My Week in Review: 30 December - 5 January

The weekly look back for the closing days of '07 and the opening days of '08.

Sunday 30 December: I awoke around 10:30 am and had cereal for breakfast. I caught the first halves of the Jaguars/Texans and Saints/Bears before heading out to do the weekly grocery run at King Soopers. By noon, snow had started to fall and the cloud ceiling dropped to become fog with the snow. At least it broke freezing, barely, as we reached 33 degrees just before the snow began after a morning low of 15. We will end the month about four degrees below normal from averages with around 20 total inches of snow. December could have been worse but it sure would have been nice if it had been better. Six straight weeks of largely ceaseless winter weather and conditions is getting old, but we are not yet even half way through the season. By the time I started to drive back home about 2-3" had already fallen. I made a pitstop at the post office to pick up my mail and send the evil electric corporation their monthly demand that gouged me. I got home and hibernated, reading my newspapers, doing the sudoku, and watching the Vikings/Broncos and Steelers/Ravens games. As evening dawned, I watched the regular season finale for the NFL with Titans/Colts while staying track of the Colorado/Alabama Independence Bowl. I had some sandwiches for dinner and worked on my blog, surfed the 'net, and kept up on my email. Bedtime occurred around 2am.

Monday 31 December: I slept in until around 11am and never left home. I am not the type to take in any New Years Eve celebrations often. I believe I have only gone out once this decade and that was on 31 December 2004. I did that just because the prior three New Years Eve I always had to work extraordinarily long hours driving the cab and dealing with a lot of revelers when I could not be one. Prior to that, I think the last time I went out was in 1999. So maybe I will go out in 2008 or 2009 since doing it about every five years is about right. One year in my life I would not mind seeing the new year dawn in Las Vegas. It will also be neat to see it happen at the bottom of the planet and have it happen during daylight. My day today was about the same as most others at home recently as I had cereal for breakfast, watched all or parts of the six bowl games, caught parts of two NHL games, and watched a SNL tribute program on NBC through the evening. I had some butter bread for a snack. The weather was forbidding outside as it has regularly been lately. Skies were clear but it was quite windy with temperatures reaching only 20 degrees after a morning low of 12 as blowing snow was happening everywhere in the region and led to closed highways and roads throughout Wyoming and Colorado. I plan on staying up tonight well past midnight, though, to see 2008 makes its debut and see the sorry 2007 move its ass out the door finally.

Tuesday 1 January: I slept until after 10am and had oatmeal for breakfast. I watched all or part of four early bowl games: Outback (Wisconsin/Tennessee); Cotton (Missouri/Arkansas); Capital One (Michigan/Florida); and Gator (Texas Tech/Virginia). But I mainly watched the outdoors NHL game in Buffalo between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins played in falling snow which was cool to observe as the game ended up in a shootout in near blizzard conditions from a lake effect snowstorm. Later I watched the Rose Bowl (Southern California/Illinois) and then the Sugar (Hawaii/Georgia) though both games were blowouts. It was a crystal clear blue skies day but cold as the temperature only reached 21 degrees after a morning low of 9 with the wind largely dying off by dawn compared to yesterday's blowstorm. We are finally supposed to warm up somewhat starting Wednesday through the upcoming weekend as temps will get into the 40s and may even touch 50 for the first time in a month. The next three weeks are the coldest of the year climatologically and historically most everywhere across the nation, so any positive breaks during this period are very welcome before we start to embark on the long climb out of winter towards more pleasant weather and conditions. I simply stayed home all day without going outdoors at all and continued the winter hiberation vacation through day four with six left. For supper I had some peas & carrots and a ham & swiss on rye. LAL called me after 6pm to wish me a Happy New Years and we had a good conversation. Hopefully I will figure out a way to visit her and KVS and their families sometime during this year. Wednesday I will get up and about and do some tasks and errands and get out of the place for maybe a tasty cheeseburger.

