NCAA - Week 10

The Utes did it! We are 10-0 and loving every minute of it. I couldn't stay up to hear the final score but rushed to a computer before lunch the next day. Looks like our defense held us in the game, along with a lot of self-inflicted TCU penalities. Brian Johnson took them 80 yards in the final minutes to take the lead and win...Wow!! Go Utes!

NCAA - Week 8

Updates on week 8 games:

• Sorry BYU...you blew it. I really wanted to see them do well. I know you all think Mike is just a Ute but that is not true. You see, I didn't grow up in Utah so I am ok with rooting for both BYU and Utah (both excellent universities). Back to BYU, they got shocked early and could not recover...surprising they couldn't recover, knowing how Bronco always has a counter-attack. I guess that is the test of a great team. My pre-game prediction was 28-30, having TCU win, but I really wanted to see better offense out of BYU. The boys in blue are very blue this week.
• Utah had a solid performance beating Colorado State 49-16. I liked the consistent play by Utah's defense (although they couldn't slow down the run in the 3rd quarter). I can safely say the offense played 3 of the 4 quarters very well. We have now completed 2/3 of the season and 8-0 sounds really good. Our rank went up a bit to #11...not bad. Thanks to my sister, I got free tickets for Aly and I on the 45 yard line...last home game I will see in a few years.
• Boise State is right behind us at #12, GO Broncos. TCU is proving their skills and ranked #14. I believe that game will be the test of the year for the Utes...glad we play them at Rice-Eccles.
  

MyDebates.org

Why So Silent On Crude Oil Prices?

Today, Bloomberg.com is reporting the price of crude down to $80 a barrel...why is everyone silent on this news? I don't call it good news or bad news because I still believe price is a result of the market. The price is just that, what people are willing to pay (the demand) and the availability of a product (the supply). With so many factors in the supply of oil (explorers, drillers, shippers, refiners, distributors, truckers, retailers), the price of fuel in America is very complicated. I don't buy into the idea that "Big Oil" companies sit around creating the price daily. Now the OPEC countries do have a lot of power controlling the supply...sucks that we send so much money overseas and increase their power and control in the world. Would be nice for us to drill more in the US and build more refineries that are environmentally friendly. So much to talk about here...new sources of energy are definitely needed.

So I paid about $4.20 a gallon a few weeks back and now Sinclair has unleaded listed at $3.40 a gallon...good, but not exactly great. I hear more people changing their demand behavior...seriously looking at hybrids or natural gas cars, careful planning of their errands around town, commuting with public transportation, and thinking twice about long road trips. The freedom and opportunities the American car gave this country were amazing over the last century...I hope that does not get lost in our effort to conserve.

LDS Temple In Cordoba, Argentina

During the first session of General Conference (semi-annual meeting of the LDS world authorities) President Thomas S. Monson announced the building of a new temple in Cordoba, Argentina.  This is exciting for me because I served 22 months in this city and saw branches, wards and stakes grow.

Temple in Cordoba

6-0 - Crazy Game, But Now I'm Excited

Wow!...last night's game made me crazy to watch but excited by the finish. Utah hosted Oregon State in a battle that will be remembered. Utah came back to score 3 times in the last 89 seconds; 25 yd td pass, 2 pt conversion run, and 37 yd field goal to run out the clock. I did not expect a chance to tie for overtime much less a chance to kick the winning field goal. Here is the run down:

• Sakoda is the man! Calm under pressure, consistent, and my player of the game. His leg saved us from a risky overtime and finished the game!!
  
• Both defenses played extremely well. Only 2 field goals in the 1st quarter by both teams and the half time score was 15-20...making it a defensive battle. Oregon State's line continued to get pressure on Johnson, while their secondary covered very well.
• Utah did a decent job containing Rogers, though he broke 2 great 30 yd rushes in a row. I was very impressed with his talent and execution on every run...watch out for him in coming years.
  
• Penalties were down for Utah...an improvement and definitely something they need to continue each week.
  
• Oregon States missed an extra point in the 2nd quarter, haunting them the rest of the game. They tried to make it up with 2 failed tries for 2 pt conversions. Along with the missed field goal, their kicking game basically gave up 6 points and changed the whole game.
  
