Total eclipse

Sometimes I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time, as I was in Virginia last August when the earthquake struck just ten miles from my client’s office. Sometimes I am in the right place at the right time.  That was the case today. Lake Tahoe was in the direct path of the total eclipse [...]

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11-11-11: Veterans’ Day

It was a blustery, chilly day in DC. Not much happening here on this Veteran Day’s holiday, at least not outside. The National Mall was largely empty.  Tourists did not linger outside for long.  They went straight from their tour buses into the warmth of the Smithsonian’s museums. It seems that Veterans’ Day is downplayed.  Is [...]

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Fall Postcards

October is arguably the best month on the East Coast. In Virginia, the fall colors reach their peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Shenandoah National Park is the most popular destination, but there are other equally stunning segments of the chain.  Walking around Old Towne Alexandria is one of my favorite pastimes when I make [...]

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FDNY tribute to ACFD

While on a late afternoon walk around the Virginia Highlands Park in Arlington, VA, I came across this simple memorial dedicated to the firefighters of Arlington County who were among the first responders to the Pentagon on the morning of 9-11-01 (the link takes you to an excellent chronicle of the events at the Pentagon). [...]

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High Anxiety of the Linguistic Kind

I have always been apprehensive of flying. There is something about being at the complete mercy of forces beyond my control that makes me fidgety.  It is a feeling that can make me toss logic aside.  Why should I feel my life is on the line when traveling by a commercial carrier is statistically safer [...]

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Post Cards from the Road: Late September

The weather is changing here in central Virginia; a few trees are starting to show a little color, but it will be a few weeks before the real show begins. For now, the roadsides are flanked by lush green forests. I took a side trip south of Richmond along State Route 5, which angles southeast of [...]

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Postcards from the road: August through Labor Day

  Being a road warrior can be tiring, but it provides an opportunity to sample life away from LaLa Land. I will occasionally post pictures from my weekend side trips, along with commentary. Here is the first installment. My client’s office is easily one of the finest facilities around.  It is comprised of several building [...]

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Wrong Rail Priority for $53 Billion

President Obama wants $53 billion for high-speed rail. The objective is to stimulate job creation while addressing much-needed improvements in transportation infrastructure. We can all argue about the long-term economic benefits vs the cost until the cows come home (or stray on to the train tracks).  Let’s talk about the concept itself. Why do we [...]

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Winter Showing Some Signs

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Fall in the Sierra

Fall color is reaching its peak in the Sierra.  There is still time to enjoy the display.

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