Hodgepodge

A couple of brief topics. Traffic. Autumn.
Traffic.
Traffic is not fun. I do not live in Los Angeles or the Bay Area or Denver. I do not live in a place that to most people would be extremely populated. But here in the Treasure Valley; Nampa, Meridian, Boise, Idaho we have traffic. We do not have huge crashes that cause our traffic congestion not a large business where the majority of the commuters work. We have political leaders who are short-sighted and choose not to plan for the future fearing that it would effect their careers. How can I say this? In the 1990’s there was many projects that improved the interstate in the Boise area and lanes were added from Boise to Meridian. In the 1990’s you would not have needed to be a visionary to know that the population would continue to shift west from Boise to Meridian and to Canyon County. So now we have congestion each day. We are not the only metro area to experience this, but in Idaho politicians believe they need to re-invent the wheel and have chosen not to look to other cities and how they have dealt with congestion. And so they wait. The other reason for the congestion is the people who know not how to drive on the interstate. These are the people who drive slowly out of fear or because they will not allow themselves to go over 45 miles per hour in the morning. These are also the people who must slow down to be able to look out their window as they drive (I wonder how they walk and chew gum?). These are also the people who use the turn lanes to merge into traffic, not waiting to merge but actually driving in the turn lane until they get in. These are only two of the factors that account for congestion from Nampa to Boise everyday. I would like to say that I have hope for the future, but as a resident of this valley for over 25 years I can say that the status quo is what voters around here like. So the next time elections come around and people vote with only one issue as their deciding factor they are abdicating everything else and they should not complain, because they got what they earned.

Autumn.
Yesterday my son, who is in kindergarten said, “Dad, did you know autumn is another word for fall?” I said “Yes, I did. I learned that in school.” He has learned so much already in his class. He has also become more of a help around the house. I think this comes from working in a classroom setting and getting along with others. My daughter who is in pre-school is also very quick to share her new-found knowledge with me. The other night she was working on her letters and writing her name and was very anxious to show me. How is this related to autumn? Because in autumn families get into their routines and as I have been a member of a family for all of my life it is nice to get into schedule of things again.

That time of year....Again!

Just a quick post about the return of Autumn. How can it be you say, it is still August. Tonight is the season opener of Boise State football. Now, I won't be able to attend in person but we will be watching it at home. Boise State vs. Sacramento State, this is their first meeting. The Broncos should do well. To show how excited I am I wanted to show my desktop screen from work and give you something to listen to.
Desktop Screen
Listen Here


GO BRONCOS!

Vacation...

Vacation.
We just got back from taking a “real” family vacation. We loaded up the kids and drove to Denver, CO to see some friends. It was fun, we drove all night to get there so the kids would sleep and it worked pretty well. We stopped about 3:00 am to take a quick nap, and then we were on our way. We were there for about six days. It was a lot of fun. We took the kids to a water park and they had a blast. My brother-in-law was in Denver for work so we were able to see him for a little while also. I was able to visit one of the “Apple” stores in the area (twice actually). I took the kids to the Apple store and they were able to play on some of the eMacs and they loved it. On the way home we stopped in Pocatello for a family reunion.
So in the next few weeks I am going to try to collect my thoughts on the vacation and what not. Check it out and see.

Alias

Alias.
So I am sort of a sci-fi show person. I like some TV and movies of that genre, I am by no means an expert or addict. Except for a few things. Right now it is Alias. I know you’re thinking “Wasn’t that show cancelled since Ben Affleck’s wife had her baby?” The answer is YES. Alias had its series finale on May 22, 2006 after a five year run. I didn’t start watching Alias until near the end of season one, but after that my wife and I were hooked. We made sure that if we weren’t going to be home to watch then we had a way to record it. This past year TNT started running reruns of Alias, I made a point to set the DVR to record when it came on so I could enjoy my favorite episodes again. My wife went along the first time TNT went through all the episodes, but when they started again, she wasn’t too interested. So I watch them now when I have time, making sure that I don’t fill up the DVR.
At times, I wonder why I like it so much. I think that it has to do with the relationship dynamics as they are presented in the show. Sydney and her father Jack, his limited disclosures and deception all in the best interest of his daughter. Sydney, having to deceive her friends about her actual profession (they thought she worked at a bank, not for the CIA or SD-6). Irina Derevko (aka Laura Bristow) her initial deception to Jack and also her limited disclosure to Sydney and Jack years later. This family dynamic is very interesting. There is also the intrigue; I always liked that suspense that comes before the ultimate resolution (see The Hunt for Red October). As long as TNT or some station shows the reruns I will be on the lookout for Alias and while watching the episodes perusing the episode guide to see what will happen next.