Pressure, Pressure Everywhere.

The cold is still here, but I am winning the battle. Took Sudafed last night, slept pretty good, and woke up better than yesterday. Stupid foreign bug in my system!

This just in....

I'm flying this week and now I have a cold (drat!). For the next 48 hours, Airborne is my friend. That is all.

That and what a choke job by Green Bay tonight.

Friday Bullet Points...

Since I have so many things on my plate, its amazing what I remember and forget. So..

* Need to start packing for the trip. Taking two youngin's cross country is an enormous task for 10 days. At least they are both walking age and we don't have to take the stroller.

* Been so busy forgot that Monday is a holiday (Columbus Day) which means I can pack for the trip.

* Along with worrying about the kids, how will they deal with a 3-hour time change to the East Coast as well as transcon flights? At least the first transcon is a red-eye so they can sleep.

* Ready the band scripts for Scott Moak so he can announce for the band during next Saturday's football game (its only the 3rd home game I will have missed in the last 17 years).

* Getting my second working paper out for my CSMP project. Templates seem to change everyday from the other CSMP's (Thank God my corridor is not the lead one!) and it sets me back at least a day to change the settings.

That's it for now. Hopefully I will post what I think about the Hornets game tomorrow at Weber State. The band was originally supposed to go to it (and to think I am missing a 12 hr. bus ride today...lol). The weather is forecast to be about 45 degrees with light rain. I made a predicition earlier in the week that we would win 31-14. But now with the weather, I am going to say we win 21-10. Go Hornets!

What a week...

I had the strangest weeks, probably ever. First, I went to a two-day training called Planning on Track, put on by our OPD (that's Office of Professional Development for those posters on GDIFC).
When I went to dinner, my debit/check card was stolen out of my hotel room. I had left it there as I took my ID and cash to dinner. As soon as I realized it was gone, immediately called to cancel it and called hotel security. They called the San Jose police and filed a report. They think its an inside job.

Other than that, the training was neat. I got to learn about interregional rail, commuter rail and light rail in the Bay Area. Since pretty much all the rail systems now connect, its a great way to get around the Bay. Folks need to try it.

Then, football. Sacramento State came into the home opener 0-3 with a tough conference loss at PSU two weeks ago and got blasted by New Mexico the week before. All we did was humiliate, absolutely humiliate, Northern Arizona, 38-9. The Hornets finally broke out the offense weapons and racked up 422 yards in offense. The defense, which we knew was killer, held NAU, who came in averaging 420 yards a game, to 187 total yards!! In fact, NAU was so inept, they were 0-12 on third down. WTF!?!?! 0-12!! NAU's coach said in their fishwrap that they looked like they were a team without direction. Uh, wrong dude, you got your asses handed to you.

So I have for the past 24 hours now been basking in a great win for the program. Congrats go to first year coach Marshall Sperbeck. He is going to be awesome for the alma mater.

This week I have too many meetings and things to get done. We head to Raleigh a week from Thursday and need to start packing for things for the trip there and then onto New York.

This, that and the other...

First, what a dissapointing game last night. Sac State was up 24-21 with 3 minutes to go in the game against Portland State and they come down and score a TD with 2:06 left. We then start driving all the way down to the PSU 33 yd line only to have our freshman qb throw an interception that was returned all the way to the house to lose 35-24, our eighth straight loss to PSU....sucks.

Second, got a new personal laptop here for the house. Much better than the desktop.

Third, saw Jen at Green Tangerines on Thurs. night here in Rocklin teaching a class. Got some food after that. I proposed a trade for her: she'll teach me to scrapbook and I'll teach her a wind instrument. She agreed.

Fourth, volleyball continues to roll, beat #14 Cal Poly yesterday in four and won the USF Invite. Hornets are now 11-3 and should be receiving votes again in the coaches poll...I don't know if it'll be enough to be ranked in the top-25.

Fifth, I have two meetings tomorrow which will keep me out of the office all day..first to Loyalton (about 3 hrs from Sac), then to Nevada City. Wednesday I'm back in Nevada City for another meeting. I'm going to a training session next week on an overnight to San Jose for commuter, regional and transit trains. Looking forward to it. My CSMP working paper #2 is slow going right now, awaiting data to come in (hopefully by the end of the week).

So that's all for now. Hope to hear from you all.

Things.....

Ok, first of all, Sac State played tough in the opener against Fresno State (who, sorry Mary, got absolutely hosed at A&M and that WTF call by the replay official), losing 24-3. Our frosh qb played well in a hostile environment and did not have any turnovers, plus, a bend but not break defense. I think we can pull of the win against Portland State this Saturday, who is absolutely awful after they blew a big lead against ucdavis-sucks! this past Saturday.

