Whether you're  just starting out or looking for a whole new career, knowing what type of a person you are goes a long way toward determining what type of vocation is best for you.
Check out this Ipersonic personality test...it won't cost you anything (unless you want to buy the follow up material)...and see if you are on the right career path.
If you missed Foster the People on the 10/8 SNL, you missed something special. Check out both of their performances here, and look forKenny G to pop up in their second song.
While my wife was surfing her favorite "catch-up-with-what-she-needs-to-know" website, MSNBC.com, she stumbled across this article on a hilarious new book about marriage, "If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing A Honeymoon."  Anything that starts with a wife lobbing a cup of ice at her husbands head in anger, has to be a) realistic and b) funny!   I wanna get my wife this book, but I don't want her to get any idea's either!
Toys R Us has released their first list of hot Christmas Toys for 2011. Check out this Market Watch report on Air Swimmers Extreme, radio controlled fish that fly through air. Pretty neat! Get two one for your husband and one for your kids.
Is Gnarls Barkley's Crazy really the best song of the past decade? Rolling Stone Magazine thinks so. Check out their list of the 100 Best Songs of the Aughts. See which songs you agree with, and which ones you don't even know.
Not sure which person you actually report to at work? Who truly controls your destiny and who you have to please? Check out this article from the Harvard Business Review on the challenges of managing multiple bosses! Hopefully, this will give you some nice ammo to take on the fourth quarter.
Thanks to all STAR people who walked, ran, supported, donated, and even dropped off checks at the station for the TOPS 5K/10K Run/Walk to benefit Roswell Park. Your efforts helped us beat last year's total by almost 25% to $115,000! I got so caught up in the event, about half way through I went from being a walker to a runner! Check out the pics on my personal Fbook page!
So sore today...maybe next year I should put in some training...
August 27th I'll be heading up the Tops 5k Run/Family Walk to benefit Roswell Park, and I'd like you on my team!Â
It's a wonderful event, one of the best charity walks in Buffalo. Last year it raised $80,000 for Roswell Park, and this year I'd love to see us get close to 100 Grand! Help me do my part by walking with me, or just sponsoring my walk.
Click here and here for general event details.       Â
Click here to sponsor me...just put my name in the SEARCH area
Click here to register as a walker, and raise your own money. We'll hook up at the event and walk together!
The 3.2 miles will fly by...and the post party will be great too! Thanks for helping the cause and passing this message onto your friends!
Mayor Dyster has the Falls on a comeback, and here's some more good news. Check out this article from Investopedia listing Niagara Falls as one of the most affordable cities to live in. Nice to see the American side of the Falls get some props!
Looks like Kings of Leon have some issues to deal with, and you wonder if rehab will be a part of it. Check out this NY DAILY NEWS article on them bailing on a show in Dallas. Heat was a factor, but the real story lies in the last few paragraphs and quotes from Jared Followill.   Wonder if this puts their Darien Lake show (August 16th) in jeopardy.
Check out the stars, male and female, wearing short shorts in this NY Daily News feature. Just like regular people, some stars can pull off the look, some can't.
Thanks for your help this morning! Here's what you came up with:
1.)Â Â Â In the winter, you can leave your car running, go into Tops or Wegmans, come out, and it's still there!
2.)Â Â Â Buffalo wings!
3.)Â Â Â Short commute: can get anywhere in 15 or 20 minutes
4.)Â Â Â Bills/Sabres gear is acceptable at any type of restaurant
5.)Â Â Â We are the most giving city (City of good neighbors)
6.)Â Â Â Every weekend, thereâs something going on and itâs often FREE.
7.)Â Â Â Erie County Fair
8.)   Architectureâ¦great buildings.
9.)Â Â Â Sahlenâs Hotdogs
10.) Underestimated Summers
11.) The Goo Goo Dolls
12.) Ralph Wilson Stadium, 1pm on a football Sunday
13.) Smell of Cheerios along Rt. 5
14.) Niagara Escarpment and itâs Wineries
15.) Living next to the lake, beautiful sunsets
16.) Italian/Allentown Festival
17.) Â Rick James. RIP Superfreak
18.) 1 M & T plaza
19.) Â Forest Lawn Cemetery, the nationâs largest inner city cemetery.
20.) Â Summer Construction season, progress is happening, people are working.
21.) Â Darwin Martin House
22.) Shakespeare in Delaware Park
23.) Weberâs Mustard
24.) Miss Buffalo
25.) Loganberry
26.) People think Irv Weinstein is still on Channel 7
27.) You can see your sports heroes in the same bar you hang out in after the game.
