Lost in Time

I forgot about this blog. In the past little while I've been to Argentina, China twice, Europe (Poland and France), Morocco, Virginia, and Texas. I've come out to my sister. That went well. I've done a little counseling with Jerry. I've hung out with friends, done some hiking, some swimming, some reading, some yoga, some vegging out...There, I'm up-to-date.

NBA Arenas

The arenas in the National Basketball Association are named after all kinds of things:

Named after airlines:
Air Canada Center
American Airlines Arena
Continental Airlines Arena
United Center
American Airlines Center
US Airways Center

Named after financial institutions:
Conseco Fieldhouse
Quicken Loans Arena
TD Banknorth Garden
TD Waterhouse Centre
Wachovia Center
KeyArena

Named after oil companies:
Philipps Arena
ARCO Arena

Named after telecoms companies:
Verizon Center
AT&T Center

Names after service companies and retailers:
FedEx Forum
Oracle Arena
Pepsi Center
Staples Center
Target Center

Named after auto manufacturers:
Ford Center
Toyota Center

Named after the team or location:
Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Madison Square Garden
Palace of Auburn Hills
New Orleans Arena
Rose Quarter

Named after a nuclear waste dump:
EnergySolutions Arena

EnergySolutions Arena

Larry Miller sells his soul and renames the Delta Center, EnergySolutions Arena. I think I'm going to puke. I'm not going inside that building while it has that name. This is pathetic. I can see the building outside my window. I may need to move.

Mr. President meet Madame Speaker

This had to be uncomfortable for all involved.

Utah's 4th Congressional District Revisited

I've been looking at the vote totals for the three Utah congressional races yesterday and I understand better why the Democrats may opposed the Governonr's current redistricting plan to add a fourth congressional district in Utah.

By dividing Salt Lake County into northern and southern districts, you congregate the Democrats in the north district and Republicans in the south, virtually guaranteeing a seat to each party.

If, on the other hand, you divided Salt Lake County into east and west districts, you would have two competitive races, either or both of which could be won by the right Democratic candidate. (Finding one in addition to Matheson would be a challange, but it's theoretically possible).

Right now, SL county is divided into all three congressional districts. 39% of the vote in the three congressional races was in Salt Lake County and 58% of that vote went to democratic candidates, 37% to republicans, and 5% to Constitution, Libertarian, and Green candidates.

By dividing SL County into east/west districts, you would have a good base of people who are willilng to at least consider voting for a Democratic candidate in each district.

For this reason, the east west divide is surely DOA in the State Capital, but it would make for a lot more entertaining election season.

Wrocław Fountain for City Creek Center

I think this fountain, found in Wrocław, Poland's Market Square, would be perfect for the new City Creek Center in downtown SLC. I don't know if it was designed to have a mountain motif, but that's what it looks like to me, I think it would be perfect.

American Airlines

They are my favorite air carrier because I have almost all my miles on them. But I was pissed off Sunday morning. I was checking in at the automated kiosk and the option came up for me to be able to upgrade to first class for $139. I was traveling on a free ticket bought with miles. As such, I could not use some of my dozens of upgrades, but I could evidently pay to upgrade a free ticket. That didn't seem right. I can understand if the ticket is blanket not-upgradable, but to be able to pay to upgrade but not be able to use free upgrades earned through years of faithful flying seemed deeply wrong. I was travelling on the cheap (i.e. I was paying, not my company) so I did not choose to pay the $139 and stayed in coach.

I've been flying in first and business too much lately. I had forgotten how narrow the seats in coach are. This is especially trying when you are sitting next to someone who physically in not able to contain their mass in their assigned space.

Nervous as a Virgin Bride

I do not have the sophisticated and extensive resources of national parties and news organizations, all I know is what I read and experience first hand. So, from what I can tell, something between the Republicans holding onto a one vote edge in the house, to a pickup of 30 seats is expected tomorrow. And the Senate will stay Republican or the Dems will have a one vote edge. In other words, no one really knows what is going on, or it is impossible for me to figure out who does (or is lucky in their prognostications). So I will be glued to the television set tomorrow night and hooked up to the internet to follow the returns moment by moment. This is so exciting - and nerve wracking.

I'm an Early Voter

Went down to the SL county complex on an early lunch. Was in the voting line by 11:15 and back at my car at 11:45. Half an hour, not too bad. The line just kept gettin longer behind me so I'll bet some people were going to be waiting more than an hour. I filled out a KSL exit poll on the way out.

In the end I voted for all the Democrats on the ballot including whoever was running against Rep. Bishop. I voted for the ZAP tax and the open lands and against the sales tax increase for transportation despite the warning that gridlock will start tomorrow if I did. Hopefully Prop. 3 will will lose (not likely) and then we can go back to the county property tax for TRAX, increasing the gas tax for more highways, and a state solution for commuter rail.

I also voted against all the Judges. They win by such wide margins I feel someone needs to vote against them to keep them interested in the process.

Back from Poland

I'm back from Poland. Got in last night. The Warsaw - London - Chicago - Salt Lake trip is quite tiring but I'm a One World man so I'm willing to have an extra leg to get the miles. I love the English breakfast they have on British Airways, and the Salmon and Asian Chicken salad I had on the London - Chicago leg were quite delicious, as was the pasta I had from Chicago to SLC. On that flight I sat next to a woman who had somewhere between 6 and 8 drinks (I know it was at least six but I fell asleep for on hour so assume she had some while I was napping). I hope she had a ride from the airport.

I see the election has still not happened. Good thing because I haven't voted yet, although I expect to wrap up that enjoyable duty at the county complex this afternoon. I was thinking about voting for Janice Auger for the County Council at large seat, I was impressed by her comments at the Capitol Hill community council, but I just don't think I can bring myself to vote for a Republican this year.

I didn't hear about the Kerry controversy until I was reading the web this morning. I think even if he said what he was supposed to he would have had to apologize. Attack the President, not the troops. My brother is in Iraq and he didn't join the army because he couldn't get a job, he joined because he's one of the most patriotic people I know. If Kerry is planning a run in 2008 he should reconsider. He had his shot and blew it.