Gas Prices Keep Going Up! What Can Employers Do?

With gas prices soaring towards the $5/gallon mark, many companies are looking at cutting down to a four day "at work" week to save employee gas prices or increasing the opportunities for telecommuting. This Associated Press story takes a look at what a few companies have done to help those employees who are struggling with the high cost of commuting. Something needs to be done soon!!!

From the article:

Telecommuting has gained traction year by year with advances in video conferencing, instant messaging and other communications technologies. Employers typically adopt it as a way to save money, boost morale and retain workers.

Longtime participants — which include Fortune 500 companies like Sun Microsystems Inc. and IBM Corp. — usually adopt the practice to lower operating costs and keep employees satisfied.

Savings can add up fast. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sun estimates that its more than 18,000 employees who can choose to work at home or the nearest office avoid buying 135 gallons of gas a year, which at $4 a gallon would save $540 each.

Tim Russert, Host of Meet The Press, Dies at 58

Tim Russert was a professional. He was a great reporter and an excellent host and moderator of some of the most influential debates on “Meet the Press”. I’m sure he will be missed by all in his profession. MSNBC has more information on their Web site.

Poets & Pirates Tour Review: Kenny Chesney at AT&T Park, June 8, 2008

You don't get to be a multiple "Entertainer of the Year" award winner for nothing, and the Poets & Pirates tour, which came to San Francisco's AT&T Park last night did not disappoint! When you're Kenny Chesney, you can bring along Luke Bryan, Gary Allan, Leann Rhimes and Brooks & Dunn (Not to mention special appearances by Steve Miller and Sammy Hagar!!!) and you know you have something special. Last night, the 70,000+ in attendance did not leave unsatisfied!!

Forget the Internet search for the Kenny Chesney set list, or the Brooks & Dunn set list. With these acts, you can be sure that no matter what songs they play, you are in for a special evening. June 8 at AT&T Park will long go down in Bay Area history as one of the greatest nights ever in country music.

First things first: my award for best cooler of the day goes to the kid on Caltrain who used the motor oil box because "it keeps the beer cold". Haven't heard that one so I'll have to take your word for it. I've got to say that the train was far more enjoyable than usual. I mean granted you always get your fun, but yesterday, it was an interesting group of people, especially in our car at the front of the train. Drinking, drinking and more drinking until we got to the stadium.

We got to AT&T about 2:30 p.m. following a quick stop at Subway for a few $5 footlongs. Can't see paying $7 for a hot dog inside right? Outside we were greeted by members of 95.3 KRTY and 95.7 The Wolf who are the local country stations in the Bay Area. We picked up our souvenir tour shirts at the concession stand and made our way to our seats just in time to see the Bell Brothers. They were involved in the MySpace "Next Big Star" contest and performed four songs. Not bad for the opening act of the show. Loved their song "Yard Sale" about taking your former loved ones things and selling them off! We've all been there I'm sure.

Luke Bryan followed up. Until last night, I never knew that he wrote Billy Currington's "Good Directions" if only he had played that last night! He played a standard set and closed with his trademark "All My Friend's Say" (Which by the way is playing on KRTY right now). He puts on a good show, really gets the crowd into it. He'll be playing at the Rodeo Club tonight in San Jose. Should make for another good show!

Gary Allan came on next. He is an amazing live performer. He kicked off the show with "Watching Airplanes", a favorite of mine as my daughter loves to point out everytime she sees an airplane and won't stop until you acknowledge her. His set was filled with classic hits and new cuts from his latest album. Songs About Rain, Smoke Rings in the Dark, A Feelin' Like That, Life Ain't Always Beautiful and the touching Best I Ever Had were scattered throughout the set and got the crowd ready for the rest of the show.

