Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
JOHN P. "HAPPY JACK" CONNOLLY
JOHN P. "HAPPY JACK" CONNOLLY
AGE: 85 EDISON
John P. "Happy Jack" Connolly, 85, of Edison, completed his journey on earth peacefully with his wife at his side on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. He left in his wake legacies that will live on for generations to come.
Born in Scotland, he came to the U.S., living in New Brunswick before moving to Edison 60 years ago. John was employed as senior supervisor at Bristol Myers Squibb for 36 years, retiring in 1982, then superintendent of sanitation for Edison Township for eight years, retiring in 1990.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the Army's 501st Parachute Regiment in the Pacific, European and African Theaters and was a recipient of the Bronze Medal.
Jack was a communicant and founding father of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, Edison for 50 years and a member of the Matt Talbot #66 Retreat Group.
He was a Democratic committeeman in Edison for 25 years, and a member of the Executive Board, a member of the Democratic Organization Zoning Board and various other committees.
Happy Jack managed and coached for the Midtown Little League in Edison, a member of Knights of Columbus 4885, 4th Degree in Edison, and was a friend of Bill W. for 23 years.
Jack was predeceased by his first wife, Gertrude, in 1962; his second wife, Victoria, in 1984; and a son, John J., in 2005. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of eight years, Marie Wieder Connolly; his loving children and their spouses, Ginny Connolly-Manhardt and her husband Andrew of Sanford, N.C., and Barbara Laudien and her husband Harold of Fairless Hills, Pa.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Boylan Funeral Home, 10 Wooding Ave., Edison. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 from the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Matthew's R.C. Church, Edison. Burial will be in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Happy Jack to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
AGE: 85 EDISON
John P. "Happy Jack" Connolly, 85, of Edison, completed his journey on earth peacefully with his wife at his side on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. He left in his wake legacies that will live on for generations to come.
Born in Scotland, he came to the U.S., living in New Brunswick before moving to Edison 60 years ago. John was employed as senior supervisor at Bristol Myers Squibb for 36 years, retiring in 1982, then superintendent of sanitation for Edison Township for eight years, retiring in 1990.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the Army's 501st Parachute Regiment in the Pacific, European and African Theaters and was a recipient of the Bronze Medal.
Jack was a communicant and founding father of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, Edison for 50 years and a member of the Matt Talbot #66 Retreat Group.
He was a Democratic committeeman in Edison for 25 years, and a member of the Executive Board, a member of the Democratic Organization Zoning Board and various other committees.
Happy Jack managed and coached for the Midtown Little League in Edison, a member of Knights of Columbus 4885, 4th Degree in Edison, and was a friend of Bill W. for 23 years.
Jack was predeceased by his first wife, Gertrude, in 1962; his second wife, Victoria, in 1984; and a son, John J., in 2005. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of eight years, Marie Wieder Connolly; his loving children and their spouses, Ginny Connolly-Manhardt and her husband Andrew of Sanford, N.C., and Barbara Laudien and her husband Harold of Fairless Hills, Pa.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Boylan Funeral Home, 10 Wooding Ave., Edison. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 from the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Matthew's R.C. Church, Edison. Burial will be in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Happy Jack to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I bow to the king
Any other freak-out chronicled on this blog pales in comparison.
Flight Attendant Slater: A Real American Hero
......
The argument began when one of the 100 passengers on the flight, got up early to get her luggage from an overhead compartment, according to sources. Slater told the passenger to sit back down -- but, as he approached, the woman continued to pull her belongings down and struck him in the head with her bag, authorities said.
Slater asked for an apology but the woman cursed him out, saying in effect "go f--k yourself" and calling him a "mo-fo," according to law enforcement sources who are still sorting out the specifics. Then Slater got on the flight's announcement system and allegedly cursed out everyone on the plane -- especially the person who mouthed off to him, according to law enforcement sources.
