It's still the Jake!
From Deep Center Field
Tigers vs. Indians
The Return Of Jamz?
My jaw almost dropped to the ground after thumbing through my most recent Maxim magazine. I think you’ll have the same reaction to this advertisement for the Quicksilver brand.
Do these shorts look familiar to anyone? I’m concerned the company is trying to resurrect the Jamz/Jams trend of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Yes, I’ll admit (almost with tears running down my face) that I owned a couple pairs myself. Hey, I was just trying to be stylish (I say almost in pain).
We need someone and stop this effort right now. We can’t handle another wave of fluorescent colored shorts hitting the scene. They don’t look so bad when teenagers are wearing them but you know what happens after it’s no longer hip to wear them. People who have no fashion sense start to sport them. It was truly bad enough the first time they were en vogue. We don’t need another go at it.
By the way, if they do come back into style, you won’t see me in a pair of them. Thanks, I realize I’m older now and I’ll leave it up to the high schoolers to make the fashion statements. If things continue however, we may have to start an online petition against this horrible effort.
Can Cleveland Comeback?
Just take a look at the Cleveland Plain Dealer today and you’ll find articles about both growth and potential problems on the city’s horizon.
Eaton is closer to moving its headquarters down to the east bank of the Flats. The deal would be part of developer Scott Wolstein’s $522 million plan to revitalize that area. The complex would sit inside the area serviced by RTA’s Waterfront line. With the exception of Browns games and other special events, you won’t find too many people riding that rapid.
Rumors circulating around the airline industry claim Continental and United may be close to a merger. If such a deal happens, everyone wonders how that deal would affect Cleveland Hopkins airport. Continental operates its third largest hub in Cleveland. It also pumps in a lot of money into the economy and advertises the city often in its in-flight magazines. You’ll find a differing opinions whether a merger between the two airlines could end hub services by Continental in Cleveland.
Another major Cleveland corporation could be in dire straits. National City Bank is exploring strategic alternatives. Financial experts say that means they’re looking for a buyer or other options. This morning’s Plain Dealer’s headline says “Analyst: National City sale unlikely”.
Cleveland’s MetroHealth Medical Center reports losses during its first quarter. The hospital boasts being one of the largest, most comprehensive health care providers in Northeast Ohio. Even the current economic times are hitting the busy hospital hard.
With all of this news, can Cleveland make a comeback? City and regional leaders need to work together to search for that answer.
Groundhog Day
Yeah, I know it’s in February but I feel like I’m living the movie. If you’ve seen “Groundhog Day”, you know how Bill Murray’s character repeats the day each morning he gets out of bed. I feel that’s what I’m doing working this overnight shift.
Each night around 12:30am, I get a call from the station to talk about what we’ll cover that morning. I go back to sleep (or take a nap) until I get up around 2:15am. I stumble into work around 3am (thank God for the short commute). I’m very busy until around 8am in the morning. That’s when we have a conference call to set-up the rest of the day. After that, I work on the next day’s newscast or station projects. That work takes me until around Noon when I leave to go home.
I try to take another nap around 1pm. For some reason my body wakes me up from sleep around 4pm or 5pm. It’s working out, working around the house or getting “to-do’s” done. By 9pm or 10pm, it’s back to sleep again for what I call my actual sleep time even though it’s only about 2 hours long. Then it’s back up for the conference call again.
Thankfully this week, I’m only working four days. I’m going to South Texas again, don’t ask why. I get to see my friends again. Last time I was down there it was Borderfest and Charro Days weekend. This time, it’s RioFest, Harlingen’s spring festival. The problem with that is most of my friends work at a television station there and they have obligations at the festival. Hopefully, they’re going to have some time to spend with me. I can’t wait to get down there again and see them. It’s only been a couple of weeks ago but I miss them already!
Of course, I’ll be mobile blogging throughout my trip. It’ll be fun. Stay tuned right here!
Cleanland: My Town
I don’t need to tell you again how pleased I am with the location where I live. It gives you breathtaking views of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame city even though I can’t see the building itself.
