My Drive Home

My drive home took just a little longer than usual because one, it was raining and two, there was a rollover on the opposite direction and everyone had to look.

This is what I saw as I waited at my my exit. It looked a lot nicer but I didn't have my camera with me, so this is all you get!

After viewing this for a second, it made me think of the bible. It says to see the rainbow as a promise that God wouldn't flood the world again. He'll just destroy it another way. Okay, that made me ask, or more that it made it sound like they had not seen rainbows before. We know what rainbows are, and how/why they appear.

Anyone know?

Random Sam Fact #193

I like to watch the rain drops roll up the windshield.

I don't use the wipers unless it would be unsafe not to. Basically, I like the trails the drops leave, but it can't be raining too hard because then they just splatter.

A Letter to Santa

Do you remember when parents took their kids to stand in line and see the big ol' fat Santa? They listen to their little boy or girl tell Santa about everything they wanted?

Later, you were able to write a letter and mail it to Santa to give him your gift ideas. Of course, Santa is up with the times so he started taking e-mails.

This year he went all out and hired some new IT guys so he now has IM and Chat capabilities. His hybrid eco-friendly (reindeer poop is re-cycled to power) sled is equipped with Long-range wireless, and his LCD monitors installed by PIMP MY RIDE show constant stock levels of all toys so if he needs to stop off and re-load he can.

GPS routes are planned based on the "naughty and nice" lists and avoid delay areas such as those pesky airports. The new system will cut down on time, and a new "cookie suction device" will go down the chimney so that the fat boy doesn't have to try and squeeze in.

Santa isn't outsourcing his duties so all is well! Are you ready for Christmas?

Crosswalk

I know nobody will believe this, but a taxi-cab stopped for me at the crosswalk and the light ahead wasn't red! Normally people ignore pedestrians in the crosswalk even though there is a huge sign that says, "Pedestrians have the right of way."

Snapple Real Fact #28

Chewing gum while peeling onions will prevent you from crying

Okay any of you cooks out there, have you tried this?

I'm in Early

Well, I woke up 4:50 a.m. couldn't fall back to sleep. Should I try to go back to sleep or just get up? I decided that instead of just laying in bed watching/listening to CNN, I'd just get up and start my day.

I bought some bolts last night for my car and crawled under my car to put them in. No more vibration rattle. :)

Long Day

My weekly status update meeting was postponed by an hour and a half - ugh. I thought it would run into my lunch but I timed it just right.

The Blood Bank e-mailed me that it's time again for my double blood donation again. Does it seem like 4 months since I did it last? I guess so, they wanted to make sure I got the message because they called at home and on my cell. I stayed late to make up the time that I will use tomorrow to go after my lunch break.

I went to the park...it's dark after work. Went to Costco ($3.229), Rubio's and saw someone from my work with her family! How funny that we left almost at the same time and ended up in the same place. Went to Autozone to get some bolts for my car, played some America's Army, talked to a friend, and then packed up some stuff for my friend.

Monday Night Football

I watched the Dolphins -v- Steeler game while playing America's Army. I want the Dolphins to go winless for this year! That way they will have the distinction of being the only team to go undefeated AND winless. :)

The game was pretty bad: 3-0 Steelers. That's all there is to say.

Chargers Win!

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It was good to see that the Chargers finally showed some offense. Phillips was good through the air, but LT struggled for yards. Congrats LT on getting 10,000 yards! Can the Chargers go 10-6 this season?

One funny thing today was that a friend called me and asked me to look up directions while they drove. I loaded up Google Maps and told them step by step what each of the landmarks would be. The satellite view was pretty helpful when there is nothing else around. :)

Did anyone watch the Patriots -v- Eagles game? I did! Pretty good game and I'm sure that the Pats got a little scared there! I still want them to go undefeated the whole season.

No Motivation

I didn't feel like running but got my lazy butt out there and just did it. Actually, I probably ran 1/3 of the way and walked the rest with intermittent jogs. First days back are slow like this but I'll get back into the swing of things.

Black Friday

One of my friends called me today while they were in line waiting for the store to open for Black Friday. Who the heck is calling me at 5:30 a.m.?! We talked until right before the doors opened, expecting the mad rush! :)

Yes, I vegged out the whole day! It was pretty cool, and I turned off the alarm so that I didn't get my 5:45 a.m. wake-up shock.

