triggering Action Potential

Wild Card Race

Boy, is the National League exciting at this time of the year?! Late season collapses and late season surges are making the fans biting their nails. Perhaps no more than the Cubs fan, as the franchise dropped $300+ million during the offseason. With a 2 game lead over the Brewers and a magic number at 2, three games left, what are the odds that the Cubs will make the playoffs? They have to win at least one game, and hope the Brewers lose at least one as well. Of course, once the playoff starts, it's a fresh season.

Regardless, I think the American League will win the World Series. It's too bad, because I really want the Cubs to win it. I just don't think they have the stuff. Too many inconsistencies. Of course, we'll have to get ready for another Yankees/Red Sox series. So in a way, money does buy you into the playoffs. Let's hope the dice roll in Cubs' favor!

Genius?

rather than being smart/intelligent/genius, I rather be smart about the choices/decisions I make in life. Being educated to make those "smart" decisions is probably more important than just being smart.

Tick Tock Clock

the countdown officially begins today

tick, tock, tick, tock

Making it easier and clearer

All we need is honesty. Just fess up when you did something, instead of creating a whole drama. Why bother going to trial if 1) you know you are guilty, or 2) you know you lied to about the defendent's innocence?

Irony

while surfing on the MSN.com site, I noticed a blatant irony on the webiste. Under the MSN money, a hyperlink to the reason why we are in debt, and citing consumers buying cars outside of their budget/need and warning the consumers about the importance of having a financial budget within your means. Then I looked around and saw a whole bunch of other hyperlinks to luxury sedans, high-tech gadgets, fashion, jewelry, and etc.

OK. How can a person not get attracted by these advertisements of delicious goods and forget about what they have just learned?

It's like having an AA meeting at a liquor store. It just doesn't work!

Once a celebrity, always a celebrity?

I am amazed that the media still cover what happens to O.J. Simpson. Is a criminal a celebrity in today's miserable world that we need so that we can feel better about ourselves? Why can't there be more coverages of everyday heroes and average joes that are making a difference in this world?

once someone is given celebrity status, does the "honor" stay on forever? from true celeb to washed-up celeb to criminal celeb to retired celeb... I mean, come on! We've got to draw the line somewhere!!

Cheating in professional sports

Shouldn't there be a zero-tolerance policy for cheaters in professional sports? I mean, getting fined is like loosing pocket change to these high-paid atheletes, that many people look up to. Afterall, they are professional. Are they also professional cheaters??!!

Railroad crossing safety

This week I witnessed on two different days three commuters running across a three track railroad crossing when the bells were ringing and the gates were starting to come down. While they crossed safely to the platform to board their incoming commuter train, they were busted by a police office. Oh yes, they will be paying a steep fine. Oh yes, they weren't happy about it. and yep, they were delayed (just as they would be if they had not tried to cross the tracks).

It made me wonder about these educated folks and what makes them take the risk? When it comes to man vs train, unfortunately, the train wins. Sure you don't see the train coming from either direction, but it will become a habit and then the train will hit you on the day you lose your guard.

For those trying to cross the tracks, on foot or in vehicle, when the alarms are going, are not thinking about other people but themselves. What about the people on the train, the train engineer, their family, etc. These have higher values than the several hundred dollars they will pay in fine. The best tragic example is the recent news of a mother racing her car to beat the train (she thought it was only one train, but it turned out there was another one from the different direction) and two of four childern died and now, she's dead too.

CRUNCH time!!

Reaching another graduate school milestone soon--the thesis proposal. The passing would mean the official candidacy into the Ph.D. program, which makes all of us wonder what kind of program was I in for the past few years...

Passing would also mean a structured timeline to mark the beginning of the end.

quick! knock on wood!!

Breakdown

We safely returned to home after driving across the country in a U-haul. There was no breakdown during the trip. But here is the breakdown of how we fared each day.

Day 1. Albany, OR to Twin Falls, ID. 625 miles. 6:30am to 7:30pm. (Time zone change). Spent 1 hour looking for lodging.

Day 2. Twin Falls, ID to Laramie, WY. 571 miles. 7:30am to 6:30pm.

Day 3. Laramie, WY to West De Moines, IA. 674 miles. 6:30am to 8:00pm. (Time zone change).

Day 4. West De Moines, IA to Wheaton, IL. 316 miles.

Lesson learned: A good sleep for a long road trip makes a big difference.