and flock to Lesko because he's got free money. Then the music swells :"Getcha money! Getcha money!"
Lesko smiles and sings along: "Getcha money! Getcha money!" Then he says, "I like that. But the beginning is too long. How do we get to the 'getcha money' faster?"
They discuss that for a while, exchanging ideas in a brainstorming session that's interrupted briefly when a guy who recognizes Lesko from TV stops by to shake his hand. Finally, after a half-hour of tinkering with the script, Lesko is pleased.
"Let's just shoot the bloody thing," he says, "and see how it goes."
'I Didn't Write a Lick'
"I was just named fifth-best infomercial of all time," Lesko says.
He's sitting in his kitchen in Kensington, drinking a giant cappuccino that his wife, Wendy, just brewed for him. He rummages around, finds his copy of Stuff magazine and flips to a story called "15 Greatest Infomercials Ever!" Sure enough, his "free money" infomercials are ranked No. 5, right behind the famous Ginsu knife ads and just ahead of Miss Cleo's Mind and Spirit Psychic Network.
What an honor! It's a fitting testament to the genius who made a career out of what might be the ultimate advertising slogan -- free money! For decades, he has used that enticing slogan to sell books that are basically just lists of government programs that may or may not be able to help you out.
It all began back in the 1970s, when Lesko, a Navy veteran with an MBA from American University, founded Washington Researchers, a company that ferreted out information about government programs for corporate clients. In 1982, he published his first book, "Getting Yours: The Complete Guide to Government Money."
"I plagiarized the whole thing," he says proudly. "I didn't write a lick."
He took the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, an 1,100-page government guide to grants and loans, condensed it to 300 pages, added a few snappy introductory paragraphs and -- voila! -- he was on the New York Times bestseller list.
A year later, he produced another book cribbed from government documents -- "Information USA," a 1,000-page guide to getting free info from the feds. That one also made the Times bestseller list -- the same list that included "The Color Purple" and "Garfield Eats His Heart Out."
His business model is simple: "I get stuff for free and I sell it for as much as I can get."
He didn't work very hard writing the books, but he hustled like crazy promoting them. Pimped out in bright red or yellow or chartreuse clothing -- he hadn't invented the question-mark suit yet -- he'd appear on any TV show anywhere, from a Podunk morning show to Oprah, Letterman and Larry King, and he'd start yelling about how his latest book tells you how to get free money! Lesko understands the secret of being a successful talk-show guest: "Just act like an [expletive]."
He sold his first half-dozen books to New York publishers, but after that, he figured he could make more money printing them himself and selling them with 800-numbers advertised on infomercials. It worked: He's sold more than 3 million copies of 100 different books, tapes and DVDs, he says. All of them are about getting stuff free.
"It's always free money and information," says Mary Ann Martello, his researcher for the past 20 years. "Matthew comes up with a title and I find things to put in the book."
"They're all basically the same," Lesko admits. "All that changes is the title."
And even the titles don't change very much -- "Free Stuff for Seniors" and "Free Stuff for Busy Moms" and "Free Money to Quit Your Job" and his personal favorite title, "Free Money to Change Your Life."
About a decade ago, Lesko started wearing his question-mark suits, not just in infomercials but everywhere. At first his wife and their two sons -- Morgan, now 25, and Max, 22 -- were a little taken aback, but now they're used to it. "It's fun," Wendy says, "particularly in this town where everybody dresses like a penguin."
To create his first infomercials, Lesko spent a lot of money hiring Hollywood professionals. Now, he hires eager young kids who shoot cheap and edit on laptops. "They're terrific," he says. "They work for dirt and they're excited and they have good ideas."
Lesko found Fleg, his latest director, by putting an ad on Craigslist. Fleg answered it and agreed to produce ads for $1,500 apiece. At that price, Lesko can afford to shoot an ad, then test it on cheap rural cable stations, and toss it out if it doesn't sell.
"I remember his ads from when I was a little kid," says Fleg, "so it's nice to be actually directing him."
On Location . . . in Laurel
Holding a boombox in one hand and his script in the other, Lesko dances across the handicapped parking spaces of a bowling alley in Laurel, bouncing from one leg to the other, trying to learn the lines of his rap before Fleg starts shooting the new commercial.
You say you spend big money
And you buyin' all that bling
But I got more money
And I'm riding limousines
Today, Lesko's wearing a blue suit with bright yellow question marks. Fleg walks over and hands him a piece of cartoon bling -- a necklace made of a foot-high styrofoam question mark that's been spray-painted silver and sprinkled with glitter.
Lesko laughs and puts it on. Immediately, his suit is speckled with glitter. He takes it off and hands it back to Fleg.
"Let's let it dry for a while," he says, smiling as he picks a fleck of glitter off his nose.
The bowling alley parking lot is getting crowded now with the college-age kids Fleg recruited to serve as unpaid extras in the ad, which he'll shoot in a weed-infested vacant lot nearby. The guys are dressed to look like gangbangers, the girls like, well, sexy women. They stand around eating bagels and bananas and watching Lesko bounce back and forth, practicing his rap: "You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me!"
The kids watch him and laugh. For some reason, they think a gray-haired guy in a question-mark suit carrying a boombox and rapping is funny.
"Who is he?" an extra named Lauren Blick asks Fleg.
"He's Matthew Lesko," Fleg says, smiling. "What else can I say? He's the government info man."
"I've seen his ads," an extra named Tiffany Toney tells her friend Aliesha Zynda. "They're for -- what? Loans?"
"Government money," says Zynda.
"Government money?" Toney says, suddenly interested. "I'll have to ask him about that."
The Cost of 'Free Money'
Yeah, what about that government money? Do the people who buy Lesko's books really get free money from the government?
"Some do, but I don't know how many," Lesko says. "Not the majority, because it takes some effort. You don't just buy a book and make a phone call and get a check next Tuesday. There's money available but it takes some effort."
In 2004, the New York State Consumer Protection Board issued a report claiming that Lesko's ad were "misleading" and "peppered with exaggerations and half-truths about government grants."
The report quoted a Lesko ad claiming that the government gave away $350 billion of "free money" every year. "What Lesko doesn't say publicly," the report stated, "is that the vast majority of this money comes from public assistance programs, such as Food Stamps and Medicaid."
The board focused on one Lesko book -- "Free Money to Pay Your Bills!" -- and found much creative hyperbole. For instance, when Lesko mentioned getting "10% Off Your Restaurant Bill," he was referring to "early bird specials for senior citizens." When he wrote that you can "Get $600 for Each Child," he was referring to the standard federal income tax deduction.
