In ‘Delivery Man,’ Vince Vaughn ends up thankful for many, many kids

Wearing my other blogging hat, I went to see “Delivery Man” on opening weekend to review for the Syracuse New Times. If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the house for a couple hours this long Thanksgiving weekend, the film starring Vince Vaughn as a man who discovered he has more than 500 kids…

I suppose I do blog about many different things

Wow. This WordPress award business is one serious bunch of accolades. For the second day in a row, I’ve been nominated for an honor. This one is called the Versatile Blogger Award, and it was sent my way by Irene A. Waters, author of this memorable blog: http://irenewaters19.com I’ve been reading her memoirs and reflections…

I spot ‘As Seen on TV’ store right here in our Syracuse mall

I discovered where Snuggies go before they die. There’s a store called As Seen on TV. I rounded a corner on my latest walk through Syracuse’s mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex, Destiny USA, and there it was in all of its glory. I practically heard it calling my name. Yes, in this busy little…

Somebody out there really likes my blog!

After I posted my photos and rumination about this Sunday Syracuse snow of ours, I clicked over to a comment from my friend Merbear. She wonderfully steers the ship at http://knockedoverbyafeather.wordpress.com, taking turns at making me laugh and think hard. She had the guts to reveal to the world her top five Beatles songs. She…

Syracuse and snow, together again

We walked up the Syracuse University hill to the Carrier Dome yesterday in the fall. The temperature was in the 40s, the grass was holding onto some green and there was a bit of blue in the sky. We walked down the hill from the Orange’s bitter 17-16 loss to Pittsburgh in the winter. The…

From the Mailbag: Music from Mick Fury, HoneySpoon, OurReality, Altared, Fritz’s Polka Band

When I wrote about organizers picking the dates for the next edition of the Syracuse Area Music Awards last week — that would be March 6 and 7, at Upstairs at the Dinosaur and the Palace Theatre, respectively — I bragged on how talented the musicians are around here. Lo and behold, that started a…

A street busker who makes his city feel at home

A familiar voice pleased my ears the other night. A quick dodge through a couple of book aisles brought me to the sight of Eli Harris, bouncing with his guitar, working the crowd inside the Syracuse University Book Store. I do believe it is the second time over the space of three decades that I’ve…

College basketball season is here, and Syracuse fans can go to the book

Basketball season has begun, and that’s a good thing here in Central New York. In fact, many fans are sure that it is Coach Jim Boeheim’s men’s basketball team that drives the Orange bus. Last night, my good friend MIke Waters and I had the chance to talk with a whole bunch of Orange fans.…

A thorough look into my annual trip to the eye doctor

I got the A-OK at my annual visit to the eye doctor yesterday morning. It was typically uneventful. That means I walked in straight and fast and departed eye-dropped into submission, groping the side walls to ease my way out the door and onward to my car in the parking lot. That may be exaggerating…

Root, root, root for your own team

I had the chance to watch football Sunday in one of those places that proudly subscribes to the NFL Sunday Ticket. In Jake Hafner’s Restaurant and Tavern in Syracuse, they know how to throw a party for the NFL. Walk in, and the banks of flat screens are labeled with notecards underneath, two helmets per…