gmstoner’s blog

This morning I awoke bright and early to catch my flight to San Jose. My dad dropped me off and checkin was a breeze. I left Sky Harbor from gate A1, just like I had done so many times in college. The flight was pretty uneventful and I listened to music and some video podcasts on my iphone. From the airport I took the free bus over to the CalTrain station, even though I had no intention to take the train. Instead I walked across the street to SCU. It was just like home to be back on campus again. It had been almost three years since I last visited and alot had changed. There were yet again new buildings. This time a new library and business school. The library was beautiful and hopefully next time I will see the business school on the inside (construction is set to be completed this summer).

I had lunch with my long time friend Fr. Soukup at a local sandwich place. It was really nice to catch up and chat. Afterwards I arrived at my hotel and decompressed. I had planned to go to Dave and Busters tonight for some fun with another friend, but he had to cancel due to work so instead I walked over the Mercado center. I just felt the need to stretch my legs. I think I got a good two miles in. Now I'm ready to rest for an exciting day tomorrow.

Everyone is asking me " Don't you want an iphone for Christmas" and are surprised by the answer no.

I typically don't but rev.a products from apple even though I could be classified a fan boy or alter worshiper. I got a macbook pro, rev b this year. I did the same when I got an ibook before it.

I want an apple tv, but I'm willing to wait to see rev b. Sans with the iphone. I know it will be better and I don't have a self esteem issue that I need to be seen with an iphone to feel cool.

I hope the rev.b iphone comes with even better applications and works on the 3G network. That said, since I'll be working on campus again in the spring I'll be under a constant wifi net so the network access should be fine. So how knows maybe I'll get an iphone for my birthday.

Right now my treo is decent and works most of the time. It's crashed twice in the last week and I had to reboot it. It's web browser sucks majorly, no mapping, no visual voice mail. Email is again okay, but it has trouble lot downloading. It's a constant battle.

In March 2008 I will have been a Sprint customer for 10 years, but I'm thinking that is a good point to end the relationship. They haven't been the best provider and I have lots of dropped calls. So here is to a a new iphone in the new year!

Well I survived another thanksgiving meal. Last year to avoid drama, my family went out to the Bitmore. It was more a Top Chef thanksgiving than traditional fare, so this year we opted to stay home. Of course, we had our own annual kitchen drama, but nothing too bad.

The meal came out really good. Everyone contributed something. My sister did the lion share. I did the mashed potatoes and my dad did the pie. It was quite yummy and now I'm ready to just relax post meal. ;-)

It's fall in Tucson so it's 90 degrees instead of over 100. Yet the evenings are beautiful and fall like. I just wish the days would be a wee bit cooler. But we'll probably skip the nice temperatures and go straight to cold in December.

I've been in a fall cleaning mode of late. I went thru a bunch of boxes and either organized or trashed what I found. I got my closets in order, though they could use some Ikea help still. It feels so good to have things better organized. I even got one of those labels for the boxes so I know what is where and can read the label given my handwriting.

I'm also planning a holiday party now. Been thinking about the menu. So far I have

• Deviled Eggs
• Ham pinwheels
• Smookies
• Cheese and Crackers
• Vegs and dip
• Holiday cookies

We'll see how planning goes and how many people rsvp.

What are your Major League Baseball playoff predictions?

I really can't say for the American League as I don't keep up with AL teams. I really hope one of the NL teams from the West make it to the world series. Of course I would like my dbacks to make it,but they have alot of rookies. I don't think the cubs will make it out of the first round and the Philllys are playing awesome right now and could take down either the Rookies or Padres.

I highly recommend checking out the new SNL digital short - Iran So Far. It was on the NBC you tube page for a while this morning and it's gone now. Maybe it will return. It's hilarious.

What experience or moment in your life have you learned the most from? 
Submitted by AngieK. 

In December 1999 I had a brush with death. I was heading home for the holidays with my family and had a major vehicle malfunction. Without going into too much details, I spun out due to a faulty firestone tire on the ford explorer I was driving. I was 24 at the time, but in those seconds I lost that 20-something mentality of feeling invincible. It gave me new perspective to appreciate each day and how every decision I make is important. Also, I really learned who were and were not my friends in such a moment. Those who stood by me and those who didn't believe my story. Ironically, no one was able to doubt my story 8 months later when USA today broke the story of the problem with firestone tires and explorers.

For me its my christmas story of being thankful for living. There was even a story in the newspaper about this. You can check it out on my website.

So I had such big plans today. I started my morning watching one of my favorite shows on the DVR as I didn't stay up to watch it. The premiere was a bit disappointing.  My allergies was bothering me but I used these new eye drops that have really been helping. Then I went to Safeway to get some eggs as I was out. I didn't even take my cell phone, just a quick trip. Well my battery died. This is now the second time I've had to call AAA from the same safeway. At least this time, it was only the battery. But I had to wait in the parking lot for 40 minutes for them to arrive, all with my allergies. Oh the fun.

I parked outside as I knew I would need a jump later to get the battery changed, but at 7am there were no places open yet. The allergies really wiped me out so I took a nap. It's my allergy season with the golf courses and bermunda grass being dried out for winter lawns.

After lunch my neighbor gave me a jump and I got the battery replaced. But again waiting an hour in the elements and my allergies went critical.Uggh. Anyhow, I'm now on m allergy meds and things are better.

To tomorrow!

There is only one October.

The baseball playoffs are here. The dbacks clinched a spot this evening. I hope they win the division but the wild card  is just as good. Bragging rights are nice though. Who would have thought? This was to be a rebuilding year with a bunch of rookies and they are heading to the playoffs. I'm so happy for them.

This is the first season in their history that my family didn't have season tickets. We gave them up as it was getting harder and harder to go and/or sell/give the tickets away. TV though in many ways is a better way to watch a game. I could never really see the pitches over the plate, it was more the thrill to be there and enjoying the atmosphere.

Some of my best memories as a kid were watching the playoffs on TV with my family. I remember the Reds in the playoffs in the 80s and watching the LA Dodgers. There is just something special about October.

A couple weeks ago I didn't understand why on the voxpop game for Top Chef my bracket was busted by Dale. I hadn't been impressed with him at that point and choose Stephen from season 1 over him. I had a prefect bracket otherwise. But now I see why the game had Dale going far, they must have had inside knowledge.

It was great to see Dale come thru. Last week I speculated he could be a dark horse. Brian on the other hand had   two bad days with the quickfire and main challenge. I'm hoping Dale and Casey bury Hung in the second part, but he is very technically trained.... so it should be interesting. I especially like that they have brought special ingredients that should make the finale exciting. I'm hoping they won't be restrained in the challenge.

6 days and counting.....