MORNINGMANIAC's Blog

For any guy who's ever picked up a club--then you can relate to the great story told by Carl Hiaasen...The Downhill Lie is a funny story about a regular guy--like you and me--taking a hiatus from his golf game and then getting the bright idea to return to the course after 32 years off the links...

He was lucky enough to be in Barbados covering of all things the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue when someone talked him into a round of golf ...and whammy just like that he was hooked again!   So he picked it up and started back out on the course regularly but finds himself stuck in hacker mode--just like the rest of us!

Golf will humble you very quickly--and just when you are ready to toss your sticks in the trash can...Bang you hit a shot that brings you back for more...Oh yeah that sweet shot and sweet spot addiction...Its a real high but there are many more lows for golfers like me and probably you too--go ahead admit--Carl does!

They are the original hip hop kings -- the Motown of the Hip Hop generation!  Rap royalty was in the house on Good Day Atlanta....Wow--Im a huge Old School Rap fan--I grew up in the heyday of rap music in NY--where it all began...And we had the pleasure of having some of my favorite old school artists on the show--and the official hip hop ambassador Fab 5 FREDDY...Kool Moe Dee and Chubb Rock all in the studio at one time...

Chubb Rock aka the "Chubbster" is an amazing story--Ivy league educated at Brown University--the Chubbster was taking his Medical School entrance exams when he was offered his first Rap tour...He managed to get a post graduate degree at Columbia but still chose to follow his other passion--music!  And the rest is history--hes one of the most recognizable voices in hip hop now and then a true legend--And he has atlanta ties with his 404 Music distribution deal...he's also a great dad with a child thats Yale bound....

Kool Moe Dee says hes been married to rap music for more than thirty years...From his humble beginnings wtih the Treacherous 3 to an amazing solo career...And he was the first rapper to ever perform on the Grammy's....A true pioneer and legend--with Songs like Wild Wild West and Rise and Shine-two of my favorites...

And dont forget Fab 5 Freddy...hip hops greatest ambassador--credited as the man who put hip hop on MTV with his first video with Blondie...He then went on to host Yo MTV Raps the show which all the other shows and networks copied...He now working on a website Placetobe.com an interactive networking site... Smart talented and driven he is one of hip hops true building blocks and the man who helped make hip hop a billion dollar industry...

Old School Hip Hop lives--and I love it!!!!! 

Runner up so what! He's having more success than many of the Idol winners!

Clay aiken is a multi platinum success story from the pages of A-I...He has just released his new album on my way here...The 29 year old Raleigh native is just as easy and fun to talk to as the guy next door...He has a real easy demeanor that lets you warm up to him right away....If this new album is anything like the 2003 smash hit double platinum debut measure of a Man and Merry  Christmas with Love which went platinum in just six weeks after its release! 

Clay is the real deal and so is his new album...I am sure his entire legion of fans will be heading out to pick up his new album right away....and by the way Clay hasnt been able to watch American Idol in the last three years...Huh?  you are kidding me--nope wow must be nice!!

Oliver North one of the most well known and controversial members of the Reagan Administration has written a new book--American Heros In the Fight Against Radical Islam....If you are a military buff or just an ordinary citizen--this book takes you inside the war in Iraq...

Oliver North takes us inside this continuing conflict and gives you an up close and personal look at the conditions the soldiers are dealing with in Iraq...From Fallujah to Baghdad the sandstorms--the intricate weapons and equipment to the all our firefights Mr. North reminds us of who the real heros are in our society and that we would be supporting every single soldier fighting for our protection...

Regardless of your political stance--the definition of hero from Mr. North is a person willing to put his life on the line for the benefit of others!  Thats each and every young man and woman fighting for a safer and secure US and a new and better life for the citizens of Iraq...

Remember, the good old days--before text messaging, the blackberry and instant messaging there was the CB radio....All you did was push the button and talk...And if the channel was too crowded just drop down a channel or two until you find a clear one...