Lesko eagerly admits that he engages in hyperbole. "If we're going to start crucifying people for hyperbole in this society, there's going to be a long line," he says. "If I was writing a diet book, I wouldn't say, 'It's going to take a lot of work and it'll be a pain in the [butt].' I'd say, 'Thin thighs in 30 days.' "
Lesko claims that he refunds the money of any customer who sends back one of his products -- and about 10 percent do. But other customers write to tell him that his books worked.
Barbara Sheperd, a librarian in Michigan City, Ind., says an article in a Lesko newsletter led her to a state program that gave her elderly mother a low-interest loan to put a new roof on her house.
Ronnie Brandt, a New Jersey folk singer, says he saw one of Lesko's infomercials and bought a book that helped him get state and federal grants to perform historical songs in schools. "I think his books are great," he says, "but you've got to do the work."
And then there's the Zufall family, who are dairy farmers in Lisbon, N.Y. Two years ago, they bought three of Lesko's books and a DVD called "Free Money for Everybody." From the DVD, they learned of a local government program that gave them $12,000 to help pay for a gravel walkway for their cows.
"It gets them out of the mud," explains Levi Zufall.
But a $12,000 government grant for a private cow path raises other questions for taxpayers: Which would be worse -- if Lesko is exaggerating how much "free money" is available from the government? Or if he isn't?
'Go Getcha Money!'
Now, Lesko's standing in the lot behind the bowling alley, waiting for Fleg to start shooting the ad.
"Thanks for coming out," he tells the two dozen extras who are gathered around him. "I just hope I don't look like some old guy trying to look hip."
He doesn't. Actually, he looks like an old guy standing in a forlorn vacant lot wearing a question-mark suit and a necklace made of a spray-painted styrofoam question mark.
With a hand-held video camera, Fleg shoots the scene of the gangbangers laughing at Lesko. Then he shoots the scene where Lesko does his rap --"You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me." Then he begins to shoot a musical number in which Lesko and a group of hip young people -- who are wearing bright yellow T-shirts with black question marks glued to them -- dance exuberantly to a catchy little jingle:
Step with it -- go getcha money!
Slide with it -- go getcha money!
Stretch with it -- go getcha money!
It's quite a show, and a couple of local guys wander over to check it out.
Marcus Sanders, 34, thought he recognized the man in the question-mark suit, but he was mistaken. "I thought he was Bob Barker," he says. He looks a tad disappointed.
"Hey, that's the money man!" says Fleming Rice, 59, who says he's retired from the D.C. Department of Mental Health. "I've seen him on TV."
Rice takes a couple steps closer to Lesko and the dancers.
"Hey, can I borrow a dollar?" he yells to Lesko.
The money man doesn't answer.
"Just a dollar," Rice yells. "Help me out with a dollar."
"Let me finish here," Lesko says.
"Just a dollar!"
Sanders starts walking away. "Come on, let's go," he tells Rice.
Rice doesn't move. "I wanna see him dance again," he says.
Lesko calls over an extra in a yellow question-mark shirt, and instructs him to take a present to Rice. It's not a dollar, it's a DVD titled "Free Money for Everybody." On the back of the box it is touted as "a laugh-out-loud fun ride to a mountain of money!"
Rice puts on his glasses and studies the DVD for a long moment.
"Free money!?!" he says. "Where's it at?"
Sunday, July 15, 2007
update on one of Esa's littermates - July 15, 2007
update on one of Esa's littermates - July 15, 2007.
07/15/2007 09:52 am
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I just found this on the Lost Dog Rescue website.
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Guinness aka Darma's Update 6-15-2007
We want to thank Happy Tails for Guinness (aka Darma)! She is 4 months old today, and is doing very well. She loves to run around in the backyard, and enjoys her daily "playdates" with her best friend Minee, the neighbors' 1-year-old Pointer mix. She snuggles up with us at night, and enjoys waking us up exactly at 5.45 every morning! We've only lost a couple of shoes to her, as she now knows that we prefer she chew her own toys. She's been going to a private trainer, and has learned not only basic obedience, but a few "tricks" as well. She's fairly calm and is very affectionate. Thank you, Lost Dog, for helping us find her - she's very special to us! I've attached some pictures of her
07/15/2007 09:52 am
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I just found this on the Lost Dog Rescue website.
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Guinness aka Darma's Update 6-15-2007
We want to thank Happy Tails for Guinness (aka Darma)! She is 4 months old today, and is doing very well. She loves to run around in the backyard, and enjoys her daily "playdates" with her best friend Minee, the neighbors' 1-year-old Pointer mix. She snuggles up with us at night, and enjoys waking us up exactly at 5.45 every morning! We've only lost a couple of shoes to her, as she now knows that we prefer she chew her own toys. She's been going to a private trainer, and has learned not only basic obedience, but a few "tricks" as well. She's fairly calm and is very affectionate. Thank you, Lost Dog, for helping us find her - she's very special to us! I've attached some pictures of her
Entry for July 15, 2007
Entry for July 15, 2007
07/15/2007 07:58 pm
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Finished work with a BAD headache - sinuses were killing me. Came home, took some meds and fell asleep.
While at work, Dan called and asked me to stop at the grocery store to pick up some wet dog food - Esa wasn't eating at all and seemed sick. So, stopped at the grocery store before going home. I could tell Esa wasn't feeling good - and boy did her tummy say so - just gurgling away. BUT, by the time I got up from my nap, Esa was up and around and is now acting fine now. We did start to put some water in her dry food, so maybe we'll start doing that. I guess just like humans, sometimes the tummy just gets upset.
Dan also mentioned when he called that the shutters that I bought didn't fit in the window - they were too small. I could have sworen I measured them right. When I got home, the shutters were downstairs and Dan's like I brought them to install them. I'm like - they're for the master bath - Dan "NO WONDER THEY DIDN'T FIT!" LOL! So is my life with Dan.
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Just realized that Rock of Love is on and the Scott Baio show comes on tonight - figures since The 4400 and Dead Zone are on! Of course I'm sure VH1 will rerun the shows a couple of times this week!
07/15/2007 07:58 pm
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Finished work with a BAD headache - sinuses were killing me. Came home, took some meds and fell asleep.
While at work, Dan called and asked me to stop at the grocery store to pick up some wet dog food - Esa wasn't eating at all and seemed sick. So, stopped at the grocery store before going home. I could tell Esa wasn't feeling good - and boy did her tummy say so - just gurgling away. BUT, by the time I got up from my nap, Esa was up and around and is now acting fine now. We did start to put some water in her dry food, so maybe we'll start doing that. I guess just like humans, sometimes the tummy just gets upset.
Dan also mentioned when he called that the shutters that I bought didn't fit in the window - they were too small. I could have sworen I measured them right. When I got home, the shutters were downstairs and Dan's like I brought them to install them. I'm like - they're for the master bath - Dan "NO WONDER THEY DIDN'T FIT!" LOL! So is my life with Dan.
