San Francisco - Hotel Vitale

San Francisco - Hotel Vitale, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Here is the view from our hotel room in San Francisco. I am going to post a full review of this hotel -- it is my new favorite in San Francisco.

Interesting Video Clip - I also posted on tumblr

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......