I finished off my turkey sandwiches for dinner. I don't put much on there except, wasabe mayo, mustard, salt, pepper and white meat on white bread.

How long do your Thanksgiving left-overs last?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Heather just finished her first 5K run. We agreed that her official time was off because it took 6 minutes just to get to the starting line! Would it surprise you that a Kenyan won? Fast, fast, fast.

We're heading out to visit some friends right now so...Hasta. Enjoy your day!

Turkey Day

It's interesting what you see when you walk around the offices. But this was the most creative for the day. I just had to share.

How would you feel if you knew you were going to be stuffed and eaten tomorrow?

The One

The big topic today at lunch (chicken flautas for me) was how long it takes to realize when you are with "The One." The answers varied but the guys wait until they found out if a woman will do certain things while the women wanted certain traits.

How long though? None of us believed in love at first sight. I feel that is more of lust at first sight because you have no idea how they handle conflict, temptation, moods, finances, etc...You know very quickly if you "click" with someone but the majority agreed that it was somewhere in the 4-6 month range. But, then even when couples know they aren't compatible, they stay together.

After the honeymoon stage, when you have to rely on communication and conflict resolution is when you really find out if you will end up staying for good.

Snapple Real Fact #82

August has the highest percentage of births.

Hmmm...I wonder what could be so special about the month of November?

I Didn't Have Time

Have you ever planned something with anyone and it didn't happen because the other person said, "I didn't have time." As you get older you begin to realize that that isn't the real answer.

What they are really telling you is this: What I actually ended up doing was more important to me than doing something with you!

To prove this I ask the question, "If someone were to give you ONE MILLION DOLLARS, tax-free with no strings attached, would you have shown up?" If they answer honestly, well the answer is yes. But then again, how many people can say, "I just didn't want to..."

What do you think?

Turning Right

I'm driving home, and notice a truck changing into lane one (fast lane). Nothing unusual about that but he had his RIGHT blinker on for the next 16 miles. Cars kept giving him room to move over but he never did. I got to my exit and his blinker was still going.

You ever feel dumb when you realize your blinker has been on for miles?

Conference Calls

I get an outlook reminder that our conference call is about to begin, and I get that "ugh" feeling. I don't really like these types of calls, unless it's the kind when we use the giant plasma and you can see everyone on the other side and you can tell whether they are listening or paying attention.

Just then several technicians open the door and looked surprised we are there. They wanted to work on the lines or something related. The boss wanted it done now so conference or not...it was getting done now! As one of the guys was working on it, we lost our call. Naturally everyone looked over at him and he had the panic look - "What did I do?" We call back and everything is back on track.

The guy leaves and comes back twenty minutes later, and as soon as he sits down at the little box, we get disconnected. Everyone in the conference room turns and looks at the guy. This time he raises both hands, shakes his head and says, "NOT ME!! I didn't do a thing!" We busted out laughing. He gets up and walks out of the room!

We figured out that when you reserve one hour for a call, that's all you get. The call went dead mid-sentence, and our little code no longer worked.

Random Sam Fact #378

I don't have the light on when I take a shower. Why have it on? I know where everything is that I need to wash! :)

Chargers lose to Jaguars

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After "beating" the Colts last week, you would think the Chargers would try to prove that they were better than that...but, the Chargers lost again! When they step on the field you don't get that warm and fuzzy feeling they are going to score. Since LT has been shut down overall, it's up to Phillips and step up and find another way to score. Would you think they would be 5-5 at this point?

The only thing going for the Chargers at this point is that the AFC West is a really weak division, and probably the division winner will end up 9-7, or 10-6?

Google Image Labeler

I was looking for some images on Google Image and finally clicked on Google Image Labeler that is on the google image page to see what that was all about.

In my opinion Google is using it's users with Google Image Labeler to give better descriptions for the bazillions of images that they have indexed. They use the game and point method and I played it for about 30 minutes (yes, I was hooked for a little). I was teamed up with a random person and we both are presented with the same image and then have to type descriptions for the image and can't use certain words that have been used (labeled in red). Someone asked me why the random person and I responded so that you can't label a picture of rose as "BOTTLE" with a friend.

Points are awarded for descriptions that you both match on. You have a certain time limit to accomplish this and you can enter words, or pass. I got almost 3000 points with one person and averaged 700 with another. It helps to be teamed up with a fast typist because you want to go through as many images as possible in your time limit.