****
Just realized that Rock of Love is on and the Scott Baio show comes on tonight - figures since The 4400 and Dead Zone are on! Of course I'm sure VH1 will rerun the shows a couple of times this week!
Not So Secret Secret - July 15, 2007
Not So Secret Secret - July 15, 2007
07/15/2007 08:05 pm
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Thanks to Nani for introducing me to the NSSS blog.
When it's raining out, what are you thinking of? This is probably bad, but looks like the grass is going to need mowing!
What would you like to be doing? Sleeping/laying on the couch all day.
What kind of mood does it put you in? A lazy mood!
Another feel free to post here entry!
07/15/2007 08:05 pm
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Thanks to Nani for introducing me to the NSSS blog.
When it's raining out, what are you thinking of? This is probably bad, but looks like the grass is going to need mowing!
What would you like to be doing? Sleeping/laying on the couch all day.
What kind of mood does it put you in? A lazy mood!
Another feel free to post here entry!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Entry for July 14, 2007
Entry for July 14, 2007
07/14/2007 09:36 am
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I had a busy day yesterday - but a good one. I felt like I actually got things done. This is my weekend to work, so off Friday and Saturday, work Sunday.
We dropped off the Jeep for it's 30,000 mile checkup, went to Chipotle, Best Buy (to get one of Mae's b-day presents), then I started my errands. AC Moore) where I didn't get what I went there for, but found a lot of other things that I bought!), Home Depot (finally bought indoor plantation shutters for the master bath and some flowers for out front), got my toes done, then grocery store. My inital plan was to head up to Leesburg and hit the Home Depot there, but then remembered the Ashburn Home Depot, where, right across the street was a nail place and Giant!
Got home, went and picked up the jeep and left the nissan for it's 50,000 checkup, then started on the pasta salad for today. Tom, Kat & the kids are coming over around 1 p.m. and Dan requested pasta salad since he didn't really get a lot last week.
We had a FREAKY storm last night at 11:30 p.m. I had just gone to bed around 10:30 or so and woke up to Esa yipping and the flash of lightning and clap of thunder. So, I went downstairs to calm Esa down. OH MY LORD - THE STORM CAME RIGHT OVER US! I was laying on the loveseat across from Esa's crate and SAW the lightning strike come down. It obviously hit something because the next thing I know, I hear the sirens. The freaky thing - within 15 minutes, gone - no rain, and lightning and thunder are in the far distance.
Let me just say, I was scared for a minute there. I thought the house was going to get hit. I'll just say it now - I have this fear of losing everything - even though it's all just material things. I think it's just because you work so hard for everything you have, and it could be gone in a flash. Of course, that can happen with people too!
07/14/2007 09:36 am
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I had a busy day yesterday - but a good one. I felt like I actually got things done. This is my weekend to work, so off Friday and Saturday, work Sunday.
We dropped off the Jeep for it's 30,000 mile checkup, went to Chipotle, Best Buy (to get one of Mae's b-day presents), then I started my errands. AC Moore) where I didn't get what I went there for, but found a lot of other things that I bought!), Home Depot (finally bought indoor plantation shutters for the master bath and some flowers for out front), got my toes done, then grocery store. My inital plan was to head up to Leesburg and hit the Home Depot there, but then remembered the Ashburn Home Depot, where, right across the street was a nail place and Giant!
Got home, went and picked up the jeep and left the nissan for it's 50,000 checkup, then started on the pasta salad for today. Tom, Kat & the kids are coming over around 1 p.m. and Dan requested pasta salad since he didn't really get a lot last week.
We had a FREAKY storm last night at 11:30 p.m. I had just gone to bed around 10:30 or so and woke up to Esa yipping and the flash of lightning and clap of thunder. So, I went downstairs to calm Esa down. OH MY LORD - THE STORM CAME RIGHT OVER US! I was laying on the loveseat across from Esa's crate and SAW the lightning strike come down. It obviously hit something because the next thing I know, I hear the sirens. The freaky thing - within 15 minutes, gone - no rain, and lightning and thunder are in the far distance.
Let me just say, I was scared for a minute there. I thought the house was going to get hit. I'll just say it now - I have this fear of losing everything - even though it's all just material things. I think it's just because you work so hard for everything you have, and it could be gone in a flash. Of course, that can happen with people too!
Friday, July 13, 2007
The Friday Five - July 13, 2007.
The Friday Five - July 13, 2007.
07/13/2007 09:55 am
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Something new - found this blog from another blog that I read. Every Friday they post 5 questions pertaining to something.
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The Friday Five
'Tis the Season:
1. Is it warm or cold in July where you live? HOT!
2. What is your favorite thing about this time of year? It's light out until like 9 p.m.! What is your least favorite? TOO HOT!
3. What food and drink says "July" to you? Why? Watermelon & Lemonade
4. What is your favorite activity this time of year? Cookouts
5. A friend from another country is visiting you during July. They know nothing about your area. What cautions do you give them? (pack warm, bring sunscreen, etc). Dress light and get ready for the afternoon thunderstorms!
Feel free to post your answers here!
07/13/2007 09:55 am
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Something new - found this blog from another blog that I read. Every Friday they post 5 questions pertaining to something.
*******
The Friday Five
'Tis the Season:
1. Is it warm or cold in July where you live? HOT!
2. What is your favorite thing about this time of year? It's light out until like 9 p.m.! What is your least favorite? TOO HOT!
3. What food and drink says "July" to you? Why? Watermelon & Lemonade
4. What is your favorite activity this time of year? Cookouts
5. A friend from another country is visiting you during July. They know nothing about your area. What cautions do you give them? (pack warm, bring sunscreen, etc). Dress light and get ready for the afternoon thunderstorms!
Feel free to post your answers here!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Yesterday was my day to pay it forward.
Entry for July 12, 2007
07/12/2007 09:29 am
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Yesterday was my day to pay it forward.
As I was getting into my car last night after work, a lady came up and asked if I had 50 cents so she could get home on the bus. At first I said no - because I knew I didn't have the coins in my wallet, and started to get in the car.
Then I thought, that wasn't nice - pay it forward - and I thought about the spare change in the jeep, so jumped out and ran after the lady to give her the 50 cents. She was so thankful, and I felt good.
07/12/2007 09:29 am
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Yesterday was my day to pay it forward.
As I was getting into my car last night after work, a lady came up and asked if I had 50 cents so she could get home on the bus. At first I said no - because I knew I didn't have the coins in my wallet, and started to get in the car.
