Hallelujah!
I have finally wrapped up the biggest job of the year for me-Virginia International Terminals. VIT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Virginia Port Authority, and they operate four terminals in Virginia: Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminals, Newport News Marine Terminals, and Virginia Inland Port. Revenues for VIT approach a quarter of a billion, with net income at 68 million this year! I took this job over last year from a supervisor who left for Price Waterhouse Coopers. Of course, I worked with VIT a lot in my past life as an import agent with Expeditors International, but I never dealt with anyone in accounting. I have to say that while this is a big job, the accounting staff are some of the brightest and most organized people I've dealt with in my public accounting tenure. Almost all of them are CPAs-the ones who aren't either have graduate degrees or are like me, and currently studying to pass it. It's a model of what any corporation should be like-independent internal auditor (and a Firm alumnus), well-respected Board, and a CEO who can negotiate steamship lines into 10-year contracts.
This year, I did a lot better...we actually got draft financials to them the last day we were there. Following the financial statement issuance is a series of presentations involving management, the audit committee, and finally the full Board of Directors. I can actually finalize the audit workpapers tomorrow, which is unheard of in our firm. The public jobs we're a little better on, because we have to be. Anyway, I can breathe a huge sigh of relief as I head off to Charleston and Charlotte next week for a little R&R! Pictures will be taken and posted asap!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Simpsons Movie
If you haven't seen the movie, don't read the post! Spoilers are included!
Ok, I haven't posted in a while, and when I do, it seems to be all about movies. Why is that? Right now, I'm working on the biggest job of the year, and also studying for the third part of the CPA exam. So life has been reduced to working, studying, watching racing, and going to see the occasional movie. I know what you're saying: You waited to see Casino Royale, but you couldn't wait to see the Simpsons movie?! No, I couldn't. Besides, I now have two parts under my belt, and I'm a lot more confident with this software. It was only a weekend anyway.
Well, despite all the hype in the media, and the uber hilarious commercials, I have been apprehensive about the movie. The past few seasons of the Simpsons have not been up to snuff, and it's hard to imagine that the movie could be much better. Of course, saying a Simpsons episode is bad still implies that it's funnier and wittier than any other show out there. It still hasn't lost its satirical abilities. But I was pleasantly surprised.
The movie opens with Bart and Lisa watching an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon involving a moon landing and ICBMs. After this is finished, Marge gets the family ready for church, and they're all late. Marge is upset at being tardy, but Homer says they won't notice, because they're too focused on their "phoney baloney God." They're embarrassed to find out that everyone heard Homer's comment. As the Simpsons take their seats, Reverend Lovejoy asks for a testimony. Grandpa Simpson stands up and has a vision that Springfield is doomed. Marge is greatly disturbed by this, and works to decipher Grandpa's vision. It seemed to revolve around an ecological disaster, but she isn't sure.
Meanwhile, we're treated to some father/son bonding as Homer dares Bart to ride his skateboard naked through the streets of Springfield. Hilarity does ensue as we see some hardcore nudity! The escapade ends at Krusty Burger, where Bart does a faceplant on the window and gives Flanders the shock of his life. It's here that the causal link between Grandpa's vision and the odyssey begins. Krusty is filming a commercial for his new burger, and it features a pig wearing a toque. After the director yells cut, Krusty orders the pig to be killed. Homer is horrified. "You can't kill a pig...Not when it's wearing people clothes!" Homer adopts the pig, and thus Spider-Pig is born.
Parts of Grandpa's epiphany are starting to emerge. Kent Brockman reports that Lake Springfield is reaching dangerously toxic levels, which could make Springfield and the rest of the state unliveable. An effort is made (including Mr. Burns) to stop dumping in the lake. All seems well, until one fateful night when Homer dumps the pig's crap-filled silo into the lake. All hell breaks loose, as the lake boils over and the EPA is alerted. EPA director Cargill, with approval from President Schwarzenegger, has dropped a giant dome over Springfield to contain the toxicity. Citizens of Springfield are outraged. Who would do such a thing. It's not long before they figure out it was Homer. Like the townfolk with pitchforks storming the castle, the Simpsons are chased out of town. Where will Homer's odyssey take him?
Alaska.
The Simpsons attempt to start over. Homer skis and plays Grand Theft Walrus at the Alaskan equivalent of Kwik-E-Mart. Marge is having trouble forgiving Homer for what he did, especially since he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. She makes the decision to leave Homer, and heads back to Springfield. She documents her decision by taping over their wedding video-the last thing she grabbed before the mob chased them out.