28.) We put the word âTheâ in front of everything for traffic
29.) You can leave at 7:30 and get to NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Philly, D.C, by dinner, and get to Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburgh by lunch!
30.) Taste of Buffalo
31.) Chefs
32.) Niagara Falls, itâs not BLO, but we will take credit for it
33.) High School sports get reported in the Buffalo News
34.) Bars are open till 4am
35.) Duffs/Anchor Bar Wings
36.) Concerts from Artpark to Buffalo Rocks the Harbor
37.)Â The Churches of Buffalo
38.) Mighty Taco
39.) Charlie the Butcher
40.) Tonawanda Canal fest
41.) Tim Hortonâs on every corner
42.) Bison Chip Dip
43.) Dyngus Day
44.) Broadway Market
45.) Buffalo Bandits
46.) Going to a Bisonâs game and almost often being able to sit where ever you want
47.) Always someone willing to dig you out
48.) Lawn Feteâs
49.) History of Buffalo
50.) KanJam
51.) Sheaâs Performing Arts Center
52.) SPCA
53.) World Class Fishing
54.) Basilica in Lackawanna
55.) The People
56.) Sponge Candy
57.) Women & Childrenâs Hospital
58.) 4 Seasons (Even though one of them is far too long)
59.) Construction Season
60.) Inner Harbor shaped like a Buffalo
61.) Roswell Park
62.) The Avant Building
63.) Neighborly border/ Friendly Rivalry with Canada
64.) Jimâs Steakout
65.) Albright Knox
66.) Buffalo Museum of Science
67.) Always a mall within 10 minutes
68.) Affordable dock rates for Boaters
69.) More chocolate shops and makers than a city our size would normally have
70.) Wing Fest
71.) UB Center for the Arts
72.) Being able to deal with snow like no other city (SNOW DAYS)
73.) Snow days off from school
74.) Neighborhood Pizza Joints
75.) City & County Park System
76.) Having Bills and Sabres as your next door neighbors
77.) Tedâs Hotdogs
78.) Cazenovia Park
79.) Buffalo Zooâ¦Big enough for the kids, but you donât have to kill yourself to cover it all
80.) Polish Festival
81.) Beef on weck. Beef on wick too, for those who spell it that way
82.) Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
83.) Elmwood Strip
84.) Tons of local ice cream shops to choose from
85.) Millers horseradish
86.) Rich Products (Whipped Topping)
87.) High School Football on Fridays
88.) Chip Strip
89.) Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
90.) Wilcox Mansion, Teddy Roosevelt Inaugural Site
91.) Hertel Ave Restaurants
92.) For the most part, itâs one of the safest places you could ever live
93.) Downtown parkingâ¦even though, we think itâs expensive, other cities are much much more
94.) Eden Corn Festival
95.) Letchworth State Park
96.) Home Grown Hockey Players
97.) Christmas Decorations at Salvatores Italian Gardens
98.) Buffalo Naval and Servicemanâs Park
99.) Andersons Ice Cream and Roast Beef
100.)Â Â Our modern yet easy in, easy out airport
101.)Â Â Chiavettaâs
102.)Â Â You! The Buffalonianâs who helped come up with this list J
When he was on the road, Trace Adkins got a call from Blake Shelton, his neighbor, telling him his house was on fire. Looks like it was a total loss. Check out the story and pics here.
 Taylor Swift in town tonight. I've mentioned this on the air a couple times, and though it may be a bit presumptuous, I really think Taylor is to young women what Bruce Springsteen was to young men in the 70's and 80's.
 Bruce wrote songs for men between the ages of 13-25, who felt lost, were trying to find their way, felt the world was against them, were tired of being kids but weren't quite ready to be adults, and wanted nothing more than to just be driving in their favorite car, best girl in the passenger seat, favorite song on the radio, on the way to a party or a burger joint, into a night that hopefully would never end.
 Taylor tell the exact same stories from a female point of view. She hasn't  quite come up with the super long epics like "Jungleland" or " Lost In The Flood," but I'm betting they are not far down the road. She already an expert at telling great 3 minute stories about young girls living their lives...or trying to.  I don't think it's any coincidence that Bruce's classic "Thunder Road" starts with the line " The screen door slams..." and Taylor's "Our Song" includes the line " Our song is a slamming screen door."  I am in no way saying she stole the line, simply that great descriptive writers think alike.
 Who knows if  Taylor will end up in the song writers hall of fame, but I can't remember the last time someone this young was able to do it this well.
We are putting you in the best seats of the house for Starry Night In The Garden! All you have to do is hmmbop to the top. Give us your best, or worst, version of these lyrics and you'll be in the best seats for Hanson at Starry Night! Practice up and call in to win every morning from 6/13--6/17.