When his tirade was through, he then took a some beers from the galley and pulled the emergency chute and slid off the Embraer 190 plane. According to police sources, he threw his luggage down first and said something to the effect of "there goes 28 years," before he took the plunge.
After getting down the slide, Slater took off into the terminal, law-enforcement sources said.
The steward was "having a bad day," sources said.
Slater was later arrested at his home in Belle Harbor by Port Authority officials. Police sources said that when authorities found Slater he seemed to be in the midst having sexual relations.
Flight Attendant Slater: A Real American Hero
......
The argument began when one of the 100 passengers on the flight, got up early to get her luggage from an overhead compartment, according to sources. Slater told the passenger to sit back down -- but, as he approached, the woman continued to pull her belongings down and struck him in the head with her bag, authorities said.
Slater asked for an apology but the woman cursed him out, saying in effect "go f--k yourself" and calling him a "mo-fo," according to law enforcement sources who are still sorting out the specifics. Then Slater got on the flight's announcement system and allegedly cursed out everyone on the plane -- especially the person who mouthed off to him, according to law enforcement sources.
When his tirade was through, he then took a some beers from the galley and pulled the emergency chute and slid off the Embraer 190 plane. According to police sources, he threw his luggage down first and said something to the effect of "there goes 28 years," before he took the plunge.
After getting down the slide, Slater took off into the terminal, law-enforcement sources said.
The steward was "having a bad day," sources said.
Slater was later arrested at his home in Belle Harbor by Port Authority officials. Police sources said that when authorities found Slater he seemed to be in the midst having sexual relations.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Mr. Sensitive
PennDot's reputation of being unreasonable is well earned in my experience.
My relationship with them reached an all time low when their temporary summer pothole patching crew mistakenly filled in every one of our manholes covers....and then PennDot asked that I submit a road opening permit to dig them back out. In that case, I appreciated a coworker talking me out of returning the application after using it for the same purposed as toilet tissue.
So this afternoon I got a call from a PennDot contractor telling me that there was a situation he was "concerned about". The concern was that there was a wheelchair ramp close to two storm water inlets and next to some stairs leading up to a local bar.
My question, naturally, was " what do you mean concern ? The ramp is either in violation or not in violation of the regulations ?"
He replied, " Well I can repair the road without addressing the concern, but while we have it all dug up I think its probably a good idea that guys have us fix up the corner. "
" Well then go ahead and fix it up", I said.
" I'd like to do that, but its outside of the scope of work. I can do it, but its going to cost you a couple of extra dollars.", he replied.
Then I got irritated, " Yeah I bet it will. You know I'm sick of this stuff. You guys always coming around and forcing us to comply with ridiculous regulations. I'm all for accessibility, but enough is enough. Can you or can you NOT get the ramp and the landing in ?"
" Yeah. I mean we can get the ramp and landing in, but then then the person is going to be...."
I interrupted, " Ok then you can get the ramp in. Then put the ramp in, do what's on the work order and that's in. I'm not going to be nickle and dimed to death on this job."
The guy tried again, " I don't think you understand. The stairs are right there near.."
I interrupted again, " yeah...yeah...yeah...so some fat guy in his rascal is coming home from WalMart there and he's gotta cross the street and its narrow right ? So his cart bumps the stairs, big deal, he has to back up and go around. That's for the offer..I'm not interested.
" Um...ok....would it be ok if I sent you a picture ?", he asked.
" Sure."
I'm sure that the guy thought I was a total douchebag. Meanwhile I thought I won one for the good guys. That is...until 10 minutes later when I got this....
AH...apparently stairs go both up AND down.
and apparently, I'm an asshole.
My relationship with them reached an all time low when their temporary summer pothole patching crew mistakenly filled in every one of our manholes covers....and then PennDot asked that I submit a road opening permit to dig them back out. In that case, I appreciated a coworker talking me out of returning the application after using it for the same purposed as toilet tissue.