Wednesday 2 January: I awoke around 9:30am and headed out for a breakfast burrito at McDonalds after getting my newspapers for a change of pace for breakfast. It was a sunny day and much warmer as the temperature broke freezing and reached 34 degrees after a frostly low of 2 degrees. The winds also settled down noticeably and switched to coming out of the southwest, beckoning warm air in the coming days and temperatures will rise even overnight into the mid to upper 3os as these chinooks often do in January and February. I then went over to Barnes & Noble for a couple of hours and perused some periodicals and books to while away part of the afternoon. I returned home around 3pm and took the rest of the day to surf the 'net, blog, keep on the email, and watch CNN. Later I switched over to watch the Thrashers/Hurricanes game and the Fiesta Bowl between Oklahoma and West Virginia. I then switched over for yet another Avalanche debacle, losing to the Coyotes. Later I caught the reappearance of both David Letterman and Jay Leno after both shows have been off the air for about two months due to the writers strike and both were entertaining. I later caught an episode of ST: V and watched a couple episodes of M*A*S*H before going off to some kip around 1:30am.

Thursday 3 January: I awoke around 11am and caught some news on CNN before going out and getting the newspapers and having some tacos at Taco Johns. It was a cloudy day but warmer as temperatures reached 47 degrees after a low of just 36 degrees as strong southwest winds blew all night and day to warm the air and even melt a little snow and ice. I returned home around 2:30 and worked on the blog, surfed the 'net, and stayed on top of my email. The penultimate college football game is tonights Orange Bowl between upstart Kansas and Virginia Tech. I also caught parts of the LMU/BYU game. The Orange Bowl featured ZZ Top as the halftime show which was great and cool to watch. I also stayed on top of the Iowa caucuses on CNN as Wolf Blitzer was on top of all the results and analysis with the expert CNN team. For supper I had frozen chicken and dumplings heated in the microwave. I did not do much active or important the rest of the evening and went to get some kip around 1am.

Friday 4 January: A Friday off from work. After I awoke around 11am, I had some oatmeal for breakfast. After spending a couple of hours surfing the 'net, I headed outside to escape the place. It was a cloudy day and quite windy although the winds diminshed substantially later in the afternoon. We reached 44 degrees after a morning low of only 37 which tells you we really had strong winds overnight. Snowmelt is occuring but still there is a long way to go. I almost fell several times on spots of ice. I took the truck over to get air put in all five tires, and two were low. I then headed over to King Soopers, picked up the newspapers and a couple of groceries, and then went to McDs to read, listen to the radio, and enjoy a cheeseburger. I got back home around 5:45 and went about finishing working on my office which I was able to get done for the most part. I listened to some my CDs (various 70s music) as I worked on the project. I then cleaned up the kitchen, including shaking rugs, taking out trash, and sweeping the floor. I got my humidifier up and running and hopefully that will help somewhat with my dry throat, nasal and sinus cavities, and skin. I took a break at 9pm to watch Bill Moyers' Journal on PBS as he had interviews with Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. Later I watched one of my favorite movies, Crocodile Dundee II while I worked on the blog, caught up on my email, and surfed the 'net. Bedtime was at 1:30am.

Saturday 5 January: The NFL Playoffs started today so I stayed home and did not go out at all. After a breakfast of oatmeal around 11am, I surfed on the net and watched some MWC hoops between Air Force & Utah and the Rutgers/Ball State International Bowl in Toronto. The Redskins/Seahawks game was fairly good and close into the fourth quarter. We had cloudy skies with winds as the temperature climbed to 48 degrees after a morning low of 28. As we got into evening, some rain (!), hail, and snow pellets fell. Quite unusual and unexpected. I had some turkey sandwiches for a late afternoon snack. The Jaguars/Steelers game started at 6pm and JAX controlled the game for the most part although they had to rally to pull it out. I also kept up on the Islanders/Avalanche and TCU/SDSU. I made myself a frozen lemon smoothie (squeezed lemon, ice, water) for a treat. For dinner I had some cream of mushroom soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches. I later watched ST:TOS; M*A*S*H; the first Austin Powers movie; the first Batman movie; and then faded off to get some kip around 2am.

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June Jones Leaving Hawaii

This is seriously disappointing news. Jones had built Hawaii football to the cusp of being a national power, and the program was only going to continue upward under his leadership. But the big money being offered by Southern Methodist University evidently got his attention and, in due time, his agreement to coach the Mustangs starting in 2008.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3183007

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Names in Consideration for Nomination for Academy Awards

The 80th Academy Awards nominations get released on Tuesday 22 January with the awards being announced on Sunday 24 February. Here are some names and their performances which will be given consideration for nomination and winning honors.

