Mom’s Soap Box

He’s said Michael Jackson is a freak and the Mafia should be running the goverment!

I’ve finally found someone who thinks like me.
Case De Ice is fine dining with an opinionated edge.
If your driving down RT 30 in North Versailles, PA you may find yourself gearing off the road because you read one of Bill Balsamico’s famous quotes.
Casa De Ice got its name on it, and in case you did not know the owner of this western PA bar has been bringing a smile to commuter’s faces for years. Jay Leno will be asking him as guest soon ; if he has not been on his show already!

Bill Balsamico’s signs have been getting great reviews and he has been putting up his opinions since 911.

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By the time my makeup was done I was ready to go home. My nerves were starting to get the best of me. I tried to pry my lips apart but my teeth seemed to get in the way. I needed water; my mouth felt like the sahara desert. Me and Jon were seated in two blue chairs; a picture of Pittsburgh stood behind us, the studio was poorly lit and the scene badly mimicked the city, the too posed backdrop looked fake and unnatural.

I occasionally joked with the camera man to pass the time asking unserious questions such as, if he had a skinny camera like the one Oprah has. Then the camera man placed an ear piece in my ear. The sound crew’s voice back in New York was hardly audible in my ear. Then the camera man placed a small black microphone on my blouse. We practiced counting to five, Jon first than me. My ear piece was not working properly so I was given another one. I did a sound test again. My sound piece failed. Jon’s passed and unfortunately I was given a third one to try. They say threes a charm but not in this case. I still could not hear the sound man back in New York.

We were given the ok from New York- two minutes to broadcast. Then I heard the camera man say “What Louie, the satellite is down.” To some that is no big deal but for me and Jon it was a big deal. You see- my brother Louie died four years ago and he has sent signs from beyond the grave before. This was surely another sign! And to make this a little more eerie he has a star in his name in space! My first thought was let’s get the hell out of here! But I froze and just sat there dumbfounded for about five minutes and then without warning the camera man said,”Were live!”

To made matters worse I still could not hear Geraldo and I sat with a stupid confused look on my face. I had no idea what I said until I saw the footage of myself when I got home.

Geraldo never asked how he heard of our story; he made my son look like he was in trouble. The psychologist and the judge who were also on the show took my words right out of my mouth, and said exactly what was in my blog and what I told his producers.

As soon as I walked out into the lobby my son Mark and his girlfriend were laughing and said I looked like I was pissed off. I was pissed off and I was disappointed. The whole drive home all I could think of was what just happened. I never noticed that the driver was weaving in and out of lanes!

The purpose of us going on Geraldo’s show was to inform parents the dangers a camera cell phone can bring. That was my understanding as to why we were asked on the show. I left disappointed ; I felt used by Geraldo and his producers. I felt that he took advantage of my son. The whole segment looked liked Jon was in trouble when in fact he was just telling what was sent to him on his cell , as Geraldo would say– by some little tramps! The good thing that came out of this was someone read my blog and it got someones attention! When Jon goes back to school and the teacher asks, “Did anyone do any thing interesting this summer,” Jon has something to talk about!

It was a learning experience good and bad for me and Jon; hopefully not our only five minutes of fame but the beginning.

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Part 3

On Saturday night I asked Jon if he was prepared for the interview with Geraldo. It’s a good thing. When he told me what he was going to say I almost choked from laughing. He said in a serious tone, “Well Jeraldo,” JON the “G” is silent. We both had a laughing gag for about a half hour. That moment would come back to haunt me during the interview!

Wow, getting ready to be on national television is stressful, now I know how Katie Couric feels. Geraldo’s producer Joey Wannat called to let me the car was going to be at my home at about 8:45 and of course he was early. And it was not an SUV for all of my people! Oh no who was going to be pick to come and who was going to be left behind even though it was a Lincoln Town Car it was small inside.

My long time friend Gina Ferri and her daughter was the most likely to stay behind. I could not very well leave my son Mark and his girlfriend Sam behind when my son’s life has become what my blog is basically about.