Homer is at a crossroads. Marge said she left him because of his selfishness. Can he change to win her back and save Springfield? He thinks so. He employs a team of sled dogs to head back, only to find out that the ecological situation in Springfield has deteriorated rapidly. Cargill's idea to save it involves dropping a bomb through the top of the dome. Reuniting with the family, who takes a huge leap of faith to trust him, Bart and Homer use a motorcyle to ride up the side of the dome (successfully jumping Springfield Gorge!) and fling the bomb out of the dome just in time. Springfield is saved, to live on in future seasons, until the show become unprofitable.
I thought the movie was great-just long enough to keep from being dull, and outrageous enough not to be on TV. You don't have to know anything about the Simpsons to see it, but it helps. There are plenty of inside jokes that only the most rabid of fans will get. You have to stay to watch the credits, to see all the characters who didn't show up in the movie proper. Maggie's second word is "sequel." I wouldn't be surprised at all.
Ok, I haven't posted in a while, and when I do, it seems to be all about movies. Why is that? Right now, I'm working on the biggest job of the year, and also studying for the third part of the CPA exam. So life has been reduced to working, studying, watching racing, and going to see the occasional movie. I know what you're saying: You waited to see Casino Royale, but you couldn't wait to see the Simpsons movie?! No, I couldn't. Besides, I now have two parts under my belt, and I'm a lot more confident with this software. It was only a weekend anyway.
Well, despite all the hype in the media, and the uber hilarious commercials, I have been apprehensive about the movie. The past few seasons of the Simpsons have not been up to snuff, and it's hard to imagine that the movie could be much better. Of course, saying a Simpsons episode is bad still implies that it's funnier and wittier than any other show out there. It still hasn't lost its satirical abilities. But I was pleasantly surprised.
The movie opens with Bart and Lisa watching an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon involving a moon landing and ICBMs. After this is finished, Marge gets the family ready for church, and they're all late. Marge is upset at being tardy, but Homer says they won't notice, because they're too focused on their "phoney baloney God." They're embarrassed to find out that everyone heard Homer's comment. As the Simpsons take their seats, Reverend Lovejoy asks for a testimony. Grandpa Simpson stands up and has a vision that Springfield is doomed. Marge is greatly disturbed by this, and works to decipher Grandpa's vision. It seemed to revolve around an ecological disaster, but she isn't sure.
Meanwhile, we're treated to some father/son bonding as Homer dares Bart to ride his skateboard naked through the streets of Springfield. Hilarity does ensue as we see some hardcore nudity! The escapade ends at Krusty Burger, where Bart does a faceplant on the window and gives Flanders the shock of his life. It's here that the causal link between Grandpa's vision and the odyssey begins. Krusty is filming a commercial for his new burger, and it features a pig wearing a toque. After the director yells cut, Krusty orders the pig to be killed. Homer is horrified. "You can't kill a pig...Not when it's wearing people clothes!" Homer adopts the pig, and thus Spider-Pig is born.
Parts of Grandpa's epiphany are starting to emerge. Kent Brockman reports that Lake Springfield is reaching dangerously toxic levels, which could make Springfield and the rest of the state unliveable. An effort is made (including Mr. Burns) to stop dumping in the lake. All seems well, until one fateful night when Homer dumps the pig's crap-filled silo into the lake. All hell breaks loose, as the lake boils over and the EPA is alerted. EPA director Cargill, with approval from President Schwarzenegger, has dropped a giant dome over Springfield to contain the toxicity. Citizens of Springfield are outraged. Who would do such a thing. It's not long before they figure out it was Homer. Like the townfolk with pitchforks storming the castle, the Simpsons are chased out of town. Where will Homer's odyssey take him?
Alaska.
The Simpsons attempt to start over. Homer skis and plays Grand Theft Walrus at the Alaskan equivalent of Kwik-E-Mart. Marge is having trouble forgiving Homer for what he did, especially since he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. She makes the decision to leave Homer, and heads back to Springfield. She documents her decision by taping over their wedding video-the last thing she grabbed before the mob chased them out.
