Is It Really You, JoePa?

February 12th, 2010

Not quite the “comeback” I was expecting from myself, but more important things than what I’m doing living at home are going on these days…JoePa no longer has to wear glasses! Say what?? Don’t worry, though. He has fake ones, and good thing. JoePa sans glasses is no JoePa at all.

Scout.com even posted a full article on this madness:

The Eyes Have It

Mark Brennan, Fightonstate.com

The most famous eyewear in college football is a thing of the past.Sort of.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno, whose thick-lens glasses had become a trademark in his 44 years at the helm of the Nittany Lions, has had surgery to correct his vision.

“I had trouble reading for the last six months, so I went down to Philadelphia to the Penn Scheie Eye Institute,” the 83-year-old said. “And the guy says to me … I think we can fix that up. So they went in and did it. I don’t really need glasses any more.”

The ophthalmologist was Dr. Stuart Fine, who Paterno has known for more than four decades.

But anyone expecting the spectacle of major college football’s all-time wins leader showing up on the sideline with a completely new look next fall will be disappointed. Paterno said when he walks around without glasses, “I feel strange.”

“When I don’t wear ‘em, and I put on a sweater, I reach to take the glasses off and I don’t have them on,” he said.

So he had a set of glasses fashioned with similar frames to the ones he wore in the past, only with much thinner lenses.

Paterno discussed his vision at the Penn State Multi-Sport Facility Thursday, where he and his wife Sue were recognized for their roles as honorary coaches for the Centre County Volunteers in Medicine 2010 Boston Marathon Challenge.

The Challenge raises money to help uninsured citizens of the county receive free medical and dental care. Local runners who participate in the Boston Marathon generate the funds by soliciting donations on behalf of their efforts in the race.

Paterno said it is “nice to be a part of,” then added: “Obviously I’d prefer to be running a little bit, but at my age, those days are gone.”

Even at his age, however, he does have plenty to look forward to. And if he chooses, he can do it without his glasses. As if to prove it, he took them off and provided a demonstration.

“I can do everything now,” he said, rolling up his sleeve and looking at his wrist. “I can see my watch. I can tell you what time it is.”

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Heavy Rotation: Harold T. Wilkins, or How to Wait For a Very Long Time

February 1st, 2010

Oh man. I’ve had a few encounters with some really fantastic albums so far this year, and Fanfarlo’s Reservoir is by far my favorite (I do realize it’s only February, but who’s keeping track?).

A little Arcade Fire, a little Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, maybe throw in some Neutral Milk Hotel. I could go on all night. Normally I’d shun a band for sounding too much like something else, but somehow this just works. Listen harder, and each arrangement and lyric becomes completely unique. When else could you find yourself jamming out to a song inspired by a paranormal-obsessed British journalist, and loving every second of it? Not the most groundbreaking sound ever, but when you love what you love, there’s no reason to mess with it. Enjoy “Harold T. Wilkins, or How to Wait for a Very Long Time.” No need to thank me.

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Create Today

January 30th, 2010

A few days ago I mentioned that my sister started her first blog, and now it’s been officially announced to the world.

Create Today is a blog about art, jewelry, and making. Follow me as I chronicle upcoming projects and events and share with you my ups and downs along the way. Each day presents new opportunities to create – perhaps an object, a friendship, an idea, or a way of being. The possibilities are endless!

Create Today is still in its beginning stages, but keeping checking on it because it’s going to be fantastic. Way to go, Trish!