The Silence of the Republican Party is deafening

Hey, whats 663 miles amongst swing states

Yes, good ole Sparky is a blogger jumping on the McCain is too old bandwagon. Apparently, Senator McCain has been telling a story for the last 35 years that when he was held as a POW, he gave the name of the Green Bay Packers O-Line as his copatriots when captured. Admirable, trust me, beyond anything that I could ever do, being a POW.

Except when you use that history as a political talking point. Like this past week, where he said he used the Steelers O-Line as his fellow soldiers code names. Lets guess, shall we, where he made this statement? A prize for the first blogger that says Pittsburgh.

But, apparently, the honorable senator just sort of forgot.

Now, the distance, as per mapquest, between Green Bay Wisconsin and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is 665 miles, give or take. Sort of a great distance to forget, but hey, they both have shitty winters.

Lets look at the Packer O-Line

LT Bob Skoronski 29 7 0

Green Bay Packers / 5th / 56th pick / 1956
LG Fuzzy Thurston 30 5 0

Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 54th pick / 1956
C Jim Ringo*+ 32 10 14

Green Bay Packers / 7th / 79th pick / 1953
RG Jerry Kramer*+ 27 5 0

Green Bay Packers / 4th / 39th pick / 1958
RT Forrest Gregg*+

Looking really quick, I myself have certainly heard of Jerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg and Jim Ringo. Kramer and Gregg are football Icons.

And on to 1963 Pittsburgh

LT Charlie Bradshaw* 27 5 0 1 fumble recovered

Los Angeles Rams / 8th / 94th pick / 1957
LG Mike Sandusky 28 6 0 2 fumbles recovered

San Francisco 49ers / 4th / 46th pick / 1957
C Buzz Nutter 32 9 0

Washington Redskins / 12th / 136th pick / 1953
RG Ray Lemek 29 6 0

Washington Redskins / 19th / 227th pick / 1956
RT Dan James

Charlie Bradshaw has the same name as a really famous Steeler, who will come around about 15 years in the future and Sandusky is a town in Ohio. But, nope no reall hall of famers here.

The Packers went 11-2 and the Steelers went 7-4. Yep memorable I am sure to the Steel City.

I hate when my favorite sport is dragged into this bullshit, and then I hate more when it is kinda laughable.

Sparky gets word from Patrick Murphy

I have given my fair share to Presidential politics this past year, giving my small little amounts to both John Edwards and Barack Obama, hoping that I backed the right horse when it comes to the Presidency.

Now, though, I will be throwing my small measly weekly change into the local political ring, since I got a nice little message from Rep Patrick Murphy. It was not a personalized message or anything, there was no mention of my wedding anniversary or me helping out in a different office. So its obvious that the Murphy people do not read this blog. However, I will not let that deter me from sharing with my faithful readers.

Dear Supporter,

Over Memorial Day weekend, the right-wing, pro-war group Freedom's Watch blanketed my district with phone calls questioning my commitment to the welfare of American soldiers.

The call was insulting and inaccurate, but sadly, not surprising.

This type of baseless attack is typical of groups like Freedom's Watch, since they have unlimited funding and answer to no one. Using lies to viciously smear public servants is the sole reason these groups exist – they do the dirty work for the same old, status quo style of Washington politics that I am trying to change.

It's a simple formula that has worked before. In 2004, outside groups spent millions of dollars "swift boating" and broadcasting lies about John Kerry. With lots of money and a fabricated message, they distorted the service of a decorated war veteran. Now it looks like they're going to try the same dirty tricks in my district and they're starting early.

That's why I'm writing you today. I want to send these groups a message but I need your help. When candidates across the country file their financial reports on June 30, these fringe groups will use the fundraising numbers to identify those they view as "vulnerable" and decide where and how to empty their war chest. Using the same old underhanded tactics, they will descend on these districts to vilify anyone who stands up to President Bush and fights for change.

If we make a strong showing on June 30, we can send a clear message to those groups: stay out. If we can post a large enough number, we might just convince those on the far-right to take their millions elsewhere. Please, join me today and let these folks know you're not going to stand for their divisive and damaging political games.

Thank you for your continued support,



Patrick J. Murphy

Now while there was plenty of mention of contributing to the Murphy campaign, I will spare you of such. Though I am ranking very high, I am called Dear Supporter.