Google keeps track of a ladder board and all your points or you can remain anonymous (guest). Try it out...

The Brickyard

Today we went to the brickyard for lunch. Robert, Kim, Denisse, Kathi, and I walked just a block or so and kicked back for a little get together

Each time the trolley passed by the window rattled. We just looked at each other but got used to it after a couple of times.

We haven't been to sushi lately, so don't be surprised if we head out to Harry's :)

Do you have a lunch spot you like to hit on Friday's?

Snapple Real Fact #183

The Capitol building in Washington D.C. has 365 steps to represent every day of the year.

America's Army Squad Leader

Each time I play America's Army on-line, I choose to be the Squad Leader. In this role, I can see every member on my team via the SAI (Situational Awareness Indicator). I don't go all rambo and try to mow everyone down, but act as the eyes for the team. I direct our guys to the enemy and hope they listen.

I can see when those little dots turn red meaning that they got killed and can tell where the enemy is attacking from. When my team actually listens to me we can mount a good defense and win.


This game is a time and objective type of simulation, but many play it as an arcade type and then get mad that they aren't any good. I've played enough to know the tricks the enemy uses...I have time on my side. Don't let that smoke detract you from where the real enemy is...Can you spot the two enemies waiting to shoot you?

And of course, you don't want to hear: "Your squad has been eliminated!"

Snapple Real Fact #133

Honeybees navigate by using the sun as a compass.

What do they do when it's overcast, navigate by the brightness level? How about the other types of bees?

Cheesecake Factory

My friends and I had been planning on going to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate our combined birthday's but one celebrated with the wife, so he bailed on our invite, and another just couldn't make it.

Before we ordered, I had mentioned to the server that we had come to celebrate our birthday. She had that "yeah right!" look on her face and proceeded to take our order. It was Tuesday so it wasn't crowded and our order arrived really quick! Yummy.

After the meal, our server asked about dessert and of course we were stuffed. My friend and I were surprised that they didn't bring out the little sliver of cheesecake. But, a second later along with my credit receipt came these two ice cream and chocolate sundaes! :) Three severs sang their version of "happy birthday" for us, and I accidentally blew out the other candle too. Uh, what is the penalty for that?

Carpool Violators

This morning the CHP (California Highway Patrol) had another trap at the end of a metered ramp on the carpool side. Two cars were pulled over and another violator approached the light (heh heh nobody would let him back in the polluter lane) and I can just imagine that his heart rate went up like a rocket. He managed to sneak by as the officer was getting something from the patrol car.

This all made me think of re-enforcers. If the CHP was there everyday then there wouldn't be any violators and the rate of return versus cost to have the CHP there would be very bad. Unless you got people that never used that on-ramp and took the chance.

If they appear every Monday then people would get wise to it and then the rate would go down on those days. But, if it was random...and not having a limit as to how many times per week, then the rate would be very good. Then it would boil down to if the driver wanted to take the risk.

What kind of event would it take for you to take the risk?

Snapple Real Fact #29

On average, a human being will spend 2 weeks kissing in his/her lifetime.

Let's do the math: 336 continuous hours of kissing, usually at the beginning of relationship, or if you date a lot...hmmm.

Is this figure too low, or too high?

Veteran's Day

I didn't have to work today since it's a Federal holiday and slept in till 7:00 a.m. or so, but many of my friends had to work. Of course, I called a friend to pick on them and do the "neener neener!" dance :)

Didn't do much but I played America's Army on-line, did pretty well, did laundry, cleaned up a little. The grass needs to be cut, but I wasn't feeling like doing that. Nothing much else really...

I borrowed that image from Google obviously and like to see what little graphic they'll put up for a given holiday or event. I wonder if anyone has a collection of what designs they have used before.


What did you do for Veteran's Day?

Chargers Beat Colts

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I thought the Chargers were going to lose this game before it started but I didn't post my pre-game prediction. The reason? The Colts had just lost to the Patriots and would need to stomp on somebody and the Chargers were next on the schedule. The Chargers would have been demoralized at the loss the previous week to the Vikings and then say, "Oh crap, now the Colts!"

So, the Chargers get a couple of special teams gifts and the offense was weak! No second half scoring AGAIN. Even though they "won" the game because the Colts missed a high percentage field goal, they are in trouble unless they pick it up a notch!

The rain was a surprise, but San Diego needs it. Things are just a little too dry around here right now.