As it got towards 6:30, Leann Rhimes took the stage. She had a long, silver dress on which was very eye catching to the crowd and got quite a few whistles and hollers from the men (and a few women as well). "Nothin' Better to Do", the first single from her new album Family kicked things off and got the crowd to their feet. She follwed up with Coyote Ugly's "Can't Fight the Moonlight", "Big Deal" and other of her greatest hits. She took it down a bit later with "Blue" and "How Do I Live" and even brought in some Janis Joplin. It was fun to end the set with the classic Cheap Trick song "I Want You to Want Me" which was a crowd favorite and a great sing along. By this time she had thrown a SF Giants jersey on which of course was a great play on the crowd.

It took a while for the set change so my wife ran to the bathroom and concession stands. Unfortunately this did not go as planned!!! She came back to her seat after she found out that AT&T Park had lost all water and the toilets throughout the stadium were backing up and beginning to overflow!!! They also didn't have drinks anymore at the concession stands unless you wanted bottled beer. We looked out the gates and saw good ol Rotor Rooter fast at work but they didn't get the problem fixed before the concert concluded at a little after 11:30. I'm sure you can read about this online on a local news publication.

Anyways, she got back to our seats just in time for Brooks & Dunn to kick off their set with "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl" which brought the crowd to their feet. Other classic hits followed including "Neon Moon", "My Maria", Red Dirt Road" and "Ain't Nothing About You" and songs from the new album "Put a Girl In It" and "Proud of the House we Built".

The most moving moment of the show would be when during "Only in America", Brooks & Dunn brought members of our armed forces out to salute the crowd during the final chorus' and the crowd went wild. Streamers of red, white and blue filled the lower bowl of the stadium and the crowd was electric! They came back for an encore of "Believe" which was much slower than anything played all night and finished with the timeless classic "Boot Scootin' Boogie". Nice! The crowd loved it and there was line dancing in the aisles at AT&T Park.

Oh, a quick side note here. So the girls in front of us met Chesney before the show! They showed us pictures of him on their boat which he mentioned during the show! He signed each of their shirts and he even signed their boat! Totally awesome!

The lights came on for about 25 minutes as the crew prepared for Kenny Chesney. When the lights went out, the intensity in the crowd began to build and build. By this time, everyone down on the field were standing on their seats cheering and clapping. After 6+ hours, it was time for the main event!

Chesney did not disappoint in any way during this show. He came up through an elevated platform in the middle of the field and led off with "Live Those Songs". The crowd was crazy and Chesney was playing off everything the audience had. He followed up with "Summertime" and "Beer in Mexico". The crowd was eating out of his hand by this time.

Chesney can sure work a crowd and the women love him (a few of the men did too!) A great rendition of "Big Star" followed and the crowd really got into "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" which led to a rash of bras being thrown at Chesney which ended up in a carefully organized pile on the rear of the stage near the drum kit. The guys joined in all over the crowd by taking their shirts off! Just a note, some of you should NOT do this!

"Shiftwork" followed and this song angered the guy next to me who I had been talking to for the entire show. As a huge George Strait fan, he was hoping Strait would be there. When Chesney announced "Ladies and gentlemen, George Strait!" he and the rest of the crowd went nuts. This was soon followed by a "got you guys!!!". We should have known that Strait wouldn't actually be there but for just a moment....

"Living in Fast Forward", "Young" and "Never Wanted Nothing More" were up next then the special guest began to show up. Chesney announced that he had a San Francisco favorite to bring out on stage and it was STEVE MILLER!!!! WOW!!! The crowd was really excited when they kicked into a great version of the classic "The Joker". By this time the "toking" behind us had begun and there was no doubt that this was going on all over AT&T Park. They continued with "Rockin Me" which also was a wonderful sing-a-long. While Steve Miller has gotten older, he's still rockin!!!

Chesney played the new single off the album and also had a duet with Kix Brooks with "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" and a crowd favorite "Back Where I Come From". The crowd loved that Chesney had lots of pictures of San Francisco during this song and even talked about his bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge which he said was one of the greatest experiences of his life.

The show began to come to a close following this but not before one more guest: The Red Rocker himself, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer SAMMY HAGAR!!! They did a great rendition of "I'll Fall in Love Again" and really got the crowd going during the final song of the set "I Can't Drive 55". In all my years of going to Giants games, I don't know of AT&T Park ever being so loud!

