Another scorcher today here in Central Texas, so much so that I chose not to venture out of the house at all from 1:30 until after 6 pm when we went to dinner at Rudy's. Good news, at least for my daughter Chandler, our dog Addie and myself is that we hit the road for Breckenridge tomorrow afternoon. Tricia and our son Clancy unfortunately have a few more days of this incarcerating weather.
In the ten years we have lived in the Austin area, this is by far the hottest summer we have experienced here. What's interesting is that I lived a good part of my life in the Phoenix and I never seemed to be bothered too much by consistent 100+ degree days during the summer. I can remember playing golf during the hottest part of the afternoon and the occasional pick-up basketball game. Now bear in mind I was about 15 years younger then, but my point is that I've become a real wimp about the heat here in Texas, irregardless of how old I am. Also, spare me the dry heat stuff. I don't care how dry it is, when it's 110 or 115, it's just miserable. You can stick your head in an oven and that is a dry heat as well. Ok, enough whining about the weather.
Despite the heat, sabbatical still rocks. I just thank the good Lord every day for AC and ceiling fans.
Spent a lot of time getting the kid's entertainment issues sorted out prior to the trip. Burned a lot of DVDs and converted several video files to MP4 format for their iPods. Hit the Dig Pub in Cedar Park here tonight for a beer with a friend. The Dig Pub has Golden Monkey on draft which is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Other experiences from today:
Miguel Tejada ruined my evening
But Lance Berkman and the Astros' bullpen helped pick things up a bit
"The Maestro" was on tonight. Do not call him Bob Cobb and don't put the balm on. Who told you to put the balm on? Oh, and there's nothing available in Tuscany if you're looking to rent there.
Had the best Flauta I've hever had at the Iron Cactus at lunch
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sabbatical blog - day three
Another miserably hot day here in central Texas. Even the weathermen sound sincerely bummed out by this heat wave. They have nothing positive whatsoever to spin about the heat. I was reading local weather dude Jim Spencer's blog (because you have time to do such things when on sabbatical) and the best he could offer up was no sign of hope in our forecast in the third week of July. Luckily for me and my family, Breckenridge is right around the corner.
My key sabbatical learning for the day today was that I found out you can get bit by a cricket. I'm 37 years old and did not know until talking to the dude at Petco today that you could get bit by a cricket. In fact, some people are actually allergic to cricket bites. Had I not been on sabbatical and in Petco today getting stuff for our dog on our upcoming roadtrip, I may have gone through life not knowing this crucial piece of information. How did this conversation come about? There were two big tubs full of crickets by the check out stand. Apparently people buy them for reptile food.
Before Petco, we dropped the Ciena off for its pre-roadtrip check-up at Bearden Automotive, btw, if you live in Austin and have a toyota, I highly recommend these guys. Had another Starbucks date with my wife this morning AND a lunch date at Daily Grill. Shockingly, Tricia doesn't seem to be sick of me yet. Spent most of the afternoon getting ready for roadtrip and determining how much stuff that we can cram into our van. I chose to do this at about 3 in the afternoon today, right when the heat index was probably well over 110. Not the best call on my part.
Did catch some of the Astros game this afternoon. I saw something you dont see very often from the Astros, a complete game shutout by their starting pitcher. Wa-Rod was dealing today, but then again, the glorified triple-A team that is the Pirates, can make some of the most mediocre pitchers look like top-line starters. However, 9 innings of shutout ball and 11 Ks at Minute Maid Park is still a decent accomplishment no matter who the Astros are playing.
By some miracle, the Astros are only one game under .500 and still in the race in what appears to be the most 'competitive' (although some may choose to call it the weakest) division in baseball, the NL Central. Yet, despite the Astros playing pretty well the last few weeks, I still think they need to move some of their most tradeable players for prospects now.
Other interesting things I read today:
Lenny Dykstra filed for bankruptcy. I watched a piece on him on HBO's Real Sports last week where he delivered a profanity-laced denial about his financial troubles from his soon-to-be foreclosed on mansion.
"Moneyball" author Michael Lewis wrote this insightful article for Vanity Fair about AIG.
Sabbatical day 3 in the books. Good night everyone.
My key sabbatical learning for the day today was that I found out you can get bit by a cricket. I'm 37 years old and did not know until talking to the dude at Petco today that you could get bit by a cricket. In fact, some people are actually allergic to cricket bites. Had I not been on sabbatical and in Petco today getting stuff for our dog on our upcoming roadtrip, I may have gone through life not knowing this crucial piece of information. How did this conversation come about? There were two big tubs full of crickets by the check out stand. Apparently people buy them for reptile food.