Mmmbop, ba duba dop
Ba du bop, ba duba dop
Yeah
Mmmbop, ba duba dop
Ba du bop, Ba du dop
Ba du bop, Ba du dop
Ba du
Yeah
Looking for a new house, but can't find that right property? How about Billy Joel's home! He's put his Hampton home up for sale, and the price is right! He's dropped it about 3 and a half million dollars. Check out this report to see inside Billy's bedroom.
So your husband or boyfriend has probably asked you to wear, or picked out clothes for you in a store, that are completely wrong for you. Or aren't the type of clothing most normal people would want to be wearing. Check out this web piece about a woman who let her boyfriend dress her for an entire week. Some days were good, others didn't work out so well.
Bills owner Ralph Wilson gets props from NY DAILY NEWS columnist Gary Myers  for knowingthe owners were getting into a bad deal with the last contract with the players association. A good read for Bills fans.
Springtime...busy!  2 cool sites!
Buy Eric Clapton's home or Ted Kennedy's house here
I get a ton of useful stuff from The Hollywood Reporter. Sign up for the updates and you can get the Hollywood news as fast as the media!
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Britney Spears' latest album has helped her become the first solo act to have 6 number 1 albums before 30. Only two males have accomplished this feat, Elvis and Elton John. Editorial comment: Being number 1 doesn't necessarily mean an album is good (Britney's latest has been panned by many critics), it simply means you've sold the most. Read more here.
Fortune Magazine's latest issue centers on The Return of Real Estate as a good buy for simple home ownership, and at times, investment.  While this link will take you to the article, if you buy the magazine (which I highly recommend, as Fortune correctly does not put all their feature articles on the web for free), you'll see a chart that shows Rochester at #3 and Buffalo at #9 on top best cities for buyers.  Since 2006, Buffalo's home price went up 23%. Pretty incredible consider almost all other cities went down. Positive reading, and a good message for our area.
As I type this there are a bunch of cords winding around behind our pc desk area. The average person won't see them, but if you look hard, you'll see a giant mess nicely tucked away. Here's an MSNBC article on cutting cord clutter. I've tried a lot of it. Never seems to work.
Going on a road trip and forgot to buy Dramamine? All you need to do is open your fridge and pull out your jar of olives. And a spoon full of sugar not only helps the medicine go down, but also cures hiccups. Check out these 7 home remedies for everyday ailments.
If you're still looking to re-invent yourself, Fortune/CNN Money.com has profiled the 8 most wacky jobs in America. And the first is a position at our own Wegmans! Have fun reading...maybe being a veggie coach is in your future.
Not only is it Super Bowl weekend, but it's the 20th Anniversary of the Bills-Giants Super Bowl 25, which at the time ended up being the best Super Bowl ever, despite the ending for Bills fans. Check out this review of the best and worst Super Bowls, and see if you agree with the rankings. Me? I would give this review a B+. The Bills Giants game should be #2 on the list, not #5!
These have been floating on the web. Very funny...enjoy!
***Adult Truths***
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die or get fired.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
17. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
18. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
19. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front.
20. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
21. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
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23. People who forward e- mail without deleting the tons of previous recipients should be shot and then tarred and feathered.
24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.
You probably know WICKED is the prequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ, telling how the witches came to be. But how did the Wizard come to be? Hollywood is taking it on, and Johnny Depp may be involved. Is there any non-animated adventure/folklore character that he hasn't been...or rumored to be?
Some of Ricky Gervais' humor didn't go over so well with the celebs he nailed at The Golden Globes. Check out these articles from The Hollywood Reporter for more:
Ricky's 10 Bawdiest JokesGolden Globes Show Review
...then you'll love the NY POST's Dream Homes pictorial.  Save your pennies and hit it while it's still a buyer's market! Click over to the HOUSES OF THE WEEK on the right hand side of the page for more cool pads!
The ultra modern home where Cameron lived (and his dad stored his Ferrari) in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is for sale. The price is $1.65 million, but I bet you could get it for $1.3! Check out the real estate listing here.
The Daily Beast has come out with it's top ten predictions for 2011...and I think it's a well thought out list. Even if you disagree, you gotta give them props for taking on some major issues (Oprah's network failing, X Factor beating Idol, and no one caring where Katie Couric ends up!). Some very provocative material here. After reading, click the comment area and let me know your thoughts.
Over Christmas weekend the Buffalo News ran what I think is one of the smartest pieces regarding Buffalo waterfront development. Click here to check out Bill McKibben's "Another Voice" column in the Buffalo News. A must read that takes advantage of what we do have, instead of what we may have.