Then I thought, that wasn't nice - pay it forward - and I thought about the spare change in the jeep, so jumped out and ran after the lady to give her the 50 cents. She was so thankful, and I felt good.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
And this person is in charge of reporting fire hazards?
And this person is in charge of reporting fire hazards?
07/11/2007 10:11 am
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I just HAD to share this pictures of a fire inspector's office that were sent to me by a tenant. These are real pictures that were sent to me by the person who took them.
This is NOT at Dulles Airport (and I'll leave it at that). THANK GOODNESS!
UNBELIEVEABLE!
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07/11/2007 10:11 am
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I just HAD to share this pictures of a fire inspector's office that were sent to me by a tenant. These are real pictures that were sent to me by the person who took them.
This is NOT at Dulles Airport (and I'll leave it at that). THANK GOODNESS!
UNBELIEVEABLE!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Entry for July 09, 2007
Entry for July 09, 2007
07/09/2007 11:15 am
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Monday again - fortunately, the boss is out, so it's an easy day. But then, I look at her "MOD (Manager On Duty) report from yesterday, and boy is she critical! Just a bunch of little things that she noticed with the tenants, that she directs towards us. Maybe she needs to get out more!
Yesterday didn't exactly go as planned. Went to the bagel place and then Circuit City. We both haven't learned with Circuit City (at least with our store) - EVERY SINGLE TIME - sale items aren't pulled out yet or labeled - and we can never find what we are looking for. Yesterday I realized that NOTHING was in order. Yes, it was in the right section (drama, action/adventure, tv, whatever), but not in alphabetical order (not even by the first letter) so we couldn't find anything! So frustrating! I finally found the Lethal Weapon 3 DVD set and Dan found a couple of games that he wanted.
Stopped at the grocery store (for the guest cookout), got back home and cleaned to get ready for the guests, then got a call from Tom that SeeBee (my nickname for Sebastian) didn't sleep well last night and they weren't coming, but we could come out. That took the wind out of my sails - but they invited us over. I just didn't feel like it, so Dan went over and helped Tom with a couple of things while I stayed home and did laundry, watered the lawn, did bills, and watched the pup. Let me say, by the time Dan got home around 9 p.m., I was ready for a break from the pup. I had already put her to bed around 8:30. I think it would have been different if I had been able to take a nap with her!
It was REALLY hot yesterday - around 100 degrees and it's supposed to be the same today. YUCK - too hot to do anything - I guess it's a good thing that I'm working.
Oh - finished Life on Planet Rock by Lonn Friend. Fast and easy read - especially when I'm interested in it! Now it's onto Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Thanks to Oprah, she's opened my eyes up to some classic books.
07/09/2007 11:15 am
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Monday again - fortunately, the boss is out, so it's an easy day. But then, I look at her "MOD (Manager On Duty) report from yesterday, and boy is she critical! Just a bunch of little things that she noticed with the tenants, that she directs towards us. Maybe she needs to get out more!
Yesterday didn't exactly go as planned. Went to the bagel place and then Circuit City. We both haven't learned with Circuit City (at least with our store) - EVERY SINGLE TIME - sale items aren't pulled out yet or labeled - and we can never find what we are looking for. Yesterday I realized that NOTHING was in order. Yes, it was in the right section (drama, action/adventure, tv, whatever), but not in alphabetical order (not even by the first letter) so we couldn't find anything! So frustrating! I finally found the Lethal Weapon 3 DVD set and Dan found a couple of games that he wanted.
Stopped at the grocery store (for the guest cookout), got back home and cleaned to get ready for the guests, then got a call from Tom that SeeBee (my nickname for Sebastian) didn't sleep well last night and they weren't coming, but we could come out. That took the wind out of my sails - but they invited us over. I just didn't feel like it, so Dan went over and helped Tom with a couple of things while I stayed home and did laundry, watered the lawn, did bills, and watched the pup. Let me say, by the time Dan got home around 9 p.m., I was ready for a break from the pup. I had already put her to bed around 8:30. I think it would have been different if I had been able to take a nap with her!
It was REALLY hot yesterday - around 100 degrees and it's supposed to be the same today. YUCK - too hot to do anything - I guess it's a good thing that I'm working.
Oh - finished Life on Planet Rock by Lonn Friend. Fast and easy read - especially when I'm interested in it! Now it's onto Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Thanks to Oprah, she's opened my eyes up to some classic books.
Putting The Past Behind For Zednik
Putting The Past Behind For Zednik
07/09/2007 02:04 pm
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Putting The Past Behind For Zednik Florida Panthers Jul 4, 2007, 8:00 AM EDT
Richard Zednik By Dave Joseph for floridapanthers.com
Richard Zednik put it succinctly.
“It was just a bad year,” said the 31-year-old forward, referring to the 2006-07 season. “All together, just a bad year.”
The colorful Zednik, who created ‘Zed Heads’ with his dyed hair while playing in Washington earlier in his career, is anxious to put last season behind him now that he’s a Panther.
The versatile, 31-year-old winger, who signed a two-year contract with the Panthers, experienced last year the toughest season in his 12-year NHL career.
In his second stint with the Capitals, Zednik missed six games in November with a wrist injury and then sat out December and January after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia. The season got worse in March when, after being traded to the Islanders, he missed nine games when he rushed home to Slovakia due to an illness in his family.
“With the injuries, the personal stuff in my life, it was a bad year,” said Zednik from his summer home in Slovakia. “But I’m looking forward to putting it all behind me. Last year there was just some stuff I had to go through. It wasn’t the right one for me. But I’m focused on next season. I want to go forward and be ready for the new season. Everyone is hungry to make it to the playoffs.”
Zednik, who scored eight goals in his first 13 games against the Panther franchise, gives the Panthers speed, flexibility in that he can play both wings, and possibly as many as 20-30 goals.
“Richard is a hard working forward who possesses a scoring touch,” said Panther GM and coach Jacques Martin said. “Additionally, he is a clutch player who has performed very well in postseason competition (16 goals in 43 playoff games).”
Interestingly, when free agency kicked off July 1, Zednik’s hope was there would be interest in Florida. While playing 3 ½ seasons in Montreal from 2001-04, Zednik played against Martin’s Ottawa Senators and was coached by Panther assistant Guy Charron, a former assistant with the Canadiens.
“Florida was my first choice so it was exciting when my agent called and said there was an offer,” Zednik said. “(Jozef) Stumpel is a friend of mine. I know (Tomas) Vokoun. And Jacques and Guy know me.”
Charron, who called Zednik a “bit of a free spirit” when he was younger, believes the winger’s potential is limitless whether or not his hair is dyed.