Before Petco, we dropped the Ciena off for its pre-roadtrip check-up at Bearden Automotive, btw, if you live in Austin and have a toyota, I highly recommend these guys. Had another Starbucks date with my wife this morning AND a lunch date at Daily Grill. Shockingly, Tricia doesn't seem to be sick of me yet. Spent most of the afternoon getting ready for roadtrip and determining how much stuff that we can cram into our van. I chose to do this at about 3 in the afternoon today, right when the heat index was probably well over 110. Not the best call on my part.
Did catch some of the Astros game this afternoon. I saw something you dont see very often from the Astros, a complete game shutout by their starting pitcher. Wa-Rod was dealing today, but then again, the glorified triple-A team that is the Pirates, can make some of the most mediocre pitchers look like top-line starters. However, 9 innings of shutout ball and 11 Ks at Minute Maid Park is still a decent accomplishment no matter who the Astros are playing.
By some miracle, the Astros are only one game under .500 and still in the race in what appears to be the most 'competitive' (although some may choose to call it the weakest) division in baseball, the NL Central. Yet, despite the Astros playing pretty well the last few weeks, I still think they need to move some of their most tradeable players for prospects now.
Other interesting things I read today:
Lenny Dykstra filed for bankruptcy. I watched a piece on him on HBO's Real Sports last week where he delivered a profanity-laced denial about his financial troubles from his soon-to-be foreclosed on mansion.
"Moneyball" author Michael Lewis wrote this insightful article for Vanity Fair about AIG.
Sabbatical day 3 in the books. Good night everyone.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sabbatical blog - day two
A day not much unlike yesterday but difference is I'm quickly starting to comprehend the overwhelming sense of freedom that I have right now. It has been much easier to disconnect from work stuff than I originally thought it would.
Kids were at a camp from 9-1 today, so Tricia and I had some good couple time. Actually got to go and sit down at Starbucks with my wife AND have lunch with her. I can't remember the last time we did that and I'm hoping we get to do it again tomorrow. Like Seinfeld says, "love the day date."
I have the road trip to Breckenridge pretty much mapped out. Leaving Friday around 1ish after kids get out of camp. Going to drive to Lubbock and stay there Friday night and hit the road again Saturday morning and endeavor to get there on Saturday night. You never fully comprehend how big Texas is until you have to drive out of it.
Took the kids to the pool again today. No drama this go around so they got to stay longer :). It was wicked hot out there today and I forgot to bring ice water. Won't make that mistake again.
Saw the movie "Public Enemies" tonight at the Drafthouse with Drew. I would give it a '6' on scale of 1-10. Felt less like a "Miami Vice" episode than some of Michael Mann's past movies. Much fewer slow motion scenes and no Eurotrash instrumentals weaved in throughout.
Hit the Dig Pub in Cedar Park for some draft Guinness after the movie. Was good to catch up with Drew and hear how nice and cool it will be in Breckenridge. After that I made an 11:30 pm run to the grocery store to get milk which was not a total waste because "Crazy Life" by Toad the Wet Sprocket was playing over the intercom when I got there.
I wouldn't call it the most productive day in the world, but it did not suck either :).
Kids were at a camp from 9-1 today, so Tricia and I had some good couple time. Actually got to go and sit down at Starbucks with my wife AND have lunch with her. I can't remember the last time we did that and I'm hoping we get to do it again tomorrow. Like Seinfeld says, "love the day date."
I have the road trip to Breckenridge pretty much mapped out. Leaving Friday around 1ish after kids get out of camp. Going to drive to Lubbock and stay there Friday night and hit the road again Saturday morning and endeavor to get there on Saturday night. You never fully comprehend how big Texas is until you have to drive out of it.
Took the kids to the pool again today. No drama this go around so they got to stay longer :). It was wicked hot out there today and I forgot to bring ice water. Won't make that mistake again.
Saw the movie "Public Enemies" tonight at the Drafthouse with Drew. I would give it a '6' on scale of 1-10. Felt less like a "Miami Vice" episode than some of Michael Mann's past movies. Much fewer slow motion scenes and no Eurotrash instrumentals weaved in throughout.
Hit the Dig Pub in Cedar Park for some draft Guinness after the movie. Was good to catch up with Drew and hear how nice and cool it will be in Breckenridge. After that I made an 11:30 pm run to the grocery store to get milk which was not a total waste because "Crazy Life" by Toad the Wet Sprocket was playing over the intercom when I got there.
