Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Brutal Night

Last night was a bad night for the GOP. We lost the House in a 28 seat swing which now gives that wacko Nancy Pelosi the Speaker's gavel (God Help Us All!!) She will bring "San Francisco Values" to the nation.....which is a very scary thought. Don't think for a minute this woman is going to be bi-partisan....she is the most, extreme partisan Democrat in the House since Tip O'Neill.

I tell you this, if the Dems completely try to evaserate the military and intelligence community again, like President Clinton did in the 1990's, and another 9-11 type attack happens on our soil, the Dems will lose power for 60 years. They better make sure that funding levels for the troops and our intelligence officers stays the same and that they better not make policy decisions that undermine these professionals.

Somehow I knew this was going to happen because the GOP went away from our message. The real sad thing is the Dems don't have a real plan for change, saying, well we just need change. When you are running for control of governing, you need to present plans and ideas. The Dems did not...they just kept with the mantra: "Bush Evil, Bush Evil!" And sadly enough, a majority of Americans got duped.

I sincerely hope that the resulting aftermath will help wake up the Republicans and re-energize the base, because frankly, it was getting stale. Of course the corruption charges and improprieties of some did not help, but the Dems can't be boasting how they are saints because many-a-time when they were in control, they had the same problems: i.e. Dan Rostenkowski.

So, in the end, really, both parties are corrupt and things are cyclical. I still hold that the GOP is still better when it comes to national defense and protecting the American public.

Somewhere I have to think the President Reagan is shedding a tear after his party abandoned his steadfast principles for the greed of money and power.

Monday, November 06, 2006

A Good Weekend for the Hornets!

First of all, major congrats to Katie and the Sac State Women's Soccer Team. I know it must have been absolutely devasting to lose the Big Sky Championship match in a shootout, but, you ladies gave us Hornet fans and alums a season to remember. Keep your chin up and we will take the title home next year at our place.

Second, football got a huge win on the road at Idaho State, 22-14 on Saturday. Marquez had the second-best day for a Hornet QB in school history, 396 yards passing! One thing concerned me though was twice we had 1st and goal inside the 5-yard line and got pushed back 20 yards due to sacks. We did get field goals after those drives, but guys, you have chance for the jugular, you have to go for it. Still, 4-3 in the Big Sky with PSU left at home. Huge! Congrats to Moose and the rest of the team for winning our second road game of the year.

I don't know what was better Saturday, our win over ISU, or fUCDavis losing for the second-straight week after blowing a halftime lead and coming out each time with 0 points in the second half. BTW, the fAgs are 4-5 overall just like we are. If we win Causeway, we will end their riduculous consecutive winning season mark at 36 years.

Volleyball won both of their matches last week at home and need one win this week to clinch the regular season again and we will host the Big Sky Tourney Nov. 16-18. We are at NAU on Thurs. Enough said.

Go Hornets!!

Thursday, November 02, 2006

New Banner

As you can see, I changed my banner at the top of my blog last night. Hope you all enjoy!

Monday, October 30, 2006

The Cooling Power of Autumn

Finally! Its starting to feel like the season it says it is. Today's temps here in the Valley are only supposed to top out at 68. This morning was really cold to the point where I should have had on a warmer jacket. Not parka cold yet, but, pretty damn chilly. Leaves are finally turning colors here.

As the weather turns cool, the political races are heating up in the stretch drive to Election Day next week. As we are 8 days out, I will be looking forward to the end of the silly commercials on why each millionaire that runs for office tries to come across like they are not a millionaire. Please. Just tell us how much money you really have. It's ok. We as the electorate will understand.

Tomorrow is a favorite holiday of mine..... You just gotta love the ghosts and goblins and terror delight that is Halloween. Parents make sure your children stay safe at all times and for heavens sake, please go with them when the trick-or-treat tomorrow.

Hornet football won a weird game Saturday against Thug and Cheater U (aka Northern Colorado), 14-9 in Hornet Stadium. They had the ball for almost 40 minutes, yet did not score a TD! How in the hell did that happen! Hornet D stepping up, allowing only 3.3 yards per play to UNC. They had 89 total plays to our 50, but, we scored two TD's and that was enough. Sometimes you win a game ugly and this game was that. Big props to Cyrus M., our middle LB. Career high 21 tackles against the Bad-news Bears earned him Big Sky Player of the Week honors. Hornets are now 3-3 in the Sky and haven't been even in conference play this late in the season since 2000 (bout damn time!).