But Geraldo’s producer came through and had a car pick Gina and Alexia up. The ride down town Pittsburgh was crazy. The driver must have stopped and helped himself to a few too many before he picked us up because my cat could have driven better.

We finally got to the studio on 11 and Stanwix Street. We got the royal treatment escorted in the studio by the driver; my guests were seated in the green room, and I and Jon were taken to makeup. The lights were so bright showing every shadow and wrinkle!

The make-up artist must have thought I was an extra in a re-make of “Night of the Living Dead”. I thought I had way too much make-up on. Then she made my hair look like an old lady! She teased it! I longer was but the mama on “Hair Spray”. Jon looked like Dracula not much better than me.

Tomorrow: Down went the Satellite

Who has time to read a book!Listen to books on your Apple iPod

Part 2
We were supposed to be on Geraldo on Saturday night, but due to the sudden death of Tim Russert we were pushed back until Sunday. As fate would have it Geraldo by chance was in Pittsburgh Saturday evening, but we were not; his plane to New York was diverted to Pittsburgh International because of bad weather. It would have been so cool to actually meet Geraldo in person.

I remember watching his talk show years ago and really admiring his bold interviewing tactics. I would have liked to asked him about what really happened to Al Capone’s vault and all the money! One of my favorite interviews he did was when he really gave it to Charles Manson!

So Sunday it was- at least it gave me an extra day to de-bloat. I wish I would have known a year ago that I was going to be on national television; I would have fasted all year!!! The camera packs on an extra 10 pounds so in my case it was 20 ok 30!

I made sure I asked the producers what Geraldo was going to ask me so I would be prepared, unfortunately the one question I thought he was going to ask was not even mentioned; all my rehearsing down the drain- along with my hair I pulled out after the show.

It was exciting. My blog was going to get me recognition as a writer, and people were reading what I had to say.

Sunday evening Geraldo’s producers were going to send an SUV to take me , my son and my entourage to Pittsburgh to a Fox’s studio.

Tommorrow: Pittsburgh Videotech

MISSING CHILD - RYAN DUKE
CALL 911 IF SEEN

BROWN HAIR, BROWN EYES
BRACES
5′11”, 150 LBS, AGE 14
LAST SEEN 6-16-08 at the Murrysville Swim Club
Lives in the DELMONT / EXPORT / MURRYSVILLE, PA area.
Special ALERT

Has any one seen this boy!!

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This is going to be a three part series on my experience dealing with the Fox news giant. This national oportunity could have given my blog credit and recognition and a chance to give my viewpoint, but that is not always the case when dealing with the media. This was my first let down in my pursuit to inform the public and I’m sure it will not be the last. One good thing, hopefully it will inform parents of the dangers their child may face when texting pornography via their cell phones. This is a danger that may haunt their children’s lives forever.

Let’s start off by saying how the producers Dominic Camia and Joey Wannat of Geraldo At Large heard of me and my son. It all started back in April when I posted a blog about female teens in my area texting nude photos of themselves.

Two weeks ago I received a phone call from Debra Todd a reporter from the Post Gazette in Pittsburgh PA. She had read my blog and wanted to do a story on teens and texting. I thought it was great idea. I gave her my information on the subject that I posted and my son spoke with her and gave his side of the story on the subject.

The article was published a few weeks ago; I then posted it on my blog for my readers . Friday June 12, 08, I received a phone call from Fox in New York. My first reaction was it must be a prank call. After a number of creditional checking calls I was convinced it was legit. It’s not everyday I get a phone call from a national television show.

My next step was to discuss it with my family; I did not want anyone to feel uncomfortable about the proposal. It was a welcome invite for my son Jon. Why wouldn’t a teenager want to be on a national tv show- how cool is that? After a number of confirmation calls between me and the producers of Geraldo At Large the plans were in motion.

Tomorrow preparing for national television.
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Sorry Hillary I think Obama has chosen his running mate!

Hillary may be out of the race for the white house, but that may not be the end of the road for her.
Will she join forces with Obama?
Even though I am against Obama in the white house I would had rather have seen Hillary as the commander in chief :(.