The crowd chanted for an encore and Chesney of course obliged. "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" came on which always is enjoyed by all! When it comes to live songs, this is one which Chesney brings out all of his game. It can be dragged on forever.

*PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE FROM THE ORIGINAL POST: How Forever Feels was not the closing song. Unfortunately after 8+ hours the mind seems to go.

The crowd wanted more but by this time, there was nothing left to give. We had been at AT&T for over 8 hours and it was finally time to go home. There was nothing bad I could say at all about this show other than the problem that AT&T Park had with their sewer system.

This is NOT a tour to miss. Kenny Chesney lived up to his billing as the "Entertainer of the Year" and there was not one bad act on the bill. It seems that everytime you leave a show, you fell that it was the best concert you ever saw. I can say that I have been to a lot of shows and there is no doubt in my mind that this is a top 3 concert of all time for me.

I cannot wait for the show to come back around to the Bay Area again. Bravo to all of the acts and especially and to the crowd! This was one wild night in San Francisco! Pictures will be up soon!!!!

Blazing Saddles star Harvey Korman Dies at Age 81

I just wanted to post this as I always thought that Harvey Korman was a true talent and will certainly be missed. The article can be found here.

From the article:

Korman died at UCLA Medical Center after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago, his family said in a statement released by the hospital. His most memorable film role was as the outlandish Hedley Lamarr (who was endlessly exasperated when people called him Hedy) in Mel Brooks‘ 1974 Western satire, Blazing Saddles.

Phil Vassar Concert Review: April 24, 2008

Phil Vassar
April 24, 2008
Club Rodeo
San Jose, CA

As a bit of background, Vassar has written hits for Alan Jackson with Right On The Money, Tim McGraw with For A Little While and My Next Thirty Years and Jo Dee Messina's hits Bye Bye and "I'm Alright. Vassar released his debut album in 2000 which produced five hit singles in the U.S. and was certified gold. Helped by constant air play on country radio, GAC and CMT, Vassar has risen to stardom over the past decade.

This night was electric. Previously, I saw Vassar 3 weeks after 9/11 at the KZLA country bash in Irvine, California. This night was special because it was one of only two CD release party's for his "Prayer of a Common Man" CD. KRTY brought Vassar to Club Rodeo in San Jose for this one night event. Tickets were only $10 so this was a must see show of a great performer and song writer, not to mention that the $10 included an autographed copy of the new CD as well!

As the audience packed in, members of the KRTY team took the stage in preparation for Vassar's arrival. When he took the stage, the crowd went crazy! He opened the show with the first hit off his new CD, "Love is a Beautiful Thing" which got the crowd going and followed that up with a past hit "Six Pack Summer". The crowd was into this show! Vassar took audience requests the entire night which was a pleasant surprise. Many times, artists tend to fill their set list with new songs to promote the new album but Vassar took the approach of having a great time with the audience and let us choose the songs that were played. Class act!

The audience was into the show from the very start as Vassar mixed classic hits, with new songs and a few "special" songs courtesy of Grease. The highlights of the show included "Bye Bye", "I'm Alright", "Carlene", "Just Another Day in Paradise" and "Little Red Rodeo" which are always crowd favorites. Vassar concluded the show with a great finale with Billy Joel's "Piano Man" which was a perfect ending to a great show.

The show had very high expectations and did not disappoint. Vassar has an incredible stage presence which was obvious from the moment he first appeared. I have not been to a concert in years where every person in the audience was able to sing every word to every song and it was clear that Vassar was very impressed by the crowd.

In addition, my wife had her hat signed by Vassar after the show and that was an extra, added bonus.

If Phil Vassar comes to your town, make sure that you make an appointment to go see the show. You will not be disappointed. If you went to this, or any other Phil Vassar show, let me know your thoughts.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and The Steroid Era

Barry Bonds is back in the news. Attempting to regain his spot as the top story in the sporting world yesterday, Bonds asked a federal judge to dismiss perjury charges against him.

