2013 Project 365 - Day 200

Christmas lights are on all over #SLC. Here's the lights at UTA's Salt Lake Central Station. http://t.co/Z3XNaiyc
7:10 PM November 21st via TweetDeck
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Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude! One pleasant customer just changed my day from glum to chipper. Thank you sir.
6:25 PM November 21st via TweetDeck
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A suit which never should have been brought. RT @ATWOnline Judge dismisses 9/11 suit against United http://t.co/7OSFPjtU
11:50 AM November 21st via TweetDeck
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RT @verge: Microsoft 'Xbox TV' device due in 2013 with casual gaming and streaming http://t.co/QO1K4Z91
11:49 AM November 21st via TweetDeck

D-Oh! RT @Salt_Lake_News SLC Police apologize for no-knock raid on wrong house http://t.co/M7aI6JE0 - #slc
11:37 AM October 6th via TweetDeck
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Whadda ya know? KSL compiles highlight reels for @uutah too! http://t.co/3avtznun
4:30 AM October 6th via TweetDeck
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I liked a @YouTube video http://t.co/o6idN4hq Utah ASU 9 22
4:29 AM October 6th via Google

We're DJing Stewart Elementary's Tech Trek. Watch for our Booth on KUTV (CHANNEL 2) news today.
5:12 PM September 27th via TweetDeck

Go #Vikings! RT @utahpj Taylorsville vs Viewmont Soccer - http://t.co/2vVyG0LX
11:52 AM September 22nd via TweetDeck
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RT @JimHillMedia | Chuck Jones is One Hundred Years Old today, September 21st, 2012. http://t.co/o8BUowOH
9:56 AM September 22nd via TweetDeck
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That's my old school! Sounds like the neighborhood's little different these days. RT @DavisSchools Wasatch Elementary http://t.co/OqFeJLfR
12:09 AM September 22nd via TweetDeck

The hole where the Duel Creek Irrigation failure is being repaired is now about 20 feet wide. http://t.co/2p8dG8Mz
9:41 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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Best photo I've got for now. Lower left corner is 6 foot wide sink hole. http://t.co/XpINTbxX
4:25 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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Just received auto phone call from @CPDutah also. No westbound traffic on Parish 100 E to 400 W. No traffic on Main, Chase Ln to Porter Ln.
2:34 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @cpdutah: No westbound traffic allowed on Parrish at Main st.
2:27 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @cpdutah: Effected water line is Deuel Creek irrigation. No disruption of drinking water expected. Irrigation disrupt extensive.
2:27 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @cpdutah: Major water leak Parrish and Main - avoid intersection if possible. Repair will take all day or longer.
2:27 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @michaelkreagan: Saw Disney/Pixar's BRAVE last night. The animation was simply beautiful and the story was fantastic too! I will give ...
10:50 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @kslcom: "We could never have envisioned where we are today," #SkyWest founder says as company marks 40 years. http://t.co/jVtwAgR6
10:49 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @StatueLibrtyNPS: #365Days of #Liberty- 6/20/1782- The Great Seal of the United States was submitted to Congress. Check the back of ...
10:47 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @verge: LeVar Burton will be On The Verge with Alexis Ohanian and Tim Wu! http://t.co/48W6yYG0
1:43 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @Jess_Intermtn: Our new Life Flight helicopters feature state-of-the-art technology – all digital controls – specially designed for h ...
1:41 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @dicks_market: Our new ad date is taking place in July #DicksMarket http://t.co/oUcHeluf
1:40 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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That game has no business being so much fun! RT @PodcastUnlocked Rockstar Table Tennis is $5 on Games on Demand, and... http://t.co/uqcapZoo
1:39 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @lauralollipop: I must say, watching Data learn to dance in "Data's Day" was the most awesome thing I've seen all week. He and Dr. Cr ...
1:18 AM June 20th via TweetDeck

They call me... MISTER Stig

If you don't know who The Stig is, I'm not sure you know me as well as you think you do.  But not knowing The Stig makes it almost impossible to explain why this recent gift makes me so giddy.

