Sunday, April 30, 2006

Golfing

Maybe I'll take up golfing like the Stars who will watch the remaining Stanley Cup playoffs from their couch.

UPDATE: Perhaps that sounds a little harsh. Ask me tomorrow; maybe the loss won't be as fresh.

OT

Guerin of the Stars tied the game in the third to force OT!

UPDATE: Stars lose 3-2 in OT.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Finally, Not Finale

The Stars pulled out a win last night against Colorado, but they face almost unsurmountable odds as they're down 3-1 in a seven game series. Although, it was nice to see the Stars play with some vigor and a will to win; I fear it may have come too late, however.

Friday, April 28, 2006

New York

Today, I was at headquarters, which is located at 3 World Financial Center directly across the street from where the World Trade Center towers stood. The board dining room, where our event was held, is on the 50th floor and directly overlooks the now vacant block. There was damage to 3WFC and it was closed for repairs from September 2001 to May 2002. I can barely imagine the horror witnessed and experienced by my colleagues on that September morning as they watched the towers destroyed. It's always a poignant moment.
(Above: The view of the 3 WFC building from the observatory of the now destroyed World Trade Center.)

On the site of the former twin towers, the construction of Freedom Tower has begun. See the depiction of what it will look like when it's completed. (a little perspective, 3WFC has the green top pyramid on the left of the picture) To monitor progress of the build, visit Project Rebirth.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Alright Already!

This playoff series is REALLY not going as I'd wished. Stars lost game 3! They are down three games and have to win the next four to advance to the next round.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

15th is the Charm for #4!

Photo by Jim Biever
(Official Packers Website)

Favre is returning!

Official Packers Website
Green Bay Press Gazette
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Official Favre Website

Favre News?

Photo by Jeffrey Phelps
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinal)
The speculation has once again begun in earnest as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and ESPN report that Favre will return for his 15th season. Hopefully, there will be good news to report later today!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Dallas Series 0-2

Well, game two didn't exactly go how I wished it would have. After coming back from an 0-3 deficit in the first period to go ahead 4-3 in the second, the Avs tied the game late in the third and won in overtime. Now the Stars are down two games in the best of seven and headed to Denver for game 3 on Wednesday. Hopefully, I'll have report will have better news on Thursday morning.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my bro!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Take for Granted

The Stars performance today was what not to do in the first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Although they scored the first two goals; that's all they would score and the Avs would have five unanswered goals. I hope Monday's game will show some improvement.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Go Stars!

Well, as I mentioned in my last post, regular season is over, but not for those that made the playoffs! Go Stars!!!! (You might wonder why I'm a Stars fan. Good question. As a Minnesota native, and therefore a North Stars fan, I still feel an allegiance to the Stars who took up residence in Dallas in 1993. Hence, my continued affection for the Stars!)

Their first round, post-season schedule is as follows:

Sat, April 22 3:00 p.m.at Dallas (NBC)
Mon, April 24 9:00 p.m.at Dallas (OLN, TSN)
Wed, April 26 9:30 p.m.at Colorado (OLN, TSN)
Fri, April 28 10:00 p.m.at Colorado (OLN, TSN)
*Sun, April 30 2:00 p.m.at Dallas (NBC)
*Tue, May 2 TBDat Colorado (OLN, TSN)
*Thu, May 4 TBDat Dallas (OLN, TSN)
*if necessary
-- All times Eastern

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Wife for Sale

Okay, so the title sounds a little alarming to some, and maybe overly enticing to others.

Anyway, it's not QUITE that bad, perhaps I'm being overly sensitive. So here's the question: Would you let your husband sell a picture of you? (exhibit a)

The verdict is out. What do you think? If you have an opinion, feel free to comment.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Caps Win 6-4!

Regular hockey season is over. We went to the final home game (second to last game of the season). The Caps beat the Atlanta Thrashers by a score of 6-4. It was an exciting game. The first Thrashers goal came 11 seconds into the game; needless to say, we thought we might be leaving early. However, the Caps persevered and came out winners. Olie Kolzig was the definitely a game star, saving 38 out of 42 shots on goal; Matt Pettinger had two goals; and rookie phenom Alexander Ovechkin scored his 52nd goal of the season. Let me put 52 goals in one season into perspective. Only two seasoned players had more goals this year: Jonathan Cheechoo (San Jose) with 56 goals and Jaromir Jagr (NY Rangers) with 54 goals. Ovechkin is just the second NHL rookie to post 50 goals and 100 points. Lest you think I'm overly fawning, expand "Player Notes" under his profile.

So, out of my eleven game season ticket package, I only saw three winning games. Please don't calculate my ROI.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Happy Easter!

We celebrated Easter with friends. What a blessing it is to have such wonderful friends. We played host to hidden Easter baskets, egg hunting, cupcake decorating and lots of fun in the yard. Brunch consisted of a baked egg dish, hash brown casserole, baked french toast, banana bread, cupcakes for the kids and individual bundt cakes for the adults. A beautiful fruit dish and center piece brought by friends topped the meal.

What a different a few months makes. No peeing incidences (see Thanksgiving)!

We hope you had a wonderful Easter too.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Headlines

Packer fans woke to headlines like, "Packers' Favre Will Declare Plans for '06 Season Today" or "Packers' Favre to announce his plans Saturday morning." However, after the delayed press conference in Tunica, Mississippi, at the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation's Celebrity Golf Tournament, the new headlines read, "Favre says he still hasn't decided on future" and "Favre still unsure if he will return next season."

So for now, Packer fans continue to patiently wait to see if their three-time MVP quarterback, who ranks second behind Dan Marino on the NFL’s career list in touchdown passes (396), yards passing (53,615) and completions (4,678); holds the NFL record for most consecutive starts for a quarterback with 221 (241 including the playoffs); has led the Packers to six division crowns; and helped the Packers win the 1997 Super Bowl in New Orleans, a 35-21 victory over New England, returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay for the first time in 29 years, will play a 16th season.
MSNBC Slideshow "Fabulous Favre"

Make a Difference Month

Every year, the company I work for sponsors "Make a Difference Month." This is a time for us to give back to the community a little. This year's project was at the World Vision's Storehouse in Washington, DC. Our morning project was to help sort school supplies on to pallets.

Here's a little information about The Storehouse in Washington, D.C. It serves every public school in the city as well as private schools. Last year it provided school supplies to teachers, counselors, and therapists who put them into the hands of over 79,000 students.

Thanks to corporate donors, The Storehouse is able to keep its shelves stocked with valuable teaching tools and supplies that help even the playing field for students who struggle against poverty. Donors provide top-quality overstock and surplus products, which are distributed to schools in which at least 70 percent of students qualify for a subsidized meal program.

Local volunteers provide the necessary labor to keep the shelves stocked and inventory organized and easy to find for educators. Students from Marva Boatman’s Mamie D. Lee special education school also visit the center regularly through a community-based work program. Her students––ages 12 to 15––learn basic job skills by helping to keep the shelves well stocked and orderly.

Monday, April 03, 2006

My Favorite Time of Year!

This is always one of my very favorite times of the year in Washington.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Cherry Blossom Peak

Beautiful day to walk around the tidal basin in Washington, DC.