"Traveler" finale a disappointment

Tricia and I got sucked into watching the ABC summer series "Traveler." We both thought it was a good show until the finale.

All indications were pointing to this being a one-shot deal given the fact that there were only 8 episodes. With a run that short, you fully expect them to close up all loose ends. Apparently this wasn't the case. Thanks ABC, you developed an entertaining show, then accelerate the plotline because you don't have long-term plans for the show and then produce a finale with all kinds of unanswered questions. Sure hope you don't do this with "Lost" when it ends it run in a few years.

Maui, Days four and five

A belated post here. Day four was filled with more beach time and snorkeling. Water was a bit too cold for some of the group and the idea of breathing through the snorkel was challenging for the kiddos. I had fun however, although the outfit that we went with wouldn't let us swim in the good parts.

Day five was kind of a wind-down day as Chandler spent some time shopping with my cousin Jaquita, Tricia napped and Clancy did what he does best, just hang out and play with his toys (what few ones he has here.) Saturday night we went to a luau at the Royal Lahaina Resort. It was a pretty good time, food was okay, drinks were good and show was impressive. Kids of course loved the fire guy at the end.

Also, check out the cool rainbow that Tricia shot a pic of here:

Maui, Day Three

Today it was more beach time followed by lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise, which is a great place to get a burger if you're ever in Lahaina.

After lunch, we drove about 45 minutes over to the West Maui Mountains, specifically Iao Valley Park. Here is a picture Tricia took of the Iao Needle.

Maui, Day Two

Today was beach time and parasailing in Maui. It was the first time parasailing for the Hughes clan. While it was quite hot at times and some of the group succumbed to motion sickness, a fun time was had by all. There is nothing quite as peaceful and serene as soaring 800 feet above the ocean.

Here is Chandler with her cousin Parker at the Beach.

Maui, Day One

We survived the dreaded flight out here. Didn't have it near as bad as the rest of my family who was supposed to leave at 3pm on Monday but didn't leave Phoenix until 4am Tuesday.

We have a great place in Lahaina with an amazing view of the water, excuse the rooftops, I'll try and have a better pic tomorrow. I will try and have Tricia take more of the pictures moving forward. We're told the cruise ship in the picture is one that cruises the islands for 11 days.

We ate dinner at a great little Mexican joint in a mall right by our house. The salsa was better than most places in Austin and they had $1 tacos! Tricia thought the fish tacos were pretty good, I guess I will have to take her word for it. The kiddos had a good time chasing their cousin Parker around the restaurant.

Happy 4.5 Clancy Boy!

We celebrated Clancy's half birthday today at the neighborhood pool. Since Clancy was born on Dec. 31, we typically celebrate his birthday at the half year mark since New Year's Even is usually a tough time to have a birthday party. However when he's older I'm sure he'll appreciate having his birthday on that day.

Happy half-birthday Bubba. I love you pal.

Luke Scott looks lost in RF

Watching the Astros and Phillies battle it out in the 12th inning right now and I've seen the replays of the two "doubles" the Phillies hit at key points in the game, one to drive in a go ahead run in the 7th. I'm further convinced that Luke Scott is just not a very good rightfielder. Both doubles hit over his head seem like they were balls he could have caught had he gotten a decent jump on them.

This opinion has not been formulated on just one game but rather over the the last couple of weeks, particularly after watching him misplay the single in Milwaukee last week. Contrast this with the Phillies Shane Victorino who can fly and has a rocket arm in RF.

Btw, even if the Astros should win tonight, I'm still not convinced they have a run in them. I think Milwaukee is the real deal and there are too many good teams in the hunt for the wildcard that they would have to bypass. My concern is that they go on a run that stretches into August but peters out come Labor Day. By that point, they will have missed their window to trade some of their tradeable players to restock the farm system. I'm sticking to this belief and don't plan on flip-flopping like Richard Justice.

Belated Congrats to Bidge on Number 3000

Unfortunately I was traveling last Thursday when Craig Biggio singled for hit number 3000 of his great career and missed it. I truly wish I had been at the game to see it happen. As much as I bag on the guy these days, I can honestly say that he is probably my favorite all-time Astro.

There was a time when this was the best player in baseball in my opinion and never received the attention he deserved for his achievements because he chose to play in Houston for his entire career. I have never seen anyone play with the hustle he does, the ability to adapt and play any position (C, 2B, OF) and exhibit a quiet leadership on and off the field. Never have I seen the guy ever argue balls and strikes or a missed call, even when the umps clearly blew it.

It seems highly probable that he will retire at the end of this season. I really wish he had a few more productive seasons in him because as Clancy gets older and starts to appreciate baseball, Bidge is the guy I'd point to and say, "he plays the way you're supposed to play."

As the Astros play out the string this year, it's a shame that Bidge has to play in meaningless games, but I know that no matter how meaningless or out of hand they are, he will play hard on every pitch. Congrats Craig.