Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tuesday blues

We found out yesterday that we may be on the jury through at least sometime next week, maybe longer.


Monday, January 30, 2012

A new week

Have you ever had a Freebirds burrito?  


This week will be the 3rd week of jury duty.  I hope it gets wrapped up this week.

I did a ride along with the Terrell Police Department Saturday night.  After attending the Citizens Police Academy I heard first hand the dangers the officers faced every day. During the ride along I saw first hand how they put their life on the line to make sure we are safe in our beds. I am thankful for the people we have protecting our city and I have an immense amount of respect for each of them. I started the night riding with Officer Garcia and ended then night riding with Officer Hamill.   If you have ever toured the station and jail, you know how old and small the facilities are.  We have to work to get a new police station and jail for Terrell.  I'm already looking forward to doing another ride along.

Carson and Barnes Circus is coming to Terrell on March 18th & 19th.  I guess this will get me the comments from animals rights groups.

The Fountain 5K & fun run is scheduled for April 21st.  The race is held during the annual Heritage Jubilee. Reserve a few hours in the morning to join us for the run.  The run benefits the Volunteer Services Council of Terrell State Hospital.

Tonight is the Terrell Fall Sports Banquet.  Starting time is 6PM. I probably will not be back from Dallas in time to make it.

The THSBCA is out with their statewide preseason baseball poll.  District 15-4A Waxahachie is ranked #7.  Rockwall-Heath is ranked #2.

Texas Athletic Directors will be waiting on Thursday morning for realignment announcements.  Every two years schools are classified by size.  Where you are placed, and who you are placed with, can determine a schools fate almost before games are played.

Stephen Buckley from North Forney has committed to Northwestern. National signing date is February 1st.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Catching up

I just completed an overnight ride along with the Terrell Police Department. Time to catch up on sleep.


Friday, January 27, 2012

Skywatch Friday

Today is the end of my second week of jury duty. While I enjoy the chance to walk around downtown Dallas, I'm ready to get back to my real job. I promise once the trial is over, I'll tell you all about it. LOL.

Other Skywatch Friday sites are here.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Record rain

Driving in Dallas in the rain....always fun. The black spots on the left are birds that don't have enough sense to get out of the rain. DFW airport received the most rain ever in a 24 hour period, 4.26 inches.    There is still a light rain falling this morning, but hopefully, the drive will be less stressful.


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Looking up

I cant help but to look up when I'm walking the streets of downtown Dallas.  It was dark and raining when we got out last night. Its still raining this morning and is forecast to rain through tomorrow.  That must mean........


High School baseball practice starts Friday in Texas and things are looking up for the Tigers. This year it looks like there will be a varsity team and two junior varsity teams.  Tryouts will be Friday after school and Saturday morning at 8am.  Hopefully tryouts will be at the ball field.

Terrell Coach Gage Davis will be entering his second year as the Tiger head coach.  He said Corsicana should be the favorite to win District 15-4A.  A lot of the teams in the district, including State Semi-Finalist Mesquite Poteet, lost key players to graduation.  In addition to players moving on, the coach from Red Oak, also in 15-4A is now the coach at Corsicana, and the coach from 2A Palmer moved to Red Oak.

District 15-4A includes Terrell, Corsicana, Poteet, Red Oak, Waxahachie, West Mesquite, Lancaster, Ennis and Forney.  The top 4 finishers in the district make the playoffs.  Last years playoff teams were, Poteet, Red Oak, Forney and Waxahachie.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The beat goes on

One Main Plaza reflected off of the Bank of America Building, Dallas, TX

Monday, January 23, 2012

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Too Cold to Hold 2012

Today was run 2 of the Run Project racing series.  Too Cold to Hold is a 5K/15K at Norbuck Park in Dallas. In all of the Run Project races I am already signed up for the longer distance, so I ran the 15K.
Here are the 2012 Too Cold to Hold results.

The next Run Project race is the Dash Down Greenville in March, but we are signed up for a couple of races in February.

I washed my Ipod (for the 2nd time), after last weekends race.  I got an Ipod Touch as a replacement.  Its nice. This photo was taken with the camera after I finished.  It also takes HD video and can connect to the internet with wi-fi.


Google maps

This isn't the best picture, but its a Google maps car.  I'm guessing that's a camera mounted to the top of the car. Maybe used for street view.


I haven't been able to run in a week because of the court schedule, but today I am still going to run the Too Coll to Hold 15K.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Dallas protesters

About a dozen protesters showed up yesterday afternoon outside the Earle Cabell Federal Building in Dallas.  There were some still there at the end of the day.  I think they were protesting the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court.  I dont know if they were part of any Occupy Dallas group.

One week of jury duty down.  I don't mind serving, I want to do my part.  But, I don't like the drive.


Friday, January 20, 2012

Around Dallas

Another day in Dallas.  I found Elvis singing on the steps of the steps of the old Texas School Book Depository.



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Go Greyhound

I remember taking Greyhound from St. Louis, MO to Hayward, CA when I was a kid.  I loved being able to stop at all of the small towns.  I would settle for a morning bus from Terrell to Dallas with an evening return trip.  


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

I got got

I have been selected for jury duty, yea me!  I'll be driving into Dallas for the next week or two.  Maybe I'll get a few shots of Dallas to share.  No words about the trial till it's over.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Barn Charm

This is another one of those Missouri barns. I am off to jury duty today in Dallas. Lets hope this day goes by fast.


Visit Tricia's site for more Barm Charm.

If you are looking for pictures from the Armed Forces Bowl, TicketCity Bowl or the FCS Championship game click on the Facebook link to the right.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Monday blues

I received a notice that I had been selected for jury duty.  It's US District Court, the kind where you call in the day before to see if  you are needed the next day.  Just my luck, I called in and have to show up Tuesday morning at 8am in downtown Dallas.


