Game is still on for Sunday

I don't know why but the game seems to be still on for Sunday in Moses Lake. The picture looks less like a road than my other post. Sheesh.

Restrictions Eastbound:Pass Closed

Restrictions Westbound:Pass Closed

Conditions & Weather:Avalanche control work continues and it is now estimated that I-90 Snoqualmie pass will not open earlier than Saturday morning. Opening the roadway will be based on avalanche risk analysis. The roadway will be opened when it is safe to do so. WSDOT will give updates as work progresses and information becomes available. // Snowing, blowing snow and poor visibility

Who'd a thought

Twenty years ago I never would have thought that the most normal, less freaky person in this shot would be Madonna.
Wonder if they believe that they are normal or if they know that they are just weird?

Round Two

Does this look like a road to you? No, me either. The game in Moses Lake that was postponed last Sunday has been re-scheduled for this Sunday.

Holy cow

Damn.... can't believe that touchdown. Wow.

So far

The kid's soccer team is 2-0 so far in their state tournament. One game was postponed due to Snoqualmie Pass being well, un-passable. Since all of the East-West games were put off all of the game will be extended a week. We'll find out this week where we will play - hopefully we'll be able to stay on this side of the mountains. The kid is playing forward then the coach moves her to play defender when there's a few mins left as a safeguard to our lead.

My boyfriend

My boyfriend is coming back to town. He's been gone since September. We spend a ton of time together from the middle of March until the end of September... around 181 days. Sometimes in person, sometimes online, other times at home or even in my car. Some of our dates are better than others. At the end of some dates all I go home with is disapoointment - but other times, sheesh... thrilling and I can't wait until our next date. I always hope that our relationship will continue on into October but we consistently fall short of that goal.

Yes, I'm talking about the new baseball season and my Mariners. The 2008 season starts on March 31st. Spring Training on March 2nd.

Snow

The kid and I are suppose to travel over the I-90 pass to Moses Lake on Saturday for a State (soccer) game on Sunday. Man I hope we don't have to go!!! Sheesh. I don't do snow - and I REALLY don't do 30+ inches of it. That does not look like a road to me. Good lord.

http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/

Unplanned long weekend

The regular weekend turned in a 3 day weekend. Snow. Ugh. Most of us Western WA people don't do snow very well, myself especially. School was canceled so I had to stay home with the kid. It may or may not snow again tonight. Behold some pic taken from Friday night to Monday AM.

First Friday - I planned a group outing to Safeco Field last year so I got an invite to a special party at Safeco. It was pretty cool. Free parking, free food and had some Mariner people.... JJ Putz was there (I was nervous so the pic is blurry), Jamie Burke - one of our catchers, John McLaren and a new announcer (last season), Dave Sims.... love him.

On Saturday early AM me and the kid drove out to Bellingham for the first of 5 State soccer games. She is playing forward now and it's pretty damn cool.

Monday - the snow.

The American Flag

John A. Dix in a telegram from Washington, 1/29/1861:
If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.

Three flag related items have come up this week, 2 in the news and 1 with me personally.

The first item was on Monday at work. On most days I wear an American flag pin. In the elevator a woman was staring at me and said out loud - "you know, after 9/11 we all wore flags on our shirts, you don't see that anymore". I said I wear my flag just about everyday. She asked me if I had anyone in Iraq. I said I didn't. She said, good for you. I think that's great that you wear a flag. I agreed with her.

The second item is the guy in Nevada that cut a Mexican flag down that was flying on top on the American flag. Great American and he should be proud of himself. What the hell is wrong with being proud of your country?

The third item came out today - liberal running for President, Obama. He says that wearing a flag isn't as important as what is in your heart.

To me the American flag IS my heart. I love my country and respect what the flag stands for, our freedom, our countrymen and women that have died for us to earn that freedom. Oprah's boy toy will not be President but besides that, show some pride in your Country - be proud of it, respect it.

USO

While I am not able to volunteer with the USO anymore due to where I live and Select Soccer - I still support them and know first hand the value of the work they do. They are not run by the government and rely on donations from the American people. KIRO 710 has chosen them as their Charity of the Month:

Charity of the Month News Talk 710 KIRO is proud to announce the USO as October's featured "Charity of the Month!" Operating in more then 130 centers worldwide, the USO has been the bridge between American people and our troops for over 66 years. For information on volunteering or making a donation to the USO, click here and visit 710 KIRO's "Charity of the Month" web page.

Nothing is more important then our Military and the support they receive should be the best in the world. Dispite what many Liberals believe - we are at war and it will be a long battle against islamic terrorists and their religion of peace.

It's very humbling for a Soldier to give you a heart felt thank you.

9/11/01

Remember the victims. All they did that day was catch a plane or go to work, they just happened to live in the USA. Remember? It could be you the next time. I don't have to live with the pain of losing a loved one on that day but I do feel the pain of my country being attacked. This is no bumper sticker slogan - this is real.

http://www.xmas-i-am.com/Imagine.htm

"Let's roll. "--Todd Beamer, before he and others apparently thwarted the fourth set of terrorists.

"All of a sudden there were people screaming. I saw people jumping out of the building. Their arms were flailing. I stopped taking pictures and started crying."--Michael Walters, a free-lance photo journalist in Manhattan.

"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues. "--President George W. Bush, 10/13/2001.

"This was not an act of terrorism, but it was an act of WAR "-- President George W. Bush.

.... You ask, What is our policy? I will say; "It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory - victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965), 1940, in his first address as the newly appointed Prime Minister.

The return of Junior...

Ken Griffey Jr. AKA The Kid... okay so he told Seattle long ago not to call him that anymore but it brings back such good baseball memories for me.
He's coming back to Seattle! My heart was broken when he left - I never thought he would leave and was shocked. He is coming to Seattle for three games, June 22-24.
Where will I be for this monumental event? Front and center at Safeco Field of course right??? Wrong (insert crying and bitching here). I will be in glorious Bellingham, WA for a soccer tournament. Ugh... the pain. I have tickets for Friday nights game and I am willing to suffer to attend the game. The kid's soccer game ends at 4:00 - so we will be on the road from 4:00 until however long it takes to get to Safeco Field on a Friday night. It's roughly 80-90 miles and I will be drinking a tall, cold frosty one (10) when I get there. Will be rough, but worth it to see my much loved and missed Ken Griffey.
Oh yeah... will be good seeing the kid play soccer too.

Play ball...Today is Opening Day!!!!!!!!

Today is always the best day of my life - Opening Day. This morning I awoke to something new that I've never had on Opening Day - no, not that..... snow. We had less than an inch and the streets were only wet but still - kind of a shocker on April 2nd.

I am so hoping that the Mariners have a decent year - yes, I'll settle for decent. I hope we don't lose Ichiro but it may be unavoidable. King Felix is starting today - first pitch, 3:35

Proud to be an American...

Click on this link to watch the video of this amazing American. I dare you not to cry.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/PersonOfWeek/story?id=2845247&page=1

Feb. 2, 2007 — Just about every morning for the past year, Bert Brady has been getting up, having a cup of coffee and heading over to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. But this ritual has nothing to do with travel. He's at the terminal to welcome home American troops as they return from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I went 300 days last year," Brady said. "They are glad to see us, and we are tickled to death to see them because they are our heroes."
Brady, a 69-year-old veteran, is a member of the Welcome Home a Hero program at his local airport. He makes sure every soldier that comes through Dallas gets a special homecoming.
When asked why he is so dedicated to this effort, Brady pointed to a moment he shared with one soldier.
"He said, 'Mister, I will never forget you,' and my heart was almost pounding like it was going to burst out of my chest," Brady said. "He said, 'It's the greatest thing that ever happened to me.'"

MY OH MY...

It's warm-up time
Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez loosens up during a brief throwing session today at Safeco Field. The team is preparing to head for spring training in Arizona. The Mariners open the regular season at home April 2 against Oakland.

It's almost time for my favorite thing to do. Keeping score at Safeco Field. Pitchers and Catchers report in just 4 short days. Yes, the Mariners will not do well this year but I don't care. It's baseball.

A fitting farwell to an Exceptional man... Deputy Cox

VETERANS DAY

At the Sea-Tac USO tomorrow, a Soldier in the ARMY that saved the lives of many in his unit is being given a $10,000 check from Levitz for a home make-over. He is 21 yrs old, married and has had 13 surgeries due to a bomb blowing up next to him.

Many thanks to Levitz for giving this donation.

Many heartfelt thanks to the Veterans I know:

My dad, Coast Guard, Vietnam vet.

My grandfather, Marine that fought at Guadalcanal.

Also two journal friends: VW and Mike..... thanks for your service.

On Veterans Day we thank and honor all those who have served in the U.S. military. Please take the time to thank service members everywhere who have selflessly served our country in war and peacetime. We will never be able to fully repay our debt of gratitude to all those service members who died or were wounded in battle. We can however, recognize and thank the veterans living today and remember to support those now serving.

The USO's tradition is to be wherever military personnel are located around the world. In times of peace and war, the USO has consistently delivered its special brand of comfort, morale and recreational services to the military. From Southwest Asia, to the DMZ in Korea to Gulf Coast Hurricane relief, the USO is the bridge between service members and the American people. By supporting the USO, Americans directly show their appreciation and express their gratitude to the men and women who defend us.

Visit us at USO.org

Matthew J. Grzymalski, 9/11/2001

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggerswill join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives,and not by remembering their murderers.

I have the honor of paying tribute to the life of Matt Grzymalski. Matt was from New Hyde Park New York, he was 34 years old. He had three brothers, one sister and at the time of his death five nephews and two nieces. Matt also had a girlfriend, Kaleen Pezzuti. Tragically she died with Matt as they worked together at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center.