Here's a couple of pics from the first snowfall. I posted a quick video on my Fbook page. Tried to get it on here, but it just freezes after about 5 minutes. So for my blog you are stuck with stills. Would love to see pics of your pets in the snow!
The other morning I was describing how taking Penny for a walk has been a little more challenging since mid-October. Not because of the weather, but because of the seasonal decorations. I could understand her growling and barking at skeletons, ghouls, and scary Halloween lawn decorations, but it hasn't ended. She also stops to bark at super happy looking 1970's plastic snowmen, elves, and Santa Claus displays! Here are a couple of pics to illustrate:
First Penny at full stance having a stare down with a neighbors lawn decoration:
And now the sinister display she was getting mad at!
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If you have any stories, of your pooch being freaked out by goofy things...please comment!
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Regis and Kelly are looking for a "Man of Radio" to fill in for Regis next year. This would be a dream gig, and I would apply in an instant...but I can't...each candidate needs to be nominated by a listener/co worker/someone who likes me/someone who hates me and wants to get me out of town for a day.
What's in it for you? You could win a Krups home appliance gift package valued at $500. For me...it truly would be a dream, and something off the bucket list. Click the link for all the details, and feel free to use any pics or video off my, or the stations Facebook page, official station website, or blog pages. You get me in the running...and I'll take care of the rest. But hurry entries gotta be in by Dec 10th!
Click here, follow the instructions, and hopefully you'll be the reason I fill in for Regis in January!
Even if you had no interest in the American Music Awards, you do want to know what the stars wore, and how good or bad it looked. Â Check out the NY POST pictorial.
And for the best and worst of the CMA's, click here.
This morning, Producer James brought in a bunch of incredible holiday specs to goof around with on air. They are amazing! They look like 3D glasses, but when you look at outdoor lighting through them (things like Christmas lights, street lights, even your porch light) they put amazing holiday designs around them. So where do you get em? We do know Claytons on Main street in Williamsville has them for less than 2 bucks! The specs are actually made by a company called Toysmith.
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The NY DAILY NEWS recently ran this feature on the bad fashion of the 90's. Great pics...and most of it is bad. But a couple of things in here look much more 80's than 90's, and a couple others are still ok to wear today (The Jennifer haircut can still frequently be seen). Oh...and I did see someone wearing acid washed jeans the other day. It was a female. In her 40's. Sometimes you can't let go of the things you love!
We've all had different experiences with various airlines.  I think it all depends on what crew is serving you, from the gate attendant to the pilots. The face they put on, the way they act, determines what you think of their airline. On that note, check out America's Meanest Airlines, according to U.S. News and World Report.
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Looking for a new job, but you're not quite sure what field you want to be in?
Check out CNN Money Magazine's 100 Best Jobs In America and you might get some ideas.   Good luck on your new career!
"There never has been a city I ever lived in where the bond between team and fans was stronger. The Bills belonged to Buffalo in a way that even the Yankees have never quite belonged to New York, since from Day 1 the Yanks have had to share the cityâs loyalty."
Pretty strong stuff. And many in Buffalo would say "right on." So how Does Mike know so much about us? He went to St. Bona! Oh an Mets fans...this article won't make you feel any better about the Metsies either.
You're hearing us play JUST THE WAY YOU ARE by BRUNO MARS. No...it's not a remake of the Billy Joel 70's staple. The song alone is very cool, but watching the video just might make it your favorite new song. Infectious, creative, super cool. Watch it here.
Wanna buy Joe Montana's Napa Valley Home? The place Marilyn Monroe died (I know...creepy), or George Washington's Bar? Here's the latest celeb real estate up for sale. I love this site...you can click forever and see cool places to buy! Or at least dream about buying.
I took this quiz from Money Magazine and found out I was not quite in the best possible shape to become wealthy (I should have gotten that degree), but still did pretty well. Being wealthy isn't just about smarts and connections, lots of other things -- from your marital status to your looks -- can help or hurt too. To size up your odds, take this quiz.
CNN Money Magazine conducted a survey of most expensive and affordable housing markets, and Buffalo, no surprise to anyone who lives here, came out in the top five most affordable. Check out the entire article by clicking here.
Sept. 11 our puppy, Penny, will be heading up Penny's Pack and walking in the SPCA's Paws in the Park. You're welcome to join Penny, my wife, Linda, and I as we raise funds for the SPCA.  Click here to join up for the team, make a donation and walk with us, or just make a donation of support to the SPCA. Just enter "Rob Lucas" in the Sponsor Participant section.
Thanks so much for being a member of Penny's Pack and helping the SPCA!