“He’s a player who can play on the top two lines,” Charron said. “I think you could consider him somewhat of a power forward. He’s a guy who goes to the net, works the small areas well in the corners, and he’s got good balance. He likes the role as an offensive player, but he’s smart enough to fulfill any role. He played on a line for a while when I was in Montreal with Saku Koivu and (Alex) Kovalev.
“I think the thing with ‘Z’ is he needs to perform on a consistent basis. It’s an issue with a lot of players. But ‘Z’ plays in traffic, down low, he dives to the net. My experience with him for a year was I respected him. And when he’s on his game, he’s a determined player.”
Zednik believes Martin will ask him to use his speed to create offense and score goals. “Jacques likes speedy wingers,” he said. “That’s what I like. I can give that and score goals.”
And that would make everyone forget last season.
07/09/2007 02:04 pm
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Putting The Past Behind For Zednik Florida Panthers Jul 4, 2007, 8:00 AM EDT
Richard Zednik By Dave Joseph for floridapanthers.com
Richard Zednik put it succinctly.
“It was just a bad year,” said the 31-year-old forward, referring to the 2006-07 season. “All together, just a bad year.”
The colorful Zednik, who created ‘Zed Heads’ with his dyed hair while playing in Washington earlier in his career, is anxious to put last season behind him now that he’s a Panther.
The versatile, 31-year-old winger, who signed a two-year contract with the Panthers, experienced last year the toughest season in his 12-year NHL career.
In his second stint with the Capitals, Zednik missed six games in November with a wrist injury and then sat out December and January after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia. The season got worse in March when, after being traded to the Islanders, he missed nine games when he rushed home to Slovakia due to an illness in his family.
“With the injuries, the personal stuff in my life, it was a bad year,” said Zednik from his summer home in Slovakia. “But I’m looking forward to putting it all behind me. Last year there was just some stuff I had to go through. It wasn’t the right one for me. But I’m focused on next season. I want to go forward and be ready for the new season. Everyone is hungry to make it to the playoffs.”
Zednik, who scored eight goals in his first 13 games against the Panther franchise, gives the Panthers speed, flexibility in that he can play both wings, and possibly as many as 20-30 goals.
“Richard is a hard working forward who possesses a scoring touch,” said Panther GM and coach Jacques Martin said. “Additionally, he is a clutch player who has performed very well in postseason competition (16 goals in 43 playoff games).”
Interestingly, when free agency kicked off July 1, Zednik’s hope was there would be interest in Florida. While playing 3 ½ seasons in Montreal from 2001-04, Zednik played against Martin’s Ottawa Senators and was coached by Panther assistant Guy Charron, a former assistant with the Canadiens.
“Florida was my first choice so it was exciting when my agent called and said there was an offer,” Zednik said. “(Jozef) Stumpel is a friend of mine. I know (Tomas) Vokoun. And Jacques and Guy know me.”
Charron, who called Zednik a “bit of a free spirit” when he was younger, believes the winger’s potential is limitless whether or not his hair is dyed.
“He’s a player who can play on the top two lines,” Charron said. “I think you could consider him somewhat of a power forward. He’s a guy who goes to the net, works the small areas well in the corners, and he’s got good balance. He likes the role as an offensive player, but he’s smart enough to fulfill any role. He played on a line for a while when I was in Montreal with Saku Koivu and (Alex) Kovalev.
“I think the thing with ‘Z’ is he needs to perform on a consistent basis. It’s an issue with a lot of players. But ‘Z’ plays in traffic, down low, he dives to the net. My experience with him for a year was I respected him. And when he’s on his game, he’s a determined player.”
Zednik believes Martin will ask him to use his speed to create offense and score goals. “Jacques likes speedy wingers,” he said. “That’s what I like. I can give that and score goals.”
And that would make everyone forget last season.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Entry for July 08, 2007
Entry for July 08, 2007
07/08/2007 08:02 am
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Yesterday was the 4thish of July party. Quite a few people showed up. Esa stayed home - it was so hot and today it's supposed to be even hotter!
Esa (and Dan) are taking an early nap. Esa and I were running around in the house and I think I wore her out for a little while. Usually she's out taking a walk by now.
Today, we are going to Circuit City. They are having a clearance sale on video games and Dan wants to go check it out. I also saw some videos that are on sale that I might be interested in (ie, Lethal Weapon - all three of them for $9.99!) Probably stop at Breads Unlimited for bagels first.
This afternoon Tom, Kat and the kids (Dan's best friend and his family) will be coming over to drop off the items we brought yesterday to the cookout. It should be interesting to see how Esa does.
07/08/2007 08:02 am
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Yesterday was the 4thish of July party. Quite a few people showed up. Esa stayed home - it was so hot and today it's supposed to be even hotter!
Esa (and Dan) are taking an early nap. Esa and I were running around in the house and I think I wore her out for a little while. Usually she's out taking a walk by now.
Today, we are going to Circuit City. They are having a clearance sale on video games and Dan wants to go check it out. I also saw some videos that are on sale that I might be interested in (ie, Lethal Weapon - all three of them for $9.99!) Probably stop at Breads Unlimited for bagels first.
This afternoon Tom, Kat and the kids (Dan's best friend and his family) will be coming over to drop off the items we brought yesterday to the cookout. It should be interesting to see how Esa does.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Entry for July 06, 2007
Entry for July 06, 2007
.07/06/2007 09:50 pm
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Woohoo - Friday!
I've been busy this evening making Chex Mix for a cookout that we are going to tomorrow. Dan's best friend, Tom, has an annual 4th of July party - or as he calls it - 4th-ish of July party since usally it's not actually on the 4th. Usually only about 10-15 people show up, but he always invites like 40. WELL - this year is different - about 40 people have RSVP'd!
Next in line for the making is Pasta Salad. Now, I'm not a cook - I hate cooking, but these two things are my specialty. Easy and pretty fast.
Living green has been going well at work. I've been piling up my coke bottles and was (yes, was) going to bring them home tonight. Well, I get in the office and the cleaning crew had tossed them. So, tonight, I brought what bottles I had drank home today and also the pile of paper that I have collected in the last 2 weeks.
Oh - I have a new online friend. Someone posted on Craig's list regarding dog toys and how their puppy is chewing EVERYTHING. I can so relate, so I e-mailed her with my ideas. We've been e-mailing quite a bit. Hopefully, we'll eventually get together.
.07/06/2007 09:50 pm
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Woohoo - Friday!
I've been busy this evening making Chex Mix for a cookout that we are going to tomorrow. Dan's best friend, Tom, has an annual 4th of July party - or as he calls it - 4th-ish of July party since usally it's not actually on the 4th. Usually only about 10-15 people show up, but he always invites like 40. WELL - this year is different - about 40 people have RSVP'd!
Next in line for the making is Pasta Salad. Now, I'm not a cook - I hate cooking, but these two things are my specialty. Easy and pretty fast.