In the motion filed by Bonds attorney in San Francisco federal court, the former San Francisco Giant neither admits nor denies taking performance enhancing drugs, but argues the questions asked by the prosecution during a December 2003 grand jury appearance were vague and ambiguous. For those of you who have been under a rock lately, Bonds was charged back in November with lying to a grand jury about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch, Jose Canseco. The names are in the news everyday, and not for good reasons. The steroid allegations have been center stage dating back to December when Bill Mitchell's report was revealed.

Concerning Barry Bonds, I have looked at the photos, I have listened to the reports and the allegations and with regards to everyone else, I have seen the Congressional hearings. At this point, I still don't know what to think. I have my own beliefs but am still waiting to hear the words come out of the player's mouths.
Barry Bonds obviously did something, whether it was HGH or steroids. We may never know for sure. Roger Clemens, well how often does a player over 40, like Bonds, come out and have a few of the best seasons of his career. Through strength conditioning alone? Chuck Knoblauch, WTF??? Where did that name come from???

The problem that I am seeing is that most of the players do not seem to act as though this is/was a problem. Well it is! The media sees it, past players see it and most importantly, the fans see it.

Players took performance enhancing drugs, it is obvious to most everyone by looking at statistics over the past 10-15 years and the physical growth of the athletes. You can not sit here today and tell me that no one was using.

Here is what needs to be done about it . Donald Fehr needs to stop protecting "his athletes". Yes, as the head of the union that is his job, but he wants to give everyone a free pass with teh "3 strikes and you're out" policy. This just isn't going to cut it. Bud Selig, who I have never respected, is trying to do something but its too little too late.

There needs to be a "one and done" policy instituted by Major League Baseball. This has to be done to save the integrity of the players and the game. We are almost at the point of no return where no one is going to trust anyone anymore and this is not right for the game. Players should not be allowed to cheat and receive a slap on the wrist. If they understand that they will be kicked out of baseball the first time, I assume that most would not be tempted to cheat. Some will, and they will be caught.

There must also be mandatory testing throughout the year. These tests need to be given without warning so that a player can be caught off guard and it will ensure that the testing is accurate. I have heard numerous stories of players being tipped off of an upcoming test and this only hinders the process. We need the tests to be useful and accurate, and this is the only way which it can be done.

Bill Mitchell and the federal government should not have had to get involved. This problem should have been investigated years ago by MLB. I still believe that MLB was still stinging from the players strike in 1994 and needed a way to bring back fans. This is when "the great home run chase" happened with Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire, the event which supposedly saved baseball. But did it really?

This is where many believe the steroid era began. This appears to be the case, but we will never know where for sure. Hopefully now that the problem has been brought to the attention of the international media, we will be able to solve this problem once and for all. It's just too bad that it had to be this way.

To quote a sign I saw this past baseball season "Babe Ruth did it with hot dogs and beer, Hank did it with class, Barry, how did you do it?" I think that can be said for all the players over the past decade who were involved in this "era" which is once again hindering the credibility of the game.

Don't you wish that it was just a player betting on a game? Where's Pete Rose when you need him! :)

Thanks for listening!

Only The Good Die Young...

"They say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
Sinners are much more fun...
And only the good die young"

Thank you Billy Joel!

It's amazing how many promising young actors and muscians have been taken too soon over the past couple of years. They may not necessarily have been young, but their lives were definitely cut way too short. Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix, John Candy, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, John Ritter, Tupac, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Aailyah, Michael Hutchence, Dimebag Darrell, Brad Renfro, Steve Irwin, Selena and even, to an extent, Anna Nicole Smith. The list goes on and on and I'm sure that I have missed A LOT OF PEOPLE. This is something that each generation has goen through, and now we have another name to add to this list...Heath Ledger.

