airport food

airport food, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

This was the scene at the John Wayne International Airport. The only place to get food was McDonald's.

The other thing that I found out today was that there is no where to plug in your laptop. No plugs anywhere to be found (trust me - I looked everywhere).

Social Graph

Today I spent a lot of time reading about the "social graph" on the web. One video that I came across that really made me think was a clip with Fred Wilson talking about how the web is really becoming social, and no one, ultimately will own this social graph -- it got me thinking about Facebook, Flickr, Dopplr and our own site, soccerprofiles.org

There is so much going on in web 2.0 right now that part of me feels that there is going to be a correction in the market - that is to say, there has to be some shake-out from all these social networking sites. right? I mean, can we really have social networking site for everyone and everything?

But on the other hand, it also makes me think that web 2.0 is just the tip of the iceberg. I think 2008 is going to see a lot of really interesting events in the tech world, but how do we capitalize on that is still the question going round and round in my head.

More Blogging 2008

After a few months, I am back to blogging.

This has been a crazy fall with college applications and doing everything in our power to help our students succeed. I could never find the time to blog (or so I told myself). But in 2008 I am going to post atleast one item everyday (lets see how long that last).

This is going to be an exciting year for a lot of different reasons; but as we begin 2008 I am going to be watching the economy, the elections, and of course paying special attention to what is happening here in California specifically.

For those of you who have been asking, I have done it finally. A "college only" blog about everything you want/need to know about the college admissions process.

You can find it located at: The Right Fit College For You

Please pass on the link to your friends.

Happy Holidays.

Pasxalis feat Goin through - Sxoleio 2006

Awesome Greek Music Video.

Funny

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

1850 L Street

IMG_1321.JPG, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

SKK Developments is nearing completion of their L Street Lofts project...

Rhodes College Video

UC Berkeley

berk.jpg, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

I took this photo a long time ago -- but here is a great shot of the Berkeley clock tower.

San Francisco

SF, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Had some meetings in SF today -- it was beautiful, clear day in the city. The more time I spend in SF the more I like the city. Had a bowl of soup on California Street at a place cal San Francisco Soup Company. I highly recommend it.

College Applications

Another application season is quickly coming to an end. This year the stakes have risen once again, with kids competiting for spots in some of the country's best colleges and universities. One thing that consistently stood out to me is that there has got to be a way to effectively streamline the application process by consolidating the efforts of the college board, common app and the individual universities. It will probably never happen, but it should. Going to college should be something that everyone can attain and look forward to it.....and for many, the application process is a dark cloud from which they'd like to run from............

Granite Bay High School Band

Granite Bay High School Band, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

My man Vincent representing his school .......

Sacramento Housing Market

IMG_1330.JPG, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Despite a struggling housing market in the Sacramento, developers are continuing to build. The projects that expected to weather the storm are those that are moderately priced, and close to the central business district.

2008 is going to be a real struggle for a lot of real estate developers and investors, but this correction in the maket will hopefully help balance us out......

Social Web Aggregator

Wouldn't it be cool if there was a way to aggregate all of the social web. One page that would allow you see your facebook, flckr, tumbrl, twitter etc... It would be even cooler if there was a way to aggregate your voicemals, emails, and sms messages to one place as well.

Chicago

IMG_1357.JPG, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Great view

Great view, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Blogged with Flock

Chris' wedding

photo.jpg, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Saturday we were in Tahoe for a Wedding. My roomate from college got married. It was awesome. I only wish we could have stay longer in Tahoe. Need to go back there soon.

Greece faces challenges ahead of elections; few taking notice

IMG_1119.JPG, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Along the trendy streets outside Athens in the Voulegemenia district, coffee houses are packed, stores busy, and revelers and tourists alike are out in large numbers. There is no evidence that less than one week ago intense forest fires were ravaging most of Northern Greece. Some 60 Greeks were killed, and the government has reported that 500,000 acres of forest and olive orchards were destroyed. With economists uncertain exactly what toll this will take on the economy, there seems to be one thing for certain: with upcoming elections, many Greeks, especially those in the hardest hit areas, feel that they have been let down by the ruling party.

The Olympics in Athens just a year ago put to rest a timeless notion that Greek infrastructure was inadequate to compete in the European Union. The games were a success, and many walked away impressed with the progress in Greece. But outside Athens, infrastructure is still lacking, and this became apparent with the government's bumbling of the crisis.

Now, as elections loom, the fire crisis poses some potential issues for the ruling party. Critics have been quick to point out that the government did little to help those in need in the short-term. Reports that the government lacked the resources to help battle the fires ran rampant on Greece television. However, in the calm after the disaster, the government has announced an aggressive relief package to help those in need. Estimates put the total aide at about 400M euros, with more on the way from the EU.

The next few months will be an interesting one as Greeks will have some tough decisions at hand; some of which will have lasting effects for generations to come.

MLS in Sacramento?

A good friend of mine asked me a few weeks ago what I thought about an MLS team coming to Sacramento. I didn't respond to him because I thought that this would be something worth blogging about, and get feedback from the soccer community.

At face value, having an MLS team in Sacramento would create a lot of buzz, and continue to cement the notion that Sacramento, is in fact, a first class town that has everything that other major U.S. cities have in terms of amenities.

Whether an MLS team could come to Sacramento and make money is an entirely different question. I am not totally convinced that the business model that MLS operates under is one that would make a lot of sense for Sacramento. I don't think that we could draw large enough crowds after the first two seasons to keep such a massive machine going. We saw this with the likes of the Sacramento Knights, the highly successful (world champions) indoor squad that pulled 3,5000 plus to each match at Arco Arena in the first few seasons, but dwindled after that. The team still exists today, but as an outdoor team. Attendance at those matches are relatively small and the team's lack of funds is well known.

I also don't think that we could recruit a top notch coach or international players. Sacramento has come a very long way; but why not San Diego? Seattle? Portland? What makes Sacramento the right place?

There's also a question as to where the team would play -- surely we'd need to build new stadium? Some would say that the Natomas area near Arco Arena is the right location. Makes sense, with the Kings being right there....but what if the Maloofs take the Kings out of Sacramento? Others would say Roseville/Rocklin. Not a bad idea either, but where? Also traffic on I-80 near Douglas is already congested beyond capacity. Could you imagine having to leave two hours early for a match just to beat the traffic up to Roseville? If you lived in Davis or Elk Grove, your drive would be longer.

So, do I want a MLS team? Yes. Do I think this is the right market? No. That being said, it would be amazing to put together a group of top business leaders who could explore all the options regarding a team coming to Sacramento. There is certaintly a way to do it. It is just going to take time.

VarsityDreams.com

We are seriously stoked about the launch of our Sacramento-based news coverage of High School athletics via www.VarsityDreams.com

There is no doubt that there is a total lack of coverage of Sacramento Prep Sports. For whatever reason The Sac Bee just does not give Prep Sports any love. We plan to change that.

There is so much passion that revolves around high school athletics, and the athletes that make it so much fun to follow.

Be sure to check out www.varsitydreams.com to follow us as we chronicle what is sure to be a really exciting school year for all the high school sports in Sacramento.