Homer is at a crossroads. Marge said she left him because of his selfishness. Can he change to win her back and save Springfield? He thinks so. He employs a team of sled dogs to head back, only to find out that the ecological situation in Springfield has deteriorated rapidly. Cargill's idea to save it involves dropping a bomb through the top of the dome. Reuniting with the family, who takes a huge leap of faith to trust him, Bart and Homer use a motorcyle to ride up the side of the dome (successfully jumping Springfield Gorge!) and fling the bomb out of the dome just in time. Springfield is saved, to live on in future seasons, until the show become unprofitable.
I thought the movie was great-just long enough to keep from being dull, and outrageous enough not to be on TV. You don't have to know anything about the Simpsons to see it, but it helps. There are plenty of inside jokes that only the most rabid of fans will get. You have to stay to watch the credits, to see all the characters who didn't show up in the movie proper. Maggie's second word is "sequel." I wouldn't be surprised at all.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Transformers Review
If you have not seen the movie, please do not read any further. This post contains spoilers!
Well, this weekend, I finally got to see Transformers. I was so totally tempted to go the night of the 3rd, but I was told I had to wait until a guest got here. I was just reading about how it did 70 million the first week, setting a record for a franchise debut (as opposed to sequels). I think it deserves all it can earn. Here's why:
The movie opens with a brief history of how the Autobots wound up on Earth. There is a civil war on their home planet of Cybertron, trillions of light years from Earth. They are fighting their enemies, the Deceptions, for control of the All Spark, a device that will allow them to control Cybertron. For eons, the All Spark has been lost, and all signs point to Earth as its resting place. Therefore, the Autobots have arrived, to locate the All Spark before the Decepticons.
The setting quickly changes to Qatar, where a mysterious MH-3 lands at a remote Special Ops base. After doing some quick research on the tail markings, we learn that the same helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan over a year ago. Something is very fishy indeed. As the helicopter touches down and powers down, we see the pilot is merely a hologram, and suddenly, the helicopter transforms into a Decepticon and proceeds to wipe out the whole base. Captain Lennox and Sergeant Epps (both of which are Joes who appear in the G.I. Joe vs. Transformers crossover comics) are several of the survivors who must trek across the desert to report what they saw.
Meanwhile, in California, Sam Witwicky (aka Spike from the animated series) is buying his first car. His Dad, who drives a very nicely maintained Austin-Healey Bug Eyed Sprite, psyches him into thinking he's getting a Porsche. What he finally settles on is an old beat up yellow 1977 Camaro with black racing stripes, sold by none other than Bernie Mack. "You think the driver picks the car, son, but I'm here to tell you that the car picks the driver." And the car does have a mind of its own, for it's none other than fan favorite Bumblebee! Yes, I know that Bumblebee was originally a VW Beetle, and many of us (ok, maybe just me) wanted Beetles because of Bumblebee, but it works. Just trust me! Sam is a bit of a nerd who has no luck with the ladies, but chance puts uber-hot classmate Mikaela in his car. In no time at all, Bumblebee takes both of them on the ride of their lives to meet up with Optimus Prime, followed by a Mustang based Decepticon. Optimus is not the only Autobot present; we meet fan favorites Jazz (a Pontiac Solstice), Ironhide (a GMC Sidekick), and Ratchet ( a Hummer H2). Sam is taken aback when Optimus knows his name. Optimus explains that Sam's great grandfather, an Arctic explorer who discovered the site where the All Spark landed, and also the leader of the Decepticons-Megatron! The exact coordinates of the All Spark were burned into great grandfather Witwicky's glasses at the time of the discovery-glasses which Sam still possesses and has been trying to sell on eBay. The Autobots' mission is clear. The Decepticons know who Sam is and what he means to finding the All Spark. The Autobots must get the glasses before the Decepticons do.