My handle was "Chocolate Chip"...Jeff says his handle will be "Vanilla Ice" what would your handle be?  Let me know?  For you younger folks its similar to a screen name...LOL!

Hold on! 80 percent--that seems ridiculously high--and i have a trouble believing it but thats what our relationship expert told us on Good Day...And she says 70 percent of affairs begin in the work place...Startling that aint the worst of it--check this out--our expert says only one percent of men marry women they have affairs with...Wow--Club Cheatin aint what its made out to be huh?   That myth that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence may not hold true according to these numbers....

Our relationship expert is Lisa Daily...and some say she has a knack for putting the pop back into pop culture...she has also written the enormously popular book Stop Getting Dumped which is popular in the US and overseas...

But the biggest surprise to me and what a startling fact  this was to me that 66 percent of women whose husbands are cheating dont suspect a thing...I have a hard time believing that because women are so perceptive and so inquisitive and lets face it--Most guys are bad liars--we just are not good at it--Im a terrible liar--my sons are horrible liars and so is just about every man i know...So this shocks me that the cheatin radar doesnt go off more often in women--But with more than 50 percent of marraiges ending in divorce I guess these numbers might be possible...Yikes!

Did you know the average vegetable travels about 1500 miles before it hits your saute pan or steamer...Wow that little tid bit of info blew me away in an interview last week with Barbara Damrosch the author of the Garden Primer...An interesting book that will help you and your garden.  Its basically a reference guide--step by step info on growing your own veggies.  Veggies that wont need a passport to get into your kitchen.  I mean vegetables are imported from all over the planet and when you really think about it--how much fresher could they be. Considering it could take a week or two to get from the field where it was picked to market and then to your kitchen--who knows how long that whole process takes!  in short if you really want fresh--you might have to learn how to grow your own...

The Delta Northwest alliance--i just dont know how I feel about it... I love its great American comeback story--from the depths of bankruptcy to flourishing super power of the airways...I also love the fact that jobs n DeltaVille are staying put and more jobs may even be created...

But what does this kind of super power mean for our pockets--Although it keeps jobs vital to Atlanta...getting out of atlanta by plane may become much more expensive...Why the competition may soon be squeezed out...Airtran Midwest and other discount airlines are sure to the feel the pressure from the new super carrier and ultimately may be forced out of the game...Its already tough sitting on the tarmac on one of the discount carriers waiting for a gate--so we know its already tough on the "other" guys are Hartsfield Jackson....So now what -- we may see lower fares to begin with just to compete but once they gain control--there's sure to be alot of pressure as fares go up and we are now left with no choices...so hold on to your frequent flier miles because we may very well need them to make traveling affordable and practical...

Do you know Sam Spady?  No.  And you wont get a chance to get to know her because she passed away back in 04 from alcohol poisoning.  She had it all--she was beautiful and smart--class president and cheerleader...A business major at Colorado State University....with nothing but the world waiting for her...

But it all changed in an instant when she attended a frat party as all college kids do!  But she drank shot after shot and then went to lay down by herself...She was found hours later dead from alchohol poisoning...A parents worst nitemare and it all could have been avoided if others had paid attention or if someone had seen her and known what warning signs to look for...Now Patty Spady Sam's mother...is on a mission to educate young people and make them aware of the problems and dangers associated with binge drinking and alcohol poisoning....

Having a college aged child--that i already know is overly social...I always worry that he's one bad decision away from tragedy.  Thats why its so important for parents to talk TO--not "AT" their children about the dangers of alcohol how easily things can go bad!  And an evening more disturbing trend and information that comes out of this tragedy is the fact that more and more young girls are bingin' to try to keep up with the boys--and to put the other edge on the sword--the liquors are flavored making it even more appealing for the girls.

Peer pressure is the greatest pressure our children deal with--and its hard to combat it in a college dorm or at the big game when you are sitting in your living room!  Check out the dvd with your kids and talk about it--and talk about making wise choices!  Don't spoil their college years--help them survive their college years! For more information go to samspadyfoundation.org.

