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including, the new mexico tea company, full of lovely loose leaf tea in canisters, at which i took no digital photos.  why, you ask? because film is better.  at least, film slrs are better than digital compacts.

and secondly, the boba tea company.  lovely casanova smooches.

and, in that lovely part of albuquerque (by unm) there was a buffalo exchange, an urban outfitters, and a camera + darkroom store.  i need to go back.

^feet

^melissa

^ at boba tea

^ the red arrow

^ and, mexican markets.  like hmart, but not korean. mexican.

…

  So my little vacation/help out went well and I’m back in Abq. Dropped in on the studio and had some fun messing around. We had our december workshop this past saturday which was on wreath making. It seemed to go well but I showed up late and christmas/holidays really aren’t my thing. I saw some pretty cool looking wreaths though and am looking forward to the abstract painting workshop which I think is in feb. I’ll post the saturday workshops before they occur from now on. Feb. should also be when the writers group resumes. When we do resume it I will be starting a blog just dedicated to it and perhaps posting some recordings from the guitar group if I catch some of their better jams.

By Lita Sandoval


Let’s just say that 2009 has not been my best year. I was laid off from my job in January. I accepted a position for another job soon after I was laid off and it turned out to be a terrible situation. I quit within three months. To add to the stress of finding a job, I got kidney stones twice, caught two teenage girls trying to steal my car from the driveway, and even had my garbage can stolen!

I am fortunate I have a temporary part-time job, which basically has saved my life. I make just enough money to pay bills and only have enough left over for a few extras. I’ve been thinking about how I am going to afford Christmas gifts for my family. I cut my list way back to gifts for immediate family only. My daughter also wants to give gifts to her friends—six of them.

I decided that I would make gifts for everyone. And I wanted my daughter to make gifts for her friends, too. Together we made jewelry for her friends. It was fun spending time together picking out beads and deciding which friends would like certain beads and colors. The whole idea of making gifts together was definitely cost effective, but what came out of that experience was a great bonding opportunity. It was also fun watching my daughter’s creativity explode. We can now check six people off the Christmas list!

My father helped me to decide on very special gifts I will be making for my sister, niece, and daughter. My father is always heavy on my mind during the holidays. He passed away seven years ago. The man was a fabulous cook. Family and friends still salivate when they talk about his amazing marinated steaks or his incredible paella. I thought it would be cool to gather all of his recipes, re-type them, put them in a beautiful box and give them to my sister, niece, and daughter for Christmas.

It has been an incredible experience going through those recipes! It was like going back through a time machine. I can look at a recipe and associate a special occasion with the meal my dad prepared. On many of his recipe cards, he wrote little notes that made me remember his wicked sense of humor. He named dishes after himself or altered the name of something that would incorporate his name.

Some of his notes were just cool, like the one on his paella recipe. He named it Paella Al Al. My dad’s name was Al and if you speak Spanish, you get the humor in the title. At the bottom of the recipe card it says:

Recipe from a restaurant at La Carihuela – a fishing village on the Mediterranean outside Torremolinos. 1984

While going through the recipes, I found one of my favorites: my dad’s Tequila Shrimp. I had never attempted to make this particular dish. I decided I would make the Tequila Shrimp and take it to a party I was invited to.

I used to love going to the grocery store with my dad and helping him find just the right ingredients for his meals. Going to the store and picking out ingredients for the shrimp dish with my dad’s very particular eye was important. I was excited to put it all together. I took out the special cazuela my dad gave me and took care to make sure the tequila shrimp not only tasted good, but looked good. I think I succeeded.

I hope my sister, niece, and daughter will think of my dad when they try out one of his famous dishes. It really is a wonderful legacy that he has left all of us. What better way is there to connect with family and friends than to sit around a table with a wonderful meal? And because I saw that my mom had her own little box of recipes, I’ve decided I must put hers in with my dad’s. Most of her best recipes aren’t written down, so we made a date to sit down and write them all out.

Needless to say, my stress of holiday gift giving has gone by the wayside. Jewelry has been made, recipes have been written out and precious time has been spent being with, thinking of and enjoying time with family. It seems as though my year has ended so much better than it started out.

Dad Grilling, photo of Al Sandoval (Lita’s father) grilling
steaks at home circa 1966, photo © 1966-2009
by Olga Sandoval. All rights reserved.

Tequila Shrimp

• 2 lbs. cooked shrimp
• 2 oz. Tequila
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 3 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 bay leaf broken up
• ½ tsp. salt
• Dash black pepper
• Garlic salt to taste

Mix well and add to shrimp. Coat well. Add:

• 1 lemon and 1 lime thin sliced
• 4 pearl onions thin sliced
• 1 cup black olives sliced
• 2 Tbs. chopped pimiento
• 2 roasted, peeled, chopped green chilies

Marinade in refrigerator for at least three hours.






Lita Sandoval is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a local blogger (currently on hiatus) known as Adelita—she made the top five “Best Bloggers” in Albuquerque the Magazine’s Best of City 2009, and for the past two years she’s been in the top three bloggers in the Alibi’s Best of Burque—who writes about the funky hometown she affectionately calls “Burque” (pronounced boor-keh, extra roll on the “r”). She’s also a jewelry artist (check out her work at her Etsy shop, although she warns that she hasn’t had time to add much to it lately but will in the new year) and collector of many unusual things. Her teenage daughter keeps her on her toes, as do her rowdy dogs, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Etta James. Her favorite saying is, “Oh sí liar!”

David manages a smile despite the ice sickles that have formed in his beard.

Today’s recipient embodies the very spirit of the mission that I set out to serve.  I hope that you enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed meeting with David.  

I had mixed emotions about heading out today to find a recipient due to the eight inches (and counting) of snow that has fallen.  Daniela and I decided to venture out and see who we would find.  The first person we approached declined to participate, she said she was very skeptical of any type of “offer” that she receives from people that she does not know.  

A few minutes later we saw a Street Sense vendor.  Street Sense is a newspaper with serves as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness in the community.  David, a Scottish lad from Glasgow in his twenties who came here to pursue the “American dream,” was sporting an ice sickle laden beard.   I explained what I was doing and he agreed to accept my $10.   

I could probably write a year’s worth of blogging just on David.  What an interesting person he is.  He left Glasgow back in the Spring and arrived in Baltimore and made his way to California.  Then he decided to make his way back east.  With virtually no money, he managed most of his journey by bus, hitchhiking, walking, and whatever else you could imagine.  He arrived in DC in early October and is living on the streets near 14^th and H.  David is joining the US military to go serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Aside from paying fairly well, there is a program that you receive US citizenship if you complete so many years of service, I believe David told me it was four years.  He hopes to depart in a few weeks.  

I asked David what he was going to do with the $10 and he said he was going to put it toward a bus ticket to NYC to complete some things he needs to enlist and go abroad.  

