My next trip...

I am currently debating where to go on my next trip. Here are possible locations... in no particular order or preference.

NY, NY
Phx, AZ
Costa Rica
WC, CA
Charlotte, NC
Minneapolis, MN

For obvious reasons, I really should be thinking of Costa Rica. Sun, fun, family, and eco-tourism are all good reasons to start off with. The reason I am not still even thinking about CR is I will be going alone or possibly with Michael. I really enjoy Costa Rica more with SAC (supreme allied commander)... for obvious reasons yes, but I enjoy the cultural aspects so easily handles. It really makes travelling in an area with a language barrier a breeze.

NY, NY is high on my list because I miss NY. Plain and simple, there is no getting around that point. Besides, I miss my friends and family in the region. NY also would allow me to finally terminate my NY insurance. Geico has forced me to carry NY insurance since I turned in my plates eons ago, yet they need a receipt. Short of cancelling my insurance and going with another company, I need to once and for all deal with that. (Public transportation is another big plus.)

WC, CA - that is the place we just left... in a hurry I might add. Depending on PTC schedule though... I would not want to invade the home of Mrs. Prego! I mean that with all courtesy and respect...!

Charlotte, NC - now this trip would be fun. I was in Charlotte a couple of times, but never for very long. I would enjoy being in the South... (wait as second... I live in the South... but Charlotte is old South... so it is a differentiation I can hang my hat on.) I have friends there and a good amount of Intel on the local history. I would enjoy that very much.

MN, MN - Well thank the lord... it is not winter. I could stand to visit under that condition.

Phx, AZ - my beloved and I feel we will be there soon enough... so travelling there for the fun of it seems a bit severe. We will see.

My money is not on travelling at all - since I really really have too much work on the honey do list... and if I want to continue gaming and playing racquetball as much as I do... I better put sometime into SAC management.

Chromehounds gets dusted off...

Last night was the first time in a very long time I played this game and really enjoyed the experience. The only bad aspect of the night was playing late, which consequently forced me to end my fun early and get some sleep.

Many months ago when I played this game with my new 360, the crew (Twiki / Bubba (field Generals) and myself) played mostly humans but occasionally computers. Chromehounds, for those that do not know, is a live xbox 360 game based on mechanized or robotic like machines in total war scenarios. To achieve victory a team, or a solo mech, only needs to defeat the opponents or their base. In addition, a team could win if time runs out and control of the communications network was in your favor. The strategy and time needed to be proficient at this game is considerable, but if one puts in the time the game play is very good.

In recent weeks, Bubba and Twiki have been doing considerable homework increasing our squad size. Recruiting players that will put the time needed to be successful is easier said then done, but results are tangible at this point. We have six players in our squad and if we can get some people off the fence, then we could have as many as nine. Another aspect of what it takes to be a field General (FG) is also focused on creating a Chromehound or mech that will be durable, fast, and when put to the test accurately lethal! It could also be effective to build a squad with specific strengths that fights well as a team. A team full of M1A1 US tanks, for example would be pretty lethal until a team with an Apache tank killer came along. You get my drift, since a team blended in a host of capabilities should prevail - as long as you can kill effectively. The last part is actually not as important as you would think. FG's role in addition to getting the game going is battle tactics and strategy. Within that aspect, FG's need soldiers to do their job, hence the challenge of this game. I am not a very good soldier, but if needed I can execute orders. I like to play fast and loose, which sometimes means I am caught in an isolated battle without advantage. Sometimes I do my thing and get the kills needed to make the game easy to win, but more often I get crippled or worse killed turning the momentum over to our opponents. Such is life when you role with Grizzley, but a FG usually can count on me doing the power move successfully.

Getting back on point, last night we played, like I said, for the first time in a while. We had four mechs rolling, which was a first for me, and it was a lot of fun. I almost like my support role as much as my wild and wreck less solo approach. If we blend our capabilities and fight as a team, I do not think we will have too much trouble winning the war on our terms. With that said, we do have a bunch of newbies... so Bubba - Twiki and I just can't miss that often until these noobs get up and running.

I think I may put SCDA on the shelf for the time being... that or get my copy of SC II as soon as it comes out.

Work Place Conflict

I recall this topic is unavoidable. Since I was in Management all these years, I was accustom to a certain level of professionalism.

Well, I am not in management, so the conflict is more primal. Essentially, I sit next to an indecisive buffoon that cannot make a clear decision unless it is an easy one. Mr. indecisive does not bother me on this topic, thankfully, since we are not on speaking terms, but that does not stop him from running the old mouth.