Best Picture:
American Gangster
Atonement
Eastern Promises
The Great Debaters
Michael Clayton
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Actor:
George Clooney: Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis: There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp: Sweeney Todd
Ryan Gosling: Lars and the Real Girl
Emile Hirsch: Into the Wild
Christian Bale: Rescue Down
Philip Seymour Thomas: The Savages
James McAvoy: Atonement
Viggo Mortensen: Eastern Promises
Denzel Washington: American Gangster

Best Actress:
Julie Christie: Away From Her
Marion Cotillard: La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie: A Mighty Heart
Keira Knightly: Atonement
Ellen Page: Juno
Jodie Foster: The Brave One
Helena Bonham Carter: Sweeney Todd
Keri Russell: Waitress
Laura Linney: The Savages
Nikki Blonsky: Hairspray

Best Supporting Actress:
Kate Blanchett: I'm Not There
Catherine Keener: Into The Wild
Saoirse Ronan: Atonement
Amy Ryan: Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton: Michael Clayton
Ruby Dee: American Gangster
Jennifer Jason-Leigh: Margot at the Wedding
Jennifer Garner: Juno
Vanessa Redgrave: Atonement
Marisa Tomei: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Best Supporting Actor:
Casey Affleck: The Assassination of Jesse James
Javier Bardem: No Country For Old Men
Hal Holbrook: Into the Wild
Philip Seymour Thomas: Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Wilkinson: Michael Clayton
Paul Dano: There Will Be Blood
JK Simmons: Juno
Ben Foster: 3:10 to Yuma
Ethan Hawke: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
John Travolta: Hairspray

Print this list out and keep if for reference for when you go to the video store.

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Census Figures Point to Looming Changes in States' Congressional Representation

The US Census Bureau recently released population estimates for each of the states for the three-quarters point of this decade. Statistical projections can now largely made on what the ramifications of population growth or decline will have on each of the states number of representatives in Congress starting with the 2012 elections. Another change will be in the number of votes each state will have in the Electoral College. That number is equal to the number of US senators plus US representatives each state has.

Fourteen seats are expected to reallocated with nine states gaining representation and twelve states losing representation.

The states projected to gain seats in the US House of Representatives and votes in the Electoral College with the new totals in parentheses.

Texas: four (from 34 to 38)
Florida: two (from 27 to 29)
Arizona: two (from 10 to 12)
Georgia: one (from 15 to 16)
North Carolina: one (from 15 to 16)
South Carolina: one (from 8 to 9)
Oregon: one (from 7 to 8)
Utah: one (from 5 to 6)
Nevada: one (from 5 to 6)

The states projected to lose seats in the US House of Representatives and votes in the
Electoral College with the new totals in parentheses.

New York: two (from 31 to 29)
Ohio: two (from 20 to 18)
California: one (from 55 to 54)
Pennsylvania: one (from 21 to 20)
Illinois: one (from 21 to 20)
Michigan: one (from 17 to 16)
New Jersey: one (from 15 to 14)
Massachusetts: one (from 12 to 11)
Missouri: one (from 12 to 11)
Minnesota: one (from 10 to 9)
Louisiana: one (from 9 to 8)
Iowa: one (from 7 to 6)

The Northeast and Midwest will lose 12 of those seats, and these will probably be mostly Democratic seats. The South and West will gain all of the new 14 states, and many, if not most, of the new seats may be filled by Republicans, but that remains to be seen as the West is starting to become more tilted towards the Democrats at this time. The Rocky Mountain West is expected to gain four seats.

I have been closely following electoral politics since the 1968 election and is remarkable to see how much change has occurred in the voting representation in Congress and the Electoral College. New York has shrunk by one-third from 43 to 29; Pennsylvania from 29 to 20; Ohio from 26 to 18; Iowa from 9 to 6; Illinois from 26 to 20; and Massachusetts from 14 to 11. States gaining include Florida more than doubling from 14 to 29; California from to 55 and down to 54); Texas from 25 to 38; Arizona from 5 to 12; Colorado from 6 to 9; Georgia from 12 to 16; and Nevada from 3 to 6.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-01-05-southseats_N.htm?csp=34

http://www.270towin.com/

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Romney Wins Wyoming Republican Caucuses