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Ok, Ok

So I said I would post something the next day and that has turned out to be almost one month. Sorry. The last four weeks have been, um....BUSY!

I have attended three conferences, had to file my long trip away (which took about 2 weeks to complete because of said conferences). Plus, I then had to deal with working at Sac State for athletics and a whole host of issues at the house. Needless to say, I've been thru the ringer lately.

First of all: Hornet Football. Can you guys explain to me how one week you manage a 112 yards in total offense and lose by only 3 points (thanks to some awesome defense) to Montana State only to go on the road and have a career day for our JC transfer QB who threw for 350 yards and we got blown out by a bad NAU team? I wonder which Sac State team will show up against Northern Colorado Saturday night in Hornet Stadium. Hopefully one where both sides of the ball play a full four quarters.

Major props to Hornet volleyball, 23-4 and 10-0 in the Big Sky. This is without a doubt the best volleyball team I've seen, I think even better than the 95 squad that went 35-4. Hornet netters are gunning for their 10th-consecutive Big Sky championship. Debby's team's are always impressive and Michelle Franz and Lindsay Haupt are just incredible in the middle.

Second: Im still in morning over the fact my A's got embarrassed by the Tigers, though, the Tigers are the best team in baseball. Still, Detroit is now down 2-1 to the Redbirds and things are not looking good for the Motown Minx's. Their core hitters are like the A's group against Detroit. Horrific. If the Tig's don't get there act together, the Cards are going to be the World Champs for the first time since 82. Hope this series goes the distance now.

Third: Im lining up for more inspection trips throughout the lovely blue state that is known as Caleeeeeefornya as Arnold would say. The leaves are finally, FINALLY, starting to turn here in Sacto. I wonder if the rain is on it's way....hmmmmmmmmmm? Back on topic, I'm trying to tie in to some grant info workshops our division will be putting on throughout the state in the next couple months. One trip I am looking forward to is to Monterey!

Here is a shot from the airplane from my flight home from the lovely bastion known as LAX (or laxative airport because it seems like you need one everytime you have to go there and deal with the folk from all around the world): (BTW that's Fresno airport)

Here's a shot from Terminal 1 at LAX looking at the Theme Building:
Though this one was my favorite, sunset from hotel room at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura:
And one final photo: here is the home opener for the Sac State Marching Band during the pregame performance as I handle the announcing duties for the band. This is my sixth year as the announcer for the Spirit of Sacramento:
Well, that's all for now. I'll try to resume a post or two once a week. But if I start getting hectic again, well.......we'll see.

Monday, September 25, 2006

I promise........

That I will post something tomorrow. Just got back from a long work trip amongst other things going on. Trying to get trip reports done, expense accounts and plan for another trip in a week done. A least I had my laptop to check email while I was gone, it would have been mountainous if I didn't check it.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Sorry It's been a While

I have not been able to post due to five million things going on at the same time. Two weeks ago Christina and her children needed to escape a bad situation in Missouri and have put them up in the house until she can get on her feet.

Work wise, we just finished our major scoring project for applications for next year's fiscal year. We have a statewide appeals meeting in on Sept. 13 at HQ to see if any changes need to happen to the scores. Once that happens, we can finalize the scores and send them to the CA Transportation Commission for approval and then send it to the FTA.

Football is finally here (Thank God!). We open Thurs. night at Boise State. Unfortunately its not being televised in Sacramento (darn it). Will have to rely on the radio for the game, just like the old days when that was the only way. Home opener is on Sat. Sept. 16 vs. Cal Poly.

Work trip to SLO and Santa Barbara is three weeks away. There is another item that I should know about in a few weeks that might be some good news, so stay tuned.

One last thing, the Comair crash yesterday has hit me kind of hard. I flew on jets that are very similar to the one that went down when I was with Eagle. The training I received to evacuate an aircraft is very thorough, though, the FA probably never knew what happened as the plane fell back to Earth. My heart and prayers go out to my former flying colleagues and to all the families that lost a loved one in the beautiful Kentucky countryside.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Some Thoughts

~So, I am trying to figure out our wacky weather. First, we had 12-straight days of 100+ temps. Now, its been in the mid to upper 80's for the last 3. Don't get me wrong, I love these cooler temps, but our summer weather is all over the board, except, we have not had any rain (hey its Sac, what do you expect?!).