As I said, I could go on about David…but will just make a brief list of the interesting things I have learned about him.  

• David spent almost five years in the Légion Etrangère (French Foreign Legion).  As part of his training, he spent 6 months in French Guiana for jungle training.
• David’s grandfather served in Heinrich Himmler’s Sicherheitsdienst, the nazi intelligence organization.
• David has no family that he knows of.  He has two brothers that were more than 20 years older than him that he doesn’t know very well and has not seen or heard from in years.  His parents were killed in a highway accident and he explained his uncle was killed as a result of sectarian violence in Glasgow.  David, a catholic and self-confessed former hooligan, was injured in sectarian violence.  His leg was slashed with an ax years ago.
• David admittedly said that he refused to interact with Protestants in his homeland almost all of his life; however, rather recently he overcame some of his feelings and established some relationships with some Protestants in Glasgow.
• As those of you who are aware the fierce sectarianism that exists in Glasgow, you might guess that he is a die-hard Celtic (this is soccer, not the NBA!) fan.  Their “enemies” are the Rangers.  He let me know there was a match between the two clubs on January 3 and advised of the severe violence that was sure to occur.
• David use to follow the Celtic team around Europe…occasionally being ejected, arrested, or sent home.  There was a certain amount of passion that David exhuberates when he speaks about the Celtic club.  He reminisced about his youth days when the anticipation of physically attacking the other club’s fans would burn inside him.  I use the word “passion”, but it was clear that his passion took the form of rage and violence.
• He not only sells Street Sense, but is a published author for them.  He has three 3 articles published in the December 9-22^nd issue, including a poem.  One of his articles talks about what a typical day is like for a homeless person in DC and there is even a picture of David there.  He is a good writer and I strongly encourage everyone in the DC area to pick up a copy of this issue!  For those of you not in DC, it should be available online in February.  They have a delay so that they do not lose sales of the print version.
• David does not panhandle.  He doesn’t believe in that.  He feels that you should earn your money legitimately.
• Including my $10, he said that he has $23 to his name.
• David has been beat up and mugged several times in the US.
• His favorite spot in the US is Montana.  He loved the scenery and the crystal clear water coming down the mountainside.  His least favorite place was Albuquerque, New Mexico where he was mugged several times in one evening!
• He is ineligible for the US Air Force due to his tattoo on his neck.
• Sometimes David sells single cigarettes on the street just to get some money to get by.
• He does not drink or do drugs…well, he smirked and admitted in his rather mild Scottish accent that he has a beer every 2 months or so to “keep the kidney stones away!”  Back in his youth, he said he was quite a mess and spent some time in juvenile detention centers.

I feel like I could go on forever….but I have to bring this to a temporary closing for now.  We were chatting in front of a Starbucks that had closed do to the weather.  There was something sharply ironic in standing with a man who has $23 to his name and watch dozens of Washingtonians nudge by us only to see that the Starbucks was closed and hear them grumble that they can not get their $5 Skinny Hazelnut Latte with soy milk.    

The Sangre de Cristos on a Sunday afternoon

I love New Mexico. That’s what I want to talk about. I want to talk about seeing antelopes in the fields as I drive from Logan to Clovis. I want to tell you the where the cleanest restrooms are between Albuquerque and Tucumcari. I want you to know how it feels to be in an intertube in a cove in Ute Lake on a July afternoon. I want to talk you into a cold beer at the Mine Shaft in Madrid after an early morning at the balloon fiesta. I want to show you where my grandpa Terry homesteaded in Quay County in 1918. I want to take you to a feast day celebration at Santa Domingo Pueblo, or to Popejoy Hall for the Nutcracker, or to Pie Town for a slice of cherry pie. I want to take you dancing at the Bull Of the Woods in Red River. I want you to see the magic of an Albuquerque cemetery on Christmas Eve.

I’m a native, and I’ve lived my life here in the simplest fashion. I was born and raised in the least populated and possibly least traveled corner of the state. After years of living all over the state – in Las Cruces and Albuquerque and Farmington and even Clovis and Portales, I’m back home, in Logan, New Mexico, pop. 1100.

I’m not a travel writer or a politician. I’m not someone who’s paid to have an opinion about my subjects. I’m never going to tell you I love a place or event or even a meal in New Mexico unless I truly do.

I’m a single mom who’s done her best to live a life filled with adventure and excitement on the slimmest of budgets – I figured all along that my job as a mom was to keep my kids safe and cordial while giving them a pile of great memories. So a lot of what we’ve done for fun has been to get in the car and go somewhere really inexpensive but fun, someplace close to home, but exciting and exotic just because that’s what we do so well here in the land of enchantment.

So I love New Mexico. My ancestors came to Quay County just after the turn of the century, and my grandparents on both sides each had ten children. At the tail end of those were my parents. We Terrys and Ayres’s have a long and checkered past in Eastern New Mexico. And there are lots of us! I think I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 74 first cousins.

I’ve left a couple of times. Moved to West Texas for a year, came home happy to be back, then moved to Kansas for a year. Came back to Albuquerque relieved to be among some diversity and great food. Then moved to North Carolina for 355 days. I sat in a cemetery in Asheboro North Carolina one February afternoon in my ski jacket, thinking about the way the sunlight looks at the top of Kachina Bowl at Taos, and swore to God that if he would just get me back home, I would never leave again. Obviously a year away has always been my personal limit.

So, yeah, I love New Mexico with a sentimentality that will possibly be viewed as a little sappy and silly. I have been away, and amongst strangers who didn’t even know that my home state was part of the country. I have dreamed dreams of western style hash browns at the Frontier and carne adovada at Sadie’s. I have cried because I went a season without smelling green chile roasting in the fall air. My qualifications for writing about New Mexico have nothing to do with skill or connections, and everything to do with heart. This is my home, and it never fails to remind me that I belong here.

Let me tell you all about it. . .

I’ve always wanted to do a family’s portrait at a grocery store, so when the Guajardos suggested Wal Mart for their shoot, I was thrilled.  Ok, ok, this location is not for everyone, but for this fun, quirky family it was perfect.  As I left the house at 9 pm to go shoot this session, I asked my husband if he would come bail me out of jail if I got arrested.  I have read stories online of photographers who had been kicked out of Wal Mart stores for taking pictures there.  Well, not only did I not get arrested, no one even questioned us and we were shooting for an hour and a half!  Good job family!  This was one of my favorite session (and families) yet!

An Albuquerque, New Mexico based community group is making waves throughout the nation with their unique, landmark program.

Ordo Dei Imperceptus, a non-profit religious organization, has tasked themselves with protecting New Mexico’s member’s of the “fairer sex,” assigning body guards to any woman that was once in an abusive relationship that fears retaliation for seeking social sanity.