Living green has been going well at work. I've been piling up my coke bottles and was (yes, was) going to bring them home tonight. Well, I get in the office and the cleaning crew had tossed them. So, tonight, I brought what bottles I had drank home today and also the pile of paper that I have collected in the last 2 weeks.
Oh - I have a new online friend. Someone posted on Craig's list regarding dog toys and how their puppy is chewing EVERYTHING. I can so relate, so I e-mailed her with my ideas. We've been e-mailing quite a bit. Hopefully, we'll eventually get together.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Mobile Lounge hit by Lightning yesterday
Mobile Lounge hit by Lightning yesterday
07/05/2007 01:08 pm
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So, found out today that a mobile lounge (a bus-like automobile that takes people from one concourse to another) at the airport got struck by lightning yesterday - luckily, it was slow yesterday and no one was hurt.
Entry
Date
07/04/07
Loc Time Summary
iad
1732
ightning strike/mobile lounge rd between taxiway a & B:
Action Taken
lightning struck a mobile lounge travelling from terminal b to the main terminal. the lounge had just crossed taxiway b when a lightning strike caused it to stall. while the operator attempted to re-start a second strike travelled through the lounge exiting the chasis by way of the left rear tire. two windows were blown out and the lounge sustained damage to the body and the tire. the operator and six passengers were not injured and refused medical treatment at the scene.
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07/05/2007 01:08 pm
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So, found out today that a mobile lounge (a bus-like automobile that takes people from one concourse to another) at the airport got struck by lightning yesterday - luckily, it was slow yesterday and no one was hurt.
Entry
Date
07/04/07
Loc Time Summary
iad
1732
ightning strike/mobile lounge rd between taxiway a & B:
Action Taken
lightning struck a mobile lounge travelling from terminal b to the main terminal. the lounge had just crossed taxiway b when a lightning strike caused it to stall. while the operator attempted to re-start a second strike travelled through the lounge exiting the chasis by way of the left rear tire. two windows were blown out and the lounge sustained damage to the body and the tire. the operator and six passengers were not injured and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Entry for July 04, 2007
Entry for July 04, 2007
07/04/2007 09:25 pm
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Today has been a nice day - so much like a weekend, but had some great food! (not like Dan never grills anyway - he loves it!)
I played with the laptop and copied pictures onto it along with my Creative Memories software program. Kind of sucks that I'm starting from scratch on setting up the folders and such in the software, but better than nothing. One good thing with starting over is that I have it set up where it will download directly from the camera AND it's actually noting the date the picture was taken. On the desktop, the pictures were going directly into Kodak Easyshare software and only noting when the pic was downloaded and not taken.
Suzanne came over and we had chicken, hot dogs, chips, dips, veggie platter, crackers, cheese, pepperoni - tons of good stuff. Dan tried a new sauce recipe from "Top Secret Restuarant Recipes". Tony Roma's Carolina Honeys - REALLY GOOD!
Then it was a 2 hour nap with me waking up to Tornado warnings! We took Esa for a fast walk around the block and expected it to downpour, but it missed us. I expected a call for delays at work, but no calls - SP might have taken care of it.
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During the short walk, we saw the saleperson from our home builder. I recognized her, but couldn't remember her name - we didn't chat much because we were trying to get home before it downpoured. Then I remembered - 5 years ago today, we moved into the house! Dan said - kind of weird that we see Pat on today of all days.
Fireworks are going off right now and no response from Esa - I guess that's good. She's not freaked out or anything. I tried to have her see them, but we can't see that many from our backyard (except what the neighbors are doing).
Anyway - it's nice to have a day off in the middle of the week - too bad it's not like this all of the time!
07/04/2007 09:25 pm
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Today has been a nice day - so much like a weekend, but had some great food! (not like Dan never grills anyway - he loves it!)
I played with the laptop and copied pictures onto it along with my Creative Memories software program. Kind of sucks that I'm starting from scratch on setting up the folders and such in the software, but better than nothing. One good thing with starting over is that I have it set up where it will download directly from the camera AND it's actually noting the date the picture was taken. On the desktop, the pictures were going directly into Kodak Easyshare software and only noting when the pic was downloaded and not taken.
Suzanne came over and we had chicken, hot dogs, chips, dips, veggie platter, crackers, cheese, pepperoni - tons of good stuff. Dan tried a new sauce recipe from "Top Secret Restuarant Recipes". Tony Roma's Carolina Honeys - REALLY GOOD!
Then it was a 2 hour nap with me waking up to Tornado warnings! We took Esa for a fast walk around the block and expected it to downpour, but it missed us. I expected a call for delays at work, but no calls - SP might have taken care of it.
During the short walk, we saw the saleperson from our home builder. I recognized her, but couldn't remember her name - we didn't chat much because we were trying to get home before it downpoured. Then I remembered - 5 years ago today, we moved into the house! Dan said - kind of weird that we see Pat on today of all days.
Fireworks are going off right now and no response from Esa - I guess that's good. She's not freaked out or anything. I tried to have her see them, but we can't see that many from our backyard (except what the neighbors are doing).
Anyway - it's nice to have a day off in the middle of the week - too bad it's not like this all of the time!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Entry for July 02, 2007
Entry for July 02, 2007
07/02/2007 09:37 am
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I forgot to mention that we met Esa's (older) twin that lives in the neighborhood!
Her name is Roxanne and she's 5 years old, same mix (husky/shepard) and is about 60-65 lbs. Her owner, Lori, was outside watering the lawn and saw us coming down the street and waited for us to come by. Then she brought out Roxanne and we chatted for a good 10 minutes. It's crazy - the only difference with them is Esa is a little darker than Roxanne and Roxanne had one blue and one brown eye! Roxy seems very laid back so hopefully, Esa will become that way!
****
Forgot to mention that we almost lost the pup! We went to walk her on Saturday and her collar broke! I had JUST put it on too (that morning)! Damn dollar junk! So back to her thin pup collar - at least it stays locked. Luckily, a family was walking and was coming towards our house. Esa saw the two pre-teens and went running right to them (basically jumping on the one girl).
****
8 pm
Esa did well on her vet appointment. Close to 37 lbs! So I guessed close. Final shot and a microchip along with the monthly flea and heart meds. She's now playing with some of the stuff I bought on Ebay - It FINALLY came in after about 3 weeks and me e-mailing the person twice - no reply to the e-mail to this day. So she now has a regular Kong, a Kong ball, Nylabone ring, Dental nylabone chew, a new dish, and a new collar (hopefully better than the dollar store one!) - all for like $20!
Having this laptop is awesome - I'm able to watch Esa and blog or surf at the same time (standing in our kitchen right now)!