At this point, Lennox and Epps have been flown to Washington, where the NSA is handling the case. Decepticons have hacked into the National Military Command Center, searching for any lead on Witwicky and the All Spark. A team of hackers turned NSA analysts, led by Maggie Madsen (played by Aussie uber-hottie Rachael Taylor), are working to find the source of the attack. As Lennox and Epps explain their experience, the Secretary of Defense and the hackers are brought into the loop. A group known as Sector Seven has been keeping the Megatron secret since the incident occurred. The All Spark is an integral part of Hoover Dam, and Megatron is kept frozen beneath it. As both sides make their way to Hoover Dam, the stage is set for the final battle for the All Spark. And what a battle it is! Megatron is awakened, joined by Starscream, Devastator, and Bonecrusher. When Megatron speaks (voiced by Hugo Weaving), his first line gives you goosebumps. "You have failed me yet again, Starscream!" As the Autobots win the fight for the All Spark, the Decepticons pursue them to the streets of Los Angeles, where Optimus Prime makes an important decision: if the All Spark cannot be protected, it must be inserted into his chest, where it will be destroyed, along with him. As Megatron and the Decepticons wreak havoc, wounding Jazz in the process, it appears all is lost. Prime vows, as he did so many years before, "One will stand, and one will fall!" But at the last moment, before Megatron can deliver the final blow, Sam activates the All Spark, using its power to destroy Megatron. In the meantime, Ratchet has been working furiously to repair the injured Jazz and Bumblebee, but Jazz can't be saved. Prime thanks Sam for his bravery and for saving his life. With the All Spark safely in Autobot hands, the Autobots wish only to live in peace on Earth. Bumblebee, having developed a relationship with Sam and Mikaela, asks Prime to stay with Sam. Prime leaves the decision up to Sam, who quickly agrees. Sending out a signal to the stars, Prime informs any Autobots out there of the recovery of the All Spark, and invites them to Earth. And everything is back to normal...but there's always more than meets the eye.
I can't express how much I love this movie. Sure, they changed a few minor things, but this a very grown-up and serious movie. Some things have changed, like Bumblebee, but the best thing Stephen Spielberg and Michael Bay could have done was to bring Peter Cullen back as the voice of Optimus Prime. If you grew up with Transformers like I did, hearing him speak for the first time will give you goosebumps. The special effects are fantastic, nothing looks or feels fake here, unlike some of our other summer blockbusters. I can only hope it makes enough money to generate a sequel.
Well, this weekend, I finally got to see Transformers. I was so totally tempted to go the night of the 3rd, but I was told I had to wait until a guest got here. I was just reading about how it did 70 million the first week, setting a record for a franchise debut (as opposed to sequels). I think it deserves all it can earn. Here's why:
The movie opens with a brief history of how the Autobots wound up on Earth. There is a civil war on their home planet of Cybertron, trillions of light years from Earth. They are fighting their enemies, the Deceptions, for control of the All Spark, a device that will allow them to control Cybertron. For eons, the All Spark has been lost, and all signs point to Earth as its resting place. Therefore, the Autobots have arrived, to locate the All Spark before the Decepticons.
The setting quickly changes to Qatar, where a mysterious MH-3 lands at a remote Special Ops base. After doing some quick research on the tail markings, we learn that the same helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan over a year ago. Something is very fishy indeed. As the helicopter touches down and powers down, we see the pilot is merely a hologram, and suddenly, the helicopter transforms into a Decepticon and proceeds to wipe out the whole base. Captain Lennox and Sergeant Epps (both of which are Joes who appear in the G.I. Joe vs. Transformers crossover comics) are several of the survivors who must trek across the desert to report what they saw.
Meanwhile, in California, Sam Witwicky (aka Spike from the animated series) is buying his first car. His Dad, who drives a very nicely maintained Austin-Healey Bug Eyed Sprite, psyches him into thinking he's getting a Porsche. What he finally settles on is an old beat up yellow 1977 Camaro with black racing stripes, sold by none other than Bernie Mack. "You think the driver picks the car, son, but I'm here to tell you that the car picks the driver." And the car does have a mind of its own, for it's none other than fan favorite Bumblebee! Yes, I know that Bumblebee was originally a VW Beetle, and many of us (ok, maybe just me) wanted Beetles because of Bumblebee, but it works. Just trust me! Sam is a bit of a nerd who has no luck with the ladies, but chance puts uber-hot classmate Mikaela in his car. In no time at all, Bumblebee takes both of them on the ride of their lives to meet up with Optimus Prime, followed by a Mustang based Decepticon. Optimus is not the only Autobot present; we meet fan favorites Jazz (a Pontiac Solstice), Ironhide (a GMC Sidekick), and Ratchet ( a Hummer H2). Sam is taken aback when Optimus knows his name. Optimus explains that Sam's great grandfather, an Arctic explorer who discovered the site where the All Spark landed, and also the leader of the Decepticons-Megatron! The exact coordinates of the All Spark were burned into great grandfather Witwicky's glasses at the time of the discovery-glasses which Sam still possesses and has been trying to sell on eBay. The Autobots' mission is clear. The Decepticons know who Sam is and what he means to finding the All Spark. The Autobots must get the glasses before the Decepticons do.