Here's a quickie post from one of my favorite reads...Buffalo Business First. NY State...it costs more to do everything here...including closing costs on a house. Many other states don't require lawyers (some of the "third parties" referred to in the article) to close on a property, which makes it so much easier! It's so funny how NY and Cali should be leaders of our union...and they are tow of the most messed up states going !
Since getting Penny, I've naturally become accustomed to the challenges of boarding your dog when you go away. Heading to Disney, and want to take the dog with you? Check out the new boarding complex on the Disney grounds. I think this is going to be huge, and wouldn't be surprised if reservations sold out like the Dinsey themed hotels do.
What do you get when you play a country song backwards? You get your dog back, you get your truck back, and you get your wife back. June may be the most popular month to get married, but this month marks the end for one country music star. LeAnne Rimesâ divorce is finalized and if that doesnât put her music back in the top ten charts, she can take solace in being mentioned in this weekâs Deal #9. Her seven bedroom, nine and a half bathroom Tennessee mansion is marked down by nearly 1 million dollars.  Check out the official listing at http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/512-King-Richards-Ct_Franklin_TN_37064_1115353596
Whenever we have Hanson in studio, as we did last week, I'm always more and more impressed.   Not just with their music, but with how hard they work.  They just might be the most underrated band going.  They are at a point where even if they never did a personal appearance, they would still sell out most medium size venues, yet, they've never taken their audience for granted...never stopped working hard. For proof, check out their daily tour appearance schedule. Some dates have 3 appearances/events leading up to the show. I don't know when these guys sleep. Continued success to them, and if you missed the interview/in studio performance, check them out here, and check out STAR TV and the LISTEN tab.
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Haven't posted any dog photos in a while. Here's Penny's day in the pool today.  Linda and I think she likes getting toweled off even more than getting wet! She does love the water though....she went in the Niagara River a bit on one of our walks along Niawanda and Isle View Park. She was really trying to swim. Can't wait to take her to the beach when she is a little older!
The Hollywood Reporter gives the scoop on the new Muppet Movie, which was pitched to Disney by Jason Segal (How I Met Your Mother). This is a very cool look at the inside mechanicsof not only the making of, but the planning of a movie. I'm betting these sessions can be brutal at times, uplifting at others.  It's not all fun and glamour...it's a lot of hard work that no one will ever see that makes something a hit!
Former Buffalo News TV Critic Alan Pergament has a really neat blog covering local TV. Check it out here. I haven't spoken with Alan about it, but I'm betting it's great to write about only the topics you want to cover, and have no deadlines, word count limitations, or an editor deleting what you feel are key elements. Â
His blog is one you'll want to put on your "favorites."Â Right next to mine, I'm sure.
Back from a staycation in our dog's wading pool, with a couple of quickie blog updates. Here's the first...pics of celebs looking like average people...which they truly are, after all. Check out the NY DAILY NEWS meanest celebrity photos. Pretty brutal at times!
We came across a survey that touched on what swimwear is appropriate for backyard pool parties and public enviornments.  PBS's Rick Steves published this article on MSNBC.com regarding Europe having much looser nudity rules, and how Americans have trouble getting use to it when traveling overseas. Pretty funny reading.
You're hearing us play Maroon 5's new song Misery. The video for it is very cool...looks like it took a ton of work. Click here to check it out frame by frame with commentary from the band. After watching this, you may not look at music videos the same way again.
Not that I'm getting excited about something super serious and depressing, but the GOOGLE EARTH page that tracks the Gulf oil spill is pretty interesting. And also very scary, especially when entering in the various scenarios offered on the left hand side of the page. To get started, you may need to click the "Track the spill on Google Maps" link on the left hand side of the Destin, Florida map page that first comes up.
There has always been a big question about YouTube videos. Can you just take someone elses work and put it on the web, if you are making money off of it through advertising? Check out this Hollywood Reporter Article for a look at what a recent ruling means to Hollywood.
On the heels of the BP oil disaster, The Daily Beast has come up with Histories Most Hated Companies. See how many of these you remember, or were maybe not even alive for!
Here's a story from The Daily News sure to strike conversation in your office or family: A woman fired for wearing improper attire to work. Before you make your decision on just the first few photos of her, click through the 12 images, and read the entire story. She rarely showed skin, and most of the outfits look like they are pricey, not trashy. I'm on the fence on this one...I think you have to be in the office and see how things went down internally (Was she promiscuous? Did she blatantly flaunt her curves?) before you can make an educated decision.  Can you penalize someone for being curvy?  Feel free to post your comments!