07/02/2007 09:37 am
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I forgot to mention that we met Esa's (older) twin that lives in the neighborhood!
Her name is Roxanne and she's 5 years old, same mix (husky/shepard) and is about 60-65 lbs. Her owner, Lori, was outside watering the lawn and saw us coming down the street and waited for us to come by. Then she brought out Roxanne and we chatted for a good 10 minutes. It's crazy - the only difference with them is Esa is a little darker than Roxanne and Roxanne had one blue and one brown eye! Roxy seems very laid back so hopefully, Esa will become that way!
****
Forgot to mention that we almost lost the pup! We went to walk her on Saturday and her collar broke! I had JUST put it on too (that morning)! Damn dollar junk! So back to her thin pup collar - at least it stays locked. Luckily, a family was walking and was coming towards our house. Esa saw the two pre-teens and went running right to them (basically jumping on the one girl).
****
8 pm
Esa did well on her vet appointment. Close to 37 lbs! So I guessed close. Final shot and a microchip along with the monthly flea and heart meds. She's now playing with some of the stuff I bought on Ebay - It FINALLY came in after about 3 weeks and me e-mailing the person twice - no reply to the e-mail to this day. So she now has a regular Kong, a Kong ball, Nylabone ring, Dental nylabone chew, a new dish, and a new collar (hopefully better than the dollar store one!) - all for like $20!
Having this laptop is awesome - I'm able to watch Esa and blog or surf at the same time (standing in our kitchen right now)!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Zednik to Panthers
Zednik to Panthers
07/01/2007 07:34 pm
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Panthers sign McLean and Zednik
Associated Press Jul 1, 2007, 5:48 PM EDT
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -The Florida Panthers agreed to multiyear deals with free agent forwards Richard Zednik and center Brett McLean on Sunday.
Zednik, a left wing, agreed to a two-year contract and McLean, a center, gets a a three-year deal.
The 31-year-old Zednik has played in 621 career games for Washington, Montreal, and the New York Islanders , recording 320 points. Last season, while playing for both Washington and the New York Islanders , he scored 21 points in 42 games.
The Slovakia native has represented his country in seven international competitions, including thew Olympics and three world championships.
McLean posted career-high marks last season with 15 goals and 20 assists in 78 games for the Colorado Avalanche . He has 106 points in 238 NHL games during his four year career with Colorado and Chicago
07/01/2007 07:34 pm
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Panthers sign McLean and Zednik
Associated Press Jul 1, 2007, 5:48 PM EDT
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -The Florida Panthers agreed to multiyear deals with free agent forwards Richard Zednik and center Brett McLean on Sunday.
Zednik, a left wing, agreed to a two-year contract and McLean, a center, gets a a three-year deal.
The 31-year-old Zednik has played in 621 career games for Washington, Montreal, and the New York Islanders , recording 320 points. Last season, while playing for both Washington and the New York Islanders , he scored 21 points in 42 games.
The Slovakia native has represented his country in seven international competitions, including thew Olympics and three world championships.
McLean posted career-high marks last season with 15 goals and 20 assists in 78 games for the Colorado Avalanche . He has 106 points in 238 NHL games during his four year career with Colorado and Chicago
Entry for July 01, 2007
Entry for July 01, 2007
07/01/2007 07:44 pm
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Well - Dan and I are happy that Zed got signed, BUT DOES IT HAVE TO BE WITH THE PANTHERS????!!!! At least he's still on the east coast.
Yesterday, I went to the crop and got a couple of pages of Esa's scrapbook done. Today, it was a trip to Recollections for their annual sale. Got some more stuff for Esa's book.
Also stopped at Best Buy and got my new laptop! COOL! I'm still trying to get used to it - especially the mouse. I'm loving it so far though.
So glad it's a short week. Pam and Suzanne will be coming over for a cookout on Wednesday. That'll be fun. Pam hasn't seen Esa yet.
Tomorrow, Esa gets some more shots. OH - we found a tooth today! I think it had just fallen out, but Dan had mentioned that he thought she had a bad tooth coming in because it was crooked - come to find out it was on it's way out!
07/01/2007 07:44 pm
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Well - Dan and I are happy that Zed got signed, BUT DOES IT HAVE TO BE WITH THE PANTHERS????!!!! At least he's still on the east coast.
Yesterday, I went to the crop and got a couple of pages of Esa's scrapbook done. Today, it was a trip to Recollections for their annual sale. Got some more stuff for Esa's book.
Also stopped at Best Buy and got my new laptop! COOL! I'm still trying to get used to it - especially the mouse. I'm loving it so far though.
So glad it's a short week. Pam and Suzanne will be coming over for a cookout on Wednesday. That'll be fun. Pam hasn't seen Esa yet.
Tomorrow, Esa gets some more shots. OH - we found a tooth today! I think it had just fallen out, but Dan had mentioned that he thought she had a bad tooth coming in because it was crooked - come to find out it was on it's way out!
Panthers Open Free Agency With A Bang!
Panthers Open Free Agency With A Bang!
07/01/2007 07:53 pm
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0 Pageviews..Panthers Open Free Agency With A Bang! Jul 1, 2007, 5:46 PM EDT
By Dave Joseph for floridapanthers.com
The Panthers went shopping Sunday for speed, grit and goals during the NHL’s first day of free agency. And as dusk snuffed out the daylight, GM and coach Jacques Martin went home with his shopping bag full.
The Panthers made good on their promise to add to their roster by signing three veteran forwards – winger Richard Zednik, center Brett McLean and right winger and former Panther Radek Dvorak.
Coupled with the acquisition of goalie Tomas Vokoun last weekend, and long term deals to Nathan Horton and Bryan Allen, Martin said, “We’re very excited about the direction of our hockey club.”
“We wanted to get quicker and faster and we have two players in Zednik and Dvorak who bring those elements,” Martin said. “We wanted to get more scoring, and Zednik, prior to last year, had 20-to-30 goals in Montreal and, in the proper role, can get back to that production. McLean brings us some grittiness. He’s a responsible player and, what’s interesting about Brett, is he seems to be on an upside.”
Martin said he foresees Zednik playing on the first or second line, Dvorak on the second or third line and McLean as the third-line center.
In the first day of what is free agent frenzy, Martin said he spoke with the agents of several players, including former Panther Viktor Kozlov and Wild center Todd White. “The problem was money and terms were not right,” Martin said.
White, 32, who eventually signed with Atlanta, had 13 goals last season. McLean, 28, had 15 goals with the Avalanche.
McLean, whose 15 goals with Colorado last season was a career-high, signed for three years. Zednik, a 20-goal scorer three times in his NHL career, and Dvorak, a former first-round pick (10th overall) by the Panthers, signed two-year deals.