That would have been painful to watch

Unfortunately, technology screwed me today, since my phone beeped to let me know that Tiger Woods had defeated Rocco Mediate in a 19 hole playoff today. I did my best to stay away from any news, keeping the radio off and not skipping off to the Action News website to make sure Philadelphia had not imploded today, and yet, I could not avoid it.

So while Mrs Duck and I half watch our TiVo, there is a part of me that is glad to know. Because, the Duck Family was pulling for Mediate, not only because he was born in Pennsylvania, but because he was a normal guy.

Subway told us a story while we were at the Heritage. He was outside his shop, setting up for the morning, when he saw Rocco Mediate having a conversation about what wine to buy across the parking lot in Hilton Head. I've done that, you've done that, we have all done that, which is why Rocco was just a regular guy.

So to see him lose in Sudden Death, without knowing it ahead of time might have ruined my night.

Completely Torn

On he one hand, I have never seen a Triple Crown winner. Yes, techinically I was alive for a few of them, including Seattle Slew and Secratariat, but I did not see them with my own eyes. So, the Big Brown story would be a good one. Its what horse racing needs in America and the horse is really a sweet, beautiful horse.

On the other hand, I have a nice little hatred for Rick Dutrow. I think he is a bit too arrogant for what a horse trainer should be, and I also think he maybe a cheater. I certainly would not put the pain killers/steroids rumors past him at all, because in the end he is a businessman and he also has a Daddy Complex.

So, where do I go? Smarty Jones and Real Quiet (sidenote, I adore Real Quiet, I mean, I will be sad when he finally passes, adore him) were more deserving Triple Crown winners. Yet, Big Brown is the man of 2008 horses and really, would you want a Japanese trained horse to take another feather away? I think not. So, I will be in front of a TV at 5:30 or so tomorrow, rooting but not. If Icabad Crane manages to come through, this Duck will be alot happier.

On a side note, I will be donating 10% of whatever I win tomorrow to the Another Chance for Horses ranch, because these animals are beautiful and do not deserve to be on the auction block for Asian Cuisine.

A UFC Wedding

My brain is at least a tad fried around the edges right now, but not fried enough to at least manage to mention this wedding in Pittsburgh.

Now, I am going to stay away from the obvious Pittsburgh jokes, sometimes I do not like bothering taking the easy way out. But, what truly scares me about that story is the fact that the groom, who was obviously ossified, is also a dentist? I am thinking Little Shop of Horrors dentist here.

The most comical part was the fact that the groom clunked his wifes head against the door frame. And then she managed to kick him. Now that takes some flexibility. Though I do think they will still be a couple that will stick together, because they united when it came to attacking the police.

Gadzooks its Hillary

Last Friday, Senator Hillary Clinton appeared on the top local morning show in Philadelphia, the Preston and Steve Show. Its sort of a mix between Howard Stern and the other array of wacky morning DJ nonsense, except sometimes I do actually find them to be quite hilarious.

The interview was one of those typical puff pieces. Alot of softball questions, one of those interviews that has a political consultant on the edge of there seat with worry especially if you are consulting for the candidate being interviewed. I found only a few cringe worthy moments though.

1.I found it kind of disrespectful that before each question with the Senator, they would say "Hey Hillary, what do you think about this" "Hi Hillary welcome to the show." For petes sakes fellas, you are not interviewing Hillary Duff, lets try Senator, or Mrs Clinton or something like that.

2.They actually got the Hill to say one of there wacky catch phrases at the end. "Hi, this is Senator Hillary Clinton on Preston and Steve and you guys rock." Next, I think she may be slinging cheesesteaks down on South Street to try and show how every woman she is. Or at least how desperate she is to look that way.

3.I guess the djs were getting some emails and messages from the Hills opponents, wondering why she got the air time. And one of the DJs said, oh we will love to get all of them on. Like he was being magnanimous or gracious. Um, its called the shared air time law, so if Obama or McCain called and asked for a 10 minute interview, you kind have to give it, whether you want to or not.

But, at least the Senator did not have a "show us your boobs moment"

Is that all there is?

