Office Photo

Every few years the State Construction Office gets together for a group photo. We're all here this morning except for about a half-dozen people. We took the shots shortly after 0800. As it got down to 23 F last night, it was still quite chilly and below freezing.

As you can see, there's been a lot of folks who have been here for a good part of their careers. Within the next 5 years, there will be a lot of retirements and new faces. The transition is already starting with a couple of people in their 20's. Which is quite a change from our typical office age.

I don't know if I can put up with a bunch of young 'uns.

:-)

Double Overtime Loss

Very disappointing loss to Boston College. State just played sloppy at the end of regulation and in both overtimes. Both teams played hard defensive ball games. But it looked like State just had ball handling problems at the end. Also, State called timeouts during transitions from huge defensive plays that seemed to kill their momentum.

Here’s a little known tidbit.

After home games, fans can go to the Arena Club Restaurant and the coaches come up and give a recap of the game and answer questions. This isn’t very well known as it’s spread by word of mouth. Reporters are not allowed. This Q&A is for the fans only.

Frequently it’s Coach Sendek that comes up. Tonight, after such a frustrating loss, Coach Sendek came up to face the music.

We’re polite of course, but we still ask the hard questions. And you could tell when he came up, that Coach Sendek knew the fans were irritable. But, he does answer questions directly and openly. And yes, he was asked about the wisdom of calling those momentum killing timeouts.

I like NC State. We’re a blue collar type of school. Down to earth, working type of graduates. Herb just comes on up with the rest of us. No special entrance or big deal. Takes the podium, keeps his remarks brief, and takes questions. Then, he mingles with us – big shots and regular people alike.

Afterwards, he’s chatting with folks so JN and I head to the elevator. Just as the doors are about to close, Herb pops in and rides down with us. Cracking a couple of jokes with the folks on the elevator. Then it’s off to the parking lot.

NCSU and the ACC are big time sports schools. Here at State, the coaches are just one of us.

You’ll see the same type of attitude with our politicians. If you have pretensions, we’ll let you know in a hurry when you’re ‘putting on airs’ as we call it.

I like being from, and living in, North Carolina.

JN is annoying the hell out of me. Interrupting on purpose so I’ll quit blogging and cook hot dogs.

Grrrrrrr

Off to the kitchen.

Sunday Addendum

Watched Hotel Rwanda. A very sad but excellent film.

Doing laundry and house chores. Have to pack later as I'll be in the field all next week.

Answering machine is not working. The screen says no line detected. I'll need to figure out if the answering machine is defective or if the phone line to the machine is somehow not working.

Saturday

Got things to do.

Sitting here contemplating chores and listening to T Bone Burnett - Humans From Earth.

Things to do - in order - first lunch. Then taking the car to get the oil changed (Jiffy Lube coupon). Then, CrossRoads Ford for an alignment, tire rotation and balance. Then, meeting up with JN to go to the State - Boston College game.

(Note to self - Chip's girlfriend will be working at the RBC today - find and harass her.)

Do I have time to get a haircut?

Magic 8-Ball says - unlikely.

Hmmmm . . . Change of plans.

Get haircut today. Jiffy Lube tomorrow.

I'd better get a move on.

Last home game of the season. BC is ranked, what, 8th?

I hope the Pack can bounce back from Wednesday's humiliating loss.

Oh cool - RadioParadise is now playing More Than This by Roxie Music. Avalon is one of my favorite all time albums.

UNC Gives NCSU a Whipping

NCSU lost miserably to UNC last night. Carolina just out played the Wolfpack in every aspect of the game. There is plenty available from newspaper web sites, such as the Raleigh News and Observer, that detail the reasons for the domination by UNC. Personally, I’m at a loss to see how a team as good as State is can have such total meltdowns as the UNC game and the Seton Hall game.

Funny thing is, I still had a good time going to the game.

I sit with a really good group of people. They are always upbeat, have a positive outlook and they appreciate a good game. We even were acknowledging UNC’s excellent play. It’s nice to sit with people who know what they’re watching and who can enjoy a game played by kids – even when the home team loses.

How State plays is reflected in the office. Everybody was pretty quiet this morning. The State Construction Office, since it deals with construction, is overwhelmingly civil, mechanical, structural, and electrical engineers, and architects. Almost all of us graduated from State. There are a couple of Dookies (yep – Duke has an engineering school). And a couple of urban planner types from Carolina. After a State win, everybody is buoyant and happily analyzing the game. After a loss, especially one as dismal as last night, everybody is working quietly at their desks.

NCSU has 2 regular season games left. Saturday at home against Boston College and the following Saturday at Wake Forest.

It’s never easy in the ACC.

Not Much Going On

Friend, JN just arrived. We're going to grill a couple more of the Omaha Steaks my siblings sent me for my birthday. Those things are awesome.

(Thanks again y'all.)

Tomorrow night we'll be going to the NCSU - UNC game. It should be a great game. We'd better win.

State has only lost 1 home game this year. That was Seton Hall. Which we'll pretend didn't happen. I didn't see that game. My sister and brother-in-law were in town and I gave them the tickets. Maybe that's why we lost!

LOL

Just downloaded a photo for an earlier blog entry (Typical Week).

Other than that - just a quiet boring evening as usual.

Nice to have company.

As long as JN doesn't make me listen to too much ranting right wing radio.

:-)

Rain and Cold Saturday

After 3 days of unusual warm weather, it's turned cold with rain today.

Good day to just hang around the house and do nothing but watch the Olympics, the Nextel Race at Daytona, and NC State Basketball.

State just won at Virginia Tech by 6 points. Still way too close for comfort, but a win is a win. True to form, State had a 20 point lead in the second half and let VT get to within 2 late in the game. I don't even get frustrated watching them anymore. I guess I'm getting used to it.

Next game is against the Tar Heels (booooooo) - Wednesday night at 9 PM. Which means that the game won't be over till 11 PM. Which means I won't get home till after midnight.

Normally I give away the tickets for the week night games that start at 9 PM - but this is Carolina and I'll be there.

Teach your children their ABC's. Anybody But Carolina.

I also tried out the new vacuum this morning. It sucks.

LOL

This thing actually lifts up the carpet from the padding when on high speed! It has 3 speeds, which is different from any vacuum I've had before, and I've already found that keeping it on the lowest speed / vacuum is plenty to get the job done.

Other than some cleaning this morning, it's been a lazy do nothing day.

Kind of a nice break actually.