“Our first priority is to de-escalate the situation, said Ordo Dei Imperceptus president, Douglas Muhu. “The only actual way to solve that is to provide 24/7 protection, the police can’t do that, they do not have the manpower and the don’t have the resources, so it comes down to our community doing it themselves.”

Though some guards are armed, most would rather talk a potential threat down before resorting to violence. If action is taken, all guards are tasked with making a citizens arrest and informing local authorities of what transpired on a detail-by-detail basis.

Play-offs?!?  Who needs the play-offs?!?  Certainly not Division 1 football or the Kansas City Chiefs (or Joe Flacco, sadly). 

What better way to reward a season-long of bitter in-fighting than with a series of meaningless games geared toward economic stimulation of numerous cities across the country (the #1 reason to keep the current system)?  I’m excited and can’t wait (which I’m sure is not the feeling in Boise, Ft. Worth, and Cincinatti… But those are the breaks.  All the proposed plans for the four-team play-offs would’ve left one or two of you out, anyway.)

Without further ado, here’s my guide to the bowl season:

New Mexico – December 19^th

            Wyoming v. Fresno State

The last time Wyoming played in a bowl game, Michael Jordan was dominating the NBA, milk and a galloon of gas cost a little over a dollar, and Barack Obama was a barely visible community organizer on the south side of Chicago.  Needless to say it’s been awhile.  Expect the Cowboys to be distracted by the vibrant, Albuquerque nightlife (don’t laugh… ‘querque is LA compared to Laramie)

            Prediction: Fresno State 31, Wyoming 17

St. Petersburg – December 19^th

            Rutgers v. Central Florida

Here’s a battle of Knights, version red and golden.  Rutgers coach Greg Schiano prides himself on being able to recruit in Florida, so this game will have a little more riding on it than the average bowl game.  Mid-tier recruits notwithstanding (seriously, no blue chipper from the Sunshine State is going to Jersey or Orlando unless they’ve been charged with a felony… Even then, they’ll probably elect to go to Tennessee), look for Rutgers to grind out a fairly, easy win.

            Prediction: Rutgers 26, Central Florida 13 

New Orleans – December 20^th

            Middle Tennessee v. Southern Miss

Southern Miss can score points in bunches (Just ask Houston) and Middle Tennessee’s marquee win was when they barely beat Maryland, possibly the worst team in a major conference.  This one won’t be for the defensive minded fan, but I don’t think people usually turn on the New Orleans Bowl for clinical football.

            Prediction: Southern Miss 55, Middle Tennessee 35

Las Vegas – December 22^nd

            BYU v. Oregon State

This one is the lone, marquee match-up in this year’s first week of bowls (sorry, USC-BC).  Can BYU slow down the Rodgers brothers?  Not Likely.  Will Max Hall write one last, statistically-insane chapter to his legend?  Perhaps (OSU slowed down Jeremiah Masoli, but not Andrew Luck and Matt Berkley).  This one is a toss-up, I just hope the scoreboard in Sin City has been serviced recently because it’ll get a workout with this game.

            Prediction: Oregon State 51, BYU 49

Poinsetta – December 23^rd

            Utah v. California

In the season’s first bowl game not named for a place, two schools, named for a place, play each other.  Utah is far removed from last year’s dream 13-0 season, but still has a talented squad.  Matt Riley’s Golden Bears are every bit as talented, and soft, as any squad he’s ever coached.  I’ll take heart and Mormonism in this one.

            Prediction: Utah 24, California 19

Hawaii – December 24^th

            SMU v. Nevada

This game will be a Homecoming for once favorite son, SMU Coach June Jones, who established an exciting program at the Univeristy of Hawaii.  Look for his SMU team to relish their first post-season visit in like 2934873 years with another high-scoring game against the Wolfpack.  Both teams are big on offense and not so much on defense.  I give the edge to Nevada since they have Hawaii in their conference, they shouldn’t be too fazed by the environment.

            Prediction: Nevada 62, SMU 45

Meineke Car Care – December 26^th

            UNC v. Pittsburgh

This should be titled the letdown bowl.  After promising expectations (in Pitts case, a great 9-3 season which saw them 1:45 away from being BCS-bound.  A horrible exchange… No offense, Charlotte), both these teams are left to rue over another pre-New Year’s bowl.  Which team will use this to launch their season for next year?  I’m guessing the Tar Heels, which only lose two starters combined on offense and defense and should threaten for a conference (and even National) championship next season.  Though, we’ve heard this before.

            Prediction: UNC 27, Pitt 21

Little Caesars – December 26^th

            Ohio v. Marshall

The only thing that tops my shock that Little Caesars still exists, and that they can sponsor a bowl game, is the fact that Marshall is playing in a bowl game.  Does this game pit the MAC #8 and MAC#9 teams?  Wow.  Does it even matter who wins this game?  I guess this doubles as some sort of rivalry.

            Prediction: Ohio 24, Marshall 10

Emerald – December 26^th

            USC v. Boston College

Ah… In one corner, we have the class of the college football world for the past decade finally having a mortal season.  In the other corner, we have Boston College who is just happy to be here.  If USC were to play like this were a gateway back to prominence for next season, this game wouldn’t be close.  However, I feel they’ll play pretty uninspired, dissatisfied with themselves and their season, and hoping to get over as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, Boston College doesn’t possess 1/5^th the talent to trouble the hapless Trojans.

            Prediction: USC 30, Boston College 17

Music City – December 27^th

            Kentucky v. Clemson

Like Pittsburgh, Clemson came oh so close to playing in a BCS game (the Pitt-Clemson ratings would’ve been abysmal.  The Orange Bowl Committee is much happier with the GT-Iowa matchup.  MUCH HAPPIER).  Alas, they’ll have to content themselves with Nashville, a definite downgrade from Miami.  Unfortunately for Kentucky, Dabo Swinney is now coaching the Tigers, as opposed to Tommy “I can’t win after Halloween” Bowden.  At least Kentucky can save on air fare and tell their grandkids they played against C.J. Spiller.

            Prediction: Clemson 44, Kentucky 27

Independence – December 28^th

            Georgia v. Texas A&M

Jerrod Johnson made himself a household name by leading in undermanned Aggies squad in a just-short upset bid over rival, Texas.  This game will determine whether he’s the frontrunner for All-Big 12 and (possibly) Walter Camp honors next year, or whether he’ll follow fellow underclassmen, Jimmy “Glass Jaw” Clausen into the draft.  Looking at what fellow Big 12 QB, Josh Freemen, was able to accomplish last year with a good combine (1^st round pick despite a largely mediocre, college career), Johnson might try his luck.  I think he could use another year, but who’d turn down guaranteed millions?

            Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Georgia 23

Eagle Bank – December 29^th

            UCLA v. Temple

Up until Saturday, this was going to be a three-way brawl (as the original line had Army/UCLA v. Temple), terrordome-style or Rick Neuheisel was waiting to the 11^th hour, trying to convince his team to fly cross country to beat up on an opponent of no consequence (In all seriousness, Army needed to beat their rivals, Navy, in order to secure the requisite win total to be bowl-eligible.  They didn’t.  Their loss is UCLA’s sorta gain).  The Owls, making their first bowl bid seemingly since Jim Thorpe spurned their Letter of Intent to sign with the Carlyle School, are ecstatic to have a post-season to play in and would’ve taken either opponent.  Unfortunately, Navy really wanted that Commander-and-Chief trophy.

            Prediction: UCLA 20, Temple 16

Champ Sports – December 29^th

            Miami (FL) v. Wisconsin

In what is now becoming a yearly rite of passage, Wisconsin will travel down to sunny Florida to get the crap kicked out of them by a more athletic, annoyed ACC team.  Last year, Florida State scored about 381294872 points on them after a lackluster season.  This year, look for Jacorry Harris and Company to take out a late season collapse on the Badgers.  This one will be over by halftime.

            Prediction: Miami (FL) 51, Wisconsin 17

Humanitarian – December 30^th

            Idaho v. Bowling Green

Welcome to big-time football, Idaho!  As a reward, you get to be featured, nation-wide televised, at your bigger, better in-state rival.  That’s gotta leave every Vandal smarting just a little bit… They can score and will do so often on the Falcons.

            Prediction: Idaho 63, Bowling Green 41

Texas – December 30^th

            Missouri v. Navy

This bowl might be over in less than three hours.  Neither team is particularly in love with the forward pass; Navy, because their triple option attack is so lethal, and Missouri, because they’re just not that good.  Navy almost upset Ohio State and finished off Notre Dame in South Bend.  Missouri plays in the weakest division in major college football and didn’t come close to winning the division. 

            Prediction: Navy 27, Missouri 16

Holiday – December 30^th

            Arizona v. Nebraska

San Diego is this year’s location for the official “Bride’s maid” Bowl.  Arizona saw their Rose Bowl dreams vanish in a Jeremiah Masoli OT TD, Nebraska saw their Fiesta Bowl dreams evaporate on a fortuitous, instant replay reversal which allowed Texas’ escape.  Ndamukong Suh will be the reason Nebraska wins this one…  I’m glad he didn’t win the Heisman.  That’s why they have the Outland Trophy.

            Prediction: Nebraska 23, Arizona 13

Armed Forces – December 31^st

            Air Force v. Houston

The Falcons are back to where long-time coach Fisher DeBerry constantly had the team back in the “hey day”s of the 90s.  While not ready to challenge Navy for the Commander-and-Chief Trophy, they’re not a far way off.  However, they’re a far way off of challenging Houston. 

            Prediction: Houston 59, Air Force 20

Sun – December 31^st

            Stanford v. Oklahoma

The Toby Gearhart bowl should be one of the most highly talked about bowls that have no real bearing on the future of anything.  Part of the talk will deal with Sooner coach Bob Stoops.  As one of the game’s highest paid coaches in especially recession-hit Oklahoma, Stoops’ salary, as well as the Sooners 7-5 record, will be the talk of bloggers.  Expect Gearhart to play with Heisman vengeance.

            Prediction: Stanford 23, Oklahoma 21

Insight – December 31^st

            Minnesota v. Iowa State

This game wins the “Wait… those teams are bowl eligible!?!?!” award.  The Gophers have a QB identity crisis and the Cyclones (who have an identity crisis of their own… they look like they’re wearing USC’s uniforms) were the first to expose the world to the fact that the Cornhuskers have no offense.  This one isn’t worth missing a New Year’s Eve party over.  Though, it does beat the slew of New Year’s eve specials.

            Prediction: Minnesota 14, Iowa State 12

Chick-Fil-A – December 31^st

            Virginia Tech v. Tennessee

Some games, especially this one, feel like they should be rivalry games and played on a semi-regular basis.  These two, separated by 236 loosely populated miles, have been brand names in the College Football world for quite some time that it’s a wonder how they haven’t found a way to renew acquaintances more often.  The similarities don’t stop there as Lane Kiffin seems to be bringing a Frank Beamer-esque toxic atmosphere to the banks of Knoxville.  Look for Tyrod Taylor and friends to save some face for a lackluster 2009 season in emphatic fashion.

            Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Tennessee 7

Outback – January 1^st

            Northwestern v. Auburn

The Gene Chizik Era started off with “Told you so!” enthusiasm (5-0) and finished with a more expected result (2-5, with one win over a FBS team).  However, I do give Chizik credit for assembling a staff of “us vs. the world”ers (headlined by the always vengeful Gus Malzahn and his super powered offense).  Now, the test will be what he does next year in a loaded SEC West.  A good start would be to beat an overmatched Wildcat squad.  If betting were legal, I’d take Northwestern to cover the spread.

            Prediction: Auburn 27, Northwestern 24

Capital One – January 1^st

            Penn State v. LSU

Joe Paterno must be loving life right now.  With Bobby Bowden’s retirement, he stands alone, with no other challengers within sight, at the precipice of the coaching profession (in terms of wins).  I expect him to coast for the next few years, getting eight to nine wins in the “competitive” Big 10, and calling it a career, handing over the reins to his son.  That being said, look for Penn State to win most of the games they should, and none of the ones they shouldn’t.  This game falls into the latter category.

            Prediction: LSU 20, Penn State 9

Gator – January 1^st

            Florida State v. West Virginia

Here’s the final curtain call for two legends as long-time Defensive Coordinator, Mickey Andrews, and Hall of Fame Head Coach, Bobby Bowden, take the sideline for the final time (at least as Florida State coaches).  The whole notion of “win one for us” will be out there from every news outlet with even a semblance of coverage for the game and it will carry the day.  Unfortunately, this middling-to-average Seminole squad should’ve invoked that strategy against a flawed Gator team in the season finale as opposed to a very limited Mountaineer team.  Oh well, look for Noel Devine and Tavon Austin to make it interesting.

            Prediction: Florida State 30, West Virginia 24

Rose – January 1^st

            Ohio State v. Oregon

The Granddaddy of them all isn’t exactly your granddaddy’s Rose Bowl.  The Buckeyes and Ducks should put on an aerial display with two of the game’s most exciting QBs in Jeremiah Masoli and Tyrelle Pryor, but the game will hinge on defense.  Unfortunately, the Buckeyes haven’t really stepped up their game and will need a Herculean effort from Pryor to overcome the Ducks.  Unfortunately, Pryor hasn’t brought one of those this season (see: Ohio St.-USC and Ohio St.-Purdue) and Masoli has twice (see: Oregon-Arizona and Oregon-Oregon State).