So this afternoon I got a call from a PennDot contractor telling me that there was a situation he was "concerned about". The concern was that there was a wheelchair ramp close to two storm water inlets and next to some stairs leading up to a local bar.
My question, naturally, was " what do you mean concern ? The ramp is either in violation or not in violation of the regulations ?"
He replied, " Well I can repair the road without addressing the concern, but while we have it all dug up I think its probably a good idea that guys have us fix up the corner. "
" Well then go ahead and fix it up", I said.
" I'd like to do that, but its outside of the scope of work. I can do it, but its going to cost you a couple of extra dollars.", he replied.
Then I got irritated, " Yeah I bet it will. You know I'm sick of this stuff. You guys always coming around and forcing us to comply with ridiculous regulations. I'm all for accessibility, but enough is enough. Can you or can you NOT get the ramp and the landing in ?"
" Yeah. I mean we can get the ramp and landing in, but then then the person is going to be...."
I interrupted, " Ok then you can get the ramp in. Then put the ramp in, do what's on the work order and that's in. I'm not going to be nickle and dimed to death on this job."
The guy tried again, " I don't think you understand. The stairs are right there near.."
I interrupted again, " yeah...yeah...yeah...so some fat guy in his rascal is coming home from WalMart there and he's gotta cross the street and its narrow right ? So his cart bumps the stairs, big deal, he has to back up and go around. That's for the offer..I'm not interested.
" Um...ok....would it be ok if I sent you a picture ?", he asked.
" Sure."
I'm sure that the guy thought I was a total douchebag. Meanwhile I thought I won one for the good guys. That is...until 10 minutes later when I got this....
AH...apparently stairs go both up AND down.
and apparently, I'm an asshole.
Friday, July 30, 2010
good points
http://www.theservicecourse.com/2010/07/raceable-moments.html
# Speaking of jerseys, what of the great RadioShack wardrobe tragedy? Frankly, I wouldn’t shed too many a tear for them – contrary to appearances, I suspect the whole thing went off exactly as it was intended. If TRS really was counting on wearing the jerseys, they would have requested UCI approval, and given the stated nature of the effort, I bet they would have received it. But they didn’t take that step, choosing instead to go the six-year-old route and get more attention by acting out. With that, they also got the added bonus of getting to look persecuted one more time for the general audience.
I found it all pretty distasteful, and not because I’m a stickler for the uniform rules. Armstrong’s previous teams wore modified uniforms onto the Champs Elysees all the time, and nobody, me included, cared a bit. I didn’t care then because they’d earned the media spotlight by winning the race, so in my mind, they were welcome to do with that Champs Elysees spotlight as they pleased, whether that was pushing Livestrong or whatever else their sponsors wanted or allowed. But this year, the spotlight wasn’t theirs to bask in, but they tried to point it at themselves anyway, when it should have been shining squarely on Contador, Schleck, Chartreau, and Petacchi. They know it, we know it.
Finally, the whole affair kept 161 other guys - who just wanted to get the hell to Paris and be done with the whole damn thing - waiting while they huffed around with faux offense and fumbled with safety pins. That’s just rude.
# And yes, it will sound callous, but I’m tired of cycling being the cancer sport. And yes, I say that as someone who has the obligatory family history. But I’m not going to recite that history here as some love to do in such discussions, because validity of opinions on the matter shouldn’t be decided on some chest-puffing “who’s more cancer” contest.
# Speaking of jerseys, what of the great RadioShack wardrobe tragedy? Frankly, I wouldn’t shed too many a tear for them – contrary to appearances, I suspect the whole thing went off exactly as it was intended. If TRS really was counting on wearing the jerseys, they would have requested UCI approval, and given the stated nature of the effort, I bet they would have received it. But they didn’t take that step, choosing instead to go the six-year-old route and get more attention by acting out. With that, they also got the added bonus of getting to look persecuted one more time for the general audience.