I-85 is no joke!  My family just had a scare that shook us all up!  This latest hit and run with four fatalities scared me all over again!  I was out of town and my parents called to let me know they had been in an accident -but they were okay--just a little bruised up!

Fortunately they were buckled up and had a bunch of airbags deploy to protect them! Others may not be as fortunate!

Apparently my dad was cruisin in the HOV lane doing about 65-70 when all of the sudden a car darted in front of him as traffic began to slow down.  He slammed on the brakes but couldnt avoid crashing into the car sending that vehicle into the air and flipping over!  Before the airborn vehicle came to a crashing halt--it had struck two other vehicles.  At that speed everyone is lucky to have been able to walk away from that kind of impact and incredibly scary situation.

People drive way too fast on I-85.  Throw in the truck traffic and all the congestion! Theres no room for wreckless driving.  How about this suggestion--give yourself a few extra minutes so you dont have to make a mad dash in an area that doesnt have any room for mistakes.   We know there are too many cars for too little space and its crazy to think that you are going to get to your destination any faster by speeding and weaving in and out of traffic.  All it does is put your life in jeopardy--and as we have seen the last couple of days--the lives others are put in danger as well!  Use good sense on all our Georgia roadways buckle up and arrive alive!

Are you kiddin me!  One of my best friends called me from NY to tell me that our favorite pizza joints had signs up in the store--I said yeah i know--its called a menu!  He said no--these signs tell you why the price of pizza has nearly doubled!  I says! what are you kiddin me!  He says no way--I was gonna have pizza fuh dinnah but now fuggedabouddit!  Its way to much to pay for a pie!

He goes on--using some colorful language and i inform him that its not the shop owners fault and the price of wheat has quadrupled and its come the shop owners more to make!  He said he knew that--thats what the sign says!  i says i knew that already!  He says i figured you did--you're on the news everyday--you should know!  I says fuggedabouddit!  Im not hungry--but i still love pizza!

Its a dark day when the trickle down of a poor economy is causing die hard pizza lovers to go without a slice and cold drink!  (the staple of of good wholesome Italian American diet!)

If you didnt think so--Now its official--we are in a rebuilding year!  Starting running back --gone--Pro Bowl Tight end gone--Franchise (Shut Down) Corner Gone!  Oh yeah we are startin' from scratch and trying to put together a team--But be warned its gonna take a while! 

Not only do we need a QB--as Keith Brooking --the only remaining holdover from the Super Bowl run--told us--we need an O line and a D line--In the NFL folks you have to be able to run the ball and stop the run...Thats Priority one and one A--in either order...It doesnt really matter...And thats the bottom line--So we went out and got a running back from all accounts a good one--We'll see what he can do carrying the load full time--but we need to put some horses in front of him...So he can do his thing---If you dont get the horses up front--The Hogs--you can forget about the run game and the passing game--Football 101--the run sets up the pass...Look at the great 49er teams...Look at New England...run it down your throat and then kill ya with the pass...the great Dallas teams of the 90's did it the same way...

So we've got a laundry list of things we need in the draft--That Defensive tackle Glen Dorsey  from LSU might be a great start or Leodis Mckelvin the standout corner from Troy...Just get something with this draft please!!!  We really need some offensive linemen but they need to be proven league veterans that means we have to give up some key players on the roster right now!  Its tough for rookie linemen to be effective in the NFL..Defensive lineman are so good and so fast and crafty its just such a world of difference between college and the NFL especially for Offensive linemen...

So expect the phone lines to be burning up come draft day around falcon headquarters and they might want to add some extra lines..We maybe in a fire sale but come September there had better be a winner coming thru that tunnel and onto the field at the dome or the it will be a very quiet place to watch a football game and we are all dying for the Birds to come back better and stronger than ever!