I'll include some links in this post, but the short answer is that The Stig is a character created for BBC television's  Top Gear.  He is a professional driver who races all the reviewed vehicles.  The Stig's costume, a nomex racing suit and helmet, naturally obscures his identity which has been the source of endless speculation and series features about who - or what - The Stig is.  


Since The Stig can be anyone, there is no reason The Stig could not be me.  Therefore I ask that you kindly refer to me as Mister Stig.  (You get brownie points if you catch the famous movie reference.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig
https://www.facebook.com/TheStig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCvdTXrXsBc

@majornelson @surface has real potential. Win 8 is the crux. If Win 8 runs smooth, its a deal changer.
11:55 PM June 18th via TweetDeck
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RT @ashergrey: I applaud Microsoft for reading the writing on the wall, but can we get a guy other than Ballmer to introduce it? He look ...
11:52 PM June 18th via TweetDeck
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@joshuatopolsky @verge FYI twitter account for Surface (looks like I'm first follower) RT @majornelson Adding 'Ask @Surface team why...
11:52 PM June 18th via TweetDeck
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RT @litheon: Catching up on today's #Surface news. It's looking like an excellent piece of hardware. Hoping the price point isn't too steep.
11:48 PM June 18th via TweetDeck
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Right. Features mark a dynamic shift on thier own. RT @joshuatopolsky I may be a lone voice, but I do not think Surface can be written off.
11:42 PM June 18th via TweetDeck

Doug's Top 40 Must See Science-Fiction Films & Franchises

Standards of selection:
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I. Films must not stink
II. No prejudice will be held against aged films and presentism will be avoided in their consideration
III. Films must have a heavy science/futurist component (i.e. Terminator qualifies, I Am Legend does not)
IV. Super hero films will be reserved for another list
V. Films are listed in no particular order

The Top 40 (In no particular order) ------------------------------------------------------ The Day The Earth Stood Still Forbidden Planet Star Wars (franchise comprehensive) Planet Of The Apes (1968) The Matrix (franchise comprehensive) The Wrath of Khan Tron Tron Legacy Ghostbusters Close Encounters Of The Third Kind War Games Star Trek (2009) Contact The Black Hole Flight Of The Navigator The Last Starfighter Terminator (franchise comprehensive) Minority Report Short Circuit Rocketeer 2001: A Space Odyssey 2010 Avatar Colossus: The Forbin Project Back To The Future Trilogy Manhattan Project Logan’s Run Blade Runner The Andromeda Strain THX 1138 iRobot War Of The Worlds (2005) Soylent Green Super 8 WALL-E Iron Giant Paul Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie 9 Inception

Films which almost made the list ---------------------------------------------------- Transformers (2007) Transformers (G1) Robocop Mad Max Total Recall Fifth Element 12 Monkeys V For Vendetta Surrogates Moon Outbreak A.I. 1984 Meet The Robinsons Silent Running I Am Legend Titan A.E. Star Trek TMP Dr. Strangelove (O.H.I.L.T.S.W.A.L.T.B.) E.T. Starman Space Camp Men In Black Abyss Alien, Aliens, etc. Stargate The Time Machine 20,000 Leagues under the sea Flash Gordon War Of The Worlds (1953) District 9 Galaxy Quest Signs The Island

Sci-Fi films that did not qualify ----------------------------------------------------- Mac and Me My Favorite Martian My Stepmother Is An Alien Coneheads Mars Attacks Men in Black 2 A Clockwork Orange Batteries Not Included Cocoon Outlander Solaris Monsters vs. Aliens Bicentennial Man K-Pax Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Ultraviolet

