A Doug's Life.
 
Stuff that wags my tail, makes me growl and everything in between.

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

February 2009

Feb 14th - Valentines Weekend

We took Valentines afternoon to hike the Verdugos.  There's a picnic table way up that has great views to the North, South and West.  It was a cool, blustery and wonderful afternoon.  We picked up some Zankou Chicken on the way home. DELISH!!

Virginia Valentines Hike 2009

 

Feb 21st - AMGEN Tour of California Bike Race

At only 4 years old, this bike race has grown by leaps and bounds each year.  Now considered a de-facto event for any Tour de France competitor to test early season skills,  it draws all the top riders.  And this year it took in top viewership thanks to Lance Armstrong's step out of retirement and in with his new team: ASTANA

Stage 7 ended at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena after 89.9 miles of riding.   Virginia and I are both Lance fans, so we headed over to see these guys in action.

Once at the Rose Bowl, the riders do a 5 lap circuit before crossing the finish line, so we got to see everyone zoom past about 4 times.  Luckily, after Lance finished, he turned around and rode right next to us - we got a good look up close and personal:

Links for more info:

 

Feb 23rd - California State Government: Out of Control

For those friends and family members who live far far away from the frustrating headache known as California State Government, this may come as a surprise: I'm in loath with California at this moment.  The Bozo's who run the state government specifically.  Oh, and guess what - that's not  "The Governator".  He's completely alienated by both the state senate and the state assembly to the point of being lamer than a lame duck.

Anyway, ask my local friends who have been getting my rants via email this month regarding the chronic demise of this state - they'll not be surprised one bit.

As California is so whoppingly huge -  it's not all bad of course. Sacramento aside, life is good - if you can steer clear of the state's never ending buffoonery.  I could go on... and on. But it would be impossible to articulate my frustration better than these articles below.  Clarity from afar is such a refreshing point of view.  The states big and influential news papers including the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle who should be reporting this situation correctly only pump out clouds of mind numbing anesthesia, glossing over the dreary and difficult details of our states financial realities.

These are in-depth and detailed looks at why me and so many other Californian's often feel ashamed to be citizens of this state.  If you live far away and don't think you have a stake in our demise, think again:  As California goes, says an old cliché, so goes the nation - as told by the second article.

The last article is my favorite if you only dare look at one.

The Decline of California
They still think they can tax their way out of this one.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123491737158404543.html

How California Became France
Unable to afford a welfare state and unable to reform it.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123517419077037281.html

Death of the Dream
http://www.newsweek.com/id/185791

Should We Let California Go Bankrupt?
http://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2009/02/should_we_let_california_go_ba.html