Its a heck of a wild ride--from the golf cart chase to the sky diving to a couple of the Sopranos characters making cameo appearances--College Road Trip is the perfect movie for family entertainment...Raven Symone is awesome and brings her crazy Police cheif dad--Martin Lawrence--along for the ride...He'll do anything to keep his little girl from going too far away from home for college..

Everyone can relate to this movie...I mean everyone...Its all about a families journey into understanding and respecting each others decisions...That message resonates loud and clear as Martin begins putting his needs and wants first---Snubbing the wants and goals of his daughter who is a promising student with a bright future itching to become part of an international studies program at Georgetown University...

Talk about priceless and laugh out loud funny--Donnie Osmond--Oh my goodness--he is absolutely hilarious...and he and has daughter have a relationship that would make any one green with envy...But they are over the top obnoxious and really can make you uncomfortable if you were to happen to just run into them on a campus visit...But the performance is a gut buster---Donnie Osmond told me they would be in stitches during the rehearsal and then they just nailed it when it was time for action!

Take the entire family to see this movie and i dare you not to have a good time!

D'angelo Hall gone.

Algie Crumpler gone.

Rod Coleman gone.

Oh my goodness-while you could argue a good case for each one of the players departure--my gosh we werent deep to begin with...You can't dispute that the guys above were proven NFL veterans and could all continue to contribute...So we ask--where is the franchise headed...Are we in another rebuilding year...Wow--don't we deserve a little better than that!  We've been waiting for a long time for a winner! and its about time--

Now yes i understand the setback #7 put on us but--now its time to make some big boy moves instead of getting rid of anyone who had an opinion that differed with that of coach Bobby Im Outta Here Petrino...or anyone who spoke out on behalf of #7...I thought Mr. Blank understood this is business--not personal...

Of those three mentioned -- I would say Algie Crumpler is one guy whose numbers alone dont begin to tell the whole story...Even averaging ten yards a catch and grabbing five TDs....he wasnt far off his career best numbers--even when plagued by nagging injuries...He stilled remained consistent--amid the quarterback carousel that ran through the Falcon backfield!

So where do we go from here...who knows...we had a chance to grab a big name coach to create a buzz--we didnt do it!  We now have a chance to get a big name free agent--so far the last few years we've seen the big names like Patrick Kearney go--but we havent sign very many if any impact players--You could argue a case about John Abraham but he hasnt been able to stay healthy to be the dominant force we need up front!

Basically we are left with Keith Brooking and Warwick Dunn to build around--both on the back side of their careers and still excellent NFL players but--who will help them win!  Thats the key--you can throw anyone out there with these guys but who is gonna help them win!  Certainly no one they pick up in the draft...They need to sign some huge names in free agency and make some serious trades and become competitive NOW!!!

Free agency begins on Friday--The Falcons are on the clock! 

It was probably the highlight of my career--sharing the stage with of the most relevant and import public intellectuals of our time-Dr. Cornel West...It was an amazing evening at Morehouse College as the King Chapel was filled to capacity--with all ages and ethnicities represented--The evening centered around a discussion with the Dr. about his new cd-title a Never Forget-A journey of revelations!

Its a collaboration with some of music greatest minds--he calls on Prince...KRS...Talib Kweli...and Jill Scott Outkast...M-1 from Dead Prez and more...Its a remarkably message driven album with some fresh beats and melodic rhymes--he's even got an addition from his contemporaries like  Michael Eric Dyson....

Earlier in the day Dr. West spoke at Home Depots headquarters and so many employees wanted to hear is powerful message--they had to find an overflow room to house the nearly 150 extra employees that were not able to get one of the three hundred tickets that were passed  out in thirty minutes...

The former Harvard instructor and current professor of religion at Princeton discussed a wide range of topics from hip hops affects on our society quest for success...the presidential election and the relevance of music with a purpose in the african american community...Firing off questions at the Professor was an honor and a privilege and an evening ill never forget--and neither will the audience member...