Here is the re-blog that was mentioned in June 5, 2008 Pittsburgh Post Gazettehttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08157/887282-54.stm

Jan. 16, 08

The latest craze in high school’s across America; texting nude photos and passing them out to their friends’ via a camera cell phone.

Boy oh boy Penn Trafford girls did it again! It was not too long ago when there was a big scandal on prom night with naked out of control seniors with their “girl’s gone wild video tapes.”

Their at it again, but their choice of mass communication is not a camcorder but a cell phone. This was the topic of debate in my home yesterday evening. The whole gang (kids) were passing their cell phones around showing bare skinned high school girl’s photos. Let’s just say they were not G rated.

The mother in me wanted to pick the phone up and call the lovely model’s parent and let them know that their daughter’s flesh was being texted from one high school boy’s phone to another, and to students in and around area school district’s to see.

The following day my son told me that one of the girls’ in one photo said she was famous now. Thanks Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears. No wonder why tween’s are locking their phones from wandering parent’s eyes. The day my son or daughter locked their phone from me would be the day I took the phone and threw in the garbage.

I don’t remember this type of behavior going on when I was in high school; I realize it was 20 some years ago- we did not even come close. Sure we did some dumb things like most kids’ but naked photos!Has technologoy killed society’s morals. Technology is a wonderful tool, but if abused it can lead to laws been broken, and lives devastated.

I’m sure Satan loves this type of behavior; he is grinning with pleasure at the site of these kids gone wild! It reminds me of Saturday Night Live’s “Church Lady”. What would she think!! I chuckle at the thought.

Howard Stern would love to hear about this one also!

But in all honesty, it’s nothing to joke about. It saddens me to think– these poor girls’ thought they were sending the picture to their boyfriends’…. They have such little self worth and low self-esteem; they think by doing these types of things it will make the boys like them.

Kids only care about the present, and they don’t realize that these photo’s can come back to haunt them later in life. This can happen when they apply to colleges’ and enter the work force. They don’t realize the ramifications that these photos’ can bring, and they are not aware of the consequences.

“One word of advice I have for all the insecure girls’ out there-if you don’t want anyone else’s eyes to see the pictures don’t send them out in the first place.”

Don’t ever do anything you would not want your mother or father to see, because it will come back to haunt you someday.

My grandfathers favorite saying was, “A stiff cock has no conscious.”

You never know who may be looking at your pictures.

Live in Pennsylvania? Wonder why you did not get that wonderful job, or were you let go without notice, maybe you suddenly got dumped by your girlfriend or boyfriend. It could be because your past discretions are on the web.

Yes, your traffic tickets or your misbehaving college antics could be posted on the web for your future, current or dream job employer’s eyes to see.

What if your future in-law’s saw your criminal records! Protect your indiscretions.

Everything you ever did that broke the law is on the Pennsylvania Judicial Systems web page. You don’t need to pay one of those online back ground check sites to find out personal information about your prospective better half.

All you do is enter a name, and county and each criminal offense is listed. There is hope in having it removed. You must go to your local court house and have it expunged.

Don’t live in PA check your local court house or judicial system see if your past is on the web.

A mother’s worst fear-her teenage son tells her he is getting the car he wants and it’s not a mini van. I tried to sway him into getting a car that is more practical and safe but he would not have it. I practically gave him my car.

I told him I would pay for his car if he let me pick it out; sure an 18 year old wants his 45 year old mother to pick out his car. Why not a bigger midsize car, or an SUV that’s good on gas, I’m sure there is one out there. I would like to see him in a truck, or a tank would be my pick. I just want him to be safe. There has to be a safer car than the one he had his heart set on.

I lost the battle! My driveway has a new tenant and it’s red and tiny! There is no denying he needs a car to get to school, but a sports car? And it’s a stick! I guess I won’t be borrowing his car any time soon!

Talk about being a total jerk!

I suppose I’ll have to live with it, “But mom it has good crash test results.”

Sorry kid, it does not make me feel any better, even after I had my priest from church bless his new car,
I still get a twinge in my gut looking at it.

