New Addition to the Family

Most of  you reading this know that Snowy died back in January.  Jan and I have felt a terrible void that has only slight improved since her death and at times - it's a very 'loud' silence in the house.   Still, when I come home from a trip, I have the urge to say "Snowy, I'm home" as I enter the house and it makes me sad when I think about her not being there.   She was very 'dog like' in her affection for us.

Well, we've made weekly trips to the humane society since Snowy died just to spend some time with the cats there.  About 5 weeks or so ago, we decided that it was time to seriously start looking for the cat that connected with us.  This was a difficult task that we learned a lot from.

While I was on my Minneapolis trip last week, Jan met a cat in the Edgewater facility named Bette Davis (because she has very big eyes).  It really connected with Jan and so Jan asked me to go check her out on Monday.  

When I first met Bette, she grabbed onto me and hugged me tight, but then after a few minutes realized that I was holding her in the middle of the room full of cages and she tried to get away.  I kept holding onto her for about 5 minutes and although she tried to get away, she was very patient and did not get aggressive toward my retraining her.     I put her back in her cage where she became very friendly.  It was obvious that she was not comfortable outside of the cage.

I went home and thought about it and spoke with Jan on the phone.  Jan reminded me that Snowy was like that when she first met us - she wanted to be with us on her terms - where she was comfortable.

I left the house an hour early yesterday on the way to the Airport and drove down to Edgewater again to see Bette.   We had almost the same experience, but this time - before taking her out of the cage, I asked for a chair to sit in.   When Bette got 'antsy', I sat down and put her on my lap which helped a lot.  Still, she wanted to be in her cage.

I knew that Jan really connected with Bette and I really enjoyed my time with her.   Before I left the shelter, I filled out the adoption information and gave them a $100 bill (for the adoption fee and I donated the rest).  The ladies at the shelter were very happy.  They really like Bette and said they couldn't wait to tell the other workers who weren't there at the time.

Since I was on my way to the airport and Jan is in Nashville, Bette will be there until Saturday afternoon.  Jan will pick her up after work and take her home.   We're both excited about it.

Dawn Launch

Literally.  This rocket was called the 'Dawn' and as I was talking to Jan on the phone this morning - just past dawn (remember -she's in Nashville),  I was standing outside in the pool area.  I looked back through one of the windows and saw on the news that a rocket was just about to blast off from somewhere.  It said "LIVE" up in the corner of the TV screen.   Of course, there aren't but so many places that rockets blast off from, so I turned and looked toward the SSE sky.  In about 20 seconds, the rocket cleared the treeline.

I wonder how many more I don't see just because I don't know that they are launching.

I'm off to Austin TX for a football game.

Days at home with Clouds

I'm at home alone this week because Jan had to go to Nashville for work.  She's really enjoying her job with Cracker Barrel.

The clouds in Florida are about the best on a regular basis of any that I've ever seen anywhere. 

The marine influence really produces some beauties.  In early morning and late evening, they're really lit up in spectacular colors.

Today, while at the marina, I notice the skyline just full of cumulus clouds and as I was about to get something out of my car in the driveway yesterday, I noticed how good the reflection looked in the rear window.  I like clouds.

Thoughts and Images from Last Weeks Trip

Last week's trip to Minnesota was enjoyable enough.  It was my second football game of the year, but my first as lead tech.  There's a big difference between working as a tech and as lead tech.  When you're lead tech - everything falls on your shoulders in regard to responsibility for the show coming off properly (yellow line wise).    My first week of football (in Michigan) was working with Charles.  You may remember Charles from my days of building houses in California City.  Here's a photo of Charles and his dad that I took while we were putting the roof on my house in California.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of Charles and I while we were working together a few weeks ago.  Charles has been working with Sportvision for 5 years or so  and he (as well as Rick and JB) are responsible for me getting a job there.

So this week, I worked with Kent.  Here's an interesting twist:  I also  worked with Kent in California City, but this time he's the new guy.  In fact, Charles and I are responsible for Kent getting a shot with Sportvision.  Kinda cool how it all comes together huh?  Here's a photo I took of Kent and I in the  production truck.

Here's a photo I took of Kent while we were working in California about a year and a half ago.

When I first got to Minneapolis, I got off the plane, got my rental car and went directly to the "Mall of America" to check out the Apple store and take free seminar they were offering on .mac.   This is the largest mall in the world (I think-   at least it's the largest in the U.S.).  It was so large that it had multiples of the same stores on different sides of the mall.

In the center of the mall is a theme park of sorts.  With a number of rides including  a ferris wheel and a roller coaster.  It's a pretty cool place with 3 full levels of stores.

Here's a new feature I'm going to add to my blog.  "Clever porta-toilet names".  I've  noticed almost everywhere I travel, the porta toilets that are supplied to the TV compound have some clever names.  As I see them and remember to take photos,  I'll post them here.

Football in Minnesota

This weekend I had a game in Minneapolis at the Metrodome. The dome is
kept inflated solely by air pressure. To enter the building, you have
to either come in a revolving door or through an air-lock system where
only one door can be opened at a time.
At one point during the weekend, we went out an "emergency" exit and
it seemed like we were going to be blown half-way across the parking
lot.
Here's a photo of the field just before a Twins game. After the
baseball game ended, they converted the stadium to football in about 3
hours.

More From New Hampshire

This week has been a good week for us so far.   We've not had any significant problems here at work and there's no Busch race associated with this week's schedule, so it makes it a significantly more enjoyable schedule -especially when there's no technical problems that take our time.

I had written that this was my last race for the year, but I was just asked to work the Atlanta Race at the end of October, so I'll be working that one.  Should be fun after being away from racing for 6 weeks at that time.

While walking to dinner last night, we passed a store that had an interesting manequin, so I had to take a photo.  Manchester NH is a nice place this time of year.  It's raining right now, but we don't think it will affect our schedule.

Wheels ready

I'm at the new hampshire speedway this week. While working on the
camera 6 platform I noticed all the wheels out and ready for Goodyear
to put tires on. Thought i would put a photo on the blog of it.

Outta here again

I got home on Sunday afternoon and I left my driveway for the airport
before noon today (Tuesday).
The transition from Nascar to football is a busy one where nearly
everyone in the company is on the road because of the sheer volume of
shows.
I'm on my way now to new Hampshire for this Sunday's race. This will
be my last race this season. I'm looking forward to the big change in
weather. Change is good.

I meet the King

Nope, not Elvis - the other King.    King Richard Petty.   I was coming out of the garage area today and Richard Petty was there on a scooter by himself.  I handed my camera to my buddy and told him to get ready (you don't always get a long time to get your photo taken with these drivers.

I went up to him and told him that my dad was his biggest fan and that he told me if I ever met Richard Petty to tell him that "if it's good enough for Richard Petty - It's good enough for him".   So I did.   The king said "well he sounds like he's a good guy".

Pretty Cool