ironclm's world

#My500Words: January 6, 2014

For starters, yesterday and Saturday was not a good day for my football teams. The Packers especially have some thinking to do in the off-season.

All weekend long, shoot, even starting on Friday, the news was full of doom and gloom about a huge winter storm hitting the area on Sunday. Sunday morning was fairly nice from what I saw (considering I didn't get out of bed until close to 1:00 PM. It was cold in the house, I didn't get home and to bed until after midnight the night before, reading a book for awhile sounded better than getting up, etc. I guess I'm still in a bit of a funk.

When I got up, they were still projecting doom and gloom and even though it was partially sunny and 55F, it was pretty black to the north and the wind was kicking up. So I bailed on the plan to go watch the game at ML Rose and got dressed and went to Kroger. I needed to stock up on my veggies and fruit so I can do my morning juice.

I got in the truck and drove over to Kroger (about 3 blocks) and by the time I got there, the sun was gone and it was starting to rain. Still pretty decent temperature. The Kroger by my house was busy, but not as bad as some of the other places I heard about. There was only one person in front of me at checkout. A basket full of food later (yes, and some junk food to watch the game), I was out of there, back into the rain.

Since I'd had barely any coffee, I drove through Starbucks and then cruised around Salemtown to check out the amount of building that is going on there. Salemtown is on the other side of Rosa Parks Boulevard from my neighborhood and is one of the next new “hot” neighborhoods. There is limited area to grow since the freeway and the river marks natural boundaries. Salemtown is just north of Germantown and both area part of The Capitol District, which includes my 'hood. The Capitol District, as the collaboration is called, includes the neighborhoods north of the State Capitol — Germantown, Salemtown, Hope Gardens and Historic Buena Vista (my 'hood).

Germantown was the first to gentrify and they are building some townhouses that will list at $550,000 to $650,000. Salemtown is next and when I was looking last spring, shotgun houses (long and narrow, usually 2 story) were listing for $260,000 to $280,000. And I wasn't that thrilled with the immediate neighborhood for that price (plus, above the price point where I wanted to be). But they've done a lot of building and there isn't much area left to build out. There are still a few old houses that could become teardowns, but they are even building clear over by the river/freeway across from the water plant. So I like to drive around and check out what is going on in that neighborhood and look at prices since so many people want to live near downtown, so the natural progression is for gentrification to move across Rosa Parks to Historic Buena Vista. With corresponding real estate increases. In fact, my relator texted me a few months ago to tell me a very similar place to mine had just been listed in Salemtown. It had 4 bedrooms instead of my 3, but only had 2,800 sq. feet (I have 3,100 sq. feet) and looked the same from the outside (brick). That place listed for $419,000!! I told her when she could sell mine for $400,000, to call me and I'll start packing. I'd take a +50% profit any day.

Back to yesterday. Came home, watched the game. Was pissed out about the outcome. Really Packers, we have some changes to make in the off-season!

Next weekend I'll be rooting for the Colts (HATE the Pats and Tom Brady), no one in the SD v. Denver game, the Saints and the 49ers, though I do like Cam Newton.

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

SATURDAY, JAN. 11, AND SUNDAY, JAN. 12

No. 4 Indianapolis Colts at No. 2 New England Patriots, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS

No. 6 San Diego Chargers at No. 1 Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 12 at 4:40 p.m. ET on CBS 

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

SATURDAY, JAN. 11, AND SUNDAY, JAN. 12

No. 6 New Orleans Saints at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4:35 p.m. ET on FOX

No. 5 San Francisco 49ers at No. 2 Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1:05 p.m. ET on FOX

#My500Words: January 5, 2014

The NFL Playoffs. I love football. Always have, even as a little girl. One year for Christmas I received a football helmet. I still have that somewhere. I also still have a card or letter my Grandpa Eidman wrote me when I was in high school. If I recall correctly, my high school team had lost a championship game and I was in tears and inconsolable. He sent me a note saying he'd had a dream that the players from the winning team were carrying their coach off the field and that coach was me. I think comments like this are part of why I grew up thinking I could do whatever I wanted and to not have limitations.

