It's Hot At Tahoe

A new study by UC Davis found that global warming is affecting Lake Tahoe.

You can read about it here.

For more information about the study and preservation efforts at Lake Tahoe, you can visit the website for the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Center.

The Job Part II: The Fridge

Many of you know that I have battled a past addiction to liquid cocaine.

Pepsi. Dr. Pepper. Mountain Dew. Coke. Sprite. Ah heck, any softdrink beverage that is carbonated, has caffeine, and gets me all revved up after I drink it.

I recently completed a fast from soda and have been feeling terrific. Soda no longer haunts my thoughts, gives me withdrawl headaches, or sounds particularly appetizing at 6:00 AM.

Until yesterday.

I walked into the kitchen area at my new office and saw two fridges.

"Weird," I thought.

I opened the first fridge. It was a normal fridge filled with normal foodstuffs. I proceeded to open the second fridge.

Oh my $&!#@*!!!

I nearly wet myself when I saw what was inside.

Row after row after row of soda. I'm not talking about ten or twelve sodas. I'm talking about six shelves of soda just beckoning to be had. I spent the rest of the day trying to forget about that second fridge.

It's almost not even fair.

The Job Part I

I began my new job yesterday. First day on the job. Yup. First day. I was expecting the 7th level of cubicle hell. I was afraid I would end up like the character Peter Gibbons from Office Space.

I can just imagine myself attending a session with a Occupational Hypnotherapist:

Peter Gibbons: "So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life."

Dr. Swanson: "What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?"

Peter Gibbons: "Yeah."

Dr. Swanson: "Wow, that's messed up."

Now, I don't expect to end up in a therapist's office complaining about my crappy job.

Not at all.

After my first day on the job all of my expectations were blown away. The office environment is -- how should I put this -- chill. My coworkers are extremely nice and my office area is great (I get TWO computer screens).

The day went fast, I got brought up to speed, and enjoyed my time very much. I'm excited to see what tomorrow holds.

U.S. Military Attacks Satellite

If you haven't heard, the U.S. Navy used a gigantic missile to shoot down an inoperable satellite today. Experts were worried that the satellite would come hurtling to earth, burn up, crash, and release a cloud of toxic gas in an area the size of two football fields.

Very cool stuff.

You can read about it here.

The Crystal Lounge

For the past couple of weeks, we've frequented the Grand Sierra Resort.

Since purchasing the property from The Hilton Corporation, GSR has completely renovated the interior of the hotel/casino.

In an area that was never utilized by the former Hilton, GSR has built a new lounge called The Crystal Lounge. There is a nightly performer named Chris Costa -- a vibrant and talented musician.

Costa sticks to the classics -- to artists and bands that actually made good music. Not today's crap.

You've got to see his Ray Charles impersonation -- it is unbelievable.

There is a 20' x 20' dance floor, which is busy for Costa's entire 4 hour set.

What struck me the most about the lounge is during our visits, we've noticed that we are the only people under the age of 40, let alone 30 in the entire lounge area. We watch the dance floor with awe as the other visitors dance the night away. Most of the people dancing are beyond their 40s and most seem to be in their late 50s early 60s. These people can "cut a rug" -- we've seen the Tango, the Fox Trot, the Waltz, and even Swing Dancing.

Two things have been impressed upon me by spending time in the lounge.

1. Our culture has radically changed in the past 50 years. Prior to today's synthetic beats and hip hop bass, youth had music they could dance to -- I'm not talking about the dancing we see on MTV -- I'm talking about dancing...with a partner that knows how to dance. Youth are no longer taught how to dance with another person, let alone the waltz, because appreciation for that music mostly doesn't exist in the youth culture today.

2. I'm appreciative of my upbringing. My parents introduced me to music at a young age and expanded my cultural horizons. I enjoy being able to know about and enjoy the music of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. I enjoy being able to bop along to the Glenn Miller Orchestra or get a kick out of "Run Around Sue."

In the end, Costa's show is a lively one-man act that is very entertaining. I recommend you check it out -- he appears 5 days a week from 7 - 11 p.m.

Now...if I only knew how to dance...

Tony Dungy's Memoir

Tyndale Publishing will be releasing Tony Dungy's, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, memoir. Dungy has hit the road to promote the book.

It should be a fascinating read.

Here is a link to a story from Yahoo.com about Dungy's memoir. Click here to read.

The Food Stamp Challenge

There have been articles circulating around the news bin about individuals taking the Food Stamp Challenge, including the Governor of Oregon.