At this point, Lennox and Epps have been flown to Washington, where the NSA is handling the case. Decepticons have hacked into the National Military Command Center, searching for any lead on Witwicky and the All Spark. A team of hackers turned NSA analysts, led by Maggie Madsen (played by Aussie uber-hottie Rachael Taylor), are working to find the source of the attack. As Lennox and Epps explain their experience, the Secretary of Defense and the hackers are brought into the loop. A group known as Sector Seven has been keeping the Megatron secret since the incident occurred. The All Spark is an integral part of Hoover Dam, and Megatron is kept frozen beneath it. As both sides make their way to Hoover Dam, the stage is set for the final battle for the All Spark. And what a battle it is! Megatron is awakened, joined by Starscream, Devastator, and Bonecrusher. When Megatron speaks (voiced by Hugo Weaving), his first line gives you goosebumps. "You have failed me yet again, Starscream!" As the Autobots win the fight for the All Spark, the Decepticons pursue them to the streets of Los Angeles, where Optimus Prime makes an important decision: if the All Spark cannot be protected, it must be inserted into his chest, where it will be destroyed, along with him. As Megatron and the Decepticons wreak havoc, wounding Jazz in the process, it appears all is lost. Prime vows, as he did so many years before, "One will stand, and one will fall!" But at the last moment, before Megatron can deliver the final blow, Sam activates the All Spark, using its power to destroy Megatron. In the meantime, Ratchet has been working furiously to repair the injured Jazz and Bumblebee, but Jazz can't be saved. Prime thanks Sam for his bravery and for saving his life. With the All Spark safely in Autobot hands, the Autobots wish only to live in peace on Earth. Bumblebee, having developed a relationship with Sam and Mikaela, asks Prime to stay with Sam. Prime leaves the decision up to Sam, who quickly agrees. Sending out a signal to the stars, Prime informs any Autobots out there of the recovery of the All Spark, and invites them to Earth. And everything is back to normal...but there's always more than meets the eye.
I can't express how much I love this movie. Sure, they changed a few minor things, but this a very grown-up and serious movie. Some things have changed, like Bumblebee, but the best thing Stephen Spielberg and Michael Bay could have done was to bring Peter Cullen back as the voice of Optimus Prime. If you grew up with Transformers like I did, hearing him speak for the first time will give you goosebumps. The special effects are fantastic, nothing looks or feels fake here, unlike some of our other summer blockbusters. I can only hope it makes enough money to generate a sequel.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Dario Franchitti Picks Up Third Victory At Richmond, Further Solidifies Points Lead For AGR
This past weekend marks the middle of the year, and what better way to mark the hump than attending the SunTrust Indy Challenge? I can't think of one. This weekend wasn't that much different that the past few IRL races at Richmond. We still had to contend with the threat of rain, the nightmare of parking and leaving. What I didn't plan on contending with was the tunnel traffic getting to Richmond. Leaving at 2 meant that it took us 45 minutes to get to the on-ramp for the tunnel. 45 minutes to go not even 3/4 of a mile-the length of the Richmond track! The traffic around here is getting to be as bad as DC, without the salaries and cool monuments to match. Thankfully, once our lane merged, we were able to fly to Richmond and get there about 4:30. I was so hungry I could've eaten the gravel in the parking lot. We bought our programs and decided to head to the willcall counter and pick up our pit passes. Well, the willcall had been moved from where it was the previous 5 or so years we've been coming to this thing. I was so pissed off the only thing that could calm me down was getting some food into my system. This year, we noticed a Famous Dave's BBQ stand and decided to go for it. It was good enough for there and then, but once you've had Pierce's BBQ, everything else pales in comparison. It was really too late to go in and watch the practice sessions, so we decided to buy stuff and get in line for the autograph session.
The autograph session was held in the same exhibition hall as always. I tried to focus on getting the autographs I didn't have, which meant not getting in Danica's line. I already had her sign my copy of her book (addressing it to me), so I'm happy with that. Besides, I'm not all that proud of her performance or her attitude this year. I made sure to get Marco and Dario's autographs. I got just about everyone I wanted by the time the session was over.
We found good spots in the Commonwealth section, all the way at the back where the skyboxes cover it. Good cover just in case it rained.
And rain it did. All of a sudded, there was a terrential downpour that continued for about an hour. Qualifying would be decided on points standings, which meant that Dario had the pole.