My love of the Green Bay Packers also come from him. He thought Vince Lombardi was “THE MAN”. And he was. If you ever have the chance, read “When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi" by David Maraniss. A very awesome read and insight into the man. A few of my favorites Lombardi sayings.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

 “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”

“If you’ll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.”

“Winning is not a sometime thing…it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while…you don’t do the right thing once in a while…you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit.”

“Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser."

“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

A few years ago, when they sold more Green Bay Packers stock, I bought a share. So yes, I am Packer owner. My dream is to attend a game at Lambeau Field. So, the Packers are my #1 team.

My #2 team is the Kansas City Chiefs. I grew up with them as our local team. Len Dawson, the Chiefs winning Superbowl IV, but miring in obscurity for most of the past decade. Until this year when they seem to have turned things around and made the playoffs. Yesterday's game was so frustrating!!!!! To be up by so much and then lose four of your players to injury and totally fall apart. Damn. But Andy Reid seems to have the program heading in the right direction.

And today my #1 (Packers) are playing my #3 (San Francisco 49ers). Spending 25 years in Northern California, of course I'm a Niners fan (except when they are playing the Packer or the Chiefs). I lived in San Francisco during the glory days of the 1980s/early 1990s. Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, Steve Young. Heady times.

So today it's the 49ers v. the Packers at Lambeau. I was at the Packers v. 49ers NFC championship game in 1999. The 49ers scored late (Steve Young to TO) and I still remember Ben Farber jumping about 4 feet into the air, ecstatic. I'm hoping today's game turns out differently.

DAMMIT!

Packers lose.

Marin Mountain Biking -- GGNRA Possible Closures

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is soliciting public comments as it updates its transportation plan, with major implications for mountain bikers. Bike access would be limited in some areas. You can let them know how you feel by posting online comments (or via snail mail).

Link to comment page

Suggested comments......

Re the proposed closure of Slacker Hill:

* Slacker Hill has enjoyed long historical use by cyclists and other users without problems. Please leave it open.

* Slacker Hill provides spectacular views of the Golden Gate, the city, and other Headlands locations that are unique, and unavailable at any other place. It is said to be the best view area within the Headlands.

* Closure of Slacker Hill Road will deny hikers and equestrians the ability to travel between the SCA/Ridge Trail, and the top of Julian Road, creating a serious gap in access to the western part of the park.

There should be bike access on Dubois Road.

There should be bike access to the trail that descends from Conzelman Road, east of Battery McIndoe, to the Visitor Center on Rodeo Lagoon. It is critical that cyclists have off road routes from Conzelman Road, down into the Valley. This is in furtherance of the Plan's goal to improve trails and connectivity within the area.

There should be bike access on the existing trail that starts at the riding stables, proceeds westerly, then southerly, passing to the east of the Headlands Center for the Arts, and finally joining the newly created Visitor Center - Conzelman Road trail.

The Tour!

The Tour de France has begun and what an exciting start!

The prologue on Sunday in London found Fabian Cancellara winning by a big margin over everyone else. I was very pleased with that as Fabian is my favorite rider who is currently riding. (Andrea Peron will always be my #1 favorite rider though.)

Stage one had a fantastic and exciting sprint finish. Robbie McEwen was just amazing, blowing through the field after being knocked over on his bike and having to catch up to and ride through the peleton! I'm really looking forward to watching every stage.

As for an overall winner? Who knows! That's the beauty of it--the race is wide open.

RIP Barbaro

Le Tour

This picture pretty much says it all. Sure wish I were there!

World Cup Champions!

Hello Italy!!

Love those Italian men......

Vincenzo laquinta

I'm watching the replay of the Italy - Germany game and what a great overtime! The Germans were stunned and the second goal was just beautiful. One half of my dream final is set. Now for Portugal to do their thing.

World Cup

Lots of catching up to do, but now the World Cup gets exciting!  Here's who I'm rooting for.

Thanks Lance.....