May 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., 357 seniors took their place on the Penn-Trafford football field and turned their tassels.. The last bell was sounded and they were no longer seniors in high school now high school graduates.

Some will start four more years of academician this fall other will join the workforce, a few will serve their country.

These young men and women may go in different directions, but each one will be embarking on a new life which will hold many challenges and obstacles that they must face. It’s how they handle these challenges and obstacles that will matter most.

I held my breath while I watched my son walk up to receive his diploma; I sighed and caught my breath and looked on with pride.

One tear escaped my eyes. Just one tear today, but for the last two weeks all I did was cry. Why does a mother cry when their child graduates from high school, why does a mother cry when they send their child on the school bus for the first time, why does a mother cry when their child’s heart breaks for the first time?

It’s because we love them and want the best for them. We cry when they cry, we laugh when they laugh. We cry because we have to let them go and experience the heartaches and disappointments of life. We know first hand how difficult life can be, but we know how joyous it can be also.

A mother’s cry for their child can be described as a piece of one’s heart breaking. My son has been my child since he was in my womb. He is a part of my existence forever. He may graduate from high school, then college, get married and have children of his own, but he will always be my son forever.

Memorial Day is a time to remember our fallen heroes. It may be hero’s of the past or not so past. I recall this day with a quiet remembrance; it was 2003 and I was working as a hairdresser in my hometown of Harrison City. One of my favorite clients’s asked me if I would consider doing her daughter Christine’s wedding party hair…

She was getting married to Michael Dooley a young private in the army. He was to be deployed in Iraq and was going to leave in the few weeks to follow. She met him through Adopt- A- Platoon an organization that matches soldiers to pen pals…

Christine and Michael correspondenced back and forth and soon fell in love. The couple realized what they were getting into but they were young and in love…

I remember curling Christine’s hair and witnessing the nervous wedding party track down the groom to be who was having last minute jiggers…

I was invited to attend the wedding and reception, but part of me sensed he was not coming back.

I was right and learned of Private Dooley’s death on the news. I could not believe that my intuition was right. Private Dooley was killed after being ambushed in Iraq on June 8, 2003 he was 23 years old and Christine was five months pregnant.

Remember our fallen soldiers and the price they paid for our freedom.

Harrison City PA: Gas prices are at an all time high and it does not look good any time soon. Does the United States have any options? Something has to give soon.

The average price of regular rose overnight to $3.246 a gallon, according to AAA’s Web site. That’s nearly 2 cents higher than the previous record of $3.227, which was first set last May and matched Tuesday.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/12/news/economy/gas_prices/index.htm?cnn=yes

Europeans claim that gas in the US is still cheaper. They see gas as high as 8 dollars a gallon… Before years end that’s what we will be paying for gas. That is what experts are saying on Fox news.

Why can’t we tap into our own resources here in Alaska…? Are we afraid we will destroy the environment in Alaska or because it would take too long to make any real changes.

The high cost in gas is causing an increase in food prices and in the housing costs. It’s a domino effect and it’s getting out of control. What is causing the high cost in gas when it’s obvious there is not a shortage in the Middle East?

The Saudi’s know how to keep us in the palm of their hands; it’s an act of another type of terrorism. We are at their mercy. And there is nothing we can do but to bow down to them and fill our tanks.

You would think in the year 2008 the United States would have an answer to this puzzle.
I don’t think ethanol is the answer either.

With graduation two weeks away I find myself confronted with decisons I am having a hard time making. I realize my son needs a car for college in the fall, but I don’t want to make the decison in letting him take out a loan which if he is not careful could ruin his financial future.

It would be so much easier if he was dorming but that will never happen.. It’s just too expensive..

I don’t want to say, “sure get a car ” and then he wraps himself around a telephone pole and I am guilt ridden the rest of my life!

It so easy to make one stupid mistake that will make life a nightmare. My son is so excited about having his own car and I’m not that old that I forget my first car. It was a 79 yellow camaro.