            Prediction: Oregon 34, Ohio St. 23

Sugar – January 1^st

            Florida v. Cincinnati

Last we saw wunderkid, Tim Tebow, he was pulling an Adam Morrison as the final moments of the SEC Championship game ticked away.  Now, as he makes his annual Award show circuit, he’ll be reminded daily of his teary eyed defeat and we’ll get a chance to see the real Tim Tebow.  Will he wilt, lose his confidence, and fade into oblivion (a la Adam Morrison) or will he show resolve, fire up his teammates, and obliterate the Bearcats in New Orleans?  I’m thinking somewhere between the two (not that he’s not tough, but he’s only lost seven times out of fifty four career games, two of his last twenty-six… this is an unusual feeling for him and his teammates).  I’m expecting a tough, gritty Gator win (this was written before Brian Kelly took the Notre Dame job… Florida is going to knock the Bearcats back to irrelevance)

            Prediction: Florida 41, Cincinnati 13

International – January 2^nd

            South Florida v. Northern Illinois

It has been quite some time that we’ve seen a four-year, successful starter so easily forgotten in the wake of a true freshmen’s promise (last occurrence: Florida 2006), yet, that is the case at South Florida.  B.J. Daniels has all but erased program-maker Matt Groethe (for good reason… Daniels is superior in every single way.  Speaking of that, Brother A.J. made a funny remark about the Yankees recently signing Curtis Granderson in relation to Johnny Damon: “That’s it for Damon.  Granderson is better in every conceivable way that one can be better than someone else.  He’s faster, younger, more successful with the ladies… his charities raise more money.  He’s better!”.  South Florida in a blowout, unless the Toronto cold prevails.

            Prediction: South Florida 34, Northern Illinois 16

Papajohns.com – January 2^nd

            Connecticut v. South Carolina

Still reeling from the death of star Cornerback, Jasper Howard, UCONN has pressed through this season, courageously and unified.  While that didn’t show up on the scoreboard the first three games after Howard’s murder, it has the past few weeks in a major way.  Look for the Huskies to keep the streak going in one more tribute to their fallen brother and for Coach Randy Edsell to be on a short list of the various, coaching vacancies.  Though, how could he leave a school, and players, after forming such a permanent bond with them?  How could he stay at a school with that dark mark hanging over him?

            Prediction: Connecticut 20, South Carolina 16

Cotton – January 2^nd

            Mississippi v. Oklahoma State

Here is a bowl featuring two teams that were expected to have an outside shot at getting to Pasadena for the BCS Championship.  Once again, we find, championships aren’t won in August (but through luck and follow-through).  Mike “I’m still a man!  I’m 41!!” Gundy is in more dire straits as his team gagged away a BCS bowl berth down the stretch and his star QB had a total loss of confidence, Flacco Fever (yes, I’m bitter this very attainable, Ravens season is slipping away before my eyes).  Houston Nutt, the king of gadgetry, is the ultimate trickster who will relish three weeks to game plan.

            Prediction: Mississippi 34, Oklahoma State 26

Liberty – January 2^nd

            East Carolina v. Arkansas

This game is usually an annual blowout waiting to happen.  Conference USA is, usually, not in the same league as the SEC (which is why we don’t have a play-off).  However, this year may be an exception.  Though, that has nothing to do with the caliber of Skip Holtz’ Pirates (they’re good), but, more so, with the rebuilding going on with Bobby Petrino’s Razorbacks.  Ryan Mallet is going to be a star; he’s just not there yet.  This one will be close, but I give it to the hogs and their superior athletes.

            Prediction: Arkansas 30, East Carolina 19

Alamo – January 2^nd

            Michigan State v. Texas Tech

I can’t pretend to care about this game.  I’m tired of reading articles about “how smart” and “how advanced” Bob Leach, and his Red Raiders’ offenses, has become over the years.  Until he can pretend to care about defense, I can’t take them seriously (obviously, last year was an exception.  Though, Crabtree is just that good).  On the other side, you have the Spartans which are abysmal in every sense.  This one won’t be pretty.

            Prediction: Texas Tech 44, Michigan State 23

Fiesta – January 4^th

            TCU v. Boise State

Here is a game that should’ve happened during the regular season.  I think that, in order to end all of this mid-major for BCS conversation, the Mountain West champion should play the WAC champion.  That way, we’ll have one qualified winner come out that should contend with the rest of the major conference teams.  That’s unfair, you say?  Then these programs should dedicate their athletic programs to reaching the level of a major conference and apply for membership.  Beside the point, I know, TCU has too much defense and just enough offense.

            Prediction: TCU 27, Boise State 22

Orange – January 5^th

            Iowa v. Georgia Tech

How did the 2-loss Hawkeyes get into a BCS bowl?  No one really knows.  Though, it has more to do with other team’s deficiencies than the merits of Iowa.  Look for their slow defense to be run ragged by the misdirection of the Yellow Jackets triple option attack. 

            Prediction: Georgia Tech 37, Iowa 17

GMAC – January 6^th

            Troy v. Central Michigan

The victory lap for prolific Chippewas’ QB, Dan LeFevour, will be as impressive as his four years at Central Michigan.  Lost in all the Tim Tebow hoopla are the otherworldly stats that LeFevour has put up in his career.  LeFevour is the only player in NCAA history to have over 12,000 passing yards and 2,500 rushing yards and is the record holder for most total touchdowns in a career.  Look for him to substantially add to both totals in this one.

            Prediction: Central Michigan 56, Troy 31

BCS Title Game – January 7^th

            Texas v. Alabama

Congratulations to Mark Ingram, the second sophomore to win the Heisman trophy.  Unfortunately, this may be the highlight of his career.  Check the track record of running backs, not named Herschel Walker, who absorb this much of a beating so early in their career.  Doesn’t look good.  I think he may have peaked, athletically, and may not be able to make the transition to being an elite Sunday player.  I see a lot of Eric Rhett in him.  Speaking of not translating, poor Colt McCoy.  Four years of winning and big stats and success without major hardware to show for it (he had the unfortunate luck to be placed in an era of other, prolific QBs).  Finally, McCoy is getting his shot at a national title.  Regrettably, he also has his weakest supporting cast.  The, supposed, equalizer was the weak play of Alabama’s QB, Greg McElroy, which was disproved in the SEC title game.  Nick Saban and the Tide will clinch their first National title since 1993.

            Prediction: Alabama 27, Texas 17

Otis & Jolee

San Diego, CA to
Minneapolis, MN and Atlanta, GA
January 2 – 3 and 9 – 10, 2010

Otis was pulled from the Pasadena Humane Society on behalf of Wags & Whiskers in Minneapolis. He was extremely scared at the shelter but they worked with him a lot to bring him out of his shell. Now he is one playful pup – he loves being around other dogs! He needs to get to Minneapolis so Wags can help him find his forever home!