I live in a battleground state, at least this time around when it comes to the Democrats running for President. And frankly, I have to say I am disappointed in the onslaught of people trying to get me to vote one way or another on April 22.
We have only gotten 3 calls to be sure to vote for Obama or the Hill. There has been no one knocking at my door, jamming leaflets down my throat. I have only been polled called for my opinion once and that was a total accident since it happened at work. And the lack of commercials is a tad odd. Even in the mayoral primary this year, there was more commericals for candidate A, B or C then there has been this time around. On a commercial side note, while I like Mayor Nutter, he is not exactly the strongest person to be talking for Hillary. He has been mayor for like 3 days. Plus, where is my 3 AM phone call?

Yet the race seems to be getting closer in the Keystone state, even without the barrage. Depending on what poll you listen too, it is as 5 to 9 between the two, and while I think some of these polls could be run by Franks Chicken Hut and Polling company, it is still a drop from the 14 point lead that Hillary once had. I wonder if both Dems are trying not to beat us over the head with there message because they will be back in a few months to try and beat McCain over the head.

7 More Weeks

It seems that I could be pretty darn close to being spot on when it comes to being a political pundit. Of course, if you listen to enough of the cable news talking head nonsense, your opinion can be pretty well formed for you.

As discussed last week in my fearless political predictions, Obama won Vermont in a walk, Hillary won Rhode Island in almost as close to a walk. I was a bit off when it came to Ohio, since Hillary won by about 10 to 12 points and I myself was thinking more of 6 or 7. Texas was almost right as well, Hillary winning by 4, but when you count in the caucus, by the way, what the hell is Texas doing having a primary and a caucus?, but if you count the caucus, it was more like 2 points and possibly a loss when it comes to delegates for Hillary.

So, all eyes will be on the keystone state, though I will not pull a Clinton and totally ignore the fact that Wyoming and Mississippi will be voting within the next week. But, I can see it now, the commercials in Philly will be for a Clinton, Charmin and then Obama and eventually we will not be able to tell the difference from the 3.

My apologies for being lacking in visiting by the way, the cold has finally slapped itself down on your feathered blogger.

Christmas Express: "I feel the need, the need for Treed"

To fulfill that holiday addiction that is Christmas Lights, lets get a look at some lovely Ole Tannenbaums




I have no idea where this one was taken, so I will just give credit to the Photographer, Jaded1.


Off to Amsterdam with our next pic.



and Finally, PPG Rink in Pittsburgh...




ahhhhh, all the beauty, none of the smell

Sparky's Fourth

Wish me luck, I am going to be lighting up the grill for the first time this year and I have this unnatural fear of Propane and propane accessories. But, its the Fourth of July, so its a necessity.

We will be off to fireworks, if the weather holds out, which are being held as part of the Southampton Days festival. I got some neat shots of that last night, I am not holding out as much hope for good firework pictures.

When it comes to music on the Fourth, for me there are two artists that come to mind. I am a Jersey Boy, so Bruce Springsteen is the man. And if you are going to watch Fireworks, you need the 1812 Overture and if you need that you need the Boston Pops.

Enjoy a little bit of both below and I hope everyone has a safe Holiday. To all my Canucks, I hope Canada Day was just as festive and if you are someplace else, well, enjoy your Wednesday?

Case of the Shys

Now, yesterday I was all big on sharing some secrets of me, including the fact that I seem to be extraordinarily shy when it comes to social situations. I know, I know, you are sitting there thinking, Sparky? Shy??!? No freaking way.

Well, allow me to present Exhibit A. Colleen Gleason, an author of Victorian Vampire novels and I have been talking via email and blogs for over 6 months at least. Its not like I have never had some sort of communication with this woman before, she is not a complete stranger. Heck, she is the one that found my blog first, so I must have something witty to offer.

Colleen was in North Wales, Pa, just across the street from the Montgomeryville Mall, signing books of her second release, Rises the Night, in the Gardella Vampire Hunter/Killer/Venator series (its one of those words). So, as we found her in the corner of the Borders, scribbling away with her sharpie, I was a blithering bafooon. I stuttered, I stammered, I felt I might have looked like one of those 16 year old geeks who was meeting William Shatner for the first time at a Star Trek convention. I could not even really explain where by nom de plume even comes from. Its Sparky Duck for petes sake, how hard can that be?