• Johnson had a terrible game plagued by an interception, fumble and low completions...he almost lost the game for us. I save his critique for last because I'm embarrassed by his performance...not typical for him. With 2 minutes left, I had lost faith that he could come back...just not his game. But, I was wrong and I give him credit for a great drive and 2 point conversion run. Wow!...he pulled it off and redeemed himself.
  

My prediction of 24-34 was close. I felt the game would be won between the tackles, low scoring and determined by the strongest defense. Utah was successful because they slowed down Rogers, kept penalties low, and kept the score close enough for "King Louie" Sakoda to do his stuff....GO UTES!!!

FactCheck.Org - Presidential Debate

This is a 5 min clip calling out the misleading statements during the 1st Presidential debate.

5-0...But No Jumping For Joy Here

The Utes did get another win Saturday against Weber State, but I'm not in the mood to jump for joy. I sat (mostly stood) in the student section with my friend Rob. Alicia was great to take the girls for the night while I got my football fix in for the week. Here's my break down...

• The Utah defense was lacking. The line could not get a rush on the QB. Our corners got beat too many times. Weber put up 303 yds passing...not good.
• Brian Johnson played a solid game with 194 yds passing and 2 td's. He threw an interception inside the 10 yard line when his arm was hit during the throw...should not have forced it. I would like to see him scramble and run more...he is being very careful lately not to get hurt.
• Sakoda continues to kick well for the Utes scoring 13 points. He is 7 for 7 inside the 40 yard line.

Thursday night we play the team that beat "the team" (USC)...Oregon State. They will be really pumped and ready for what we throw at them. Their defense played extremely well against a talented S. California...if they bring the same game this week, we could loose bad. I am glad the game is at Rice-Eccles; maybe the crowd can pump up the Utes to play all 4 quarters. We definitely have to be aggressive the entire game, not do the "conservative 2nd half" approach the coaches have been playing. In NCAA football, anybody can beat anybody. Our defensive also has to slow down their run...Oregon State has a great little running back. If we can not stop their run early, it will be a long night. So, I give us a 50% chance of beating Oregon State. Prediction...24-34 Utah.

After this win, I will have something to jump for joy...national recognition, higher ranking and 6-0!!

Oil Prices

Maybe some good news, Nymex Crude Future prices have been dropping lately. Bloomberg.com is reporting the price around $98...glad we are not closer to last summer's prices. Lately, I've been checking the price once a week. The pump in our zip code is averaging $3.60 for a gallon...still too high for me, but I keep buying. I paid $3.47 on Saturday after my $.10 discount for using my Sinclair card...yipee! Glad my commute is so short these days.

Energy Prices

Messin With Sasquatch

This is one of my favorite websites...very funny. These commercials show how good marketing can build your brand quickly, target the desired customer and create sales without even saying the word "jerky".  My favorite is the hand in warm water...amazing how old jokes never die.

Click on the link, then VIEW THE COMMERCIALS on the bottom tab.

Commercials

The Palin Effect

Governor Sarah Palin is now a common name in the American household. John McCain took an unexpected leap to choose a brand new governor, with little national exposure and even less Washington experience. The media jumped right on the story to find out who is the real Sarah Palin (most could not even pronounce her name)...yes I do believe they have a responsibility to report on her views and political experience. But of course, the small portion of the media bent on distorting a persons ideas and accomplishments, looked for the worst and let everyone know it. If they would just stick to her stand on the issues and leave personal and family attacks out, we would all be better off. Here are some of my thoughts on her in the last few weeks:

• I like the fact that she is not a typical politician...the "hockey mom" wanting to make a difference in her home town and lower property taxes, really appeals to me.
• She is not as "inexperienced" as everyone says. She won a spot on her city council in 1992 at the age of 28...very impressive. Two-term Mayor, Commissioner of the AOGC, and Governor. I know she has more local political experience than national, but maybe that is what Washington needs.
• I am not surprised that "Feminist" of the National Organization for Women are not happy with her nomination. They and Sarah are polar opposites on the "A" issue. On a side note, if you haven't read about her choice to have their 5th child...definitely worth the read. Back to the lack of support from "Feminist", I feel sorry that they are loosing the chance to throw support behind an amazing women. To accomplish so much in little time, while raising a family, is tremendous. Of course her life is not perfect and we shouldn't put her on too high a pedestal...but stick to the issues.