Second, we have finalized our plans to attend Nate and Robin's wedding in October in Raleigh and then head up to Long Island to see my family for the week. The bummer is I will miss Homecoming (we are playing Montana so I'm sure I will not feel bad about watching a loss), which is the second home game I have missed in the past 18 years! (Note to all my friends, never, EVER, get married during football season!)

Third, I am working real hard on our Corridor System Management Plan as a result of the bond-funded projects we passed as a proposition back last November. I am doing the State Route 49 (SR 49) one. If you want to take a look, its up on the web. The first working paper of five. Here is the link: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departments/planning/csmp/csmp_corridor_sr49.pdf

Fourth, back in June bought a newer car for me. A 2003 Buick Rendezvous SUV. Pretty nice vehicle with lots of room. Also, bought a new refrigerator two weeks ago with a water and ice dispenser (will not have to rely on the Brita filter for H2O anymore...yeah!).

Fifth, the weather is actually starting to feel like fall here today. Maybe its trying to tell us that we best be ready for real "autumn" weather back east.

I'll do a post either today or tomorrow....

Just been really busy the past two weeks. I will get something up by the end of tomorrow.

Under Three Weeks

Until the Hornets and the Bulldogs square off in the Battle of the Valley!

Gooooooooooooooo Hornets!

A Different Type of Game

So I am playing a game with my blog friend Jen. Basically, she got to ask me five questions about myself and I agreed to answer them here. Here are her questions and my answers:

1. How many away games will you make this football season?
At this point, at least two. The two road games with the Sac State Band (Fresno State and the trip to Weber State ). Hopefully I can make two Niners games as well (going to SF is a roadie). And of course if the Hornets finally breakthrough and get to the NCAA Div. I Football Championships, as many playoff games as possible (out of 4 total).

2. Planes, trains, or automobiles? Why?
Planes: Because they are big, exotic and everytime I see one take off, it always amazes me something that heavy can get off the ground, especially the C-5's, 747's and now the A380's. Trains: I have always loved the sound of the train whistle. To me, riding on Amtrak is like going back in American history to the glory days of passenger train riding (although Amtrak service is far from what the private railroads use to provide). Cars: Well, you gotta have one in Cali to get around. As for race cars, I love IndyCars! They are the sleekest, not to mention the fastest. There is nothing like watching a race on a Sunday afternoon in Central Indiana. Of course I am referring to "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," The Indianapolis 500. So I choose all three :-p

3. Musical instrument you would learn if you had to switch at this point in life?
That's a good question. Probably the trumpet. Because it is the loudest instrument of them all. But I love my sousaphone and my clarinet.

4. What is the best part of having a new baby in the house?
Watching them learn things for the first time. And when they laugh. Its absolutely precious. Also when they fall asleep on your chest. That's the best!

5. The best way to make your flight attendant happy is to....
Since I have been out of the game for a couple of years....I would say that the best way is to pay attention to the safety briefing. That and probably compliment those who do a good job because we all know there are a lot of bad apples who don't like their lot in life, yet they have one of the best jobs out there.

Want to play now? Here are the rules if you do:
1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like [the food you hate most in all the world]. Something random. Whatever you like.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You will update your [blog] with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.

Another Year Older

Another birthday for yours truly today....29. My mom, ever the clever one, told me this morning while wishing me Happy B-Day that its "all gray from here." Thanks Mom for that.

Here's to a fun-filled Age 29!

End of an Era

Yesterday, my dear friend Jeff Edom told me he is stepping down as Associate Director of Bands at Sac State to take the band director job at Laguna Creek HS. Mostly, besides actually getting paid more money (which HS should never be higher than a university job), he will get to spend four years with his girls who enter Laguna Creek next month.

Jeff took this job in August 1996 after Jack Foote pretty much decimated the band. He convinced 37 people to be in the band that year and grew it into a 125-piece dynamic ensemble. What was once a school with no spirit, people started to care for the band again at Sacramento State.

He re-wrote Fight, Hornet, Fight to pretty much its intended original score when Don McDonald penned it in 1952. He took the band to places never before in its history: Portland, Spokane, Salt Lake City. The shows he wrote were outstanding to play: challenging, yet tunes that most people in Hornet Stadium would know or at least appreciate.

I'll never forget the Gladiator show in 2001. I had never seen our fans give a standing 'O for the band until that night against ucdavis-sucks! Even the aggie band announcer said that was the best show he had ever seen in 30 years of the Causeway Classic.

Jeff is like the older brother I never had. He is such a good friend that this one is going to be hard. I am happy for him because he will get to spend more time with his girls before they go off to school (probably Oregon). I am sad because we will lose the director who really saved the Sacramento State Marching Band.

The uncertainty of now getting a new director in 7 weeks before camp starts is going to be tough. As a member of the staff and announcer for the band, I, along with the rest of the staff will have to work together to help the new director feel not only welcome, but get him/her up to speed.