There is a new book coming out chronicling the formation and rise of Facebook: The Facebook Effect: the Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World. Money Magazine recently published an excerpt. Awesome reading.  Nice to see that Mark Zuckerberg was smart enough to not sell out, even at the age of 21. I'm betting many of us would have taken the money and run!Â
Kind of helps me understand what Facebook is all about. But I still wish we wouldn't be so rushed to broadcast/post/twitter our lives that we could just enjoy things as they happen.  Of course I say that after posting pics on our dog Penny's first river walk on the Niagara on my FB page! Â
Everyone is talking about this year's mediocre Idol season, and how it's been reflected in the ratings. Here's a nice update from The Hollywood Reporter. For the record, I think it's pretty crazy to say Idol is over. They set the bar super high in terms of viewership, and drop-offs should be a surprise to no one, no matter how bad the finalists were. I do believe that next year is THE crucial year for Idol. It's the best produced show on TV, and if anyone can snap themselves out of a funk, it's the AI team. But they have one season to do it.
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The groundswell of support and slightly higher ratings have allowed NBC to renew Chuck. On the downside, "Heroe's" has officially been canceled. Check out NBC's just released Fall schedule here.
On Friday, I came home to the mess pictured below in and around Penny's crate. Come to find out, she ate a Magic Eraser. We think. How did she get it, when did she get it, were not quite sure. But it freaked us out a bit!
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The Daily Beast recently put together this feature on The Most Corrupt States.  Tennessee is #1, New Hampshire is #51 (they included DC). Where does New York rank? Not as high as you may think. Click the article to find out.
Since I've been posting pictures of our pooch Penny, I've had many ask about her summer dog bed. It is made by Coolaroo, and I originally saw it in SKYMALL magazine. Yes, I am an impulsive shopper when I vacation! We thought it looked useful, and it totally is. I highly recommend it. To get the right product for your pet type and size, check out this Coolaroo page, or do a web search. You might find a better price for the same thing from a different supplier.
There is a new club in NYC, and it's for the dogs. Wanna go out for the night, and not have your dog sit home alone?Â
Drop them off at Fetch Club!  Anyone with doggie skills and $$$ to invest...here's a business idea. I bet this would work well in Buffalo!
TripAdvisor has just come out with their list of Vacation Rental Hotspots. See which of your favorites are on the list, (mine, Ocean City, Md, made it) or maybe get some ideas for your next getaway!
Here's a neat article from The Daily Beast (not always the most reputable source) on how credit card companies can tell things about your life just by watching your purchases and payments. Interesting reading. Makes sense.
I've tried to be cognizant that posting tons of pics of your pets is kind of like showing vacation video to your neighbors. You can go overboard quickly. That's why I've held off posting Penny pics for awhile. But since I've been inundated with requests for more, (OK, about three people including Andy Parker asked), here's a bunch more!
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Here's a great article from Money Magazine full of ez to read, usable financial advice.  It's posted in a neat format that you can come back to time after time, or just cut and paste the words of wisdom that fit your needs into your own motivational, financial reference document.
I thought this CNN Money Magazine article was pretty entertaining , considering how messed up our state is, budget-wise and other wise. The funny thing is, our area has already stooped this low. Don't we already pay for local garbage collection through taxes? Haven't we already outsourced some bussing, and put street lights on limited use? If there is a way to make $$$, chances are New York State is already on top of it, and the county and city as had to make cutbacks to keep up. Maybe seceding from NYS isn't such a bad idea after all! Â
Wondering what's going to happen with the final few episodes of Lost? Click here for yet another great way to get the scoop on future episodes. Click on the blue highlighted area for information on each episode.
I haven't updated since I've been back to work, and have gotten a bunch of e-mails from people needing their "Penny Puppy Pic Fix!" So here you go. And again I say, I could post 30 articles on great ways to save money, get cheaper plane fare,etc, and get some nice hits. But post a few pics of a dog sleeping...and wow...what a response!