The few times I chose not to be a door mat, he shouts to whomever is listening stop making comments under your breath. Recently, today in fact, when he did this for like the third time in two weeks I needed to put my foot down. Actually, I would prefer to put my foot elsewhere, but that is a horror story of the future. So, I stand up and say in the same level voice I had initially commented on... "Joe - I do not feel the need to have social support of statements of truth. You need to shout out whenever I or anyone for that matter challenges your behavior and comments. I am simply reflecting back what you are saying is totally unprofessional. The shouting out to co-workers just makes my point that much easier to understand." If I know this clown well enough, I will be needing to defend myself aggressively if the issue comes to a head. I would rather diffuse the issue and just avoid all confrontation... that is until he decides to treat me like a door mat again.

I will label this post as venting. I wish I could solve this just like SCDA.

AFL

The Tampa Bay Storm in a word simply stink. I cannot really fault them since the entire league format stinks too.

Yesterday, my little dude and I went with a friend and his son to a Storm game. The Storm were playing another terrible team from OH. I have been to several Rattler games (by far more entertaining... at least the atmosphere etc.), Dragon games, and now a Storm game. Unlike most of the readers of this blog, I have enough experience to make these statements. I have been to ten NFL games including 3 at Candlestick or 3.com park, 2 Giant games, 2 Jet games (which as we all know really means 4 trips to the same field), a Ravens game, and last but certainly least 2 Cardinal games at Sun Devil Stadium. I won't get into College games, but I have been to over 24. With all this history I can say with authority that AFL ball stinks. The lack of talent is apparent. The lack of play calling is obvious (3 play offense for the most part) and the field looks ridiculous. A total of 50 yards and maybe 25 yards across???? I have watched better high school ball!

My little dude loved the experience, so really what does all that hot air equate to? I will be going back again. (YEAH - not!) The ride home... he was talking football! The price of admission is wonderful since I will simply tell him he went to NFL games and omit the AFL reference or the third class show we viewed yesterday.

Did I come across too negative? I am sorry - I am just an impatient NFL fan waiting for the next season. Thanks Andy for the tickets... no reflection whatsoever... the company was great!

16 Inches...

That is right. I said sixteen inches. That is the length of the bass my friend caught two nights ago. This is what I am fishing for. Yes, I use worms to catch these. No, I am not a bass channel watcher. Yes, I know for a fact it works, however this one was caught on a lure. Big popper or something...

P.S. I will be assisting in the construction of a proper platform to fish from in the near future. That - I am sure - will be lots of fun. If he waits a little bit longer... it will be hot enough to keep mosquito's away. Personally, I would choose the flyer's that never bite me over the heat, which could kill us or make us slow enough to be eaten by the 4 ft gators out there.

P.S.S. This is not going to become a fishing blog, but I will update my favorite list!!

Gone Fishing - II

Yesterday, the whole clan went over our friends house to do some more fishing. Have you ever heard the phrase it pays to be lucky?

After a good 15-20 of our bait in the water, the next door neighbors come out and decide to join the fishing outing. Our friends house does not have a deck at present and I am slated to do some heavy lifting to improve that situation in the coming weeks, but the next door neighbor does.

After co-fishing, Joe (the neighbor) yells out... throw some chum in the water to lure the smaller fish in and the bass will follow. Now the only word the actually registered for me was chum. What the heck are we fishing for that requires chum. To me, chum refers to sharks and shark fishermen... not bass fishing on a pond I could walk around in 7-8 min. Without a moments notice, my friends shouts back.. what are you chumming with? I am sorry, but even worse than using the word chum is to use it in connection with BREAD!! Yes, sir they chum the pond with bread... after a good solid laugh... we continued to fish.

Would you know it... FISHING RESULTS:

7-0

We lost. Plus they reeled in a snapping turtle. My eldest broke the news to me gently... Dad - we did not catch anything. Why are you using worms?!?!

Islanders

In case you did not know, I am an avid Islander fan. I love hockey. I like to attend games when the tickets are free; I love the sport for the speed and violence; but most of all I love hockey because the playoffs are so exciting. No other sport can match the intensity and mental toughness needed to prevail.

From the old days until now, the Islanders have been a mystery. Why does a team with the market strength of Long Island have a problem hiring the best talent and wining more consistently??? These are questions that only one family can answer, but if I was as rich as the current owners and I loved hockey... I would do it right. Heck, I would be as avid an owner as the crazy Cuban!