Presidential Inauguration 2009

History is unfolding. We thought about going, but too much trouble to get there and be there, plus I am supposed to be working today. Our kids may not quite understand the history yet, but in many years they may remember what they were doing today. Our kids happen to have a school vacation today for a teacher workday.

What Obama's presidency shows that America is making it to the promised land dreamed by MLK. Obama shows that you can achieve the top and not let "the man" keep you down. No more excuses; the obstacles may still be there, but they can be overcome.

The excitement now is the hope that he brings to turn the country in a different direction that leads to more peace and more justice.

Thoughts of the night

I enjoyed my flight back home last night. On a typical Thursday night, the airport and flights are crowded because all of us idiots traveling for business have convinced ourselves that being home on Friday makes traveling 4 days ok. As usual, rain moves through the NY area for an hour in the afternoon and backed up most flights out of Newark. Then, you have a lot of uninformed, holiday travelers that are not accustomed to things and get frustrated. Like the gate agent is hiding planes and making people wait for their flight for fun so they can watch people get upset...

Landing about an hour and a half late, I was ready to be home. But, traffic still slows things down. Except for one guy zigzagging in and out of traffic. After midnight, do you really need to have the bluetooth in your ear? Then, he almost causes an accident slamming the brakes in the left lane to cut in front of me to make a right turn. At midnight... Are we that sad that we can't slow down enough at midnight to take out the ear piece and not be racing to be first...

New Blog Look

I was checking out a few blogs to pass the time in a hotel room one working night in NJ and I came across the pyzam site. The orange of the Auburn orange-and-blue needed a change, and this look also describes us well. We swap between an Auburn flag and a US flag on the front of our house depending on our mood. During football season, the Auburn flag stays out there more often. I do not like to leave the US flag out at night, because we do not shine a light on it.

Pope in the US

I read the USA Today while eating dinner by myself while I am a road warrior. Maybe that is a perk, but I would rather be at home.

In any case, I find articles in USA Today with a bit of slant. And, I wonder how much the USA Today staff/editors understand about the pope. One of the commandments is like "Thou shalt not use the Lord's name in vain." We teach our kids not to use God's name except when speaking to him or about him, but not in an expression. I was amused to find the following quote in the USA Today on page 3A when a mother and daughter were describing their opportunity to see the Pope in Washington, DC

Her daughter Marisa snapped a picture of the pope waving in her direction. "Oh my God, I'm jittery," she said.

First, the Pope is a title like the President and should be capitalized and second, USA Today couldn't find a better quote. And third, amid all of the talk of global warming and reducing carbon emissions, they find a mother to quote after she flew with 3 daughters from Clearwater, FL just to see the Pope in his "popemobile." The USA Today has put popemobile around quotes each time, like it is a surprise and needs to be explained in each article.

Just a little amusement that I received today while away for work. Thanks, USA Today ...

Auburn wins 17-10 over Alabama

Here is the first video I have seen after the win. The video about the state trooper dog biting Auburn's Powers is making the rounds too.

Next Hand

Six in a row for Auburn over Alabama... Way to go Auburn! Fight on you Orange and Blue. What a sloppy game like most rivalry games, but the right team won.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

5 hours until game time

I bet that the Auburn campus is energized. 5 hours until kickoff... The trash talk is louder than ever from the Bama side. I think that they may be desperate particularly after the losses to MSU and ULM. If Auburn will just run the ball down the throat of Bama, then I think that they have a good chance to win. If Auburn puts the ball in the hands of Brandon Cox, then I won't be as confident.

But first - we go to a friend's house to root with them for Florida against Florida State. The big games start at 5 PM ET tonight. I would like to watch USC (that is South Carolina here) vs. Clemson but it is at the wrong time - maybe during commercials I will get a peek.

War Eagle! Go Tigers!!!