I wouldn't call it the most productive day in the world, but it did not suck either :).
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sabbatical blog - day one
Today is the official start of my six week sabbatical. One of the things I'm committing to do is to journal everyday via my blog.
Actually slept until 9 this morning (thanks Tricia :)) and had something for breakfast I had not had for years -- a bowl of cereal. Typically on a weekday, I will eat my breakfast (usually a banana or a granola bar or whatever I decide to get at Starbucks) on the way to work or scarf down some yogurt before I head out the door. I remembered today that I really like cereal. Thirty minutes into my journey of self-discovery on my sabbatical and I've already learned something. Productive day so far.
I did manage to tie off on my one outstanding work item -- submitting my expense report from last week's trip to the Bay Area.
Overall, it was kind of a rough day with the kids, they were wound up all day and were either in bounce off the wall mode or busy trying to get under the other one's skin. Lunch was at Chik-fil-a and then off to Barnes and Noble. Of all the books I've read, I've never read a Stephen King novel. Figured sabbatical was best time for some 'firsts'. Going with "Salem's Lot" for this first go around.
Got home from bookstore around 2ish and figured it was time to get nutty and mow the lawn in the middle of the afternoon. Considering there was a little cloud cover today, it wasn't completely unbearable but the humidity was pretty intense. After the lawn, decided to take the kids for a dip in the bathwater, errrrr neighborhood pool. Hardly anyone was there and Tricia chalked that up to the water being too warm. Hard to argue with that one. The water has to be about 85-90 degrees given the weather here of late. Our trip to the pool was short-lived however because I had limited tolerance for the usual sibling drama that happens with my kids when they're at the pool. I don't think we lasted 45 minutes.
Overall, a pretty low-key day. Did some road trip planning for Colorado, grilled some flank steak for dinner, watched the Astros notch a rare NL Central win against the Pirates to widen that gap between 5th and 6th place teams and played Rainbow Six on PSP.
Day one of the sabbatical in the books and it was great. I can get used to this.
Actually slept until 9 this morning (thanks Tricia :)) and had something for breakfast I had not had for years -- a bowl of cereal. Typically on a weekday, I will eat my breakfast (usually a banana or a granola bar or whatever I decide to get at Starbucks) on the way to work or scarf down some yogurt before I head out the door. I remembered today that I really like cereal. Thirty minutes into my journey of self-discovery on my sabbatical and I've already learned something. Productive day so far.
I did manage to tie off on my one outstanding work item -- submitting my expense report from last week's trip to the Bay Area.
Overall, it was kind of a rough day with the kids, they were wound up all day and were either in bounce off the wall mode or busy trying to get under the other one's skin. Lunch was at Chik-fil-a and then off to Barnes and Noble. Of all the books I've read, I've never read a Stephen King novel. Figured sabbatical was best time for some 'firsts'. Going with "Salem's Lot" for this first go around.
Got home from bookstore around 2ish and figured it was time to get nutty and mow the lawn in the middle of the afternoon. Considering there was a little cloud cover today, it wasn't completely unbearable but the humidity was pretty intense. After the lawn, decided to take the kids for a dip in the bathwater, errrrr neighborhood pool. Hardly anyone was there and Tricia chalked that up to the water being too warm. Hard to argue with that one. The water has to be about 85-90 degrees given the weather here of late. Our trip to the pool was short-lived however because I had limited tolerance for the usual sibling drama that happens with my kids when they're at the pool. I don't think we lasted 45 minutes.
Overall, a pretty low-key day. Did some road trip planning for Colorado, grilled some flank steak for dinner, watched the Astros notch a rare NL Central win against the Pirates to widen that gap between 5th and 6th place teams and played Rainbow Six on PSP.
Day one of the sabbatical in the books and it was great. I can get used to this.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Dont wait for July Ed
The worst thing that could have happened to the Astros this season was that playoff tease they pulled last season. It gave the Astros management a false hope that they had a team that could be competitive with a tweak here or there.
There's not much good to say about the 2009 Astros nearly two months into the season. I havent been able to watch many games this season but the ones I have seen have been uninspiring to say the least.
You know how the optimistic fan is always able to justify nearly every loss by their team and think that after every win, it's the win that's going to turn things around? Yeah, so this year I'm not that guy. Really.
