I haven't been this happy in months! I'm so happy, I'm actually writing in my journal and publishing the back journal entries that I wrote but never sent up to the site. I'm so happy, I just prepped the new calendar for 2004. (It's for the diary, and it's kind of tedious work). And why oh why am I so happy? It's because Joe Gibbs is going to be the Redskins new head coach!!!

    Yes, I know, it sounds stupid for me to be so happy about an event that really has little to do with my day to day life, but I'm a Redskins fan, and ever since I left Washington, Gibbs has been retired. When I returned I was really looking forward to being able to watch the games every week (instead of depending on national TV coverage). And now that I can, they have been terrible! This year is the first year that I've had good reception (cable) and they went 5 - 11! I'm so excited, that I'm actually listening to the radio in my house! Which is strange, and I'm actually typing instead of playing a video game.

    Wow! Wow! Wow! It's going to be a long time until September, when we get to see what he's able to do with this team. *Good Sigh* *Deep Breath* Alright, I just realized that not everyone will understand why this is such an important development for Redskins Fans. Ok, take a look at this as a comparison. Joe Gibbs was here for 12 years. His record was 124 - 60 - 0. (Wins, losses, ties). In the 11 seasons since he retired, the Redskins have had 5 coaches with a combined record of 74-101-1. That's a 50 win difference! Here's another startling statistic. Coach Gibbs went to the playoffs EIGHT times in 12 years and since he left they have been to the playoffs only ONCE in eleven years. The Washington area is abuzz with the news! For the last 11 years, Joe Gibbs has been involved in NASCAR and has produced two championship winning teams. He's a great leader and a man of tremendous character. Two of his sons are actively working on his NASCAR team and I knew of both of them. I didn't know them, but I was aware of them in High School. When I was in the 8th grade. His oldest son was the starting Quarterback of my High School and the team went 9 - 1. I saw him play back then (1985 or 1986). His youngest son wrestled against my High School team. I didn't wrestle him, he was a lot bigger than me. I read that he is now a NASCAR driver for his father's team. Growing up in Washington has allowed me to rub elbows with a lot of sports' figures sons in both baseball and wrestling. It can be kind of cool sometimes.

    OK, let's move topics to something else so that I can close this edition of the diary. On Saturday, I went to the Auto show in Washington and was able to sit in some of the finest cars available on the market. My three favorite cars would be the Nissan 350Z (Oh man is that sweet!!!), the RX8, and the Cooper Mini, with the extended sun roof. The Cooper Mini would not be my first car, but I would love to borrow it from my wife one day, just to drive. It was fun to sit in this car and that. My biggest disappointment was the H2 Humvee. It felt smaller inside than I expected. Go figure. After the show we went to China town and ate an authentic (or so it felt) Chinese restaurant. Speaking of China town. I'm headed back to San Fran later this month. I'm looking forward to it.

    One last thing before I retire. I was so happy today, I didn't even get angry about Fritz grabbing a snack from the litter box and rolling all over the carpet with it. It was about a 3 x 3 foot square that he polluted with his this thing. I don't know understand why Beagles like to roll in poop. I don't think I'll ever understand. 

    I'm in San Francisco and I'm tired. I left the house at 5:30 AM EST this morning, and it's now 7:07 PM PST. If I hadn't napped on the plane, I'd be conked out by now. After arriving at the hotel, I met up with one my contemporaries who also enjoys music. We drove to Amoeba Music which is located on Haight Street. For those who are unaware, Haight / Ashbury was the cultural center of the Hippy movement of the 60's. Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead are just two examples of artists who lived in this section of San Francisco. These days it's a little like Greenwich Village West. Well, that's probably too simplistic and could very well be inaccurate. Actually, it would be erroneous. This portion of San Francisco is quite colorful and the shops that surround it are amusing in and of themselves. It would be hard to describe the kind of people we saw, but alternative would be the word I would start with.
    Let me try to describe to you what this looks like. Amoeba Music is a two-tiered warehouse of new and used CDS,DVDS, RECORDS, 45S and tapes. The place has a lot of people searching the racks for that elusive disc or two. The Electronica / Techno section is pretty well packed with people. I could smell a number of them as they passed me by, and on a few of them, I saw deadness in their eyes as they milled about. Some of the folks there are homeless, or are living on the edge in other ways. Some of the hygienically disinclined choose to be that way and are actually employed at the store. All in all, it's a strange environment to immerse yourself in and I feel vaguely sorry for some that I came into contact with. It used to be that we were concerned about whether people on the street eat. Finding a meal doesn't seem to be the greatest problem for them anymore, it appears that the worst problem is that these people will endure all kinds of degradation as a result of living on the streets. Being poor or hungry doesn't appear to be the worst problem anymore, rampant drug use, prostitution, homosexuality and rape. It breaks your heart when you think of the brutality that is visited upon these folks.
    *Sigh* Let me get to the non-serious stuff. I was able to find some pretty cool stuff while I was there. I picked up a couple of U2 things on Vinyl. I picked up a James Live CD and a Promo 12". I picked up a few Coldplay CD's as well. I picked up a Cure single and a Maroon 5 Promo Video for "Hard to Breathe." All in all, it was a good haul and it was relatively cheap. Most of these items were used or promotional releases. After shopping we went to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant and it was quite good. When I returned to the hotel, I realized that I forgot to pack a charger for my phone. So, I'm now incapable of charging it up. I'm trying to decide whether or not I should buy a car charger or another cradle. I'm not even sure I can buy another cradle without a phone, but it might be worth investigating while I'm out here.
    Well, I need to go to bed. Night.