~The State Fair opened up last weekend and planing on attending it during Labor Day weekend. Caltrans has a booth in one of the California Buildings so I might volunteer to man the booth for a few hours next week. We'll see. I'm not sure I am going to try the newest food creation: Krispy Kreme Chicken Sandwich . Hey, its fair food, not like its supposed to be diet food!

~Saturday is my first athletic event of the year as the Men's Soccer team is at home in exhibition against Cal State Stanislaus (who?). They are our fellow D2 CSU brothers from the happenin town of Turlock. A few years ago, we played in the regular season and whooped them like 5-0 or something like that. Men's soccer had a great year last year, plus the fact we have New Mexico in our conference and they lost in the National Championship game in 2005. In fact, we tied them at home the last weekend of the regular season, which was their only blemish until they lost the final to Maryland......Go Hornets!

~Band camp is still two weeks away. I will be instructing marching fundamentals and helping the drum majors with their conducting. Plus, as being on staff, have to help cook food for the End-o-Camp BBQ.

~Football opens two weeks from tomorrow night on the Smurf Turf in Boise. I hope we can keep it close like we did for 3 qtrs vs. Cal last year. I hope we can open the year 2-2 at least, or it will be another long year.


~That's all for now. Hope you out there in cyberspace leave some pithy comments!

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Random TV Show

So last night, I watched this new show on ABC called One Ocean View. Its kinda like Real World meets Friends out in the Hamptons (not too far from my cousins who live on Long Island, albeit they live in Nassau County!).

Basically, it is soft-core porn meets Animal House partying for a bunch of Gen X'ers (hey, I'm one too :-p) who are attempting to find either love or lust, or both, while they try to move up the corporate food chain during the week in Manhattan.

Last night there was this couple on there who I take it were a couple before this show started and now they are no longer together, and they are fighting amongst all these people. It was actually great comedy to sit there and watch. The guy seems self-absorbed while the gal wants to have her cake, ice cream, diamonds and chocolate all at the same time.

Then there was this new gal who could not come out for the previous weekend (which they never really explained why) and she ends up hooking up with one of the guys who was there the weekend before. They ended their night shaked up in the cabana (but hey, every house in the Hamptons has a cabana!), and then they proceeded to tell the others that, eh, no big deal.

Finally, there is the token girl-next-door who also showed up for the first time on the second weekend where she proudly brags that she posed for Playboy. She then sets her sights on this one guy who seemed pretty mild until she laid eyes on him. Then they end up making out in the bathtub while giving each other a bubble bath and all the others get sort of jealous because they seem (especially with the previews for next week's show) to have made a love connection, the first one during the show.

Then of course, since that was right before the 11pm news, what is the first story after the show ended, a murder story. After that, I clicked off the TV and fell asleep.
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On a side note....yesterday seemed like the first day of fall because the temperature fell to, you guessed it, 79 Degrees! You would have thought hell had frozen over. The Delta Breeze was great all day, plus we had the marine layer come in from the Bay Area. This wacky weather though gets better because the weather guessers think it will be 94 today. Nothing like a 15 degree turnaround in one day.

Oh, BTW, the A's won again and beat the Rangers last night, 7-4 at the Coliseum. The good guys, lead by Mark Ellis, who homered and had 4 ribbies, have now won for the eighth time in their last nine games. Jen, your team is going down again tonight and tomorrow!

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Education

So I have thinking about going to grad school and getting my masters degree. Caltrans is a partner with the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State (wish it were Sac State, oh well, at least it isn't at the People's Republic of Davis-Sucks!).

The degree is Masters of Science in Transporation Management. The great thing about this program is that its run as a cohort, you take a class once a week at night at your building via video teleconference, and each class is 10 weeks long. You can finish in just over two years! And, Caltrans will pretty much reimburse all of your fees and tuition costs!

I am also looking at another masters program thru the Institute of Transportations Studies at Cal. I recently took an extension course on Land Use Planning and Transportation thru them for work and I enjoyed it.

It would be great to get both degrees, at least then I could say that I went to Cal!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Football is 30 Days Away!

The season opener is now 30 days away as my Sacramento State Hornets travel into more unchartered territory as they go to the Smurf Turf and take on the vaunted Boise State Broncos on Aug. 31, in Boise. Unfortunately for me, since the game is on a Thursday (stupid Thursday games, college football is meant to be played on Saturday's only!), I will not be making the trip to the Treasure Valley.