RT @388fw: @MakeAWish kids become #F16 fighter pilots for the day @TeamHill_UT http://t.co/TxgHewVh
11:42 PM May 25th via TweetDeck
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@DMC_Ryan Is there a pool where I can bet on what your next project will be?
11:09 PM May 25th via TweetDeck
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Emma's "Hermione" costume: literaly completed overnight by Hannah (with help from Heather.) http://t.co/7IilFcQw
12:26 PM May 25th via TweetDeck
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Disney's Theatrical Production "Newsies" goes from a brief 3 week run to Eight Tony® nominations. http://t.co/06HmZjBN
11:46 AM May 25th via bitly
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Any of my Hoosier brethren and sisters getting geared up for the 500?
10:44 AM May 25th via TweetDeck
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Such a jam packed weekend! Memorial Day, Air Show, Indy 500, Charlotte Showdown, and I'm getting out of town. Shame somethings gotta give.
10:43 AM May 25th via TweetDeck
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It's clear a travel holiday is approaching. Gas jumped 9¢/gal at every pump in my town within a few days. >:-(
12:37 AM May 25th via TweetDeck

No @martytheelder? I hope @Bungie's game comes quick! RT @Xbox A new composer will create the series' music score. @ http://t.co/25E3KPJP
6:00 PM April 9th via TweetDeck
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I miss you @NerdTrivia bot :-(
I hope you come back soon!
5:54 PM April 9th via TweetDeck
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Brilliant! RT @zpower I am adding a second "instagram monitor" to my PC with the white balance adjusted so yellow instagrams look normal.
5:52 PM April 9th via TweetDeck
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@4sqSupport I'm ready to can 4square. My workplace was deleted and attempts to get it back failed. Y keep playing, can't check in @ work?
2:16 PM April 9th via web
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RT @TheRealNimoy: Credit where it's due. Theodore Sturgeon wrote "Live Long And Prosper" in great Star Trek script, "Amok Time". LLAP
6:32 AM April 9th via TweetDeck
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RT @TheChalkOutline: Sad that some newspapers are putting up paywalls. Alienates readers who will get news elsewhere #utah #journalism
5:40 AM April 9th via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

Time for sleep before I get started on #PennState.
11:53 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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I've hit boiling point with this whole #occupy movement (in case you couldn't tell.) Pent up thoughts are spilling out. Attempting shutdown.
11:52 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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We should not need 2 spend resources cleaning up protester's mess RT @slcpd Chief announces free speech zone while city clears, cleans Park.
11:42 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Whoa! @andybauman hob nobin' with the big wigs of the S.F. scene. Does @donttrythis know how lucky he was?
11:28 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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That was supposed to say "boaring." RT @JeepCruzer Football. Should. Not. Be. This. Blaring. #unlessitsthesuperbowl
11:19 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Football. Should. Not. Be. This. Blaring. #unlessitsthesuperbowl
10:45 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Loved watching #byu games on ESPN, but I can't understand why they need to legitimize broadcasts by featuring BYU's famous QB's each game.
10:39 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Oh dear. The laughs just keep coming. So many hilarious ways to insert "vandals" into football talk. [Wipes tear]
10:22 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Ok #BYU fans, am I crazy or is the band playing "O Britania" after a PAT?
10:19 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Free speech doesn't mean free reign. How bout you reevaluate which permits you issue?! @SLCMayorsOffice
10:07 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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[Head in hands] RT @TheChalkOutline RT @SegaCKY RT @politicalmath: #OccupySLC kids take a limo to #OccupyOgden. A limo! http://t.co/llweRdgZ
10:04 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Will someone please tell the #byu marching band instructor to lay off the Imperial March after EVERY sack? It sounds SO worn out.
8:27 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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140 characters are not enough to express my amazement at the false arguments people are using to try to justify defying the law. #occupyslc
6:12 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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This is what public safety looks like. Join me in praying for safety of officers and protesters. Respect the officers, please. #occupyslc
6:07 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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Jealous! [Turns green] I've Gotta wait 4 Christmas.
RT @michaelkreagan Getting ready for a night of Disneyland Adventures with Xbox Kinect!
6:04 PM November 12th via TweetDeck
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@michaelkreagan Oh good. I never caught Prep and Landing on TV last year. Now I can stop searching the DVR guide.
6:37 AM November 12th via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