Otis

Jolee was red-listed at the North Central shelter in Los Angeles. A plea on Facebook helped find her a home in Atlanta, GA! The home has been screened and approved and now Jolee needs to make the trip to become a Georgia Peach!

Jolee

These kids will start the journey eastward together but then will head their separate ways after OK City. Can you help them get to their new beginnings??

Please, please, please – I need crossposting help from EVERYONE!! Many of these legs are for me!

Transport Coordinator:
PLEASE CONTACT DIRECTLY IF YOU CAN HELP
Kelly Gibson
mdgrrrl@msn.com

Please provide the following:
Leg offered:
First & Last Name:
Location (city/state):
Please provide full address if volunteering for an overnight.
Email:
Is email available from home or only work?
Home phone:
Cell phone:
Vehicle make/model/color/etc:
Name of coordinators or groups for whom you’ve driven before. If none, please give vet name and contact number.
Recommended meeting place, if any:

Passenger details are at the bottom of the post.

SATURDAY, JAN 2 – Otis & Jolee travel together

LEG 1: San Diego, CA to Yuma, AZ (I-8)
Time zone change, +1 hr
172 miles; 2 hr 40 min
7:00 AM – 9:40 AM PST
8:00 AM – 10:40 AM MST
Filled by sender (that’s me!)

LEG 2: Yuma, AZ to Gila Bend, AZ
117 miles; 1 hr 50 min
10:55 AM – 12:45 PM MST
Filled – thank you Cyndi!!

LEG 3: Gila Bend, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
77.4 miles; 1 hr 35 min
1:00 PM – 2:35 PM MST
Filled – thank you Carla!!

LEG 4: Phoenix, AZ to Cordes Junction, AZ(I-17)
66 miles; 1 hr 5 min
2:50 PM – 3:55 PM MST
Filled – thank you Elizabeth & Barry!!

LEG 5: Cordes Junction, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ (I-17)
78.7 miles; 1 hr 7 min
3:55 PM – 5:00 PM MST
Filled – thank you Elizabeth & Barry!!

LEG 6: Flagstaff, AZ to Sanders, AZ
143 miles; 2 hrs
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM MST
***NEEDED***

LEG 7: Sanders, AZ to Albuquerque, NM (I-40)
182 miles; 2 hr 30 min
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MST
Filled – thank you Tiffany!!

OVERNIGHT IN / AROUND ALBQ
Filled – thank you Dave!!

SUNDAY, JAN 3 – Otis & Jolee travel together

LEG 8: Albuquerque, NM to Tucumcari, NM
176 miles; 2 hrs 30 min
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM MST
Filled – thank you Tonya!!

LEG 9: Tucumcari, NM to Amarillo, TX
Time zone change, +1 hr
114 miles; 1 hr 40 min
9:45 AM – 11:35 AM MST
Filled – thank you Tamy!!

LEG 10: Amarillo, TX to Elk City, OK
147 miles; 2 hr 12 min
12:50 PM – 3:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Marjean!!

LEG 11: Elk City, OK to OK City, OK
117 miles; 1 hr 47 min
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Marjean!!

ONE-WEEK LAYOVER IN / AROUND OK CITY
Filled – thank you Diane M!!

When leaving OK City the following week, Otis and Jolee split and head off in separate directions.

*************************************
“A” LEGS: OK City to Minneapolis, MN
Otis only
*************************************

SATURDAY, JAN 9

LEG 12-A: OK City, OK to Perry, OK (I-35)
64.1 miles; 1 hr 5 min
8:00 AM – 9:05 AM CST
Filled – thank you Diane H!!

LEG 13-A: Perry, OK to Wichita, KS (I-35)
96.3 miles; 1 hr 30 min
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 14-A: Wichita, KS to Emporia, KS (I-35)
82.6 miles; 1 hr 15 min
10:55AM – 12:10 PM CST
Filled – thank you Penny!!

LEG 15-A: Emporia, KS to Lawrence, KS (I-335 / 70)
73.9 miles; 1 hr 8 min
12:20 PM – 1:30 PM CST
Filled – thank you Penny!!

LEG 16-A: Lawrence, KS to St Joseph, MO (I-70 / 29)
77.2 miles; 1 hr 14 min
1:40 PM – 2:55 PM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 17-A: St Joseph, MO to Rock Port, MO (I-29)
62.7 miles; 1 hr
3:05 PM – 4:05 PM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 18-A: Rock Port, MO to Omaha, NE (I-29)
63.5 miles; 1 hr
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM CST
Filled – thank you Linda G!!

OVERNIGHT “A” IN / AROUND OMAHA
Filled – thank you Jody!!

SUNDAY, JAN 10

LEG 19-A: Omaha, NE to Sioux City, IA (I-29)
96.7 miles; 1 hr 32 min
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CST
Filled – thank you Jody!!

LEG 20-A: Sioux City, IA to Sioux Falls, SD (I-29)
88.7 miles; 1 hr 27 min
9:40 AM – 11:10 AM CST
Filled – thank you Linda W!!

LEG 21-A: Sioux Falls, SD to Jackson, MN (I-90)
91.2 miles; 1 hr 29 min
11:20 AM – 12:50 PM CST
Filled – thank you Rhonda!!

LEG 22-A: Jackson, MN to Albert Lea, MN (I-90)
86.6 miles; 1 hr 20 min
1:00 PM – 2:20 PM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 23-A: Albert Lea, MN to St Louis Park, MN (I-35)
96.2 miles; 1 hr 29 min
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Mark!!

*************************************
“B” LEGS: OK City to Atlanta, GA
Jolee only
*************************************

SATURDAY, JAN 9

LEG 12-B: OK City, OK to Henryetta, OK (I-40)
91.6 miles; 1 hr 28 min
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CST
Filled – thank you Ethel!!

LEG 13-B: Henryetta, OK to Van Buren, AR (I-40)
99 miles; 1 hr 33 min
9:40 AM – 11:10 AM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 14-B: Van Buren, AR to Russellville, AR (I-40)
73.5 miles; 1 hr 8 min
11:20 AM – 12:30 PM CST
Filled – thank you Luann!!

LEG 15-B: Russellville, AR to Little Rock, AR (I-40)
71.3 miles; 1 hr 10 min
12:40 PM – 1:50 PM CST
Filled – thank you Luann!!

LEG 16-B: Little Rock, AR to Brinkley, AR (I-40)
61.9 miles; 56 min
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Tracey!!

LEG 17-B: Brinkley, AR to Memphis, TN (I-40)
69.4 miles; 1 hr 5 min
3:10 PM – 4:15 PM CST
***NEEDED***

OVERNIGHT “B” IN / AROUND MEMPHIS, TN
Filled – thank you Beth!!