Saturday morning looked much better. We arrived at the track around 9am, early enough to get our pit passes and spend a little money on souvenirs. 11 came around and it was time for the previous night's midget car race. It really wasn't very exciting, and pole winner Bobby East didn't have much competition until the last few laps. We left our seats and headed back out to the midway and settle on ice cream at Haagen Dazs. It was blazing-so hot that I decided only water would do the whole day.
We entered the Paddock Club at 2 and no sooner did we hit out seats that Milka Duno arrived to talk to us. She was very friendly, but very hard to understand. Hopefully her English will improve as she spends more time in the series. Danica showed up next and supplied us with some attitude, although she did poke fun at her incident with Dan Wheldon at Milwaukee. There was this annoying woman in front of me who kept blocking all my shots. Before Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti got there, I made sure I had a much better spot, which I think my pics and video demonstrate. I didn't move from that spot until Sarah Fisher came, who was very friendly and had a lot to share about why she came back to open wheel racing. I remember seeing her for the first time in 2002 at the first SunTrust Indy Challenge I attended. It's good to have her back in open wheel racing.
After gorging ourselves at the Paddock Club, it was time for the main event. Sam Hornish Jr. spun out on the opening lap, but did recover and was able to get back in the game. But no one save the Target boys could hold a candle to Andretti Green's dominance. Tony led a few laps, but Dario dominated the entire race. Tomas Scheckter and Danica did make great strides, but Tomas pitted just as a caution for Jeff Simmons' accident appeared, which screwed him royally. Like the 2006 race, there were very few cautions, which made for a fast race. Dario picked up his third victory and cemented his points lead. Scott Dixon presented a good challenge towards the end but had to settle for second. I'm glad Dario won-I was getting tired of seeing either Penske or Target win, even though Dan and Scott are my favorites. As always, anything is possible at Richmond.
The autograph session was held in the same exhibition hall as always. I tried to focus on getting the autographs I didn't have, which meant not getting in Danica's line. I already had her sign my copy of her book (addressing it to me), so I'm happy with that. Besides, I'm not all that proud of her performance or her attitude this year. I made sure to get Marco and Dario's autographs. I got just about everyone I wanted by the time the session was over.
We found good spots in the Commonwealth section, all the way at the back where the skyboxes cover it. Good cover just in case it rained.
And rain it did. All of a sudded, there was a terrential downpour that continued for about an hour. Qualifying would be decided on points standings, which meant that Dario had the pole.
Saturday morning looked much better. We arrived at the track around 9am, early enough to get our pit passes and spend a little money on souvenirs. 11 came around and it was time for the previous night's midget car race. It really wasn't very exciting, and pole winner Bobby East didn't have much competition until the last few laps. We left our seats and headed back out to the midway and settle on ice cream at Haagen Dazs. It was blazing-so hot that I decided only water would do the whole day.
We entered the Paddock Club at 2 and no sooner did we hit out seats that Milka Duno arrived to talk to us. She was very friendly, but very hard to understand. Hopefully her English will improve as she spends more time in the series. Danica showed up next and supplied us with some attitude, although she did poke fun at her incident with Dan Wheldon at Milwaukee. There was this annoying woman in front of me who kept blocking all my shots. Before Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti got there, I made sure I had a much better spot, which I think my pics and video demonstrate. I didn't move from that spot until Sarah Fisher came, who was very friendly and had a lot to share about why she came back to open wheel racing. I remember seeing her for the first time in 2002 at the first SunTrust Indy Challenge I attended. It's good to have her back in open wheel racing.
After gorging ourselves at the Paddock Club, it was time for the main event. Sam Hornish Jr. spun out on the opening lap, but did recover and was able to get back in the game. But no one save the Target boys could hold a candle to Andretti Green's dominance. Tony led a few laps, but Dario dominated the entire race. Tomas Scheckter and Danica did make great strides, but Tomas pitted just as a caution for Jeff Simmons' accident appeared, which screwed him royally. Like the 2006 race, there were very few cautions, which made for a fast race. Dario picked up his third victory and cemented his points lead. Scott Dixon presented a good challenge towards the end but had to settle for second. I'm glad Dario won-I was getting tired of seeing either Penske or Target win, even though Dan and Scott are my favorites. As always, anything is possible at Richmond.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Franchitti Wins Iowa Crashfest
Dario Franchitti survived the IRL's worst marketing blunder in years to solidify his points lead going to Richmond on Saturday.