I've accepted that this team is not just old, because sometimes, even old teams can win. It's a team full of old guys who really aren't playing for much more than a paycheck. Richard Justice had a blog last week where he described the Astros clubhouse as a "toxic" environment. Since I've never had the opportunity to step into the Astros clubhouse, I have no idea whether or not that's true but there seems to be only one guy on the team that seems to be playing with heart and energy right now and that's Hunter Pence.
So Astros GM Ed Wade, since I know you read my blog religiously, don't be the optimistic fan I referenced above and think that you have something here that will kick it into gear come July. Accept reality and make your trades now instead of the July trade deadline when you won't get maximum value for any of these guys.
As for Astros owner Drayton McLane, I know you just started reading my blog, so my advice for you is eat some contracts if that's what it takes to get other teams to take a Miguel Tejada or Jose Valverde off your hands.
So before I ask you to consider my not-so-radical proposals, here are the untouchable/untradeable players:
Roy Oswalt - He is off to a slow start, but he has started slow the past couple of seasons and finished strong. Trade him to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have the one of the most stocked farm systems in baseball. Top Rangers exec Nolan Ryan knows Roy and what he's getting with him. A great pitcher who happens to be locked up for a couple more seasons. The Rangers are in first place right now but the Angels are getting healthy again and have more pitching than the Rangers. Go for it Nolan, call Ed and make him an offer for Roy he can't refuse.
Pudge Rodriguez - He's been effective this season as a bottom of the line-up hitter and can still throw guys out. Any team with an already strong lineup who needs a good catcher should take a look. Plus he's working for cheap. In my opinion, he would be a good fit for Tampa and its young pitching staff. Just look at the impact he has had on Wandy Rodriguez who has suddenly become the Astros ace.
Miguel Tejada - TRADE HIM NOW! Eat some of his contract if you have to because he's hitting pretty well right now and his value will never be higher. Ed may be able to squeeze a half-decent prospect for him. The Red Sox have plenty and they could use someone other than Julio Lugo. In fact, I bet Papi would start hitting again if Miggy were there.
Jose Valverde - As soon as this dude is healthy, send Mr. Entertainment on his way. The Cubbies could use some bullpen help. Perhaps the Phillies, I've noticed their former Astros closer is struggling a bit, why not add another.
With the exception of Oswalt, the players these guys will probably fetch are not going to put the Astros farm system on the road to recovery from some bad drafts but it should be a step in the right direction.
There's not much good to say about the 2009 Astros nearly two months into the season. I havent been able to watch many games this season but the ones I have seen have been uninspiring to say the least.
You know how the optimistic fan is always able to justify nearly every loss by their team and think that after every win, it's the win that's going to turn things around? Yeah, so this year I'm not that guy. Really.
I've accepted that this team is not just old, because sometimes, even old teams can win. It's a team full of old guys who really aren't playing for much more than a paycheck. Richard Justice had a blog last week where he described the Astros clubhouse as a "toxic" environment. Since I've never had the opportunity to step into the Astros clubhouse, I have no idea whether or not that's true but there seems to be only one guy on the team that seems to be playing with heart and energy right now and that's Hunter Pence.
So Astros GM Ed Wade, since I know you read my blog religiously, don't be the optimistic fan I referenced above and think that you have something here that will kick it into gear come July. Accept reality and make your trades now instead of the July trade deadline when you won't get maximum value for any of these guys.
As for Astros owner Drayton McLane, I know you just started reading my blog, so my advice for you is eat some contracts if that's what it takes to get other teams to take a Miguel Tejada or Jose Valverde off your hands.
So before I ask you to consider my not-so-radical proposals, here are the untouchable/untradeable players:
- Lance Berkman - yes, he's on the decline but I don't think the Astros would get fair value for him, plus I believe he's a 5 and 10 player which means he could and probably would veto any trade.
- Carlos Lee - Even with good numbers, no one is going to take his contract on unless DM will eat some of it, which he won't. Plus he has a no-trade clause.
- Kaz Matsucky - Even if DM ate some of the contract, no one probably has any use for this light-hitting 2B with limited range. Signing of Kaz is definitely not one of Ed's finer moments.
- Hunter Pence - He's young and good. Can't say that much about many other Astros.
- Michael Bourn - He has actually started playing like the guy the Astros thought they were getting in the Lidge deal. He's getting on base and stealing plenty of them. Plus he's a stud centerfielder.
