Thoughts, Ramblings and Other Stuff

U2 360 Tour Comes To University of Phoenix Stadium

November 3rd, 2009 Posted in Hobbies and Interests | No Comments »

After many years of wanting to see U2 live but always missing the opportunity (concerts sell out), I finally got to see themalong with my lovely wife Irma in their biggest, baddest show yet – U2 360. Tuesday, October 20th at the Cardinals stadium is where it all took place and although the show here didn’t sell out (Phoenix you suck), there were about 55,000 in attendance.

Read the rest of this entry »

Property Tax Review Board (PTRB): Is It a Scam?

August 7th, 2009 Posted in Politics & Government | 82 Comments »

This post is specifically for residents in Arizona but who knows if this scam is not going on elsewhere throughout the country. A company called “Property Tax Review Board” or PTRB for short is sending out letters promising homeowners that they can help homeowners reduce their property tax bills for the 2009 tax year for a fee of $189.

Don’t do it – it is a scam!

Read the rest of this entry »

Alltel’s “Roller Coaster” Commercial Tasteless & Irresponsible

June 12th, 2009 Posted in Rants | 1 Comment »

Let’s face it – there are a lot of commercials on television that are just plain irresponsible as well as tasteless. One example – the numerous car commercials that show reckless and dangerous driving but then contain the very fine print “professional driver; closed course.” Or how about the cell phone commercial (think it was Alltel) where the woman cuts down telephone utility poles with a chainsaw (vandalism)?

Read the rest of this entry »

For Sale: Marshall AVT 275 2×12 Combo Guitar Amplifier

May 27th, 2009 Posted in Food and Beverage, Personal | No Comments »

Marshall AVT 275I recently purchased a Vox Custom Classic AC15CC1 Guitar Amp so the Marshall Guitar Amp I’ve been using for the last several years has to go. Because I’m running POD XT Live effects, I no longer need the four channels as well as all the effects that the Marshall amplifier offers. So she’s up for sale.

If you are looking for a 150 watt Marshall Combo amp, this is your chance to get one at about two-thirds of what you’d pay for it brand new.

Read the rest of this entry »

Our First Hot Air Balloon Ride

April 30th, 2009 Posted in Hobbies and Interests | Comments Off

In celebration of our 18th wedding anniversary, Irma and myself decided to do something we had both desired to accomplish for some time – to ride in a hot air balloon. We did just that this last Monday where we reached heights of up to 4,300 feet and lows just above the rooftops of Anthem homes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Magnificent Cover of U2’s “Magnificent”

April 22nd, 2009 Posted in Hobbies and Interests | No Comments »

I just love the song “Magnificent” of U2’s new album, No Line on the Horizon. That is why I was thrilled to come across this very well done cover of the song done in “acoustic style.” It is really phenomenal that the guitarist can play and sing the song at the same time.

It appears from the URL that is included in video that the trio is a band from Brazil called “Lunares.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Resurrection Day!

April 12th, 2009 Posted in Personal | No Comments »

Happy Easter or as I like to refer to it, “Resurrection Day.” Because Jesus Christ was crucified (died) and rose again from the dead (resurrected), I too was able to die to my old sinful nature and now live in Him!

He Is Risen!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid ; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.”

Matthew 28:5-6

World’s Largest Model Train Display – Miniatur Wunderland

March 22nd, 2009 Posted in Big Boys Toys | 1 Comment »

Words really cannot describe the world’s largest model train display – Miniatur Wunderland, located in Hamburg Germany. Although the exhibit features over 800 trains pulling over 10,000 railway cars, which is impressive in and of itself, Miniatur Wunderland is much more then a model train display. It is in fact a virtual world in and of itself representing scenes throughout the world.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Week of U2 on David Letterman Show

March 8th, 2009 Posted in Hobbies and Interests | No Comments »

I like the Letterman show and watch it from time to time, especially if there is a guest on that I want to see. I don’t think I have ever watched the show religiously for a week straight. Last week was an exception because one of my favorite bands, U2, appeared on the show every night.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Francisco / Bay Area in Two Days

February 16th, 2009 Posted in Personal | Comments Off

Irma and myself have made it an annual event to visit San Francisco and the Bay Area annually in conjunction with Search Marketing Expo and Search Engine Strategies conferences that are held in the San Jose area.

Typically we take 3-4 days after the conference and head up the 101 to San Francisco as well as Napa and/or Sonoma Counties. Most recently, we decided to do the “vacation” portion of our trip first and limited it to just two days.

Read the rest of this entry »