This caucus event went on with virtually zero publicity, even within Wyoming. The media and many of the candidates themselves all but ignored it as it took place in the long dark shadows of Iowa and New Hampshire at a time of year when winter is at its most ferocious and incliment peak. And Wyoming Republicans will be punished for their impudent decision to even conduct this caucus, as the GOP in Wyoming will lose fourteen, or half, their convention delegation as punishment from the national GOP for holding binding caucuses this early.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22517585/

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Two Critical Voting Cases to be Heard by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on 9 January concerning two case involving the state of Indiana mandating that voters present photo identification before being permitted to vote. Appellate courts have ruled in favor of the state. Its hard to say how the Supremes will rule, but my guess is that they will uphold the appellate rulings and stay on the side of the state. I would hope they can find a legal argument and reasons to rule to the contrary.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=3&docID=news-000002651471

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More on Growing Unemployment

The ripple effect from the collapse of the housing industry is spreading through the economy as was easily able to be predicted. We are only feeling the first swells. The big serious waves have yet to hit and how much damage will occur is still unclear and difficult to project. But many will suffer and experience hardship.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/04/AR2008010401564.html?hpid=moreheadlines

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CIA Bureaucrats Getting Lawyers

You know its serious when important powerful people start scrambling to get lawyers. They did something seriously wrong, something criminal, and in due time, will be convicted and sentenced to prison. The question that is most on the mind of observers is, did this fish rot from the head down ? Or more succinctly, what is the level of involvement by White House officials, including President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, and Senior White House Counsel Rove. I firmly believe all were involved in the making of the decision to destroy this evidence and implimenting a plan to have that done. These, of course, are impeachable offenses and possible criminal offenses as well. Lets hope we have a John Dean out there that will tell the truth and the whole truth about the treachery and evil that went on behind the scenes that has disgraced and shamed America.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/84572

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Excellent Much Needed Legislative Proposal

This is desparately needed and long overdue federal legislation. We need housing costs and rentals to get back to where they were historically before this long reign of Republican free market fundamentalist extremists took power. Housing costs need to be around 25 % of wages and incomes instead of over 45 % like they are today.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080104/us_nm/usa_subprime_fha_dc

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Bill "Goebbels" O'Reilly: Certifiable Nutcase

This is just another example of how and why Bill O'Reilly is nothing but a joke as a journalist. Instead, he is a propogandist, a modern version of Joseph Goebbels. The scary and disgusting thing is that he is the most watched source of "news" on cable television. Its like leading lemmings to the sea night in and night out, or more appropriately, to the gas chamber.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/323

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Mountain States Environmental Predictions by Bill Schneider

It will be interesting to follow these stories through 2oo8 and see if any of them come to eventuate. The issues with a federal concern are probably DOA this calendar year with the lame duck administration and this being a political election year.

http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/wild_bills_predictions_for_2008/C41/L41/

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Coming Soon to Ski Areas in Colorado and the West

This looks like a great and easy way for counties to raise additional revenues from tourists and foriegners.

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article3134330.ece

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Polls in NH Show Obama Pulling Away

The bounce that was expected to occur for Barack Obama after his caucus victory in Iowa is evidently going to happen in New Hampshire. Most polls are showing his lead widening over Hillary Clinton to a double digit margin. I believe an Obama victory by about eight percentage points or more will occur on Tuesday in the nation's first primary in the Granite State.

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/new_hampshire/election_2008_new_hampshire_democratic_primary

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Fernley NV Hit by Levee Break

I was in Fernley in 1995 for a few days. The town is about one-half hour east of Reno along I-80 in very mountainous countryside, and is basically desert-like with few trees. Widespread destructive flooding occurred as water got as high as house roofs. Initial investigations indicate the levee was weakened due to activity by gophers.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080105/D8TVQT1O0.html

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Radio Shack Sinking in Fetid Toilet

The stock price of Radio Shack (RSH) dipped below $15 as the stock has lost 58 % of its value in just over six months. I take great delight in this as the jackasses that run this corporation are simply bullying egotistical boobs with mindset of yesteryear from the district level on up to corporate HQ in Ft Worth, TX. I predict they continue to die a slow death and go bellyup within the next 24 months. YEE HAW !

