I just checked my blog stats, and there are certainly people who are viewing and reading what I have to say. Please add to the blog, and post comments, thoughts, opinions, and your views on the variety of subjects. I look forward to your increased participation…….
Big game tomorrow for the Seahawks against the Packers. Not only do the boys have to play against a great quarterback, a hostile and passionate crowd, and the weather, but they must also fight against the media and the neutrals out there who are heavily in favor of a Favre victory. The Seahawks are certainly more prepared than they were a few years ago, and deserve to be there. The Seahawks are certainly underdogs to go all the way this year, but they are balanced on defense and offense, and have leaders on and off the field to upset a few people this year.
If it wasn’t for injuries to Harrison and Owens, then the Colts and Cowboys may have pushed the Patriots a little harder. But when it comes to weapons, Belichick has an entire arsenal.
Go Hawks……..
For those of us who live in the Seattle and Bellevue area, the presence of cranes and construction sites continues to grow. Seattle is fast becoming ‘the’ place to live. With such beautiful surroundings, mild climate, booming local economy, strong real estate market, and a great support network from private and public organizations. South Lake Union has been completely redeveloped in the last 5 years, and continues to grow up and out. There is a buzz in the city. We see new condos and office buildings that cater to city living, and the increasing quantity and quality of amenities targeted to this increasing crowd of 20’s and 30’s.
Here is an interesting article on Paul Allen and South Lake Union…..
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/realestate/commercial/09amazon.html
I am intrigued to see how Seattle will continue to grow…….
It is interesting that a rather simple goal in the semi final game yesterday was put at number 8 in the Top 10 best plays of the day. Is it a push to put soccer in the public consciousness?
Who’s going to win? My vote goes for LSU, in a tight defensive game.
Following the fascinating results in Iowa, the Democrat and Republican primary’s move to New Hampshire. Tomorrow could be a defining moment in the Presidential race for both sides of the aisle. Two major candidates need to show well and win. Mitt Romney has spent tens of millions of dollars on his campaign, outspending Mike Huckabee in Iowa by a margin of 20 to 1. Huckabee won convincingly, and moves to New Hampshire with a sense of purpose and energy. Romney needs to win to stay at the front of the race, and as a Governor of the neighbor state Massachusetts, if he doesn’t win, it will send shudders of fear down the spine of the Republican party. John McCain could spoil the party however.
On the Democratic side, the pressure is on Hillary Clinton. She came third to Obama and Edwards in Iowa, and must win in New Hampshire to maintain her claim that she is the most electable candidate. Obama has the momentum right now, and Edwards is tinkering on the outside, waiting for the primary’s to move to the South.
As previously discussed, I stated that both Huckabee and Edwards were the more interesting choices. They both performed well in Iowa, and they hold the ticket of intrigue in both party’s. Huckabee would appear to have the greater chance of sustaining his performance, and fend off some of the other candidates who are all struggling in their own way.
Commentators have stated in recent days of the feel good factor that some candidates exude. Huckabee provides this comfort to the voter, and it appears Clinton does not. Bush provided this sense in both his elections, playing against more formal candidates in Gore and Kerry.
Does America vote for someone they like, or for someone that professes the strongest political message?
Our first public page for 1to1 Soccer was launched today, a landing page to capture emails and build a customer database. Please pass on our URL to anyone you can think of. We are very excited to have reached this point after many months of designing and production. We are working tirelessly to prepare the website for public launch…. watch this space !!!
In between work today, I was listening to the final GOP debate before the Iowa caucus in a little over 3 weeks. As a Politics major, I am fascinated in the presidential campaigns for 2008. It will be incredibly interesting to see how the entire process works out. A few months ago, I often complained that no candidate stood out, and how amazing it was that American politics always found it hard to uncover a leader with great charisma, intelligence, and leadership. We see people in all walks of life that appeal to us in all manner of ways, but in politics, we are often forced to choose between 2 uninspiring candidates. The 2004 election is a prime example of an election that created great disappointment. Who was better, Bush or Kerry?
Bill Clinton fits into the mold of an educated man with a personality that attracts people from all areas and all means. My opinion has now changed for 2008. We have many candidates who are reforming who they are, and how they represent themselves. No single candidate is number 1, but there are many who are number 2. Who is going to claw themselves to the top in each campaign?
For the Democrats, it has to be a fight between Clinton and Obama. They have great backing, both financially and politically. They appeal to very specific demographics, ethnicity and gender. Both candidates don’t play this card though, because it could isolate them and turn away other voters. Obama has a warmer demeanor but lacks experience. Clinton boasts the exact opposite. I like John Edwards, a fellow Tar Heel. My only fear is that he fits into the mold of a vice-presidential candidate. Any person with Edwards or Bill Richardson on their ticket would be a force to be reckoned with.
For the Republicans, Romney has a very strong presence. He speaks well, has a strong record in MA, and has an incredible support system. Giuliani is another strong leader from the North East, but his personal history and flip-flopping on issues such as immigration could hurt him. My pick is Mike Huckabee. I have always thought his ethics and morals are of the highest order, he speaks eloquently and with compassion. I don’t agree with him on some issues, but with he is someone we can trust. It will be very interesting to see how ardent Clinton supporters will turn if Obama wins the Democratic candidacy, and Huckabee wins the Republican candidacy. Remember Bill Clinton is from Arkansas, and a former Governor of his home state, as is Huckabee.
I certainly haven’t decided upon which candidate I agree with, and with whom I would lay my support. Since I am a permanent resident, i cannot vote. This therefore allows me to look at all the candidates from a somewhat neutral perspective, and engage a discussion on the issues and on the candidates without restricting my viewpoint…….
We are launching our landing page this week. We are incredibly excited about the service we are providing, and the feedback so far has been very positive. I will keep everybody posted on how we are progressing……
Liverpool play a very important game tonight in the Champions league against Marseille. With a win, Liverpool clinch a place in the final 16. Rafa Benitez, the coach of Liverpool, is under great pressure and rumors have already circulated that he will be replaced. Liverpool lost their first game of the league season this weekend, won the Champions League in 2005, and made the final in 2007. This is just one example of how incredibly difficult it is to be a top coach in the highest echelons of soccer. The media in England are tough to say the least, and any sense of failure is often blown out of all proportions. I hope Liverpool win, and the pressure on Benitez wains.
The exciting news in English soccer circles is who will take over the English national team hotseat. Fabio Capello is in line to take over after Jose Mourinho declined the opportunity. For a cost of $10 million per year, and only a handful of competitive games, Capello had better be worth the money.
My choice would be Jurgen Klinsmann…….