If Mrs Duck was not there to help with the conversation, it would have been "Um good book, yes next book good signed too, ugh ugh, caveman go now." I swear I have a brain, I would have talked about the weather in Michigan, how exciting that book 3 is already under contract, why she was in this area in the first place since most of her tour was in Michigan. Did I? Nope? At least I didnt drool. Oh and I was normal enough to pose for a picture, with Mrs Duck and of course Colleen in the middle.

50 Hotties 50 Days Pennsylvania

This one was really quite tough. To decide between Maria Bello, Grace Kelly, and even Sharon Stone is very very difficult. So, rather then decide, lets place a hottie that would pale to those three but is still fine and dandy. Born in Philadelphia in 1976 and yes she is an actress on a couple of soap operas, Kelly Monaco.

Where's Amy and El Pato

Its one of those times in a blog when you have two ways to go and you have to decide which way to go. But, I am going to take my cue from the Nightly News and do news before sports, weather, and the human interest story. But, try and hang on for it all, the human interest is a nice little thing to do.

Last week, or possibly even the week before there was a little boy left in an empty parking space at Christiana Medical Center in Newark, Delaware. A nurse discovered him, crying and hot from the sun, but overall healthy and agreeable in comparison to his situation. She brought him into the hospital and he eventually ended up with some foster parents while the autorities and the news tried to find his parents. The boy was 12 to 18 months, way beyond the safe haven law in Delaware, where you can leave a newborn baby up to one month old I think, with no questions asked. The child had a note with him, saying take care of John Vincent, since I can't anymore, God help me. Or at least something close to that.

Ok, sad story, the poor mother, what a shame, but at least the boy will probably end up with a good and happy home. Well, last week, their was a twist that takes the story from sad to something more sinister. Amy Giordano, the mother of the child is now missing. There have been statements that her abandoning her child at a hospital is irresonsible and she may be charged, if she is found. The problem is, she is from Hightstown, NJ. Hightstown is a good 2 hours away from Christiana. There are 3 hospitals that are closer, two of which within a half hour of where she lived. One of them is a nationally lauded hospital and another is run by a Catholic Church, who will not turn away an abandoned child. The third was my hospital as a kid, so its not going to be a fly by night operation. The note identified the boy as a totally different name then what his actually name was. There is an inkling in my brain that perhaps she has been met by some foul play, and Christiana was the first hospital someone found on 95 south for them to dump the kid.

Now to El Pato. See, we now quickly hop to sports! El Pato is the nickname of Angel Cabrera of Argentina. Cabrera is the 2007 US Open mens golf champion, defeating the number one and number 3 players in the world. Perhaps you have heard of them Tiger Woods and West Chester's Jim Furyk. Hats off to Cabrera, or even better, bills off to him, since El Pato stands for The Duck. Whats so remarkable about his win is that he is always one of those golfers that is right there, before the yips, jitters, or nerves hit him and he can not put a golf ball into the ocean. So, it was a shock that he beat Tiger, Furyk, a whole bunch of other name players, on a golf course that had greens as flat as a meatball pizza that has been jostled on the trip home. Nice one, Angel, Nice one!

Ok, real quick, if you have some time, hop on over and say hello to Chelle. She is having a really horrible day, having to do something none of us should have to do, so send her a cyber hug.

Blog Poke

And when I say poke, I mean the Poke that you can eat in Hawaii and not the other kind of poke, you sickos! Poke is a thrown together fish dinner on the islands, though its one of the few things that we actually did not get to eat out there.

Moving on, before I get really hungry, it seems that I actually have to talk about everything that I mentioned, terrific.

Lets get the sports out of the way first. The US Open is this weekend in mens golf and it is up in Pittsburgh. Its supposed to be at one of the hardest courses in the country and so far Oakmont is living up to its reputation. Turns out, it wasn't Chris Daughtry that was the first round leader, but it was Nick Dougherty of England. And Anthony is right, he does look like a bit of a pretty boy. The way the second round is going though, I do not think we will be seeing his name up on the top of the heap after day two. Of course, what do I know about golf really, since I think I would have trouble breaking 200.