I found it all pretty distasteful, and not because I’m a stickler for the uniform rules. Armstrong’s previous teams wore modified uniforms onto the Champs Elysees all the time, and nobody, me included, cared a bit. I didn’t care then because they’d earned the media spotlight by winning the race, so in my mind, they were welcome to do with that Champs Elysees spotlight as they pleased, whether that was pushing Livestrong or whatever else their sponsors wanted or allowed. But this year, the spotlight wasn’t theirs to bask in, but they tried to point it at themselves anyway, when it should have been shining squarely on Contador, Schleck, Chartreau, and Petacchi. They know it, we know it.
Finally, the whole affair kept 161 other guys - who just wanted to get the hell to Paris and be done with the whole damn thing - waiting while they huffed around with faux offense and fumbled with safety pins. That’s just rude.
# And yes, it will sound callous, but I’m tired of cycling being the cancer sport. And yes, I say that as someone who has the obligatory family history. But I’m not going to recite that history here as some love to do in such discussions, because validity of opinions on the matter shouldn’t be decided on some chest-puffing “who’s more cancer” contest.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
What's he saying
Pat McQuaid:
" We're not trying to hide anything and we're not avoiding the issue but all this raking up the past is not doing the sport any good."
"There's something going on in the row between Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong. It's being fueled by LeMond helping Landis and by information being fed to the media. That's completely unfair and we should let the authorities do what they have to do. The sport of cycling has changed massively since 2006 and moved on. Young riders deserve our support and shouldn't have to compete under all this suspicion."
How can this be viewed as anything other than an admission of widespread doping in 2005 and prior.
Coincidentally (?) 2005 was the year that two of the biggest names retired...Mario Cippolini and Lance Armstrong.
And Lemond..who lost his bike company, and Landis...who lives in a shack is unemployed teaming up against a guy who make 35 million year, is one of the top 3 recognized international athletes, and who runs a $150 million dollar bio-med research firm is "unfair". HA !
" We're not trying to hide anything and we're not avoiding the issue but all this raking up the past is not doing the sport any good."
"There's something going on in the row between Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong. It's being fueled by LeMond helping Landis and by information being fed to the media. That's completely unfair and we should let the authorities do what they have to do. The sport of cycling has changed massively since 2006 and moved on. Young riders deserve our support and shouldn't have to compete under all this suspicion."
How can this be viewed as anything other than an admission of widespread doping in 2005 and prior.
Coincidentally (?) 2005 was the year that two of the biggest names retired...Mario Cippolini and Lance Armstrong.
And Lemond..who lost his bike company, and Landis...who lives in a shack is unemployed teaming up against a guy who make 35 million year, is one of the top 3 recognized international athletes, and who runs a $150 million dollar bio-med research firm is "unfair". HA !
Friday, May 28, 2010
Come on now
If you want to understand the institutional nature of doping, you need to look no further than USA Cycling.
In 1984 Olympics the American cycling team was found to be participating in blood doping similar to what Landis is accusing 26 years later.
The first question you might ask is didn't we learn our lesson ? Perhaps the better observation is maybe we learned the wrong lesson.
The key folks who fought against the blood boosting in 1984 included David Prouty, Dr. Thom Dickenson, and Rob Lea. The end result of the controversy was that all three ended their tenure with the highest levels of the sport.
Conversely, many of the names implicated as being participants in the scandal went on to become leaders within the sport and the federation.
Pat McDonough went on to be, of all things, the USA Cycling Athletics Director.
Eddie B left the federation and started Lance Armstrong's first professional team Subaru Montgomery, which later became the US Postal Team.
Dr. Ed Burke went on to be a doctor with the USCF and an influence on Lance's coach Chris Charmichael
Danny Van Haute is the director of the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
Mike Fraysee received an award from the UCI for his service, served as the VP of Pan Am cycling, and served as Joe Papp's director and patron.
