Storming in the Rockies

I am here in Keystone, Colorado attending a conference for work. Boy oh boy, this sure is a beautiful place.

I went for a quick hike after 6 hours of educational sessions and meetings. I ventured out to climb from Loveland Pass (11,500 feet) up a steep ridge to Loveland Mountain (13,100 feet). About two-thirds of the way up, I got caught in a torrential rain and hail storm. The temperature dropped about 15 degrees in 10 minutes. I was soaking wet and freezing when I got back to the car.

I turned on the radio once I was in the car and there was a weather reporter talking about lightening storms. The reporter sited that the states with the highest incidence of people struck by lightening are:

Florida
Texas
Colorado

Sounds about right.

Minor League Baseball

My friend, Mike Husson, and I share a couple of common interests which will undoubtedly bond us together for decades to come: 80's music and baseball.

Mike just sent me a great link which maps out all of the minor league baseball teams across the nation. For those of you who haven't been to a minor league game, let me just say that you are missing out. The beer is cheap, the baseball is pretty good, the venues are always outstanding (in their own way), if you're lucky you'll taste the best churro you've ever had, and the people watching is unsurpassed. AND for those of you that have kids, the games are very family oriented, complete with goofy contests on the field in between innings.

For my bachelor party 8 years ago, my friends and I rented a camper and spent three days cruising around California's Central Valley going to some of the best minor league baseball venues this country has to offer.

I highly recommend going to a game this summer!

More on 80's music later...

It's me, Tim

Billy Squire - the Forgotten Rocker

No one can deny that the early 80's was a boon for rocking mullet bands. The casual 80's rock fan would siteJourney, Foreigner, Rod Stewart, Loverboy, Rush, Montrose and even Eddie Money as great examples of the best that the first half of the 80's had to offer.

I think, though, that we all can agree that Billy Squir is too often left off the list of bands that rocked the world 20+ years ago.

Here's just a taste of his musical prowess, his lyrical genius:

"The Stroke" (aka Stroke Me)

Now everybody, have you heard
If you're in the game, then the stroke's the word
Don't take no rhythm, don't take no style
Got a thirst for killin' - grab your vial...
Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake
Talk to me about that one big break
Spread your ear pollution both far and wide
Keep your contributions by your side and ...
Stroke me, stroke me
Could be a winner boy, you move quite well
Stroke me, stroke me
Stroke me, stroke me
You got your number down
Say you're a winner but man you're just a sinner now

and who can forget, "Everybody Wants You"

You see 'em comin' at you every night
Strung on pretension, they fall for you at first sight
You know their business, you think it's a bore
They make you restless, it's nothin' you ain't seen before
Get around town, spend your time on the run
You never let down, say you do it for fun
Never miss a play, though you make quite a few
You give it all away - everybody wants you
You crave attention, you can never say "no"
Throw your affections any way the wind blows
You always make it, you're on top of the scene
You sell the copy like the cover of a magazine
Puttin' on the eyes 'til there's nobody else
You never realize what you do to yourself
The things that they see make the daily reviews
You never get free - everybody wants you
Everybody knows you
Everybody snows you
Everybody needs you, leads you, bleeds you

And the late 80's hit, "Don't Say You Love Me"

You can't get up - you can't get down
You can't sit still - you never settle down
Don't say you love me - just say 'Huh!'
Your love runs hot - your love runs cold
You can't get loose until you get control
Don't say you love me - just say 'Huh!
'Don't say you love me - just say 'All right'
You're scared to win - you're scared to lose
You're scared to live with the life you choose
Don't say you love me - just say -
You can't say 'Yes' - you can't say 'No'
Your mind's made up - you don't know where to go

The guy could rock. Oh and by-the-by...he still is rocking.

This is for the Republicans Out There

For the few close minded, Republican friends of mine out there, aka the Zaharias brothers, I thought I would pass along this funny, fake, news article:

Congress Considers "Americans With No Abilities Act"WASHINGTON, DC (AP) -

Congress is considering sweeping legislation, which provides new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislation by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.
"Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society," said Barbara Boxer (D) CA. "We can no longer stand by and allow these special People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they do a better job, or have some idea of what they are doing."

The President pointed to the success of the US House and Senate, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance or ability. Approximately 94 percent of legislators lack useful job skills, making this agency the single largest US employer of Persons of Inability.Private sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination against the inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement "warehouse" stores (65%) The DMV also has a great record of hiring Persons of Inability. (63%)

Under the Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million "middle man" positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.

Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given, to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations which maintain a significant level of Persons of Inability in middle positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.

Finally, the AWNA ACT contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Non-abled, banning discriminatory interview questions such as "Do you have any goals for the future?" or "Do you have any skills or experience which relate to this job?"

"As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them," said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, MI due to her lack of notable job skills. "This new law should really help people like me." With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Said Senator Ted Kennedy, (D) MA, "It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her adequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation."