Losing Someone

This past Sunday, January 27, 2008 Glenn Carlson passed away. He was my bowling coach at Fresno State. He taught me most of what I know about how to actually bowl. He gave me advice about where to go get my car fixed in this new town where I only knew one other person. He made me laugh as we'd sit down in the Student Union and eat lunch. He was always there when I had a question or needed some help.

Glenn, you will be missed.

http://www.legacy.com/fresnobee/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=102192094

*Update 1/31/08*
Article in the Fresno Bee
http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/362202.html

More efficient solar energy

I guess this technology is old, and this article is a few years old, but I recently found out about these things called Stirling Engines.

http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/news/2005/11/69528

The design dates back to the 1800s, and these engines are approximately 2-3 times more efficient than typical photovoltaic cells (normal solar panels we are used to). Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric are working with Stirling Energy Systems to build 2 plants that should produce approximately 800 megawatts. To give you an idea, in 2005 the US only had about 400 megawatts of solar capacity. A typical coal or gas power plant delivers 500-1000 megawatts of electricity. Is this the end all solution to renewable energy? Nope, but it is a big step in the right direction.

Team in Training

My friend Sara is running a half-marathon in San Diego in June of this year with the "Team in Training" for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you are interested in donating to her team, or just want to get more information, please visit her website.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntsvmb/tntsvmbSHousma

Aptera Update

I'm starting to get really excited about this thing. Actually checked out their website today, and there's a video from Popular Mechanics posted on there.

http://www.aptera.com/

The thing I was concerned about most was size, and it seems to be OK. Able to comfortably sit someone over 6' so I'm fine there. Seems like it's built very safe too. I'll have to keep up with the updates on this thing as they come out!

300 MPG for $30K?

There is a company that has designed a vehicle (the Aptera) that they claim can get 300 miles per gallon, and it will cost less than $30,000.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=444375

It is supposed to go to production next October, and you can reserve one for a refundable deposit of $500. This vehicle really intrigues me. It would be classified as a motorcycle, have 3 wheels, and is going to be highway-ready. Some of the features sound great, like the solar panels that would run the air conditioning on hot days while the car is parked (and can also help to recharge the battery while you drive). I want to see what this car is like once it hits regular production, but I could imagine myself driving it.
I'll be keeping track of this company for the next few months, and who knows, maybe I'll end up with one!

NFL Conference Championship Games

I've set up a new spot for all my football-related stuff. Go to http://fresnochargerfan.blogspot.com to check it out.

NFL Playoffs - Divisional Weekend

This week is hard to pick. Too much emotion involved in these games. Plus injuries with key players, don't know if they'll play. But here we go.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys - I don't like Eli Manning, so I always root against him. But even thinking rationally, I think the Cowboys will have Owens back and he will be effective. Gotta go with the Cowboys. Dallas wins.

Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers - The Seahawks actually looked pretty decent for most of the game last week. But they're on the road, and the Packers will be ready for them. Green Bay wins.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots - Oh, I hate Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. I want Jacksonville to win so bad, but as good as they are, and as good as they are playing right now, I really am not convinced they'll be able to win. I think they will play hard, I think they'll put points on the board, but unfortunately I don't think they'll keep up. New England wins.

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts - I am not picking this game. Or at least I should not be. As a fan, I have too much emotion involved, and as much as I try to stay impartial in this sort of stuff, trying to be impartial, it's hard. I'm not a professional, I don't get paid to think about this stuff, I don't get paid to study games. I just enjoy the games and root for my team. And since I'm a fan, and I can see how the Chargers match up well against the Colts, I have to follow what my (possibly slightly biased) brain says. San Diego wins.

Not too bad

Ok, so my reasoning was pretty much way off, but I was still 3/4 for wildcard weekend. I want to wait to see on some of the injuries, then I'll try to pick for the divisional round.

2007 NFL Playoffs Wildcard Weekend

I wanted to get my picks for this weekend's games down so I can't go back on them after the games are over. I'm not going to predict the score, or pick against the spread, just straight up, who's going to win?

Washington @ Seattle - The Redskins are the popular pick. They're riding on emotion and have played very well the last few weeks. The Seahawks have only lost 3 home games in the last 2 years. This is easily the hardest game to pick for me. If Washington continues to play off of all the emotion, they'll win. But I think I have to go with Hasslebeck over Collins. Seattle wins.

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay - I was considering going with the thinking that the Giants played hard through the end of the season and Tampa was mailing it in the last 2 weeks. But following the logic of the last pick, I have to take Jeff Garcia at home over Eli on the road. My biggest worry with this is that I haven't seen a single Bucs game, but I have seen Eli. Tampa Bay wins.

Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh got embarrassed at home by the Jaguars at home earlier in the season, and I'd like to think that the Steelers are going to want to avenge that loss. But this word has come up in everything I've seen about the game: Injuries. Pittsburgh is full of them, and I unless they get some kind of special teams or defensive score early and take a lead, they're not going to be able to keep up. Jacksonville wins.

Tennessee @ San Diego - Normally I'd be torn with this pick, just because I'd be worried that my judgment would be clouded by my fandom of San Diego. For this round though, I'm not worried about my pick. Tennessee lost Bo Scaife and Roydell Williams this week. Lendale White and Vince Young are game time decisions (and if Young does play, he may be lacking his biggest weapon: his legs). San Diego had the advantage of some blow-out wins late in the season that allowed them to rest some starters, so I think LT, Philip Rivers, Jamal Williams, they're all going to be that much fresher for this game. San Diego wins.

The Wii pwns the PS3

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Fresno State Players Part 2B

First of all, congrats to Fresno State for winning the Humanitarian Bowl! Woohoo!

Now for the guys who entered the NFL in 2007. How many are still around?

Check out part 1 here
Check out part 2A here

Marcus McCauley, DB, 3rd Round Pick, #72 overall (Minnesota Vikings)
61 tackles
*Edit 1/5/08* Just found out, McCauley had the coverage on Greg Jennings and got beat when Brett Favre threw career touchdown number 421

Paul Williams, WR, 3rd Round Pick, #80 overall (Tennessee Titans)
No career stats

Dwayne Wright, RB, 4th Round Pick, #111 overall (Buffalo Bills)
29 carries, 94 yards
3 receptions, 17 yards

Chris Denman, OT, 7th Round Pick, #214 overall (Tampa Bay Bucaneers)
Currently on Injured Reserve

Louis Leanord, DT, Undrafted Free Agent (San Diego Chargers)
Signed off the Chargers practice squad by the Cleveland Browns