You can see the Terminal Tower, Key Tower, the building formerly known as the BP Building, along with the rest of the Cleveland skyline. From a different side, I can see the Main Avenue bridge, the river and the lake. From yet another view, I can see the Veterans Memorial Bridge. I do have one problem, complaint, concern. It’s what you don’t see in the picture from my balcony. It’s somewhat of an eyesore. Under the Superior Viaduct, there’s a bunch of brush and trash.
Today, I called Flats Oxbow. One of the things the organization does is to work to promote the Flats by a number of different ways including promoting continued “mixed use” of the Flats. That mixed use includes business and residents. Since I’m now a resident, I contacted them about my “concern”. They gave me the number of Jacobs Investments who owns the Nautica complex. I’m hoping they can clean up all of this brush and trash. If areas look beautiful, people tend to respect them more. You can see a lot of trash right now along Elm Street.
There is a lot of beautification that could go on right now. I want to be part of that effort. I’m going to take a little initiative and clean up some of the trash myself. A green St. Patrick’s Day jacket has been sitting out next to a tree out my window since mid-March. Several pieces of construction material also has lined Elm Street since before the snow hit. It’s not on Nautica property so it’s fair game for a little clean-up.
So what’s part of the solution? Coming up in May, Flats Oxbow is participating in RiverSweep. I’m in the process of getting more information and the people at Flats Oxbow are working to get a group of people together to canvas this area. I’m going to spend three hours of my day that morning to help make Cleveland, Cleanland.
Anyone else got three hours they can donate? There is live music and food served after the clean-up!
One Of The Worst Cover Songs Ever?
Before you watch this video, you need to be prepared not to hear what you think you’re going to hear. This is Nick Pitera singing “Part of Your World” for a contest called “Give Us Your Voice”. Many people may know, but I didn’t, that the song is from “The Little Mermaid”. I found this through Esquire magazine’s RSS feed. It was about the worst songs you could cover. I don’t know if this is the worst song but it might have been one of the most unexpected voices I’d ever experienced. See what you think…
Feel free to leave any comments…
Crush vs. Gladiators
I have to admit I was a little skittish about going to see an arena football game on a Friday night. I also have to admit having a great time. It’s like NFL football but things happen that you don’t expect, like the crowd getting into the game but batting a ball away or interfering with the receiver.
The team was up most of the game but ended up losing in the end. John Elway’s Colorado Crush beat Bernie Kosar’s team by a final score of 69-66. With the defeat, the Gladiators slip to 3-3 on the season.
It’s worth your money to check out the Cleveland Gladiators game and support the city’s newest sports franchise.
Glitz & Blitz
Sue Ann on the runway
The Cleveland Gladiators’ Goddess choreographer Crystal Colar looking fabulous.
Jason Nicholas, Cleveland Browns player Josh Cribbs and me after the fashion show.
Autumn Ziemba, Cribbs and Mark McKenzie after the show.
Sue Ann at her changing closet after the show.
Is anyone more fashionable than Joy Benedict? I don’t know if anyone topped her runway attitude.
Josh Cribbs and his wife, Maria, on the runway.
Curtis Jackson on the runway. A little NewsChannel 5 insider information for you: we all thought Curtis must have showed up late for the show and just walked on the runway wearing what he had on at the time. They dressed him just like you’d normally see him come to work. I guess Curtis has great style. Just don’t let him know that. I don’t think the runway is Curtis’ cup of tea though. Just ask him!
Autumn takes her turn down the runway as Joy and Sue Ann watch her strut her stuff.
Joy Benedict shows off her red purse and mugs for the crowd.
My Annoyance
I know some people have a problem with text messages but for me, it’s voicemail. Sure, I leave it but when I do, it has a purpose. I’ll at least tell you what I’m calling about. You won’t hear me say “Hey (fill in the blank), it’s Todd, call me when you get the chance.”
I have caller ID just like so many other people do on my cell phone. I figure if you’re calling me you have something to say to me or want me to call you back. I’d rather just people hang up before leaving me the message, especially if you’re going to just say the phrase above. If you have something informative to say, leave the message. I’ll normally check my voicemail before returning the call, but that’s just an extra step.
I didn’t want to get off on a rant here but…