@majornelson , I implore you to influence MS to distance its self from the #VGA's. They reinforce negative stereotypes that I deplore.
9:31 PM November 4th via TweetDeck
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This may be the best use of campaign funds and/or facebook advertising I've seen. Probably better ROI than USPS. http://t.co/aGnZFNa4
10:47 AM November 4th via Twitpic
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My new business cards arrived from moo! Which one do you like best? http://t.co/MXlKTPVo
9:52 AM November 4th via TweetDeck
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Nothing like a knit cap and black hoodie to make you look like a thug. #seewhatyouvebroughtmetowinter http://t.co/ovt0QH5y
7:43 AM November 4th via TweetDeck
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RT @BlondHousewife: If you demand that I bring you figgy pudding, so you can have it right there. Your figgy pudding will be airborne mo ...
6:41 AM November 4th via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

Had to pick my jaw up off the floor!
RT @joshuatopolsky This just blows me away. Our visual history of the jetpack. http://t.co/iOcgnAws
8:26 PM November 3rd via TweetDeck
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@IrrationalGames That said, I am anxious to lose myself on Columbia for a few weeks. Looking forward to giving you lots of my money!
7:51 PM November 3rd via TweetDeck
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@IrrationalGames Folks, I am amazed by your work and love your games, but I am not down with the VGA's. Their blessing does not impress me.
7:50 PM November 3rd via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

@bungietweets Me.
1:16 PM October 18th via TweetDeck
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@michaelkreagan Pleasure was all mine. You and Steve were very gracious, made me feel special on my b-day. Thanks for sharing ur talents.
7:41 AM October 18th via TweetDeck
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@michaelkreagan Pleasure was all mine. You and Steve were very gracious, made me feel special on my b-day. Thanks for sharing ur talents.
7:41 AM October 18th via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

Watching the KSL Movie Show crew live. Very impressed with these genuinely hospitable guys. A pleasure to see the... http://t.co/q6Ctp3Cr
11:46 AM October 14th via foursquare
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RT @girlscouts: We've overhauled our badges for the first time in 25 years! Check out the story on @nprnews #GirlScouts http://t.co/RHu4lnwC
6:25 AM October 14th via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

It kills me to listen to gaming podcasts where hosts struggle to remember devices from 80s & demonstrate they were only 3yo at the time.
8:20 AM September 20th via TweetDeck

Thank You For The Music

A while back I sent out a plea for new music from off the beaten path. A few responded and I thank you for your support and suggestions. In particular I want to thank Edric and Allison for their recommendations. Songs from both Regina Spektor (suggested by Ed) and Josh Ritter (suggested by Allison) have fallen into regular rotation.

In addition to my new favorites, I've been going through a bit of a grunge revival. I've spent a fair amount of time pulling out artists like Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam. It's taken me 25 years to see the depths of some of this music. In high school, it was popular and the musicality of the finer pieces were lost in basement mosh pits on tiny boom boxes or trapped in deafening echos at the local stomp. The quintessential example is Block Hole Sun by Soundgarden. I now regret giving away the album (on which this song is found) when the popularity of the song had passed. Recently I repurchased the single and, even with fickle digital renderings, I found myself savoring the growl of a distorted Les Paul and the well produced voice over "echos" while the whine of a guitar solo sailed over the track like a banshee in flight.

If you find music you feel this way about, I am always open to hearing about it. If you're ever curious what I'm listening to you can check my Zune card (on the left side of the blog) and get an idea for what has been coming down the pipe for me. (Bear in mind however, that I evaluate a lot of music for clients and do not regularly listen to some artists or titles that may appear.) Here's hoping I hear from you soon.

Aww! I just got comfortable.

Why does it seem like change comes just when you get comfortable? Those who know me best know that I really enjoy talk radio. Hannity, Ingraham, Larson and Limbaugh can help me relax as much as any comfort food. In the past year I've become a fan of KSL's Nightside Project. I started with a hearty dislike for the offbeat young adult oriented news and talk show which had bumped Lars Larson whom I had become, well, comfortable with. After a couple months I started to become enamored with the new program and particularly with the show's host Michael Castner.

