Weekend Update

A quick entry to say nothing much.

Work

Work is going good. We're a bit behind on some of our construction estimates so I'm going to try and not schedule too much for my team in order to get caught up.

I've been working on a Highway Patrol project. The NC State HP has been in the same training facility since the 1970's. It's located in an old school for the blind and was always meant as an interim facility. Well, it's been temporary for about 35 years now.

It may sound odd to plan for a replacement facility in the middle of a deep recession - but it takes quite a bit of time to get something like this off the ground. So now is a good time to plan for when the economy is better and when funds might be available.

We're at the very beginning - looking at rebuilding at the present location and looking at possible relocation sites (there's some push to use the current property for other purposes).

The NCSHP has one of the preeminent training programs in the country. It's amazing what they do with such run down facilities. They've needed a state of the art training academy for decades. Now might be the time to see if we can get some momentum going towards that purpose.

I've also been assisting with some NCSU projects that are close to completion.

Normally I don't bore people with stuff about construction projects - but the new Math and Statistics building at NCSU deserves a mention. It's a really nice design and the construction by Clancy and Theys is excellent.

The architect (Millennium 3 Design Group) designed a very clean and functional building. They were able to create some nifty spaces within a limited budget and footprint. The atrium is really nice and has some great views.

NC State isn't exactly noted for it's great architecture. This building isn't going to be a monument to design by any means - but it's a really nice, clean design. It's got some cool features that you have to go inside to appreciate.

C&T (Construction Manager at Risk) did a top notch job. They put together first class sub-contractors and stayed on top of the project. The execution of the project was darn near perfect.

All together a top notch team put together a great design and project. On time and on budget.

I wish all projects could go so well and taxpayer money spent so effectively.

Home

Not a thing new around the house.

The roomie has been in Southport for a couple weeks now helping his folks with a couple new pets. I've got to say - it sure is nice to have a quite house in the evening. It's been sort of like a little vacation at home. But I do miss the company.

On a side note - I called the guy (Danny S) that delivers / sells firewood a couple weeks ago to get some delivered so it can dry and be ready for next year. As usual, his phone number is no longer any good (he seems to move around a lot and get new cell phones).

So - a couple days ago there was a knock at the door. It was his cousin (Lewis S). He said Danny had told him to come by and check to see if and when I'd need some fire wood. I love it when things work out like that.

He delivered the first of two pick up truck loads Saturday. The second load will come Monday.

I moved what I have left into one stack instead of the two spread out stacks. Otherwise, the new wood would have been on top of the current older wood - which would have gone from seasoned to decaying.

Looks like I've got more seasoned wood than needed for the rest of this winter. Nuke will have to burn more fires when he gets back. I'm sure that won't be a problem.

Wolfpack

State lost to UNC this past week but it was a lot closer than the earlier game. The Pack's playing hard. We just don't have the talent that the top tier ACC teams have. But no one tries harder.

Saturday, once again we let a huge lead get wasted against Virginia. But we held on to win - much like the Wake Forest game.*

Meanwhile, UNC lost to Maryland in overtime. With 3 Maryland players fouled out.

Also - the upcoming football schedule was released. Used to be teams played a 10 or 11 game season. Now, the standard season is 12 games. Which should usually be 6 home and 6 away games.

But though quirks in scheduling - NC State will play 8 home games and only 4 away games.

It's going to be a busy (and much more expensive) football season at Carter-Finley.

That's about it.

Note

*Called Col. B - Delta to see if he could go to the VA game. Turns out - he's unexpectedly on TDY till May or June. Or, as his aide put it "out of pocket at an undisclosed location".

I like the way they talk.

LOL

State vs. Wake Forest and UNC vs. Duke

Once again, State built up a big lead in the second half only to see it evaporate. The difference this time is that we held on to win anyway. But – if we’d just had a few more minutes, we could have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. State 82 – Wake Forest 76.

Thanks to Chip for going to the game with me.

In the late game, UNC and Duke played a ferocious game at Duke. UNC won for the 4th straight year at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

ACC basketball is just awesome.

The Bailout

The Bailout - circa 1994

Click on the image for a larger version to read.

Spruce Pine NC +Addendum

Working out of Spruce Pine this week. There are no chain hotels in the area and most of the local motels are seasonal. Our choice of places to stay were the Pine Valley Motel or the Richmond Inn.

Fortunately the Richmond Inn had rooms available and the owner was kind enough to offer us State Government rates. We're staying in a very nice bed and breakfast.

Also – being in the mountains, we have had some snow this week. Not enough to slow us down – just enough to make the area pretty.


The Richmond Inn

My Bedroom

Lucky the Cat

Foyer

Beginning to Snow

Addendum

Grandfather Mountain

 

Wild Turkey - click on the photo for a closer look at the birds

 

We also saw a fox crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway. But he declined to be photographed.

Copeland is a Dumbass Punk

UNC beat State pretty solidly yesterday.

One bright spot was at the end when Carolina’s bench scrub Copeland tried to make a trashy last second dunk to show off. Ben McCauley fouled the hell out of him and put him on the deck.

Copeland bounced up with some trash talk and a swing (which missed) and got tossed out of the game and sent to the locker room. What a stupid punk.

Bottom line – State just doesn’t have a top tier ACC team. The guys play hard – but we’ve got to recruit the blue chip players like UNC and Dook have.

After the game Nuke and I ate at The Mint. It was great – but pricey. Even though we ordered the fixed price 3 course dinner ($30 - which is a bargain) - add one glass of wine, one bottle of sparkling water, tax, tip and tip for the valet parking – the total came out to exactly $100.

Actually, that’s not a bad price. The food was definitely upscale gourmet and the service impeccable. As fine as any restaurant in New York at a fraction of what it would cost there.

The place was full so maybe the economy is picking up. At least for the folks who have money to spend at fancy places.

No plans for the Superbowl. I'll just watch the game at home. Heck - by the time it's over - it'll be past my bedtime.

Tomorrow I’m headed to Spruce Pine, in the mountains, for work.

I wonder if it will snow while I'm there?

Oh, BTW - Just finished whatching The Eye. Chinese with subtitles. Skip it.