Mandy Billings asked me this morning what I was afraid of.  Since I am a man among men, there isn’t much that I fear. Except the dreaded scourge that plagues the streets of this great country. Manholes. I’m sure it’s not an eighth as bad as I remember it. Here’s the story as I remember it.

A young, handsome Frank Rizzo spends a warm sun filled day at the Oakland Community swimming pool, after hours of healthy vitamin D and fun with friends, Frank decided to call it a successful day and cut out of the fun a little early so he can get home and help with chores and yard work. As our hero sets off on his journey, bouncing with the confidence and joy a young man who hasn’t a clue as to what is about to happen to him…

Young Frank walks along his path, and he sees a sight that he cannot believe, a water nymph, as beautiful as he has ever seen, beckons Frank to stray from his path.  Usually Frank, who is pure of heart, would never wander from the trail, but the nymph was tempting and very convincing as she presented gifts of sweets and shiny trinkets, Frank could not resist.

Three steps of the path and Frank knew he had made a mistake, he tried to turn and run but he could not. He could, however, feel the sensation that he was falling. With his mongoose like speed and reflexes he stopped himself before slipping into what he could only assume was a bottomless pit of darkness. As shadowy clawed hands pulled at him, Frank knew what he had to do. With all the strength he could muster, Frank pulled himself to safety.

Though he escaped the darkness and being lost forever, he was unable to escape injury. Our hero had a gash in his leg, he had to make a decision, walk for help, wait for death or cry. He chose crying and walking.

It’s Valentine’s Day! Which is awesome when you have a valentine. Sad when you don't...sorry for the reminder, Daniel.

I do have a Valentine…if the Valentines I found in my coat pocket this morning mean anything, I have two! Shiloh and Coretta left me little cards in my pocket…Though I am certain that Coretta’s signature was forged…It’s little surprises like this that I find to be the best. Plus there were cookies…which only sweeten the pot…heh, get it? Anyway. I hope you have a great day with or without a Valentine.

Did you know...

Valentine's Day is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentinus. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI. It is celebrated in countries around the world, mostly in the West, although it remains a working day in all of them.

The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

Bill Saluk, General Manager and all around radio know-it-all, manages the 96.5 KSOM facebook page. I, along with a team of trained typing monkeys, run the Frank Rizzo Morning Show page. I announced on Thursday that we would do a friend drive, trying to reach 800 “fans” by Monday. Then Bill and the KSOM page are offering $100 to a random facebook fan if the KSOM page can reach 1200 fans by Monday.  Typical Bill, throwing money at things to make them happen.

After a fit that anyone with a 2 year old has seen a thousand times, I got Bill to agree to the same deal on the Rizzo page. $100 to a random facebook fan if we reach the 800 fan goal by Monday.  And to sweeten the pot, I will select a random facebook fan to take to lunch* if we can pass the KSOM page by Next Friday. That’s 1200 fans, 400 more than we have…can we do it? I think so.

*lunch may not be taken at the Atlantic Burger King…they know why.

Frank Rizzo Facebook

KSOM Facebook

Holy Bananas! Yes I think that is an appropriate swear. I am ALWAYS looking for new and inventive ways to waste time. If you haven’t played “Cut the Rope” yet, what’s the matter with you?!? It. Is. Amazing. It is also super addictive, it’s like cute crack, and I have successfully wasted a good chunk of my day. So it’s safe to say, I approve this game. I strangely found it in the side banner of my hotmail account, which normally tries to get me to buy shoes…which I never do…if wanted me to click on it, it should advertise golf stuff or rude t-shirts. You can find it with a simple google search.  Welp, I’ve wasted enough of this banana day, better get my banana back to work before someone comes in here and starts asking why I haven’t done a banana thing all banana day.

I spent yesterday with Coretta, it was a pretty awesome day…and this Friday and Saturday Shiloh will be at a work deal…I think they are going to space camp or on a walkabout or something. So that means I get to kick it with Coretta by myself for essentially two days…did I mention it was me? By myself? Overnight? Me? 

Is it wrong for me to be nervous? It’s not rare for me to spend alone time with Coretta, I get a couple hours a day of just her and I…but she is really smart and an excellent judge of character and like most smart people with good judgment, she gets tired of me…and cries. The only consolation I give that works is that “Mommy will be home shortly” this usually works, anyone can stand me for another 15 minutes, but if I pull this out Friday night, then I am a liar. I don’t want to lie to Coretta yet, in a couple years I will convince her of a multitude of lies, but this is the time I want to keep it real.

Is it too early to take her to the zoo? Or a museum or something? Anything more than just sitting there and staring at each other...she always beats me at staring contests...it's like she stares into my soul.