Dr. Falsetti - who was brought in to do the transfusions served as a medical adviser to the US Postal Cycling Team and continue working with elite athletes.
In 1984 Olympics the American cycling team was found to be participating in blood doping similar to what Landis is accusing 26 years later.
The first question you might ask is didn't we learn our lesson ? Perhaps the better observation is maybe we learned the wrong lesson.
The key folks who fought against the blood boosting in 1984 included David Prouty, Dr. Thom Dickenson, and Rob Lea. The end result of the controversy was that all three ended their tenure with the highest levels of the sport.
Conversely, many of the names implicated as being participants in the scandal went on to become leaders within the sport and the federation.
Pat McDonough went on to be, of all things, the USA Cycling Athletics Director.
Eddie B left the federation and started Lance Armstrong's first professional team Subaru Montgomery, which later became the US Postal Team.
Dr. Ed Burke went on to be a doctor with the USCF and an influence on Lance's coach Chris Charmichael
Danny Van Haute is the director of the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
Mike Fraysee received an award from the UCI for his service, served as the VP of Pan Am cycling, and served as Joe Papp's director and patron.
Dr. Falsetti - who was brought in to do the transfusions served as a medical adviser to the US Postal Cycling Team and continue working with elite athletes.
Bahati
The fact that they signed Landis in the first place, and with Nathan O'Neill on the team and Rick Crawford as director, its really silly for the Bahati Foundation Team portray themselves as having any moral credibility.
I'm hardly a Landis apologist, but they're just as broke as unsupported now as they were before Landis joined the team. Blaming him for their troubles is a weak excuse.
I'm hardly a Landis apologist, but they're just as broke as unsupported now as they were before Landis joined the team. Blaming him for their troubles is a weak excuse.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
By request - Hot Dog Update.
april 27th - 15, 393, 405
april 28th - 9, 402, 420
april 29th - 25, 427, 435
april 30th - 23, 450, 450
48 in last 2 days....
Winner winner hot dog dinner.
Commemorated with this...
april 28th - 9, 402, 420
april 29th - 25, 427, 435
april 30th - 23, 450, 450
48 in last 2 days....
Winner winner hot dog dinner.
Commemorated with this...
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Turkey Hill Observations
Turkey Hill has been around 11 years in its current incarnation and we did it a couple of years as a stand alone event. But I think this year's event marked a transitional change for cycling in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The breakaway of 6 riders at yesterdays race was comprised of 5 riders under 25 years old, with the winner, Jackie Simes at 21 years old. And the money spots were devoid of past winners and THCC regulars. ( See Laudien Power Rankings for further evidence of the youth movement )
Its a bittersweet feeling to see these young guys making their way into the standings. The sweet being the fact that the sport continues to grow and cultivate talent for the future. Bitter in realization ( or admitting) that father time has finally had its way with us, and the Trdinas, Millers, Blacks, and sooner or later the Kincaids of the world are going to have to step aside for this youth movement and the take their show to the masters race.
I watched the last 6 laps of the race from the wheel truck and at as good as these young guys are, it apparent that they lack tactical experience. For 30+ miles 5 of the breakaway riders let Mike Chauner sit on without taking a real pull. They didn't harass him, or attack him or anything. They just let him sit back there getting a free ride to the finish.
Now perhaps Chauner promised that he wouldn't sprint, or said that he was tired, or whatever...that's not really relevant. Even the road worker, who watches exactly one bike race a year, said to me...they really don't think he's not going to sprint past him at the end. Ethics or character aside. If you let a guy sit on your for 30+ miles and then don't get rid of him...that on you.
Post race, I realized that the problem is that those guys have no idea how to deal with a guy sitting on. When that happens there are a few approaches that work.
The first is that you just sit up and get caught. Yesterday I wouldn't have considered that an option. It was a good group, Kelly was controlling the field, and that threat wouldn't have bothers Chauner...his chances are pretty good in a sprint as well.
