I feel better about my guest list now. I want to thank all of you who responded to my previous blog where I was having a slight meltdown on who was going to be on my guest list. My main concern, now that I really sit down and think about it, isn’t inviting family over friends. To be honest, I’m way too appreciative of my family to not invite them, even if I have barely had contact with them. The fact is I wouldn’t be here without family, and I at least owe them all a night of food and spirits.

My real concern is money. I have a number that I can spend, period. There are two other parties contributing to this as well, and it’s supposed to be equal. My concern is that when everything averages out I’m going to have to spend more money on the whole thing, which could destroy any aspirations for a real honeymoon. THAT bugs me more then anything.

My Dad reassured me, however, that this won’t be a problem. In fact, my whole family has reassured me. I guess I’m just cracking a bit to the pressure of putting on a great day for everyone ya know? Is this normal for the groom to freak out like I’ve been and feel a lot of preassure?

“Something worthy to be remembered.”

I was watching President Obama’s first address to a joint session of Congress.  The first thing I noticed was my reaction when he walked into the room on his way to the podium.  I was excited!  I really can’t think of a time when I had that reaction to this event.  For the last eight years, I probably felt sick to my stomach watching our old prez walk into the chamber.

Listen. I’m no political genius. I don’t know all there is to know about bailouts or the finer minutiae of American economics.  All I know is, I have seen few real life examples of why we need to get out of this hole we’re in.  I watched my 401k lose over $6,000 in less than a year.  I just sold my house for $15,000 less than I would have a year ago.  I scrambled to get a mortgage for my new house before new bank policies prevented me from getting one.  I watched as my wages were frozen and my 401k matching was halted.  I also had to watch as thousands of people in my industry were let go from their jobs.  So, I guess that makes me lucky?  I’m the lucky one. I still have a job.

“It is time for America to lead again!”

Again, I’m no economic genius.  All I know is how I feel when I watch Obama speak. I feel hopeful. I feel confident. I feel proud.  This feeling along with the actual guts of his economic plan, will hopefully be the answer to our nations death spiral.  I do not want my kids to live through the great depression my grandparents told me stories about.  I want them to have every opportunity to lead long, healthy, successful lives.  That is my hope.

The address: (fast forward to about 15:00 in)

More:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be carried out with full transparency and accountability — and Recovery.gov is the centerpiece of that effort. In a short video, President Obama describes the site and talks about how you’ll be able to track the Recovery Act’s progress every step of the way.

My parents always told me, “Tell the truth because the truth will set you free!”   Nothing could be more true in this day and age when no one wants to take responsibility for their actions.   Case and point:   Alex Rodriquez.   Yes I am a Yankee fan but the guy is a liar.   He lied to Katie Couric a couple of years ago when asked if he had ever used HGH or steroids.   Then a couple of weeks ago when an SI reporter was ready to break the news that A-Rod had done roids, he came forth and told the truth.   Then be began to point fingers at a cousin and a trainer who is now banned from every major league clubhouse in this country.   His news conference at the Yankee’s training facility was a joke.   I no longer believe anything that comes out of this guy’s mouth.

On the other hand, Charles Barkley did the right thing.   He made a mistake, drinking and driving, and got caught.   When he returned to NBA telecasts on TNT last week, he came out and said he was 100% responsible for his actions.   He admitted to being stupid and then promised us that it will NEVER happen again.   I have a tendency to believe him.  Oh, he is also going to serve five days in jail for his actions.   Did he lose his job, endorsements deals, etc.   NO because he admitted his mistake and didn’t blame anyone else for his actions.   My point:  Hey, we all mess up in life.   But when you admit your mistakes and apologize from the heart, I will forgive you and I think the majority of Americans will forgive you.   However, once a liar, always a liar.

Here’s some pictures… I will give you all details soon!