Last year, the IRL tested at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, a track which Rusty Wallace designed. Rusty is, of course, famous as a N***** driver, and also for such glorious faux pas as this gem at Richmond last year:
Anyone who allows a man who makes such moronic comments to design a track is asking for trouble. Second of all, this track has a capacity of 25,000. Even at stock car-dominated Richmond, the SunTrust Indy Challenge attracts between 50,000 and 60,000, and it increases every year. The Midwest is a huge market for the IRL, so why blow a weekend on such a small track? Keep doing this and they'll be on the fast track to no major network coverage for races.
Everyone was expecting track temperatures to be 20 degrees higher than what they were, which meant everyone was racing on the wrong tires. What did this mean? Dan Wheldon and Tomas Scheckter took each other out on the first lap. Scott Dixon had the pole, but ended up retiring the car due to steering problems. There were at least eight cautions (it got so boring, I paid more attention to my ironing)as driver after driver was taken out. But Dario and Marco Andretti held out long enough to give Andretti Green a 1-2 finish.
Next weekend we're off to Richmond, where Dario has always done well, and where last year's race had NO cautions. I will be at the track on Friday and will have posts on qualifying and other goings-on like the autograph session. Here's hoping we'll have racing perfection at Richmond on Saturday night!
Last year, the IRL tested at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, a track which Rusty Wallace designed. Rusty is, of course, famous as a N***** driver, and also for such glorious faux pas as this gem at Richmond last year:
You can still drive an Indy car without a clutch. You just can't slow down and you can't stop.
Anyone who allows a man who makes such moronic comments to design a track is asking for trouble. Second of all, this track has a capacity of 25,000. Even at stock car-dominated Richmond, the SunTrust Indy Challenge attracts between 50,000 and 60,000, and it increases every year. The Midwest is a huge market for the IRL, so why blow a weekend on such a small track? Keep doing this and they'll be on the fast track to no major network coverage for races.
Everyone was expecting track temperatures to be 20 degrees higher than what they were, which meant everyone was racing on the wrong tires. What did this mean? Dan Wheldon and Tomas Scheckter took each other out on the first lap. Scott Dixon had the pole, but ended up retiring the car due to steering problems. There were at least eight cautions (it got so boring, I paid more attention to my ironing)as driver after driver was taken out. But Dario and Marco Andretti held out long enough to give Andretti Green a 1-2 finish.
Next weekend we're off to Richmond, where Dario has always done well, and where last year's race had NO cautions. I will be at the track on Friday and will have posts on qualifying and other goings-on like the autograph session. Here's hoping we'll have racing perfection at Richmond on Saturday night!
Rush Rocks Hampton Roads
Rush made a surprising appearance at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater on Friday. I've been a fan of theirs since I discovered the Chronicles set my junior year of high school. They were touring to support their new album Snakes & Arrows. I'd never seen them in concert before, and I was in for a treat. This was the best concert I've been to in the past five years. Though the boys are all in their fifties now, they can easily outperform bands half their age. Opening up with Limelight, they interspersed some classics with the new material, which is one of their better albums in recent years. After a brief intermission, which Geddy Lee contributed to "aging", they started the second set with Far Cry, the first single off Snakes & Arrows, which was a high powered kick in the face. All this was accompanied by a light and screen show rivaled only by Pink Floyd. Neil Peart reinforced my opinion that he is the best drummer in the world, hands down, after a blistering solo that could put anyone else to shame. Alex Leifson had some impressive guitar solos as well. Some of the classics played included Subdivisions (one of my favorites), Tom Sawyer, Freewill, Spirit of Radio, and A Passage To Bangkok. I paid $62.50 for my ticket, but those guys earned every penny. I hope I get to see them again someday.
Friday, June 15, 2007
AAF Tank Museum
Last Saturday, the crew and I headed out to Danville to visit the AAF Tank Museum. This is one of the coolest museums I've ever been to, outside of the Smithsonians and the Imperial War Museum in London. What a place! So many different tanks and artillery pieces, not to mention uniforms and weapons too. And the best part, there is a RC tank battlefield where enthusiasts come from all over Virginia, North Carolina, and as far north as New Jersey to recreate battles. Some of the guys there were kind enough to give us a little demonstration of what a battle would be like, which I recorded and placed on my YouTube page. Check it out!! I think I have a new hobby! Pics will soon be added to the Flickr page! In the meantime, check out this site and this site.
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