When River Phoenix died from a massive drugs overdose in October 1993 he was already an Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated actor. The 23-year-old won applause from critics and fans alike for performances in Stand By Me, My Own Private Idaho and Running On Empty, for which he received the Oscar nomination. He also played a young Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade and at the time was widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation.

Kurt Cobain's band Nirvana was credited with shifting guitar music into its '90s grunge phase with their teen anthem Smells Like Teen Spirit. On April 8, 1994, the singer and songwriter was found dead in his home in Seattle at the young age of 27, from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. Just before his death, Cobain had checked out of a drug rehabilitation facility and been reported missing by his wife, Courtney Love. In his suicide note, Cobain quoted a the lyric stating: "It's better to burn out than to fade away."

Tupac was seen by many as creating his own kind of revolution in hip-hop, similar to his father, another revolutionary. He was an exceptional writer and a strong rapper who injected electricity into the hip-hop world in the early 90's. He was also convicted a sexual abuse in a widely publicized trial, and had just finished jail time when he was in attendance at the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon boxing match in Las Vegas in 1996. As he was leaving with Suge Knight, there was an altercation with a gang on the street. A few minutes later, a car pulled alongside Knight's SUV and fired approximately 14 shots, four of which hit Tupac. He died six days later of internal bleeding. No one has ever been arrested in his death.

Chris Farley was known as the loveable "Fat Guy" from Saturday Night Live and fame in movies such as Tommy Boy and Black Sheep (We will forgive him for Surf Ninjas). Farely died of an overdose of cocaine and morphine and will surely be missed for the energy that he brought to both the small and big screens.

Brad Renfro, who made his film debut in The Client at the age of 11, died just a week ago, on January 15, the day after he reportedly spent the previous evening drinking with friends. He had a series of run-ins with the law, being cited for drug use and under-age drinking. In 2005 he was arrested while buying heroin, and the following year spent 10 days in prison for this offence and for drink-driving.

And now we must add promising young actor Heath Ledger to this list of those who were taken far before their time. According to the Associated Press, an autopsy on Ledger was inconclusive, and more tests are needed. A spokesman for the medical examiners office has stated that it will take about 10 days to complete the investigation.

The Australian-born actor was found dead yesterday by his housekeeper and masseuse, with prescription sleeping pills nearby, this according to the police. In what may be his final finished performance, he took a role in the upcoming summer blockbuster, playing Batman's nemesis, the Joker, in the The Dark Knight. Ledger had most recently been working this month on his latest movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which was due out next year. Plans for the completion of this movie are currently up in the air.

This is another tragedy in our generation which has obviouslly seen its fair share over the past 10 years. It's hard to predict when the next will occur but we should always be aware that life is precious and we must value every second that we have, because you never really know when it could be your last. There is a poor 2 year old girl who is now left without a father for the rest of her life. I can not imagine leaving my son, daughter or wife without me. If you have any thoughts or want to add to my list of recent celebrities who have gone too soon, please feel free!

My Dear San Diego Charger Fans...

Dear San Diego,

Congratulations on your big victory last week over the Colts. It was very impressive to see your depleted offense take it to one of the best teams in the NFL this year and for your defense to hold one of the greatest *statistically* quarterbacks of all time, in check.

Now it is time for a reality check. Welcome to Foxboro, home of the 17-0 New England Patriots. Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison and the list goes on and on. The greatest *statistically* offense of all time, at home, in January. San Diego, the run was nice while it lasted!

In the playoffs, Laurence Maroney is actually out-rushing Tomlinson on both a per carry and total rushing yards basis (Maroney 4.3 yards per carry vs. Tomlinson's 4.1). For San Diego to pull off the upset, it needs Rivers (if he plays) to pass for at least 2-3 touchdown's and he has to throw no interceptions.

The Chargers defense will have to play the greatest game they have ever played. Tom Brady will have to be rushed, sacked and intercepted, something that has not happened most of this season.

On September 16, the Chargers go their rematch from the upset by the Patriots last January. But the Chargers weren't even competitive in this game and were totally outplayed by a superior team. They were made to look like a Pop Warner team by Tom Brady and Randy Moss as they made a even more mistakes and were routed 38-14 by a team who was just coming off the infamous Spygate scandal.