I do my own show every Saturday from 10am-2pm here on the Buzz. I get a lot of weird phone calls on Saturday because people are hung over and young kids like to call in as well. I love messing with these people! Take a listen to one of the callers I got today that I chose not to air…

I am all about POSITIVITY now!  I received an interesting email earlier this week from Jennifer in Rochester. She wrote that I have been talking too much on the Buzz recently about the bad economy, and as much as she enjoyed our Buzz music and the Workday Buzz everyday, she believed I was being a “Debbie Downer”.  It got me thinking that she was right.  There has been far too much bad news lately.  The horrible plane crash in Buffalo, the horrific shooting of a dedicated young RPD officer, the economy, steroids in sports, 4 murders in a single Saturday in our area…..it goes on and on.  Since that email, I completely changed my philosphy on air here at the Buzz.  I have adopted a new outlook, a policy change: POSITIVITY. From now on, my show will have an air of positive thoughts and feelings.  We can’t escape reality that surrounds us, but we don’t have to wallow in it.  Thanks to all of you who have commented on this new policy and the calls I’ve had on air since Wednesday.  POSITIVITY is here to stay with me, so get used to it on the Workday Buzz. 

I remain positive that the people we need to support and thank are our dedicated members of the military and law enforcement.  Even when times are tough and things look bad, these young, humble heroes remain upbeat and fight for our freedom and survival, even in the worst of environments. God bless our troops! 

That’s the rumored payment that Brad Pitt and his baby machine Angelina Jolie will be making every month for a 20,000 square foot home on Long Island.  $100,000 a month.  That is in addition to 3 other mansions they have scattered around the world.  And Ms. Jolie (not Mrs. Pitt) was seen Tuesday checking out places on the exclusive Upper West Side of Manhattan.  Can you even wrap your hands around the thought of having so much money to play with?  Me neither.  Guess the superstar couple isn’t having a hard time with this economy.  What could you get in Rochester for $100,000 a month?  A whole trailer park?  Maybe you could have the George Eastman House. Or any home on Keuka Lake, or Lake Ontario.  Why not both lakes?  Hell, have a house on every lake around here for that much cake.  Scoop up your very own island in the 1000 Islands (with 1000 up there, a few must be available for that price).  Or buy one of those beautiful horse farms in Mendon.  Or buy a block of houses.  Or, better yet, just rent a private jet and fly from 5*star hotel to 5*star hotel across the USA.  Oh, that’s right> Brad and Angelina already do that.  What a wonderful world to live in.  I am not jealous because even if I had that much cash, I wouldn’t be blowing it at the rate of $1.2 mil a year for one house.  I would be just as happy in a little shack on Canandaigua Lake.  I would have an endless budget for the parties there though, so be nice to me so you can make the guest list if it ever happens (don’t hold your breath).

$100,ooo a month would be a nice payday for a battalion of warriors who protect us everyday. God bless our troops.  

I’m freaking out. My wedding is June 27th at the Lockport Locks (CLICK HERE). It’s going to be a beautiful day and I’m sure everyone will have a great time. I should be excited, but I’m not… I’m freaking out.

I’m NOT freaking out about marrying Jessi, let me make that clear first and foremost. That is actually the easy part. The guest list ,however, is killing me. How do you prioritize your guests? Jessi has a great rule: ask yourself if you care about this person now and if you’re going to care about them in the future. This is a great rule unless we’re talking about family and family friends, in which case it goes right out the window. I don’t know Aunt Mary Anne Joe Sue Bob, but you better believe she’s coming. It’s not fair because I have to filter out friends as a result of said Aunt to keep our number in the proper ball park. It sucks, but then again I get it. The wedding is for the families ultimately, not for us. Thankfully we’ve gotten a lot of say in how we are getting married and where, which is more than some people get.

My main problem is I hate myself for taking a long time friend off the invite list, even if I never talk to them. Actually, I just am scared to death of upsetting anyone by not inviting them to my wedding. I have it stuck in my head that if I leave someone off the invite list that they will hate me forever. It’s ridiculous, I know, and I shouldn’t worry about it but I do.  I hate making anyone unhappy, and it’s a massive flaw of mine. Because of this, I’m losing my mind about my wedding. UGHHHH!!!!