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Last night we had our first family TV night! The timing worked out just right where Penny was just ending her day as we were watching shows we had DVR'd earlier in the week. Linda brought Penny into the living room (we are slowly letting her in there while strongly supervised...lots of tempting things for a puppy!) and popped her into her day bed. Andy Parker was right...there are a lot of great "firsts" with a puppy, and this was one of them! [gallery order="DESC"]
For the record the shows we watched were Modern Families and Cougartown. Not sure if Penny falls into the suggested parental ratings for them. And yes, I know, how many pics can you post of a sleeping dog? But hey, I'm the doting dad, and will post as many as I can!Â
At home this week tending to our new Westie puppy, Penny. It's going great. After feeling as worn out for the first two day as as we did when we had no power for 10 days during the October 2006 Storm, we are getting back on track.  Linda says Penny is a doggie version of me...plays hard, then loves the couch (for her, it's a doggie daybed). She is doing well with potty training...weather has been great for it, thank you Andy Parker! A few accidents in the house, but she is only 8 weeks old and is not going to be perfect yet. My allergies are somewhere between ok and slightly annoying, but some of that may be lack of sleep. Penny is doing great at crate training, and after three days I still have yet to pick up dog doo!  No, there isn't a big disgusting pile of it on our patio...the timing has just been in my favor, but I know my day is coming. I've been doing well at giving her some little runs around the house perimeter, lots of exercise (Caesar Millan is right, an exercised dog is a happy dog)  and more attention than you might think I was capable of. But I do love it when she naps!I'll keep posting over my vacation week. Here are some good Penny pics to get you started.[gallery]
Sorry I've only posted once in the past few days. Been crazy busy with regular work (we do so much more than just talk for three hours...believe it or not!), and with readying our house for a new Westie puppy. I think we are all set. I'm doing so well with allergy shots that I can be around the SPCA for days at a time and barely sneeze. We've got the dog crate, the dog bowls, the treats, the training books, the doggie bed, I'm wearing shirts that we'll give to the dog so she will have a familiar scent around her when we're gone, we've got the auto close doggie gates for the house, I've been snow blowing the back patio for her bathroom and winter outdoor needs, we've got the leashes, the toys, done the research...but no dog yet.  Till tomorrow night (Thursday) when we go pick her up. It is a she. Name? Probably Penny or Lexi. I'll keep you posted.  I'll be off-air on vacation next week, sitting and home and thinking about all the things parents do about their first born:  "Should she sleep this much? Is she breathing? Touch her, see if you can wake her? Does this mean she has to go outside? Can I leave her alone and go workout without feeling guilty? Does she really like that crate? Is this too many treats?" I should have lots of stories when I get back on air. Till then I'm sure I will post the stories and pics here along the way, so check back in every so often. Wanna see what we are getting? It's one of the pups you see when you click here and scroll the pics. Wish me luck!
                                                                                                                                                          While surfing some travel sites, I stumbled across The Dallas Morning News Airlines Page.  Writers Terry Maxon and Eric Torbenson have a well updated page of formal articles and blogs on the travel and airline industry. You'll spend a lot of time checking out the latest posts, and the Airlines On The Web links on the right hand side of their blog page.
Click here for Adam Benigni's fine report on the curling challenge between the Rob Lucas Morning Show and Ch 2's daybreak.  We all have a new respect for curling, and curlers! If you thought we looked sloppy on the video, you should have seen the outtakes! Thanks to my teammates Producer Nikki Gawel, and Traffic Guy Justin Swain. Nikki was the smoothest curler (leave it to a woman), and Justin nailed the winning shot in OT!
As the morning show predicted, the stupidity of the IOC actually gave more attention to Ryan Miller recognizing his cousin Matt's fight against cancer. Mike Vaccaro of the NY Post writes about it, and the wacky history of the IOC.
Look for this story to be retold numerous times, especially if the U.S. makes it to the finals.  By the way, I think I'll be watching as many games as possible on CBC. Mike Emrick has gone from a GREAT PBP man to an annoying-space-filling-story-teller over the past few years. Mike...stick with PBP and let the analysts fill in the storyline.  Too often Emrick is behind a great play because he is trying to work in a players bio while the action is underway. If there was ever a time he needs to zero-base back to "He shoots...he scores!" it is now.
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The NY Daily News has another great photo gallery titled "Can You Believe They Dated?"Â Check it out and see how many of these Hollywood pairings you've forgotten about.
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I recently received the following e-mail from a listener. Broke my heart. We get many requests to publicize lost dog announcements, but can't do most of them. I couldn't let this one go without trying to help. If you see Sekera, please contact the Prestons at jujubee747@aol.com.