It was my sunshine on a rainy day.. I drove my dad crazy begging him to let me get it. I was 19 years old and had no idea how to maintain a car… No one told me I had to change the oil every 1200 miles… until I destroyed the engine..

I know sooner or later I’m going to have to break the ties I have for him.. It just hurts so much letting go.

Yesterday the new freshman class of 2013 was upon Seton Hill University. It was a day of excitement and new adventure for my son. There will be highs and lows the next four years and it will make or break some of the new freshman class..

I found myself walking the halls of this 1837 institution with my son and the man who help bring him into the world eighteen years ago.

Moments it was sureal and haunting being with him other times we laughed and cried while our son registered for classes, spoke with professors and other freshmans.

After lunch me and my son’s father spent some time in the chapel. We prayed and discussed our mistakes and failings in life, but after the tears we knew in our hearts our son has thrived in spite of our divorce and he has grown into a wonderful young man who has the world at his feet.

Before we knew it, we were late for a final meeting with our son’s major advisor. When we finally found where we were supposed to be it was in a class room full of other parents and students ; we looked like two tardy students walking into class late.

Everyone looked at me and my ex including my son.

Opps we were caught misbehaving!

Our day ended with pizza and some laughs!

The publishing company that owns the children story “Curious George” is thinking about suing Marietta bar owner Mike Norman for selling t-shirts showing a picture of the lovable monkey “Curious George” peeling a banana with the words Obama “08″ underneath.

Some are protesting the t-shirt saying it is racist, that it’s depicting a prominent African-American as being a monkey.. I always thought that George Bush resembled a chimp…

Last night I picked up a “Curious George” dvd my nephew always watches and Obama does looks a lot like Curious George.

I don’t think it’s racist at all.
I just think it’s a great marketing tool!

I Hope
I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles,

to the highest of your hopes,

to the windows of your opportunities,

and to the most special places your heart has ever known.—Author Unknown

It was a sureal, sobering, day of celebrations for the graduates of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
My Godson took his place with the 2008 graduates this past Saturday. It reminded me of the day in May four years ago when he stood on the Penn Trafford football field and received his high school diploma. I can’t believe how the time has flown by.

I was glad I went to commencements because the speaker was Mike Tomlin coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I was not a fan of him prior to his speech, but since then I am.

He spoke from his heart. Everyone there young and old could take something from his speech when they left. I felt he was speaking directly to me and his words had meaning. He used his experence with his players and spoke to the class of 2008 in the same way, except they are going to play the game of life..

He said you have to play the game and no matter what the first few plays (years) after you graduate may be. Some may fall and stumble, a few times, but you have to get back up and finish the game. Some may succeed, but that does not mean you won the game. It’s the whole game, the game of life and how you live that life that matters.

It was a wonderful speech. I will think of Tomlin diffently now. I admire him!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there.I had a wonderful day with my family. My son Mark gave me a beautiful card, and chocolate covered raisons that ended up all over the sofa. I ate them anyways!

Jon and Mark gave me a dozens of red roses which smelled heavenly.

Now- I hope I make it through to the end of May. I’m already crying about graduation. Last Friday I stopped and got the mail before I picked the boys up at school. I pulled up like I always do, turned off the car and opened a letter that said, “For the parents of Mark Nicassio.” It was the agenda for the month of May for seniors.

I must of really looked pathetic sitting in my car crying..

It spelled out each week up until graduation. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The day has finally come that my little boy was going to graduate. 18 years of preparing for this day has finally come. I remember the first day of kindergarten, and how I broke down at the bus stop after he boarded the bus. He looked back at me with terror in his eyes.

First grade was the worst, I cried the entire day up until 3:45 in the afternoon. That day started my chocolate chip cookie first day of school ritual… Every first day of school I always had warm cookies waiting for him and his brother when they got home from school.

So when I say it’s going to be a hard day for me on May 29 I mean it. I can’t believe my little boy is a man. Wow, I remember when he used to love to smell my hair and suck on his binky!

I hope he realizes how much I love him and how he and his brother have been my life for so long that it’s hard to let go, but that does not mean I have to all at once.