"We are certainly hoping they were holding hands or hugging or wrapped in each other's arms somehow," said Mr. Grzymalski's sister Patti Ann Valerio. At Mr. Grzymalski's memorial Mass, his mother gave Ms. Pezzuti's mother, Kathleen E. Pezzuti of Fair Haven, N.J., a card from Ms. Pezzuti she had found in Mr. Grzymalski's dresser. "My mom was right," she wrote. "Happiness agrees with me. I owe that all to you. I love you, K. XOXO."

"On the night before, on Sept. 10, she spoke to one of her best friends and told her, `He's the one,' " said Mrs. Pezzuti, whose other daughter, Megan, lost her husband in the Sept. 11 attack. "It would have been a really wonderful family."

I am heartbroken that these two great people were killed that day, but maybe there is some comfort for their families that they were together? Small comfort no doubt. I have included a picture of Kaleen along side of Matt's.

I was able to find some additional quotes from friends and family and they are below:

uncle MATT,I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU,AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
*** Posted by nephew,john on 2005-11-08 ***

It's 2 years tomorrow and I just found out. What a tragic loss. Matt was vivacious, full of life and always left you laughing. Heartfelt condolences go to his entire family.
*** Posted by Kathy Solieri Gazdek on 2003-09-10 ***

I remember Matt from the days when we worked together at Fundamental Brokers. I remember that his favorite song on the jukebox was Frank Sinatra singing "Summer Wind."
Mike Clarke, former co-worker

I think about you, me and my brother hangin out all the time, we had some great times together, I dream of my brother all the time, it seems so real,,,, just writing to tell you that I will never forget you, show up in one of my dreams bro , I'd love to give you a hug.Ronnie 80

ronald palazzolo (brothers forever, NY )

Matty, Although we only hung out a hand full of times, I enjoyed every one of them. My cousins, (Ron and Rico) always loved you, and spoke of you often.I would hear many stories from Fern, at FBI, about about your antics, when you two lived together. I laughed at every one of them. I hope you are at peace, and I hope you and my cousin (Rico) are keeping them laughing up there. Trust me my friend, you are greatley missed and loved, I know, I was at your memorial. Rob Casella (Rufus)

Robert Casella (Massapequa, NY )

Rest in peace buddy

Rich Bolton (point lookout, NY )

End of Watch

Officer Barber was killed early Sunday morning by a woman driving an SUV 80 MPH in a 40 zone, she ran a red light and broadsided him.

The driver then slid out of the driver's seat and sat in the passenger's seat to try and make it look as though she had not been driving. She had a four warrants, one for DUI. This crash occurred at 4 AM. Gee.... sober or drunk?

Officer Barber had just graduated from the Police Academy five months ago. He was killed at the scene, the animal that killed him has a broken leg and ankle. This is such a waste. She is a worthless human being that contributes nothing to society.

He was a 26 year old Police Officer that was working in the ghetto of the C.D. I am truly sorry for his family and for the S.P.D.

UPDATE: The woman that hit and killed Officer Barber was drunk and had drugs hidden on her body. The prosecutor's office have said that they will request a exceptional sentence since she had only been out of jail (this time) for 10 days.

September 11th, 2006

I can't believe that it's been five years, but at the same time it also seems like it's been... forever ago. I'm not one of those people that need Hollywood to remind me what happened on September 11th, 2001 so I will not be seeing the latest movie to come out.

I will not put any of my money into Hollywood's liberal anti-American pockets.

http://www.wtcremembered.org/pledge.htm

At a friend's site I noticed a link that she has up and I joined in. When you sign up you are assigned an American that was murdered on September 11th. I got an email with my person, and some facts about him. I also looked him up online and found out a few other things, and saw that he has a lot of people that love him and that miss him.

I'll do a journal entry on him on September 11th - as will all the people that have signed up will be doing.

There are about 1,400 people that has signed up so far. There's no reason why YOU can't sign up and spend a few minutes to pay your respects to an American that was killed on that horrible day.

From the site:

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11. Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not by remembering their murderers.
If you would like to help out, either by pledging to post a tribute on your own blog, or by offering your services to promote this cause, just leave a comment here and I’ll email you the name of a victim.
Then, on 9/11/2006, you will post a tribute to that victim on your blog.
But, and this is critical, the tributes should celebrate the lives of these people–kind of like a wake. Over the last 5 years we’ve heard the names of the killers, and all about the victim’s deaths. This is a chance to learn about and celebrate those who died. Forget the murderers, they don’t deserve to be remembered. But some people who died that day deserve to be remembered–2,996 people.

http://www.dcroe.com/2996/

As a post script here after reviewing this entry.... take a look at the animals on the upper right of this post. THEY HATE US AND ONLY WANT TO KILL US. Please.... vote RED in 2006.