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From Esquire Magazine - The Rules: A Man's Guide to Life

I particularly like rules #129, 130, 188, & 225.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/05/reuteman-goofy-or-not-a-few-pearls-of-wisdom-to/

http://www.amazon.com/Esquire-Rules-Revised-Updated-Because-Gotten/dp/1588164667

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=H4c5yj7HGmoC&dq=the+rules+a+man's+guide+to+life&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=QG8WY09skN&sig=i5_Niu4CJRKqsr_5XKCcdFSIE44#PPA6,M1

http://www.esquire.com/

http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/11/29/excerpt-from-esquires-the-rules-a-mans-guide-to-life/

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Pitchers and Catchers Report in 45 Days !

Yes, the words that stir the soul in the dead of winter, "pitchers and catchers report, are on my mind as I look ahead to the warmer longer days of late winter into spring and the return of the national pastime.

Here is a schedule of Grapefruit and Cactus League games that are on the itinerary for late February. [all times MST]

G R A P E F R U I T
TUE 26 February
Florida Southern Univ @ Detroit, 11am (LAKELAND)
Univ of Miami FL @ Florida, 11am (JUPITER)
Florida St Univ @ Philadelphia, 11am (CLEARWATER)
Univ of Michigan @ New York M, 11am (PORT ST LUCIE)

WED 27 February
New York M @ Detroit, 11am (LAKELAND)
Univ of Georgia @ Atlanta, 11am (ORLANDO)
St Louis Univ @ St Louis, 11am (JUPITER)
Cincinnati @ Philadelphia, 11am (CLEARWATER)
Manatee Comm Coll @ Pittsburgh (BRADENTON)
Washington @ Florida, 5pm (JUPITER)

THR 28 February
Florida @ Baltimore, 11am (FT LAUDERDALE)
Houston @ Cleveland, 11am (WINTERHAVEN)
Toronto @ Detroit, 11am (LAKELAND)
New York M @ St Louis, 11am (JUPITER)
Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia, 11am (CLEARWATER)
Boston College @ Boston, 11am (FT MYERS)
Minnesota @ Cincinnati, 11am (SARASOTA)
Northeastern Univ @ Boston, 4pm (FT MYERS)
Atlanta @ Los Angeles, 5pm (VERO BEACH)

FRI 29 February
Univ of So Fla @ New York Y, 11am (TAMPA)
Baltimore @ Florida, 11am (JUPITER)
Cleveland @ Houston, 11am (KISSIMMEE)
Detroit @ Toronto, 11am (DUNEDIN)
Los Angeles @ Atlanta, 11am (ORLANDO)
St Louis @ New York M, 11am (PORT ST LUCIE)
Tampa Bay @ Cincinnati, 11am (SARASOTA)
Florida @ Washingtond, 11am (MELBOURNE)
Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia, 11am (CLEARWATER)
Boston @ Minnesota, 5pm (FT MYERS)

http://www.springtrainingonline.com/features/master_schedule.htm

C A C T U S
WED 27 February
Colorado @ Chicago WS, 1pm (TUCSON ELEC PK)
Kansas City @ Texas, 7pm (SURPRISE)

THR 28 February
Colorado @ Arizona, 1pm (TUCSON ELEC PK)
Chicago WS @ Colorado, 1pm (HOHOKAM)
Texas @ Anaheim, 1pm (TEMPE)
Oakland @ Milwaukee, 1pm (MARYVALE)
San Diego @ Seattle, 1pm (PEORIA)
Chicago C @ San Francisco, 1pm (SCOTTSDALE)

FRI 29 February
Chicago WS W@ Arizona, 1pm (TUCSON ELEC PK)
Mesa College @ Colorado, 1pm (HOHOKAM)
San Francisco @ Chicago C, 1pm (MESA)
Anaheim @ Texas, 1pm (SURPRISE)
Kansas City @ San Diego, 1pm (PEORIA)
Seattle @ San Francisco, 1pm (SCOTTSDALE)

http://www.springtrainingonline.com/features/master_schedule_cactus.htm

Most games in both Florida and Arizona end on Thursday 27 March with the following weekend games being played in MLB stadiums.

I will post schedules later in January or early in February of all spring training night games, the games scheduled outside of spring training ballparks, and the master television schedule including all games available on satellite. And a final update of this schedule later as well.

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