Zednik, 31, whose 2006-07 season was hampered by injuries, is a speedy, skilled forward who has scored 50 points twice during his NHL career with the Capitals, Canadiens and Islanders. He was originally drafted in 1994 in the 10th round (249th overall) by Washington, where he spent 6 ½ years of his career. Zednik’s 2006-07 season was rather chaotic when he missed six games in November with a wrist injury, 25 games due to surgery to repair a sports hernia, and then was traded in February to the Islanders.
During the four years he spent playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Zednik scored 50 points twice and had consecutive seasons of scoring 31 and 26 goals.
“Richard is a hard working forward who possesses a scoring touch,” Martin said. “We are confident that he will complement our nucleus of forwards very well. Additionally, he is a clutch player who has performed very well in postseason competition. He will be counted on as we look to bring continued stability and success to the Panthers organization.”
McLean, 28, has been a study in hard work in perseverance throughout his career. Drafted in the ninth round (242nd overall pick) by the Dallas Stars in the 1997 Entry Draft, McLean has made stops in Norfolk, Va., Houston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Malmo, Sweden and Brandon, Manitoba.
It took six seasons after he was drafted before McLean got his shot in the NHL after he was signed as a free agent by the Blackhawks in 2002. McLean scored 11 goals (31 points) in 76 games with the Blackhawks in 2003-04 before signing as an unrestricted free agent July 3 with the Avalanche.
“Brett is a skilled and talented forward who has improved his numbers each season since entering the NHL,” Martin said. “He will be a valuable asset to our organization and will provide further depth at the center position.”
Dvorak, 30, begins his second stint in Florida. The Panthers’ first-round draft pick (10th overall) in 1995, Dvorak spent five seasons in Florida where he scored 56 goals in 336 games. He was traded to San Jose on Dec. 30, 1999 for goalie Mike Vernon and a third-round draft pick. San Jose immediately traded Dvorak to the Rangers, where he spent four seasons before moving on to Edmonton and, last season, St. Louis.
Dvorak played in all 82 games last season for the Blues, recording 10 goals and 27 assists.
“Radek brings a tremendous amount of veteran leadership having played in more than 800 games, while advancing to the Stanley Cup finals twice,” Martin said. “He is a hard-working and focused player who plays well at both ends of the ice. We are confident that Radek is the type of player that will fit into our lineup and play a pivotal role.”
When asked if the Panthers might continue to shop for free agents, Martin replied; “That’s probably it when you look at our roster now. We’re very happy with what we did today.”
07/01/2007 07:53 pm
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0 Pageviews..Panthers Open Free Agency With A Bang! Jul 1, 2007, 5:46 PM EDT
By Dave Joseph for floridapanthers.com
The Panthers went shopping Sunday for speed, grit and goals during the NHL’s first day of free agency. And as dusk snuffed out the daylight, GM and coach Jacques Martin went home with his shopping bag full.
The Panthers made good on their promise to add to their roster by signing three veteran forwards – winger Richard Zednik, center Brett McLean and right winger and former Panther Radek Dvorak.
Coupled with the acquisition of goalie Tomas Vokoun last weekend, and long term deals to Nathan Horton and Bryan Allen, Martin said, “We’re very excited about the direction of our hockey club.”
“We wanted to get quicker and faster and we have two players in Zednik and Dvorak who bring those elements,” Martin said. “We wanted to get more scoring, and Zednik, prior to last year, had 20-to-30 goals in Montreal and, in the proper role, can get back to that production. McLean brings us some grittiness. He’s a responsible player and, what’s interesting about Brett, is he seems to be on an upside.”
Martin said he foresees Zednik playing on the first or second line, Dvorak on the second or third line and McLean as the third-line center.
In the first day of what is free agent frenzy, Martin said he spoke with the agents of several players, including former Panther Viktor Kozlov and Wild center Todd White. “The problem was money and terms were not right,” Martin said.
White, 32, who eventually signed with Atlanta, had 13 goals last season. McLean, 28, had 15 goals with the Avalanche.
McLean, whose 15 goals with Colorado last season was a career-high, signed for three years. Zednik, a 20-goal scorer three times in his NHL career, and Dvorak, a former first-round pick (10th overall) by the Panthers, signed two-year deals.
Zednik, 31, whose 2006-07 season was hampered by injuries, is a speedy, skilled forward who has scored 50 points twice during his NHL career with the Capitals, Canadiens and Islanders. He was originally drafted in 1994 in the 10th round (249th overall) by Washington, where he spent 6 ½ years of his career. Zednik’s 2006-07 season was rather chaotic when he missed six games in November with a wrist injury, 25 games due to surgery to repair a sports hernia, and then was traded in February to the Islanders.
During the four years he spent playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Zednik scored 50 points twice and had consecutive seasons of scoring 31 and 26 goals.
“Richard is a hard working forward who possesses a scoring touch,” Martin said. “We are confident that he will complement our nucleus of forwards very well. Additionally, he is a clutch player who has performed very well in postseason competition. He will be counted on as we look to bring continued stability and success to the Panthers organization.”
McLean, 28, has been a study in hard work in perseverance throughout his career. Drafted in the ninth round (242nd overall pick) by the Dallas Stars in the 1997 Entry Draft, McLean has made stops in Norfolk, Va., Houston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Malmo, Sweden and Brandon, Manitoba.
It took six seasons after he was drafted before McLean got his shot in the NHL after he was signed as a free agent by the Blackhawks in 2002. McLean scored 11 goals (31 points) in 76 games with the Blackhawks in 2003-04 before signing as an unrestricted free agent July 3 with the Avalanche.
“Brett is a skilled and talented forward who has improved his numbers each season since entering the NHL,” Martin said. “He will be a valuable asset to our organization and will provide further depth at the center position.”
Dvorak, 30, begins his second stint in Florida. The Panthers’ first-round draft pick (10th overall) in 1995, Dvorak spent five seasons in Florida where he scored 56 goals in 336 games. He was traded to San Jose on Dec. 30, 1999 for goalie Mike Vernon and a third-round draft pick. San Jose immediately traded Dvorak to the Rangers, where he spent four seasons before moving on to Edmonton and, last season, St. Louis.
Dvorak played in all 82 games last season for the Blues, recording 10 goals and 27 assists.
“Radek brings a tremendous amount of veteran leadership having played in more than 800 games, while advancing to the Stanley Cup finals twice,” Martin said. “He is a hard-working and focused player who plays well at both ends of the ice. We are confident that Radek is the type of player that will fit into our lineup and play a pivotal role.”
When asked if the Panthers might continue to shop for free agents, Martin replied; “That’s probably it when you look at our roster now. We’re very happy with what we did today.”
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