The days of the “paper bags over the head” have given way to “destiny” and a dream come true for the 2010 Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints and their many fans on Sunday. I thought the cool headed Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts would end up on top when pitting arm against arm, but the mistake free Drew Brees threw for a recorded tying 32 completions, rallying his team to a 31 to 17 victory over the Colts. He was deservingly chosen the game’s MVP for a performance admired by any fan of the NFL. Brees stated after the game, “We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us. What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time and it’s better than expected.”
A disappointed Peyton Manning (four time NFL MVP) commented as he walked to the sideline after the game, “It’s time for the Saints to celebrate. It’s their field and it’s their championship.” Manning’s performance was almost MVP caliber as well and if the score would have been reversed, I have no doubt Manning would have been the game’s MVP. Although the Colts quarterback was nearly perfect, he did throw the games only interception — a costly turnover that was returned by New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter for a touchdown. The games only turnover prevented the Indianapolis Colts a chance at tying the game in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for Colts’ fans, it was not to be. The Saints continued to click on all cylinders and dominated the second half in “time of possession.” They score one more time giving little time for Manning to score once, let alone twice.
Drew Brees and son after the game (Palm Pre of home theater)
Replaced the rear brakes on my daughter’s 2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI for the second time in its life this weekend. They were in pretty bad shape, but I enjoyed being able to exchange the “liftetime warranty pads” at Autozonefor free. The loner tool program and easy to use warranty make it a “recommended” place to purchase auto parts in my book, even though I’ve found O’Reilly Auto Parts seems to have better prices. I did end up replacing her rotors too … but for $15.99 a rotor I’ll feel better when she has to make a hard stop.
Since I missed posting to the blog on Saturday, I decide to back date a post that I found enjoyable. Obviously I’m getting older since I can remember Johnny Carson hosting the Tonight Show, but I thought I’d share a clip portraying better late night television comedy that I’m seeing nowadays … in my opinion. Johnny Carson and Dom DeLuise “back in the day,” as my daughter would say has some pretty funny stuff.
Books about fixing America’s dysfunctional economy are trendy again and partisan finger pointing is probably the most notable component in most books. The book by David M. Walker called Comeback America is no exception when it comes to the frustration and anger he shares when in particular chastising President George W. Bush. Irritation aside, Walker is one who has the credentials to deliver punches since he also work under President Reagan, Bush 41 and Clinton eventually becoming comptroller general of the U.S. from 1998 to 2008. During that same period he was also CEO of the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) and shares how he led it’s reorganization from what was the General Accounting Office.
Walker became the nation’s seventh comptroller general under President Clinton and was able to experience a robust economic, helped by the technology boom, and a political environment that saw both a “Contract with America” fresh faced congress and a President willing to make choices that gave the U.S. a budget surplus as it faced the year 2000.
In Comeback America, David Walker explains how he warned congress and the Bush 43 administration of the disconnect after 2001 of tax cuts and pending wars. In reflecting on Walkers recent history lesson, I still find it disturbing as a fiscally conservative Republican to see how different George W. Bush was with finances than his father, George H. W. Bush. Walker commented that he has “lifelong respect for our first President Bush who had the courage to break a campaign promise — “Read my lips: No new taxes” when he saw our deficits rising to dangerous levels.” For me, Democrats are the spendthrifts, not the Republicans … obviously someone lost their way.
A friend of mine forward me a nicely produced video that Doug S., Doug G. and Jim W. from PRA Chapter 40 posted online after their visit to the Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast on Labor Day 2009. I also added the clip on the Taildragger Fly-In tab on our EAA284.org website as it highlights a great fly-in weekend destination each summer. Thanks for the well done video!
The Dow Jones Industrials moved down over 270 points on Thursday as the economy stumbles yet again despite the promises of recovery from those spending taxpayer dollars in Washington. The move from equities by investors and traders is likely due to a rise in U.S. unemployment claims (up 8000 last week or 480,000 new claims) and rising debt levels in European nations. The daily news and their concerns overshadowed the productivity improvements and the increase in factory orders which Americans have been pinning their hopes on in 2010. The Dow fell 270.64 to 9999.91 making it the biggest slide since October 30th of last year. The gains from earlier in the week were quickly erased and the psychological 10,000 barrier looks to have been broken again. The broader markets were down as well as was the tech oriented Nasdaq composite (down 65.48 to 2125.45).
The news for me and my company was equally glum this week as I search for signs of recovery. While meeting with a couple old clients this week, one told me about their moving offices to smaller facilities and focus on cutting costs. Another customer/friend I met with this week in Cleveland shared with me his companies bankruptcy plans — although his focus is on functioning as a new corporation and working with supplies who will extend credit? I’m not so sure how much I’m willing to gamble, even though the work is badly needed? I’m finding it difficult to be positive.
Some reading it hear might want to add their landline phones or cellphones to the National Do Not Call Registry. Thanks Sam for sending the email to remind me.
REMINDER…..all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time.
It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. It takes about 20 seconds.
Testing the issuu.com publishing platform option for a couple clients using sample content. Posting the small embed version of Enviro-energies product spec sheets on my blog to see if it could be useful (think of it as a virtual color e-reader). (more…)
According to an Experimental Aviation Association bulletin, the long awaited revisions on the docket in the Federal Register support the 22 FAA proposed changes affecting sport pilots. Changes include allowing Sport Pilots to fly higher and safer in mountainous regions and permit weight-shift control aircraft and powered parachute to gain experience in towered airport airspace. Also S-LSAs will be able to be used at Part 141 flight schools helping to reduce training costs for all student pilots. The EAA also was enthusiastic that a key change to the aircraft maintenance rules will allow E-LSA owners whose aircraft were originally certified as an S-LSA to perform their own maintenance. “The revisions to the rule will affect everyone differently. For most there will be very little change. But certain groups like E-LSA owners whose aircraft used to be certificated under S-LSA provisions should be excited since they will now be able to maintain and sign-off maintenance on their own aircraft.” said Earl Lawrence, EAA’s vice-president of Industry and Regulatory Affairs. “Obviously there were disagreements with the FAA’s in other areas, and EAA will continue to fight for changes in the future such as the rules on ultralight aeronautical experience.” EAA and NAFI’s three primary focus points during their review of the proposals were to maintain the original intent of the rule; ensure continued growth of the technology for the pilots, instructors, and repairmen; and ensure the continued lowering of economic and regulatory barriers for participants. The revisions are set to go into effect on April 2, 2010.
winning New Orleans Saints and their many fans on Sunday. I thought the cool headed Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts would end up on top when pitting arm against arm, but the mistake free Drew Brees threw for a recorded tying 32 completions, rallying his team to a 31 to 17 victory over the Colts. He was deservingly chosen the game’s MVP for a performance admired by any fan of the NFL. Brees stated after the game, “We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us. What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time and it’s better than expected.”
he did throw the games only interception — a costly turnover that was returned by New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter for a touchdown. The games only turnover prevented the Indianapolis Colts a chance at tying the game in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for Colts’ fans, it was not to be. The Saints continued to click on all cylinders and dominated the second half in “time of possession.” They score one more time giving little time for Manning to score once, let alone twice.
Since I missed posting to the blog on Saturday, I decide to back date a post that I found enjoyable. Obviously I’m getting older since I can remember Johnny Carson hosting the Tonight Show, but I thought I’d share a clip portraying better late night television comedy that I’m seeing nowadays … in my opinion. Johnny Carson and Dom DeLuise “back in the day,” as my daughter would say has some pretty funny stuff.