There's the option of attacking him. The two teammates ( forgive me I don't have names since the results aren't up) in the break did that...finally. But after a guy sits on for the last 5 laps while you've been pulling your ass off, its unlikely that an attack or two in the last 3 miles is going to do anything except tire yourself out. Chauner just rode tempo from the river to the finish and neutralized all of the attacks.
The third option is what that should have done and that is take him off the back. for anyone who grew up in a club system or watched classics pre-EPO its a standard tactic. But in modern cycling its gone the way of echelon riding....a lost art. Simply what the guys should have done is every time one of them came to the back of the line and Chauner didn't pull through, they should have let a gap form to the back of the breakaway. Once the gap got to 30 yards, they should sprint back to the back of the break. Then the next rider does the same thing. After a half dozen rotations, everyone will have to put in one extra hard sprint, but over that same period the rider sitting on would have to put on 5 extra hard efforts. In very short order, the offending rider will realize that its just a lot easier to rotate through.
Anyway, congrats to the riders, and hats off to Turkey Hill and the race organizers for a superbly run, successful event.
The breakaway of 6 riders at yesterdays race was comprised of 5 riders under 25 years old, with the winner, Jackie Simes at 21 years old. And the money spots were devoid of past winners and THCC regulars. ( See Laudien Power Rankings for further evidence of the youth movement )
Its a bittersweet feeling to see these young guys making their way into the standings. The sweet being the fact that the sport continues to grow and cultivate talent for the future. Bitter in realization ( or admitting) that father time has finally had its way with us, and the Trdinas, Millers, Blacks, and sooner or later the Kincaids of the world are going to have to step aside for this youth movement and the take their show to the masters race.
I watched the last 6 laps of the race from the wheel truck and at as good as these young guys are, it apparent that they lack tactical experience. For 30+ miles 5 of the breakaway riders let Mike Chauner sit on without taking a real pull. They didn't harass him, or attack him or anything. They just let him sit back there getting a free ride to the finish.
Now perhaps Chauner promised that he wouldn't sprint, or said that he was tired, or whatever...that's not really relevant. Even the road worker, who watches exactly one bike race a year, said to me...they really don't think he's not going to sprint past him at the end. Ethics or character aside. If you let a guy sit on your for 30+ miles and then don't get rid of him...that on you.
Post race, I realized that the problem is that those guys have no idea how to deal with a guy sitting on. When that happens there are a few approaches that work.
The first is that you just sit up and get caught. Yesterday I wouldn't have considered that an option. It was a good group, Kelly was controlling the field, and that threat wouldn't have bothers Chauner...his chances are pretty good in a sprint as well.
There's the option of attacking him. The two teammates ( forgive me I don't have names since the results aren't up) in the break did that...finally. But after a guy sits on for the last 5 laps while you've been pulling your ass off, its unlikely that an attack or two in the last 3 miles is going to do anything except tire yourself out. Chauner just rode tempo from the river to the finish and neutralized all of the attacks.
The third option is what that should have done and that is take him off the back. for anyone who grew up in a club system or watched classics pre-EPO its a standard tactic. But in modern cycling its gone the way of echelon riding....a lost art. Simply what the guys should have done is every time one of them came to the back of the line and Chauner didn't pull through, they should have let a gap form to the back of the breakaway. Once the gap got to 30 yards, they should sprint back to the back of the break. Then the next rider does the same thing. After a half dozen rotations, everyone will have to put in one extra hard sprint, but over that same period the rider sitting on would have to put on 5 extra hard efforts. In very short order, the offending rider will realize that its just a lot easier to rotate through.
Anyway, congrats to the riders, and hats off to Turkey Hill and the race organizers for a superbly run, successful event.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
hot dog update
I ate 4 hot dogs around 4 am after drinking a little bit tonight. My total is at 397 which = 53 more to go in the next 3 days.
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