Feed a family of four for a week on $129.50.

Think you can do it?

Here's a great article about a journalist in Kansas City giving it a try.

You can read it here.

This article will make you think about the money you spend on your daily Starbucks run our fast food lunch.

Braylon Edwards Gives Back

Braylon Edwards, a football player for the Cleveland Browns, has announced he is creating $1,000,000 worth of scholarships through his foundation for inner-city youth. This announcement follows a previous pledge to donate $500,000 to the University of Michigan, where he played college football.

You can read the article here.

Isn't that a much nicer story than hearing about Ron Artest beating his wife or Adam 'Pacman' Jones causing a gunfight at stripclub?

Freeway Collapse

This is a picture from the Associated Press of the freeway that collapsed in the Bay Area on Saturday. Apparently, a tanker truck carrying gasoline crashed and burst into flames. The fire burned to such a temperature that the steel beams that support the freeway melted and collapsed.

You know what is even more astonishing?

No one was hurt.

I hope drivers wear ear plugs today. The car horns will be in full effect as 280,000 individuals try to push their way into San Francisco.

Passing of a Legend

In sad news David Halberstam was killed in a car accident today.

You can read about it here.

The Passing of DJ

In sad news, Dennis Johnson, the 5-time NBA All-Star and member of 3 NBA Championship teams, died suddenly today at age 52. He won two titles with Boston in 1984 and 1986 and a title with Seattle in 1979.

I hope he's enjoying a cigar with Red.

Math Sucks

Did you know that 4 out of 3 people are bad at fractions? I am terrible at math. My math skills are an abomination. I barely passed the math portion of the GRE test to get into graduate school. Well, a new study may show that being anxious about an upcoming math test may lead to a lower score. You can read about it here. With the score I received on the GRE test, I must have been as nervous as a man about to hang on the gallows.

There is a silver lining though: At least I never have to take another math test. Ever. Ever. Ever.

George Washington

There was a good opinion piece today in USA TODAY. It was about George Washington and his faith in God. You can read about it here.

Another Step Forward in Somalia

In another major turn of events, the Somalian warlords have agreed to turn in their weapons to the new Somalian government.

It is another step towards consolidating a government as the final major warlord surrender 23 trucks with mounted weapons and 220 of his militia men.

You can read about it here.

Fighting a Ticket

I recently read this article in the Washington Post about Robert Eberth who fought a parking ticket for six years, and...won.

Not only did he win, but the Court of Appeals overturned a Prince William County parking code that had been in effect since 1965. I applaud Mr. Eberth's dedication to what he believed to be right and his perseverance to see it to the end.

The U.S. Intervenes

In a story related to the rebellion that led to the ousting of Islamic forces in Somalia, the United States launched the first of a series of attacks against suspected al-Qaeda members in Somalia. This is the United States' first incursion into Somalia since 1993.

You can read about the attacks here and here.

On Capitol Hill

What a busy couple of days in Washington.

Harriet Miers, White House Counsel resigned.

John Negroponte resigned his position as National Intelligence Director. President Bush then nominated Negroponte for Deputy Secretary of State. President Bush chose Vice Adm. Mike McConnell to replace Negroponte as the new National Intelligence Director.

Over on the hill Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the first female Speaker of the House and Harry Reid was sworn in as the new Senate Majority Leader. Rep-elect Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) caused a stir by deciding to use Thomas Jefferson's copy of the Quran for his ceremonial swearing in today.

On the judicial side of things, newly released FBI files show that the late Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist had a "disturbance in mental clarity" when he was taken off the drug Placidyl in 1981.

Job shuffleboard, gender breakthroughs, and a hallucinating Supreme Court Justice. Who says it's boring to follow politics?

Somalia Update

The New York Times continues to update the situation in Somalia. You can read about it here. Islamist fighters have pledged to continue to fight and no peacekeeping troops have been sent from neighboring countries. Ethiopia will be pulling out troops because it cannot financially sustain a fighting force in Somalia.

Keep an eye on Kismayo--the final Islamic stronghold in Somalia. The Islamists have fled south to Kismayo, a port city, and a huge battle may be waged there for final control of Somalia.

You may also read a new piece by Time about the fragile nature of the Somalian transitional government by clicking here.

On the World Front

In recent days, a new transitional government has taken control of Mogadishu and wrestled power from the Islamists in control of Somalia. This development could have significant ramifications in the war against terrorism and will benefit both Somalia and Africa.

You can read about it at The New York Times . Keep an eye on this developing story.