However, I have been hearing from some low friends in high places that it might be televised on Comcast SportsNet. Either that, or I just tune in to listen to Jason and Steve on 1380. Those guys are two of the best in the business and its my honor to work with them in my side job in Hornet Athletics.

I will have more about the upcoming football season, as well as volleyball, our Nine-Time Defending Big Sky Champion Hornet Volleyball team!

Go Hornets!!!! Can't believe its already August!

Monday, July 31, 2006

I am 28 today..here's some musings

So today I celebrate my 28th birthday. July 31 is really the best day of the year ;-)

So this is what 28 looks like.....hmmm, not bad, but it looks like 27 as well.

So this weekend I pretty much tended to things around the house and with the Homeowners association. For those of you who don't know, I use to my VP of the HOA until last year when I stepped down from the board at the end of term (mostly due to work).

So the board fired our landscapers and for the past week, right as they were let go, they shut off the timers for the irrigation system in the complex. Sounds like sour grapes until I found out that the landscapers pretty much resigned to doing less because of all the nitpicking our idiot board president constantly harps on. He has driven away in the past five years (while being on the board) three HOA management companies and four landscapers.

Its very frustrating as someone who is trying to sell their place when stuff like this happens because ever since interest rates went up, townhomes have taken the biggest hit in trying to sell. So, to help counteract, you need to have a really up-to-date looking home on the inside, and lush common areas on the out. Needless to say with all the upgrades that have been done in the house (laminate flooring, new painting, new light fixtures, retexturing the walls and ceiling), its not helping that the outdoors looks like something out of Death Valley.

So, I am back at work trying to make sense of five projects I've got going on now, plus the drama at home.

Happy 28th Birthday Will!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Business Trip Planning

I am in the middle of planning a fun week of business in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Sept 10-14. If anyone wants to roadie with me....shoot me an email.

I love planning trips....the countless hours getting your clients to commit to the times you have planned, pouring over hotel websites trying to get a decent room.

Though my fave, booking those great flights with everyone's fave carrier, Southwest :-P

I will enjoy though free evenings by the coast!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!!

There are many reasons why I love summer. One, my birthday (which is a week from today); swimming, boating, etc.; and warm weather.

However, this past weekend, Sacramento became Hades. You know the old adage: "Hey, who forgot to turn off the heater outside." Well that is an understatement of what happened in the Capital City the past few days. The real kicker has been the high amount of humidity (yes, I know you folks in South Carolina will say 35% humidity is not humidity, but, considering our normal humidity for Sacto in the summer ranges in the 15% range, you do the math) coming up from Mexico.

Quick, a recap:

Friday: 105
Saturday: 109 (Broke Record)
Sunday: 111 (Broke Record)

So needless to say the A/C has been cranked up to make staying indoors bearable. Though several trips to the pool and cool showers have helped with the relief efforts.

The NWS is projecting a cool-down this week though not before Sacto is expecting a high of 108 today (current record is 106). If so, this will be the ninth-straight 100 degree day, which will tie Sacto's all-time record.

Good times!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Long Days and Bumpy Train Rides

So, I worked later than normal last night trying to cut down on my stack of work in my cube. From inputing quarterly reports to calling the regions to consolidate application scores, I still have not touched my trip reports from the District 2 (NE California) trip over two weeks ago.

Last night I got home, ate dinner with the fam, and then crashed just after 9pm. And I was up at 5am this morning to start it all over again.

On the train this morning, I think the heat of the Sacramento Valley is taking a toll on the electric grid as our Light Rail train came to a screeching halt on the American River Bridge on Hwy 160. Nothing like being jolted to a stop. We sat there for about five minutes before some power was restored: train operating power and the AC. Alas the overhead lights were still out by the time I got to Archives Station.

Hopefully today will not last as long....maybe it will if more things keep landing on my desk! Hopefully I can hit the pool after work tonight as Sacto is expected to fry again today at 105.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Opening Post

My first blog post. Hopefully, I will use this to connect family and friends to all of my comings and goings. Hopefully all those interested will find my musings amusing. So don't mind the occasional rant or soliloquy.

Here is my chance to hopefully portray some of my inner thoughts.

Hope you all enjoy!