SUNDAY, JAN 10

LEG 18-B: Memphis, TN to Tupelo, MS (US-78)
105 miles; 1 hr 40 min
9:00 AM – 10:40 AM CST
Filled – thank you Beth!!

LEG 19-B: Tupelo, MS to New Hope, AL (US-78)
60.3 miles; 55 min
10:50 AM – 11:45 AM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 20-B: New Hope, AL to Birmingham, AL (US-78)
71.3 miles; 1 hr 16 min
11:55 AM – 1:10 PM CST
Filled – thank you Stacy!!

LEG 21-B: Birmingham, AL to Heflin, AL (I-20)
73.5 miles; 1 hr 10 min
1:20 PM – 2:30 PM CST
Filled – thank you Andria!!

LEG 22-B: Heflin, AL to Atlanta, GA (I-20)
Time zone change, +1 hr
72.9 miles; 1 hr 10 min
2:40 PM – 3:50 PM CST
3:40 PM – 4:50 PM EST
Filled – thank you Kimberly!!

*************************************
PASSENGER DETAILS
NOTE: All dogs on the transport are UTD on shots and will be accompanied by a health certificate.
*************************************

SENDER:

Puggles & Pitties Pet Rescue
San Diego, CA

http://pugglesnpitties.petfinder.com

*************************************

RECEIVER A:

Wags & Whiskers
Minneapolis, MN
www.wagsmn.com

PASSENGER A:

OTIS
2 year old brindle Staffie
Approx 40 lbs
All shots UTD
Neutered
Very shy at first but very cuddly and sweet. Rides well, loves to sit in your lap.

*************************************

RECEIVER B:

Screened & approved forever home
Atlanta, GA
Contact info to be provided to drivers.

PASSENGER B:

JOLEE
2 year old blue & white Staffie
Approx 40 lbs
All shots UTD
Spayed
Very kissy and affectionate.
Will be coming with a crate; gets carsick.

Bye bye Buick!

I had to turn in my honkin’ big rental car on Friday.  I’m on assignment, so didn’t think I needed to pay for the car to sit in my garage while I was on the road. I’m telling you, I’m going to miss that behemoth. The Buick folks are getting good reviews for the 2010 Enclave, and with good reason. Luxurious, well-appointed, nice extras (Bluetooth, heated seats, aux plug for mp3 players, remote start, etc.). I thought the engine had a little more pep than most reviewers were giving it credit for. Of course, I’m used to driving a 10-year old 4-cylinder compact.

Not this car, but like it

It was a familiar feeling being back in a Buick. After the family Edsel caught fire during our move to New Mexico, Dad got his first of several Buicks, starting with a gray ‘61 LeSabre.  The speedometer was rectangular, stretching across the dashboard and was installed pointed straight up, with the numbers in reverse. Drivers actually looked a mirror to see how fast they were going. I was in the car on a Saturday, playing at the steering wheel (Dad was going to let me go to the store with him). Anyway, I gave one of the handles a tug, and the car careened backwards down our very steep driveway and smack into the milk truck parked in the street. In my defense, I was 4, hadn’t started kindergarden yet, and couldn’t read “parking brake.” The milkman was pretty undone, but Dad took it in stride… and still took me to the store later. Our next 3 family cars were Buicks too.

Riding in Style?

I had a Buick of my own a few years later. When I was working in Savannah, Georgia in 1988, I paid $500 for a ‘66 Buick with a leaky crankcase. After a few years of driving cars with seat belts and crash-resistant bumpers, it was strange driving on a bench seat and a rock hard steel steering wheel covered in hard plastic. I drove it to Wilmington, North Carolina for a job interview and didn’t make it back without needing another $300 in repairs. The poor thing died when I was driving back to Wilmington after getting the job. So I went without Buicks for a while.

I won’t know for a couple of days, but I should be getting my own car back this week. The original estimate was Christmas, so this week is much better. Still don’t know how many thousands of dollars it’s going to cost — but there’s going to have to be at least a new door on the driver’s side of the car. And I’m still a little spooked about getting back into a really small car. That’ll probably last until the first time I have to squeeze into a tiny parking space.

Out & About

Lake view room

I was in TV news for 20 years, from 1986 through 2006.  Worked in 8 different markets.  Jobs included weather forecaster, assignment desk, shooter, writer, copy editor, reporter, anchor, managing editor, executive producer and news director. And I’ve been on more airplanes headed to out-of-town shoots in the last six months for Running Pony Productions than in all that time in the news business.  I was always the guy who got to drive to stories when I was a reporter… never the one who got the nice trips. Well, between the security, sometimes inclement weather, tight spaces inside planes, travel isn’t the most fun thing in the world. But, even though I tend to be a homebody, it is nice to get away, even if it’s for work. I haven’t started racking up the sweet airline miles and hotel points yet, but they will add up. I can see Presque Isle from my hotel room… how often can you say that? Yes, it’s a small enough place that the airport only has 7 gates, but hey, my car may be fixed by the time I get back.

We pushed through all day Friday… and into the when. When we finally got into Potomac, MD at 1am. It was rough!!! I was sneezing and coughing and blowing my nose every five seconds. And to top it off, I was driving.

We left Albuquerque, NM Thursday morning with temperatures in the teens… Yikes! It had been way too long since I was in temps that cold. But Mike was driving and we made it into Amarillo as the sun started to peak out of the clouds and warm things up.

We stopped off at Wendy’s for a Baked Potato and Green Salad. I immediately ate the Baked Potato and held off on the Green Salad until later…. we ended up sleeping in Little Rock, Arkansas.

From which we left early in the A.M. Friday morning… there was a Starbucks right next door to the Hotel, and I couldn’t resist the temptation of a Pumpkin Spiced Latte with Soy Milk…. From there we pushed into Tennessee where we stopped for lunch. I wanted so much to eat fast food, but we actually found a Panera Bread place. That’s where I warmed right up with a Vegetable Soup and Green Salad with an Apple on the side. That was a very refreshing lunch, from which I got up to take my empty plates to the trash, when I hit the dividing wall and dropped the soup bowl on the floor. It made the loudes crash… for which I was completely imbarressed.

Moving on,… for the rest of the journey to drove in the dark and only stopped for gas and to switch drivers. I ate my Apple from lunch and had some Almonds and drank alot of water. Finally, we made it!!!

Me and Vic on Route 66!

Yes this is actually only part 2 of 2. In which I will probably end up repeating some stuff since I haven’t read the last post in about as much time as you have. So let us recap, when we left, I had just experienced Nashville.

Recap complete.