Jeff, thank you for all you have done in service to my Alma Mater. Words cannot express what you have done in my life and the lives of all of those in the Sac State Band for the past 11 years. You will always now be an alum of the Sacramento State Marching Band. You earned it. Thank you for saving "The Spirit of Sacramentoooooooooooooooooo..............."

Hey, Hey

The A's managed to break out the bats last night with 9 runs in the first two innings and defeated the Tribe in the city that is known as the Mistake by the Lake, 13-7.

Our reward, one more game against the Indians and then back to New York (weren't we just there?!?!) to play the f*ing Yankees. (BTW, great scheduling MLB. Since you had the A's playing the Mets at Shea this year for interleague, why didn't you just save travel costs and fuel costs by having the A's play the Yanks during the week instead of one weekend against the Mets, fly to Cleveland for four games, then fly back to NY for the weekend against the Yankess. Idiots!)

Auburn, Auburn, Auburn

No, its not really my hair color. And no, I am not going to the school by that name down on the Plains in Alabama.

Yesterday, I was in Auburn for the Placer Board of Supes meeting about the proposed Placer Vineyards project. Today, I was back in Auburn for the Placer Transportation Commission meeting.

Tomorrow, you guessed it .....................................................













Auburn again. But, passing thru town with my boss as we scope out Interstate 80 all the way to the Nevada border ;-)

Oakland, what was that?

Last week had to be the one of the worst weeks for the A's since 1995. First, they cut Milton Bradley for no reason other than he has been banged up a bit this year. He was supposed to be the catalyst for the A's run towards an American League Pennant.

Then, to top it off, they go and lay one giant goose egg in Queens against the Mets. Swept. Ouch. Well done guys. You can probably forget the playoffs now.

A Clean Shave

Sorry all, I shaved off the mustache and goatee. It was too itchy. But at least there is a photo of me with it.

Updated Photo

So what do you think of my new look? Yeah or nay?

To Raleigh in October

Nathan and Robin have announced the date of their wedding and it's set for Sat. October 13 in the beautiful capital of North Carolina. I am already starting to search for a decent airfare, which I know will be accompanied by a lack of service in the air. Oh well, I guess that's what the food courts in the airports are there now for if you are going domestic non-first class.

Once again I will try and delight myself with Southern BBQ and sweet tea (though BBQ in California and Texas is waaaay different then what I experienced the last time I was visiting Nate in Raleigh).

Will try and make a vacay out of it up to New York to see the fam as well.


Oh BTW, the answer to yesterday's trivia question is: The Houston Astros.

Trivia at Work

One of the things that helps us get through the day at my new office is playing trivia at work...especially sports questions. I got one today that no one else did and I'm surprised that I got it: Besides my beloved A's (who still to this day), who was the last MLB team to wear white cleats?

I'll give the answer tomorrow.

Weekend

The weekend is here....it was a hectic week (up to Marysville twice, Nevada City). Next week I have a lot of IGR letters to crank out and one Marysville trip.

During the evenings beginning Weds. thru Sat. I will be working the NCAA Track Championships at Hornet Stadium. I believe CBS is televising live again on Saturday. Keep a look out for me on national TV. Of course I will be doing media relations stuff so I will be behind the camera. Good luck to our four Hornet athletes who made the championships!

New, New, New!!

Ok, first of all I have not posted since I can't tell you when (ok it was November...and a bad rant). I have a new job at Caltrans. No longer am I slaving to those in Mass Transporation, which, though I really loved the work, it was going downhill for reasons that I can better explain in person.

I am now working for CT District 3 as a Regional Planner and IGR Coordinator for Placer, Nevada and Sierra Counties. Even though D3 is headquartered in Marysville, I work in a satellite office here in Sacramento. Our district is building a brand-spanking new building which will be open in Dec. 2008 at which time I will be up there (nothing like a 40-mile commute)....but that is still a long time from now and as they say in baseball, anything can happen.

But Will, you ask, what does a regional planner and IGR coordinator do? Funny you should ask. A regional planner is Caltrans' liaison to all the regional transportation planning agencies in those counties listed above. I attend their full commission meetings, sit as a member of their Technical Advisory Committee' (TAC) and try to answer questions as to why Caltrans does the things it does.

The other part of my job is to review any and all plans as they may affect the state highway system within 1 to 2 miles of a state or federal highway. This includes new housing developments, a new water treatment facility, temporary permits (such as: "hey, I want to hold a wedding on my 5-acre spread.."), etc. I review and comment, as well as send it out to our various offices within Caltrans such as Hydrology, Traffic Operations, Traffic Forecasting, etc.
So any and all plans that may affect the highway, we review them and comment on them. Pretty chic, huh!

So athletics at Sac State is winding down for the academic year. The only thing left to do is the NCAA Div. I Track and Field Championships at Hornet Stadium June 6-9 and then I get my summer off until football opens at Fresno State on Sept. 1.

As always, would love to hear from you with your comments.