My husband and I went away for one night out of town, if you can believe it we drove to Columbus for that horrible Sabres game. My brother was staying at our house for the night to watch our dog and 4 cats. She ran away from him while he was taking her out and ran into a car. She was not seriously injured (no broken bones, torn ligaments our substantial bleeding) but did have a laceration on her left hind leg. He took her immediately to the Greater Buffalo Emergency Clinic in Amherst near Main and Union. They examined and decided they were going to put her under anesthesia to sew her gash up. In order to do so they had to weigh her to know how much to give her. The scale is out in the waiting room. They weighed her and were walking her to the back rooms when a receptionist buzzed someone in and as soon as the doors opened she slipped out of her collar and bolted. She never would have done this had I or my husband been there but she was scared and probably wanted to find us. She was last seen on Main and Union at which point we were advised she ran into the woods so they called off the search. We did not find any of this out until we returned home from Columbus Sunday afternoon. Our lives have been a downward spiral ever since. We spent the remainder of Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening searching for our baby. I visited the animal shelter, SPCA and Cheektowaga dog pound yesterday, posted fliers in the neighborhood and went door to door on a couple of blocks in hopes that someone has rescued her. A fax has been sent to all the vets in the Greater Buffalo area, police departments contacted, e-mails sent to rescue groups and shelters. We feel helpless and don't know what more we can do. I have checked the shelter again today, am going back to the SPCA, posting fliers in all the area pet stores and will continue with our door to door search.Â
Our fear is someone will think she is a stray as her collar came off in her escape and will want to keep her for themselves. She is a beautiful white shepherd, super friendly although probably really terrified. We named her Sekera, yes because we are Sabres fans. We are at our wits end, our hearts break more every minute. Again, if you could keep an eye open and pass the word along to the staff and friends, we would so appreciate it. Gratefully, Julie Preston.
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Check out the Baltimore Sun photo gallery of the storm that is missing us, but nailing the D.C.-Baltimore-Philly region. These pics remind me of what we would look like if we didn't have the great local town, city, county and plow crews that we are lucky enough to rely on.  28 inches of snow for us? Yeah, we can snow blow and still make it to the Sabres game. In the mid-Atlantic area? Crippling.
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LOST is back! To jog your memory on some scenes you may have forgotten, check out this NY POST article on the 10 Best Lost Scenes. If you think they missed any good ones, let me know by posting a comment!
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  LOST returns Tuesday night on ABC, but many in Hawaii have   already seen the first hour. Check out this article from the Honolulu Advertiser about the "on the beach" premiere party, attended by many of the cast. Very cool.
While flipping around the Sundance On Demand cable channels a few weeks ago , I came across Elvis Costello's "Spectacle," a show in which he interviews and plays with other major artists. What a great program! The success of a show like this is all dependant on the host, and in the few episodes I've seen, Elvis does a great job bringing the best out of his guests. Â
They recently taped the final installment of "Spectacle," in which Elvis' guest was Bruce Springsteen. The normal 2 1/2 hour recording turned into a 5 hour Bruce fest! Check out the details in this NY Daily News article. Can't wait to see it!
This morning, our newscasts included the story of a Marine from my hometown of Hornell being killed in Afghanistan. I did not know Zachary Smith, but graduated with and hung around in school with his Uncle Matt. Zachary's dad Chris was a little older than me, but growing up I knew him pretty well too. They lived just two streets away from me. My two brothers and mom were, and are much closer to the Smith family and are hit hard by this loss, as is the whole town of Hornell.Â
Please take a few minutes to check out the fine stories that the Hornell Evening Tribune published in tribute to Zachary.  Do not miss clicking on the photo gallery. From prom pictures to high school football pics, it truly tells the story of what my hometown is all about, and what growing up in the USA should be all about. Â
Thoughts and prayers to the Smith Family.
Here are the pics that go with my "Stupid Rob Story" of backing our rental car into a Palm Tree while on vacation on Longboat Key, Florida. The damage isn't as bad as it looks. First the damage, then the offending palm tree. I went straight back, when I should have cut it to the right a little more. Much more.
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Thinking of getting an Amazon Kindle, or Sony Reader, but don't know much about any of the new E-Readers? Check out Business Week's Buyers Guide to E Readers. It should help answer a lot of your questions. And at the same time probably make you more confused about which is the right choice!
Look! I've figured out how to post pics. Now I know these aren't perfect. In fact the originals are a little bit brighter and bigger, but you can copy them and brighten them up as you wish. The Black Pearl looks much smaller than you would think.
Looking for a new job, but you're not quite sure what field you want to be in?
Check out 
 
The groundswell of support and slightly higher ratings have allowed NBC to renew Chuck. On the downside, "Heroe's" has officially been canceled. Check out
As the morning show predicted, the stupidity of the IOC actually gave more attention to Ryan Miller recognizing his cousin Matt's fight against cancer. 
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The NY Daily News has another great photo gallery titled 
I recently received the following e-mail from a listener. Broke my heart. We get many requests to publicize lost dog announcements, but can't do most of them. I couldn't let this one go without trying to help. If you see Sekera, please contact the Prestons at 
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LOST is back! To jog your memory on some scenes you may have forgotten, check out this 
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  LOST returns Tuesday night on ABC, but many in Hawaii have   already seen the first hour. 