Hard weekend for favorites in the NFC playoffs.  The Saints and the Packers both lost.  The way the Patriots and Giants are playing, we could be looking at a rematch of Super Bowl XLII that the Giants won 17-14.  Baltimore hasn't been to the Super Bowl since 2001 and the 49ers will be looking to for their first trip since 1995.

I am still stinging from Pujols and CJ Wilson signing with the Angels, but news that the Rangers met with Prince Fielder has me hoping they can get something done.  I am ready for baseball.

The University of Houston Cougars basketball team plays at SMU on the 18th.  Terrell graduate Jherrod Stiggers is a Freshman for the Cougars, but he hasn't seen time on the court this year due to knee surgery. This will be their only trip to the Dallas area.

I went and saw War Horse at Hometown Cinema in Terrell.  It's not a bad movie, but when I left all I found myself thinking was it was alright.

Last night was the Golden Globe awards.  I need to remember to turn off the CNN text updates before the next awards show.

Have a good Monday.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Hotcake Hustle 2012

Yesterday was the Hotcake Hustle in Addison, TX.  There were 2500 registered runners for the 5k and 10k.  I ran the 10k in 1:08:19.  Its the first race in the Run Project. After the race, runners were treated to hotcakes from The Original Pancake House.


Next Saturday is Too Cold to Hold at Norbuck Park.  It's race 2 of the Run Project.  I'm running 15k in that race.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Saints or Niners



They offered face painting at the Hotcake Hustle. Who will win? Saints or Niners?

Hello Kitty

This is our outdoor kitty, named Outdoor Kitty.  Shes been fixed, there will be no little kitty's.  If you feed feral cats, have them fixed.


Friday, January 13, 2012

Skywatch Friday


Other Skywatch Friday pictures are here.

Tomorrow is the Hotcake Hustle 5K/10K in Addison.  Its going to be cold, but at least it will be dry.  The following weekend is Too Cold to Hold 5K/15K at Norbuck Park. Both races are part of the Run Project, a series of 7 races in the Dallas area.  Brian and I were one of the 200 people that signed up for all 7 races.

We also signed up for the Patriot Half Marathon in Rockwall, TX on May 28, 2012.  That will give us 2 half's for the first 6 months of 2012, the other the Dallas Rock-n-Roll Half in March.  


The heat is still on Dr.Pepper/Snapple for their handling of the Dublin Dr.Pepper fiasco.  DPS has promised to continue the Dr. Pepper Days in June in Dublin.  There are a lot of people pledging to boycott all Dr. Pepper products, but we need to support the Dr. Pepper Days held in Dublin.  Supporting the Dr.Pepper Days and the accompanying 10.2.4k run will show support for the community of Dublin.  They are already going to be taking a financial hit with the loss of jobs. I am sure the people of Dublin will make sure Dr.Pepper Days is fun for everyone.


Thursday, January 12, 2012

Dublin Dr Pepper RIP 1891-2012

Dr.Pepper/Snapple has been in an extended dispute with the family that owns Dublin Dr. Pepper.  The dispute ended yesterday when Dr.Pepper/Snapple purchased the Dublin Dr.Pepper bottling plant.  Each June, Dublin, TX celebrates the birthday of the plant.  Last year was the 120th birthday and we went out there to take part in their 2.4.10 run.  Dublin is a small town, and the major employer was the bottling plant.  At 5PM today, Dr.Pepper/Snapple laid off 14 of the 40 workers.  The dispute was over the Dublin plant selling Dr.Pepper outside of their designated area.  The drink was popular because it was made with pure cane sugar.  Regular Dr.Pepper is made with corn syrup.  People swear they can taste the difference.  I am sure the issue is deeper than just the selling area, but to me, it's just another example of a big corporation taking out the small businessman because they want the profits for themselves.

RIP Dublin Dr. Pepper

Finish line of 10.2.4. Dublin Dr. Pepper run from 2011

Inside the Dublin Dr. Pepper bottling plant

Each June, Dublin, TX is renamed Dr.Pepper, TX

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Footballs over, move on

Sammy the Bearkat gave some Bison fans a thrill

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Sam Houston State has the big heads



A tough day for the BEAR ATS, missing the K

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Occupy Frisco

The attendance for the FBS Championship game played in Frisco, TX. was a sell out with over 20,000 fans in the stadium.  I would guess over half were rooting for the Bison.  Here are some of the North Dakota State fans and their signs.

I'll wrap up my football postings tomorrow with a few Bearkat fans.

NDSU Bison occupy Frisco

QB Brock Jensens big head.  

A green and yellow NDSU Bison clown. 

One happy NDSU fan

There is that big head and the clown again. 

Monday, January 9, 2012

On field action

Tonight is the BCS Championship game between LSU and that other school.  The winner will be declared Division I FBS National Champions.

Here are a few more shots from Saturdays Division I FCS Championship game won by North Dakota State.

National signing day is about a month away.  For high school athletes not recruited by the large schools, the FCS schools are an excellent way to get an education and continue to play football.

The atmosphere at Saturdays game was electric, fans from both sides were enthusiastic the entire game.  I'll share some of the faces in the crowds in the next couple of days.  If you cant wait, visit the Facebook page for all of the pictures from Saturday.

Sam Houston State Tim Flanders against North Dakota State

North Dakota State WR Ryan Smith in the FCS Championship game

Brock Jensen drops back to pass against Sam Houston State in the FCS Championship game

Sam Houston State Brian Bell in the FCS Championship game against North Dakota State

Sam Houston State  WR Keith Blanton tries to run back a bison punt

Sam Houston State DB Kenneth Jenkins intercepts a Brock Jensen pass.