    I'm definitely on Eastern time. It's only 8:30 and I'm already looking toward to going to sleep. Today was bland over all, but not bad. After work, I went searching for a charger for my phone. It's more than a minor annoyance that I don't have a way to charge up my phone. And I have the fricken hiccups! Hiccup! Hiccup! Maybe I should run out and get something to eat, or maybe I should just run downstairs and order something.
    While I was out searching for an adapter to charge up my phone I ran into a Tower Records and picked up a copy of the Counting Crows best of album. I just ordered a hamburger and fries so that I can try to chase my hiccups away. I did drink a few beers, but not enough to give me the stumbling hiccups. If I go back into the way back machine, I can conjure up my memories from yesteryear. Back in the days when I first discovered the Counting Crows, back to the days of living in Colorado Springs, with my hand on the pulse of new music. I was dubious about Mr. Jones, but fell in love with August and Everything After, the first offering from the Counting Crows. Hiccup!
    I did find a Verizon Wireless dealer, but they closed at 6 PM. Or 9 PM EST. Strange. A shop that closes at 6 PM. Oh well, what are you going to do? I'll have to check them out tomorrow and see if I can find a charger. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but I would prefer to have the capability of talking to others. The road can become quite lonely, and the phone can be a life-line to friends and family.

    It's been a busy and productive week here in San Francisco. On Wednesday we worked about 12 hours and added another 10 hours on Thursday. Work was completed today, which allowed me to go out and see the area. I began my trip by heading north. I decided to visit the People's republic of Berkley. Berkley is famous for having banned dodge-ball in their elementary schools. Some would say that Berkley is the most leftist place in America. While I was there I saw bumper stickers that said "F*ck Bush" and "Bush is on Crack". It's safe to say that Bush isn't too popular their. I drove up there because I wanted to visit a record store. With the help of the locals, I finally found Amoeba music and I also ran into Rasputin Records as well. I did find a few discs, but less than I hoped for. I had much greater success at the larger and more fully stocked Amoeba music in San Francisco. As I left, I called my Dad to let him know that I had just visited the People's republic. He was amused, as I expected him to be. My dad is very conservative, so Berkley would be a place that would amuse him. I will say one thing about Berkley and San Francisco in general. It's a fascinating place. Some of the free-form artistic expression is very cool and very appealing. I, in general would disagree with some of the policies and philosophies of a primarily left-wing government, but I do like some of the culture. Maybe it would be better to have our artists create art, and to leave the non-artistic ones to govern. I know it sounds uptight, but I think governing has to be a bit uptight. I don't know, just a thought
    As I returned to San Francisco, I took the Bay bridge and realized that it's a double-decker bridge. When you travel east on route 80 across the Bay bridge, you are the lower deck of the bridge. On the way back, you travel on the upper deck and get a lot more sunlight. As I traveled over the bridge, I called my good friend A from NY. After a few minutes she pulled out a map and began to follow my progress through the city. We laughed about the geekiness required to follow a map over the phone, but it really helped me out. She went on-line to map quest and helped me find Lombard street. Lombard street is a famous street. It's extremely windy and it is extremely steep. I was able to drive down it and it was very cool. It was made more special because I was able to share it with someone, albeit over the phone. Thanks A!
    After letting A go to order Chinese Food, I made my way to the Wharf. I found a parking spot, and began to work my way down the wharf. For the first time, I really wished that I had a camera. I think that I might make that my next purchase. I don't want my life to be so undocumented. I walked a dozen or so blocks down to Pier 39, which has the entrance to the Alcatraz tours. Perhaps, I'll take the tour next time in town. For now, I just nosed around the Cannery and bought a few souvenirs for my nieces and nephews. I was really happy that I was able to see the Wharf. I didn't want to come all the way out here, and not see the city. How boring! My regret (as always) is that I wasn't really able to share it with someone. (Oh, that's just the romantic me spilling out. I assume that my someone would find it just as magical as me. Bollocks!) I just wish that I could convey how cool San Francisco is as a tourist. It's so different than anyplace on the east coast. But, despite my admiration for San Francisco, I'm happy to live on the east coast.
    Well, after walking about the wharf, I went off looking for another record store. After about a half hour, I found myself in the heart of San Francisco. Actually, I was in the heart of the commerce district. I'm sure that San Franciscans would disagree on where the heart of San Francisco is located, but it surely felt that I was in the pulsing center of the city. The trolley's were in full motion and consumers were more plentiful than the cars that sought passage through to the other side. I managed to find a parking space and I walked about some more. After returning to the car I called my friend R in Denver, and he and I went over my new purchases. He and I are both big music fans and we both love U2, so talking music with him is always cool. He stayed with me for about a half hour, while I searched for more record stores. Had it not been so late, I would have found a parking place. Sadly, it was too late to compete for the parking spaces that the commuting folks covet. I thought parking in Albany was tough! It really sucks in downtown San Fran.
    As I returned to San Mateo, I called my friend L from back home and she kept me company for the return trip to the hotel. It was fun to have so many of my friends involved in my explorations of San Francisco. Thanks friends!!! After I returned from my travels, I bumped into my co-worker and we shared a few beers in the bar as we rehashed our week. Professionally it was a a very satisfying week, and it was also a good week for seeing San Fran. The temperatures were mild, and we've had no rain. Well, I gotta get up early in the morning. So it's time to go to bed. I do want to highlight one song before I go. The song is called "Follow Through" and it's recorded by Gavin Degraw. "The words you say to me, are not like anything that's ever been said". It isn't what he sings, it's how he sings it. And knowing my taste in music, it's always about how it feels, and not what is said. He appears to be of he folksy stripped down nature, but I can't be sure until I hear more from him. If he can produce a few more popular tunes, he might just make it big. Night, see you on the east coast!