So, sports over with, we move on to Mrs Duck and her injured knee. She probably just bruised it or something, because when I was pressing down on her ligaments and such, she never recoiled in pain. But, yesterday she was pretty much laid up, possibly bored out of her mind. She says she hurt herself while looking for something underneath her desk. I say, sue the company then! But, she must be feeling a bit better, because as I speak she is outside sweeping. She gets bored very easily. But the walk six blocks from the train station to the office might have taken her hours or even days, so she wastes another sick day. That actually could be why she feels bored actually, since she has to get something accomplished somewhere.

We decided to skip the neighborhood picnic get together yesterday, mostly because the wife was worried about standing there in pain. But, typical of this place we rent from, anything they try to do usually ends badly. Like yesterday, the weather has been close to gorgeous or at least warm for the last 2 weeks, well except yesterday. It was grey, windy and about 65 degrees. Not exactly picnic weather. But, no matter, its not like we paid for our hot dogs and hamburgers. On second thought, we probably did or at least will in a beverage based rent hike.

On the workfront, I am back into another interview on Monday. Please, no wishing me good luck though, since this will be a recurring theme throughout the blog, so you would have to be wishing me luck every week or so. After a while that gets old and I am sure some of ya'all would be saying, "sheesh, Sparky can't interview worth a damn." Every time I get a call to come in, I am hit by this internal feeling of should I or shouldn't I. I always seem to find the bad things about a job, as opposed to the good or positive things. I usually work it all out in my head, though Mrs Duck certainly sped up the process yesterday with her pep talk. Eventually, it broke down into a nice way of saying "get your butt a job!"

Well, there ya go, nothing really that exciting. When you are a blogging duck, things do seem to get slow at times. Oh, as for dumping my brain, I think that happens almost everytime I start typing at this laptop. Though Tiff did tag me for a meme last week, I may have to dump that all over the screen soon.

And no, I am not trying to get pregnant!

Thursday Thirteen #36-The Longwood One

Thirteen Pictures from Longwood Gardens Ok, get your minds out of the gutter. Last summer, Mrs Duck and I went on a weekend road trip down to Delaware and the key part of the trip was Longwood Gardens, which is technically in Pennsylvania. Please enjoy Thirteen pictures from that trip, though for the life of me I can not tell you the names of any of these flowers, beyond the banzai plant. 1. These were all over the place. I think they were called lollipops? 2. 3. I need to do some doctoring to this one 4. 5. See, I told you, Banzai!! 6. 7. Plumeria I think 8. Thank the Goddess that these are bananas 9. 10. 11. 12. Yep, still Kennett Square, Pa 13. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Project 365-#1 Jumping on the bandwagon

Well, this shall be interesting no doubt, but Project 365 is an effort to take at least one picture a day everyday and then post it to a blog for all the world to see (or flickr group, or message board or something)

Anyway, I am starting this a tad bit late, but I also realized earlier that I actually started Yesterday and just didnt realize it. So, heres my first shot.



Its a cute little cat rain gauge that we got at Longwood Gardens over the summer. It was cool too, because we could come outside and say, holy cow it rained 2 inches last night. Darn thing froze though and seemed to have shattered. Any ideas on how to fix it would be AWESOME.

Pennsylvania Scam?? Inspections

I have been marinating over this post for a little while and this weekend finished it off completely.

In Pennsylvania, you have to get your car inspected every year. Doesnt sound that bad does it? Good for the environment and good to keep the uninsured drivers off the road. Except that every year you have to send out about $90, plus you have to send out $30 bucks for registration. So, its about $100 a year to drive a car.

Whats worse, is that you can't take it to a free place to have the car inspected. In NJ, the state runs inspections, which are free. If you fail, they tell whats wrong and give you a month to fix it. With the Pennsylvania rules, you car is almost kidnapped, held for ransom until you get whatever they tell you to get fixed will cause you to pass. So Mrs Duck had to fork over $600 a few weeks back to get the car to pass.

So, since I had a new car, registered in NJ, I was inspected already, good for 3 years, which means it would not have expired until 12/2007. A whole year! But nooo, since I have moved to PA, I need to still get the car inspected every year. Which is what the police officer told me when he pulled me over on Sunday. So, I have a week to get it inspected or else!

So in the end, Pennsylvania I am sure gets a cut from the $90 that the dealers and garages and of course they get a cut from the tickets they give out for no inspections stickers. Sounds like a nice little setup to me.