From there we left for Oklahoma City. Now when you hear Oklahoma City, you probably think similar thoughts as I once did. Some tractors and lots of corn, not much else. When we got there it was dark, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s always  dark in Oklahoma City, I’m sure that in the day time it’s quite bright, possibly even sunny. But that is beside the point. Oklahoma city is really cool. A place I would actually travel to, just to see it. We went to this great micro-brewry/restaurant, where you can buy half-gallon jugs of beer for $13.

Half a gallon for $13!!!

And then get them refilled for $7!!

It was good beer too, actually make that great beer. So we ate, drank, and made merry before the morrow’s drive. We originally were going to stop off in Albuquerque for the night, on our way from Oklahoma city, but decided to wait until after we got there to decide on whether or not we wanted to go the distance. So after a drive through the rest of Oklahoma, and the miserable cold in texas,  we finally entered New Mexico

A state perhaps famous for nothing, not completely sure. Some New Mexico enthusiasts can probably prove me wrong. We entered Albuquerque and were immediately struck by the most prominent feature of Albuquerque. The dry sunny weather? The kicks as promised along route 66? The brilliant native american influence on the city? Let’s answer ”no” to all of those questions, the real answer is the startlingly high amount of young women with child. No by with child, I mean pregnant, but there were also a large amount with children too, and a suprising amount that were pregnant and had children with them. Apparently if there is one claim to fame for the city of Albuquerque, it must be labelled as the most fertile city in the USA. Needless to say, we immediately decided to do the drive to phoenix immediately after finishing lunch. I don’t think any of us wanted to run the risk of becoming pregnant whilst inside the city limits. So we drove it.  

Later that night I finally stepped out of the car, and revelled in the warmth that allowed me to just wear a t-shirt, I was finally in Phoenix, the land of opportunity, gold, and mechanical bulls.

While out there in Phoenix I did a few things that people rarely do. One was panning for gold, and yes we actually found some too. Out in the desert wilderness, basking in its baking temperatures. It was amazing, I was even able to muster enough sunlight to get a tan, even a sunburn. But now, that tan is nothing but a faded memory.

So I have just bought another ticket out there.

Funny how things work like that.

Also while I was there my trip was accented with something you’d barely dare to dream of doing, and by that I mean probably aren’t too keen on doing. I am of course talking about riding a mechanical bull, which was quite the experience. In retrospect those bulls are not the most anatomically friendly pieces of equipment, at least not for guys. If that isn’t enough to scare you, I heavily recommend doing stretches before mounting those things, after my startlingly prolonged ride, the next morning my body was quite sore. Mainly my lower back and inner thighs. I doubt it’s something I’ll ever do again. But check that one off of the list of things I’ve done while alive.

As for skydiving, I think I’ll put that on the list of things to do after I’m dead.

The recent Billboard "Coalition to stop $30 billion dollars to Israel" put up.

          In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a group of people who formed “Coalition to Stop $30 billion dollars to Israel”, has broken a new barrier in the United States. They made a billboard telling the congress to stop spending our American dollars on Israel.

         Back in April, the Coalition put up billboards similar to the ones shown in the picture above. They were torn down after 3 weeks of being up. The contract was set for a longer time period. People complained to the billboard company and said that Israel shouldn’t be at fault for their crimes against humanity.

        This brought a lot of International Media attention, but now the billboard is back up! It took a lot of effort to get it back up, but it happend. The first billboard was supposed to be at another location, but then after 45 minutes of being up, it was torn down. So now, there is a new location and so far it’s been going smoothly, but the Coalition hopes to expand the billboards into different locations.

            There has been ongoing support for the Coalition  from all over the nation and even the world. People sending in letters thanking the Coalition for their efforts to raising awareness of this problem that effects Americans everyday, whether they know it or not.

          We spend $30 billion dollars of our money to a country who uses that money for murdering others. That’s our tax dollars that can go to American Education and helping fix the economy problem. Instead of trying to help Israel’s economy, we need to start focusing on our own.

           The Coalition in Albuquerque is very active in their intiatives to raise awareness. Throughout the state of New Mexico, they send out their message in creative ways that not many people do in New Mexico. They hold out signs on bridges that says “Stop Israeli Aparthied”, and they are committed to helping the Palestinian cause. Certainly by putting a Billboard up that condemns Israel, it’ll sure bring attention to the cause.

For more information on this Coalition visit http://www.stop30billion.com/

From Sandia…

Illustration

ALBUQUERQUE – Sandia National Laboratories plans to conduct a controlled fire experiment between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Sandia’s Test Facility in Technical Area 3 on Kirtland Air Force Base.

A plume of black smoke emanating from the southwestern side of the KAFB could be visible in the Albuquerque area during the test.

The test will burn liquid methane and will last approximately five minutes.

Test dates and times are subject to change based on weather conditions.

The experiment supports Sandia’s national security missions.

The experiment is designed specifically for burning liquid methane contained in a water pool.

Burning methane does not produce embers and Sandia has taken numerous fire safety precautions.

Those precautions include a prescribed burn of brush, grading fire break roads and stationing several fire trucks and personnel around the perimeter of the facility to prevent the fire from accidentally spreading beyond the experimental set-up.

The test is being conducted in accordance with all applicable safety and environmental regulations.

Roll Call Atta Boy Alert®: Roll Call sends a double Atta Boy out to Christof Bembieu and Monique Jujuque, of Paris, France, who recently cleaned up the streets of their La Bourse neighborhood in Paris by dragging a technologically advanced trash net behind their bikes. As an entity that’s not especially technologically advanced, My Year As A Freelance Bicyclist is dazzled and awed quite easily, but a two-bike trash-picker net is all sorts of spectacular. Atta boy, French people.

Roll Call sends a silent Thanks, buddy to “GhostPack,” a graffiti artist/petty criminal in Albuquerque who painted, in our honor, a detailed (and, sure, illegal) image—a zooming, jumping purple bicyclist—on the brick wall of a YWCA in downtown Albuquerque. Under the purple bicyclist he painted “Rollin’ Call.” I won’t split hairs with GhostPack on the name of my column—Rollin’ Call works just fine for me. And we all know I love New Mexicans.

Roll Call sends a Bike About Town!® to the fine folks at Wilson Sons Biking in Jax Beach, Florida, a store that sponsors inner-city riders who show great potential but have limited resources. On the flip-side of that, we also send a heavyhearted Bike In The Gutter® to Johnson & Nephews Bicycling in nearby Holiday Harbors, FL. Johnson & Nephews refused to allow black bicyclist Donnie Winters to join its traveling team, despite the fact that Winters hasn’t lost a race to any rider on Johnson’s team in over three years. The official reason for the snub was “team chemistry.” Ha! Listen here: Johnson & Nephews, you racist motherfuckers, I hope you die in the gutter, or else at least get injured badly and have to lay in the gutter for a while. I hope the Johnson nieces get injured, too, because I’d bet my Stump Jumper that they’re just as racist as the rest of you nephews.