Roy Oswalt - He is off to a slow start, but he has started slow the past couple of seasons and finished strong. Trade him to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have the one of the most stocked farm systems in baseball. Top Rangers exec Nolan Ryan knows Roy and what he's getting with him. A great pitcher who happens to be locked up for a couple more seasons. The Rangers are in first place right now but the Angels are getting healthy again and have more pitching than the Rangers. Go for it Nolan, call Ed and make him an offer for Roy he can't refuse.
Pudge Rodriguez - He's been effective this season as a bottom of the line-up hitter and can still throw guys out. Any team with an already strong lineup who needs a good catcher should take a look. Plus he's working for cheap. In my opinion, he would be a good fit for Tampa and its young pitching staff. Just look at the impact he has had on Wandy Rodriguez who has suddenly become the Astros ace.
Miguel Tejada - TRADE HIM NOW! Eat some of his contract if you have to because he's hitting pretty well right now and his value will never be higher. Ed may be able to squeeze a half-decent prospect for him. The Red Sox have plenty and they could use someone other than Julio Lugo. In fact, I bet Papi would start hitting again if Miggy were there.
Jose Valverde - As soon as this dude is healthy, send Mr. Entertainment on his way. The Cubbies could use some bullpen help. Perhaps the Phillies, I've noticed their former Astros closer is struggling a bit, why not add another.
With the exception of Oswalt, the players these guys will probably fetch are not going to put the Astros farm system on the road to recovery from some bad drafts but it should be a step in the right direction.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Rants and Randomness - Mother's Day edition
- With all of the quality journalists out there now looking for work, why do some sites, particularly ones that have some credibility, find it necessary to publish the inaccuracies of an irrational individual.
- Watching "Scrubs" finale right now. I'm really going to miss this show. Not a big fan of spin-offs, but can Janitor please be considered for one? Glad to see "the penny" made its way into the final episode. Lots of sitcoms never really end strong, the "Cheers" finale stands out in my mind. Kudos to ABC for resurrecting Scrubs for one last season after NBC's half-hearted attempt last year.
- I have yet to do a full blog post on the Astros this season. Why? Because I'm trying hard to make sure this blog stays family friendly. I started this blog a couple of summers ago to use it as an outlet to vent about the Astros and in their current summer of sub .500 mediocrity, it would seem that I should be vent/blogging a lot. Trying to determine if this means that I just don't care anymore or I've just reached a point of accepting low expectations with the team.
- BUT, I really wonder what is going on with Lance Berkman. Confidence? Too busy planning his career after baseball? OR, perhaps his wrist really is hurting and perhaps this is how he hurt it:
- My new favorite singer: Glen Hansard. I saw the movie "Once" that he starred in and won Academy Award for best song. Very simple, well-done movie with great music. Check out "When your mind's made up" and "Say it to me now." I never realized until recently that he played Outspan in one of my favorite all-time movies, "The Commitments."
- I really wish Tim Floyd would have taken the U of Tucson hoops job
- With all of the real journalists out of work, I find it sad that some credible web sites find it necessary to give freelance gigs to someone so irrational and biased. Particularly when they say things like AMD killed true 64-bit computing. That should tell you everything you need to know about this individual.
- My son and I saw Star Trek this afternoon. I loved it. I do think however that based on the current season of "Lost" and now Star Trek that JJ Abrams does have quite the fascination with building stories around time travel.
- Manny using performance enhancers ... yawn. Given that the Astros consistently made the playoffs during the steroid era, I'm advocating that baseball start looking the other way on it again.
- The way my namesake has been pitching this year, I'm thinking I may not be traveling to NYC anytime soon unless I can under a fake name. Maybe I can change my name to another MLBer when I'm in NYC. Johan Santana seems to be pitching well for the Mets, maybe I'll go with that one.
- Cover 3 is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Austin to eat.
- So the Dallas Cowboys spent less (4 million) on their indoor practice bubble than the Sun Devils (8 million) did.
- Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful wife Tricia. Her patience with not only my children but her moody husband is nothing short of incredible. She was definitely worth "waiting" for.
- Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law Patty. I'm so thankful for the values she instilled in Tricia that have helped her be the mother she is today.
- And of course, happy Mother's Day to my mom. Her unwavering faith and commitment to keeping her family together is why she will always be my hero. I love you mom, continue to stay strong.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Looking back on my first year at AMD
On my work blog site, AMD Unprocessed, I recently posted the first of a multi-part blog that looks back on my experience with launching the first legitimate competitive product to Intel in the volume server business, the AMD Opteron processor. It's been six years since the launch and I thought it would be good for people to understand the industry dynamics and challenges we faced at that time. You can find the blog here.
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