How can this weekend be any different? It won't. Granted, the game updates say that Rivers, Tomlinson and Gates are all questionable. But they'll play. You don't go this far into the season and sit out the championship game. Injured or not, they will play, and they still will lose. I'm sitting on my prediction of 37-27 Patriots. The Patriots defense has looked vulnerable lately, but they know how to win. It will be close at halftime, but the score will be no indication of the dominance the Patriots will have in this game.

The 37-27 score will be much closer than the game actually is and the Patriots will have been in no danger of losing.

I expect to hear from all the Charger fans out there the rest of the week, and especially if San Diego does win the game. Hey, that's why they play the game! Anyone can win on ANY GIVEN SUNDAY...just not this one :)

Go Pats!

Championship Weekend Is Coming!

Manning: 402 yards passing!!!!3 Touchdowns!!!

The most important statistic:

1 LOSS!

It's hard to believe that its happened again! Yes, its true that the Colts won the Super Bowl last year. But playing a second half against a team with no Rivers, no Tomlinson and a limited Gates and to lose? At home??? The reputation is back. Manning does not play well in big games. Yes, he played well in the Super Bowl last year, but the Bears did not play up to their standards in that game.

Now the Chargers have to move on to play the 17-0 New England Patriots. At Foxboro no less. I loved seeing the Chargers win yesterday, but I don't think they stand a chance in hell against the Patriots next week. This team has been dominant all season and I don't believe that a team led by Norv Turner can come into Foxboro and steal a win. To beat the Colts and Patriots back to back? It just can't be done? Can it?

In the NFC, what happened to the Cowboys? Yes, it seems a few of us thought this was going to happen, but was it just wishful thinking? 21-17 at Dallas. And did anyone else see T.O. crying after the game when the media attacked Tono Romo? It made him seem human for just a moment. But does he really feel that way? It's hard to say.

So now Romo and Jessica Simpson can go off on a nice winter vacation and watch the Super Bowl together. Tony, you had Carrie Underwood, what are you thinking man!!!!

As for the Green Bay Packers, I spent Saturday afternoon with my sister in law and her boyfriend watching the game. When I got there, it was 14-0 Seahawks. Green Bay, and the ageless Brett Favre then went on to outscore the 'hawks 42-6 over the rest of the game. The CHEESEHEADS were in full game force in the snow. It is hard to believe that the Giants have any shot in the game next Sunday afternoon. Hopefully I'll be sitting on the same couch cheering on the Pack to their first Super Bowl appearance since I was in high school!

Now for the predictions! Like I said before, I can't imagine the Giants going into Lambeau where game time temperature is set to be about 4 degrees. I'm taking the Pack to move on to Super Bowl XLII 34-17.

In the AFC, its hard to go against a team as hot as the Chargers. But with that being said, I'm going to. Its going to be closer than many will predict, but the Patriots will be moving to within one game of the ultimate perfection. Patriots 37-27.

I can not wait for a Patriots vs. Packers Super Bowl, let's just hope I didnt jynx it!

Comments, let me hear 'em!

Move Over Hank, Here Comes Barry!

Being back in the Bay Area has given me the opportunity to witness history first hand. For the last three to four years, I have been bashing Barry Bonds left and right. But as the inevitable approaches, its really starting to hit everyone. Hank Aaron's record is going to fall. It is going to happen.

Whether steroids played a part in it, we may never know. The courts may decide things shortly, but for this brief moment in time, its time to celebrate this accomplishment. Hitting 755, 756, however many home runs he hits, it is still an amazing feat. Its true that Alex Rodriguez may someday surpass Ruth, Aaron and Bonds, but for this brief moment in time, this is Barry stage, and we are merely witness'.

I will be at AT&T Park on Wednesday night, and whether Barry hits a milestone home run that night, it will still be exciting to be in the company of greatness! *let's hope he hits it that night though :)*