I guess my opinion is that I like her stand on the issues of eliminating pork spending, strong national defense, smaller federal government, stronger local government, gun control, and abortion. Yes...I am conservative on political and social issues...not a surprise there.

I don't want to speak for my wife, but after Palin's convention speech, Alicia couldn't wait to tell me how much she liked "Sarah"....that is a lot from someone that dislikes politics.

NCAA - Week 4

Week 4 was very exciting for teams in the West. Here is the run down according to me...

• Utah pulled out a "W" against Air Force in Colorado. I was in Idaho for Spud Day and did not get a chance to see the game since it was not on dish. About every 15 minutes, the broadcasters would show a quick score update and a play. From what I hear, it was a nail bitter down to the end. In the last 2 minutes, Utah ran it in to put them up 30-23. With :58 left on the clock, Utah intercepted the ball and the game was over. We are now ranked #17 in both polls...great to be in the top 25 again!
• BYU had another home shutout against Wyoming. Impressive numbers for the offense too. The team "down south" is looking very good as a contender for the MWC title. They moved up to #11 and could be the next BCS buster!
• Boise State played a very impressive 1st half against #17 Oregon. In the 2nd half, the offense started to play conservative, which gave Oregon a chance to come back in the 4th quarter. Fortunately for the Broncos, it was too little too late. Boise pulled out the upset with 37-32 in Oregon...ouch! Our friends to the north are in the national spot light again and made the polls at #20...blue field rules!
  

The Office Season 5

Last night, I caught the last 10 minutes of The Office season 4 finale. I guess NBC is gearing up for next weeks season 5 opener...1 hour of the crew of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. There are some great commercial spots to pump up the fans.

New Olympic Sport

Dwight's Centathalon

Pandora Radio

For those that haven't tried it, Pandora Radio has become one of my favorite things on the web. You basically have your own web radio where you choose the stations or genre, rate songs you hear with thumbs up or thumbs down, and it plays future songs based on your choices. It will occasionally repeat songs, but you have control on how often you hear it. You can also edit your choices, add bands or remove bands.

My favorite stations lately have been Alternative Country, Indie Rock and Alternative Rock. It is great for trying new music and bands that sound like your favorites. I got into Damien Rice a few months back and others that have a similar flare. My brother Dan introduced me to My Morning Jacket last month...Indie Rock band that is starting to get around. My Wilco/Uncle Tupelo station is always fun to try. You can also share your stations with other Pandora users.

It is free to sign up and can be accessed by any PC with a web connection. I have it up while I'm at work...very easy to sign up and start using. Let me know if you want me to share a station.

Pandora Radio

NCAA Football 2008

It is that time of year...autumn...leaves...cool air...and FOOTBALL. This is my favorite season of the year. You can just smell football in the early evening hours. I have many great memories playing little league football in Northern Virginia.

In the past few years, I have grown to enjoy the NCAA football season with all its ups and downs, excellent talent and exciting plays. There are so many great teams to follow and the style of football is so different from region to region...for example, makes it exciting when a northern school plays the west like Utah vs. Michigan a few weeks ago. I've posted the team rankings on my blog since that is what I look up every week...I know, most people could care less. The season has the promise of some great games leading up to the BCS...stay tuned.

Election 2008

Since growing up in Washington DC and the local news was always politics, I've been bread to follow it until I die...Alicia hates it when the election cycle hits because that is all I watch. I've been following this site for a few years now to see how the electoral college will turn out. This site take individual state polls and predicts the Electoral College count...it will be interesting to see how the final vote turns out.

Electoral Vote

Introduction

This blog is how I see the world. It is a collection of ideas, thoughts, beliefs, opinions, interests, and hobbies. Feel free to comment...