Hope you had a better weekend than Marshawn Lynch of the Buffalo Bills.  Word got out this weekend that the Bills star running back was arrested last Wed. outside of Los Angeles CA and charged with felony possession of a gun.  The details are still coming out but the basic idea is that another athlete got caught with a gun.  I understand that sports stars deal with plenty of strange people, over-zealous fans and perhaps stalkers.  But do they need to carry weapons with them?  Rarely do the athletes travel solo. So, if they need protection, usually traveling with a group (or a possy for the big celebs) is good enough to send a strong message to not mess with somebody.  But somehow athletes constantly put themselves in a bad position.  You would think that after NY Giants receiver Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg while toting a gun under his sweatpants in a NYC club that other pro stars would wake up and get the message. Not only did Plax injure himself and set his career back, but he could have accidently killed somebody.  I have no idea why Marshawn Lynch thinks he needs a gun. Maybe he’s a card carrying member of the NRA.  Maybe guns are toys to him.  Or it’s a hobby to show off his gun.  Who knows the real reason.  I do know that Lynch had a great reputation coming out of college. Great personality, star performer, all around good guy.  He even moved his mother to Buffalo with him to provide a comfortable atmosphere at home.  Somewhere along the way, his image has been tarnished.  First by an arrest in Buffalo for hit-n-run on W. Chippewa St. early one morning last summer.  Lynch paid a $100 fine and rolled on to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago, and he played well.  But now this latest brush with the law.  I’m not the smartest puppy in the pound but a felony charge never looks good on your record.  And I’m sure gun possession gets the immediate attention of the NFL Commissioners Office.  It will all play out Apr. 2nd when Marshawn Lynch is scheduled to appear in court in LA.    

Tonight I’ll go watch some amateur athletes play for the love of the game when Alfred travels to St. John Fisher to take on the Cardinals in college hoops. I’ll be cheering for Connor Henderson, a SJF freshman who is having a fine first season for coach Rob Kornacker.  And I’m guessing I won’t have to worry about any gun play in the stands.  I love watching college and high school sports cuz the players are in it for the love of the game and their school, not money or fame.  God bless ‘em and most importantly God bless our troops. 

Friday the 13th.  Unfortunately many in Buffalo will never forget this 24 hour time frame after the crash of Continental flight 3407 late last night.  What a terrible tragedy for all involved.  It’s every fliers nightmare scenario.  I fly alot and have always disliked those Bombadier airplanes.  They are small, cramped and not that comfortable.  Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims and to everybody in the Buffalo area.

On a much brighter note, it is a relief to report that Officer Anthony DiPonzio is making serious progress in his miraculous recovery from being shot in the head while on duty 13 days ago for the RPD.  Tony is speaking to his family and has been upgraded from serious to stable condition at RGH.  It’s a long road ahead for Tony and his wonderful family, but he is making great strides.  The prayers are paying off, so keep them coming. 

Thanks to those of you who stopped into our live Buzz broadcast at Finger Lakes Gallery & Frame in downtown Canandaigua yesterday. We had a big crowd who stopped in, all trying to secure tickets for this weekend’s Intl. Series of Champions Sno-Cross racing at Finger Lakes Gaming & Race Track.  It should be a fun weekend there, starting with free extreme exhibitions tonight and racing all weekend. There is plenty of snow to race on there as Finger Lakes has been making snow for weeks.  Check it out this weekend in Farmington on route 96.

Saturday I’ll be at Unity Health System’s Total Sports Experience off route 531 in Gates for Kids Fest.  Show your love for your kids on Valentines Day by bringing ‘em by and they won’t be disappointed.  We’ll have interactive games and exhibits, including a rock climbing wall from Rock Ventures, a glass blowing exhibit from the Corning Museum of Glass, a gigantic inflatable obstacle course provided by Nolans and the YMCA of Greater Rochester, and the all-important hamster races with Country Max (no wagering please).  Plus lots of the local pro athletes will be stopping by, as will Spikes from the Red Wings.  The fun runs from 10a-4p, and I’ll be there checking things out from 12-2, so come on by and join us.  Think of it as my way to babysit your kids on Valentines Day.  You can thank me there……

On this Valentines weekend, we send our love and support to everybody who has anybody in the US military. It’s never easy having someone abroad during a special holiday, especially your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, mom or dad, son or daughter.  Thanks to you for your patience, and thanks to our troops for what they do for our better good. God bless our troops!