I didn't always love everything he said, but I loved the way he said it. He has an on air personality to rival Larry King and Rush Limbaugh at once. He is the only guest host that I have ever thought I might some day enjoy seeing take over for Doug Wright (KSL's popular local day-time host.) Soon The Nightside Project was the #1 rated program in the time slot and I felt the recognition was well deserved. After starting a late job driving pizza I found myself getting comfortable again with the radio.

Given the history you'd think I'd have been concerned when my favorite host wasn't on the air this past week. I guess ignorance is bliss but it doesn't soften the blow when the truth comes out. It turns out that KSL has released the host based on monitary concerns. However, considering the early November ratings bonanza for KSL and the show (again placing the program at #1) I'm left stunned as Castner appears to be:

“I don’t know how they make these decisions,” says Castner. “I’m just the meat in the seat. But the math doesn’t add up as far as budgets go. We’re in the middle of a ratings book. We’re the No. 1 show in [the 7 p.m. to midnight] time slot in this market. I don’t know what you say to someone—‘Sorry, next time we’ll try to be No. 2 or 3?’”
- From a Holly Mullen article on Michaelcastner.com

Turns out that Castner was the magic in the program, the glitter glue that help the program together. Listening to the show with Ethan Millard (whom I've come to respect recently) as host is ok, but the edgy, fun, vibe that previously had my finger on the KSL preset is nowhere to be found. The familiar segments seem lackluster with perhaps the exception of the Nightside Edition. This high point seems to be moot considering a report on RSLFM that KSL already intends to cancel the program in early 2008.

Michael if you're listening (though I can't imagine why you would be) I hope you stick around Utah so I can hear your next show on the radio while I deliver my pizzas. If Rod Arquette, Bruce Reese or any of the other directors and execs at KSL and Bonneville are listening (which I find an even more remote possibility) I hope this decision brings you the result you were hoping for because right now I'm not sure if KSL is going to stay my first choice after Hannity signs off at 4PM.

They Didn't Forget Us

Hannah returned from her work in Salem today and brought with her this interesting tidbit: A print copy of the Statesman Journal. I had linked to them extensively yesterday as I blogged about our experience in Salem, OR and my but it was fascinating to see what came out on ink and paper. If memory serves, this is the first time I've been quoted in any newspaper, let alone a relatively large paper based out of capitol city. I now know why so many people have issues with the media. So much is lost in "translation." Bottom line is that what this reporter remembers me saying and what I remember saying are miles apart from each other but each recollection is probably only half as far from what actually transpired.

I've been on that side of the interview before, in High School. I worked for the newspaper staff, primarily as a photographer but everyone was a writer and so I interviewed business owners and students alike and now I find my self raptured in a sense of dread that perhaps I have grossly misquoted someone in the past. I hope not. And I don't mean to imply that Timothy Alex Akimoff, who wrote the article I refer to, made such an error. I'm impressed he recorded both our names and spelled the correctly and overall got the gist of what I was (in my NyQuill induced state) trying to communicate. In fact, seeing our names in print was great for kicks and giggles.

For the record however I'd like to point out that my wife (and Emma's Mom) works for SkyWest Airlines, not Delta, and that I rode SkyWest's first CRJ-900 into Nashville, (which was also SkyWest's first flight into that city for Delta) and did not take a first flight to Bellingham, WA, but was privileged to be there during that stations opening. I've also, as stated yesterday, been to openings in Abilene, Killeen and College Station, TX.

So Tim (If I may call you that) if you are reading, thanks for not forgetting seats 1C and 1D. This issue of the statesman is something that my wife and I will place prominently in Emma's scrapbook. Congratulations again to the City of Salem, the Williamette Valley and the political and business leaders there who worked hard and took the risks that once again connected Salem to the commercial air network.