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.