It's an overcast day here in New Hampshire...it may rain, but we'll be here until it's over. We had a rough day on "RaceDay" today. Our satellite went down in the middle of the show...then we had to switch a lot of features and interviews up to get back on course once we got back on the satellite.
They are in pre-race introductions, so I better get to the picks so you don't think I'm cheating...
3). Greg Biffle
2). Kyle Busch
1). Tony Stewart
I think my new favorite driver is French Canandian Patrick Carpentier...he is genuinely a nice guy and seems to be really enjoying himself in NASCAR. He is a former open wheel champion giving NASCAR a try and is sitting on the pole today.
Hope you all with cable enjoy the race! Hope you all without cable enjoy themselves!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Manchester, NH
This week's festivities are in Loudon, NH, just outside Manchester, NH. I may be wrong, but I think there is a city named Manchester in every state in the Union. I haven't done the research, so don't quote me or swear to Alex Trebek that "Joel said it's true"...just my contention.
New Hampshire is pretty this time of year and again when we come in the fall, but I don't think I'd like to winter here. Did I just use a noun as a verb? I'm going to sandwich now, and bed a little later...
Good maple syrup here. I know how syrup is made, thanks to my dad. Though I didn't get the 1st place trophy at the science fair. Shane did. That "Mother Earth News" paid off, huh, Dad? You can find Mother Earth News online at motherearthnews.com.
They still publish great articles on being resourceful with the earth, farming, green living...just steer away from the new age stuff.
It is raining here today. They say there's a good chance of showers this Sunday, so we are prepared to stay the extra day if need be. I don't mind getting paid an extra day...I had to pay for the boys' church camp this week...YIKES! The cost has gone up significantly since I went to Camp Adventure a few years back.
Maybe I need to make a solar shower out in the back yard to save some money on water heating bills...and put in a garden or two...raise some goats and cows...basically, relive my childhood. That would be cool.
New Hampshire is pretty this time of year and again when we come in the fall, but I don't think I'd like to winter here. Did I just use a noun as a verb? I'm going to sandwich now, and bed a little later...
Good maple syrup here. I know how syrup is made, thanks to my dad. Though I didn't get the 1st place trophy at the science fair. Shane did. That "Mother Earth News" paid off, huh, Dad? You can find Mother Earth News online at motherearthnews.com.
They still publish great articles on being resourceful with the earth, farming, green living...just steer away from the new age stuff.
It is raining here today. They say there's a good chance of showers this Sunday, so we are prepared to stay the extra day if need be. I don't mind getting paid an extra day...I had to pay for the boys' church camp this week...YIKES! The cost has gone up significantly since I went to Camp Adventure a few years back.
Maybe I need to make a solar shower out in the back yard to save some money on water heating bills...and put in a garden or two...raise some goats and cows...basically, relive my childhood. That would be cool.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
"Please Do Not Disturb"
My day off and I'm in a hotel again....but it is ok...Sandy got us a hotel room at Gaylord Opryland Hotel for my birthday...Our live-in Australian works at Opryland Hotel and got us a great discount...so here we are. The only question remaining is why am I spending time on this blog!?!??
Bow chicka bow bow!
Bow chicka bow bow!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Hike...hike!
Here's a couple of pictures from my hike up the hill today...you can see at least 5 miles in each direction and I was higher than the TNT helicopter shooting the aerial coverage of the race.
Left turn, right turn...
It's Raceday in Sonoma, CA. It's been a pretty weekend...very hot, high 90's. I didn't get out of the track in time to do anything yesterday, but I did get to the gym and put in an hour on the treadmill.
Pretty smoky here today...There are some fires in the area that are pretty contained, so no danger, but the smell is strong.
I plan on hiking today during the race. The track sits in a pretty big valley, so there are hills all around. The one hill I climbed last year is still there, so I guess I better climb it again. It is about a 30 minute hike, so it is fun. And the view from up there is really nice.
Predictions for today: My hope is that one of the road course ringers ie, Max Papis, Scott Pruitt, Ron Fellows or Marcus Ambrose, would win...Marcus races in the Nationwide series, but this is his first Cup race. He qualified the Wood Brothers' #21 car. If he does real well, he may land the ride for the rest of the year. He is from Tasmania, just off the Australian coast, and seems to be a great guy who always has a smile on his face. This race always seems to turn into a fuel mileage battle on this 1.99 mile road course. Juan Pablo Montoya is the defending champion of this race and Jeff Gordon has one here 4 times.
Here are my predictions:
3) Marcus Ambrose
2) Kasey Kahne
1) Jeff Gordon
Have a great day!
Pretty smoky here today...There are some fires in the area that are pretty contained, so no danger, but the smell is strong.
I plan on hiking today during the race. The track sits in a pretty big valley, so there are hills all around. The one hill I climbed last year is still there, so I guess I better climb it again. It is about a 30 minute hike, so it is fun. And the view from up there is really nice.
Predictions for today: My hope is that one of the road course ringers ie, Max Papis, Scott Pruitt, Ron Fellows or Marcus Ambrose, would win...Marcus races in the Nationwide series, but this is his first Cup race. He qualified the Wood Brothers' #21 car. If he does real well, he may land the ride for the rest of the year. He is from Tasmania, just off the Australian coast, and seems to be a great guy who always has a smile on his face. This race always seems to turn into a fuel mileage battle on this 1.99 mile road course. Juan Pablo Montoya is the defending champion of this race and Jeff Gordon has one here 4 times.
Here are my predictions:
3) Marcus Ambrose
2) Kasey Kahne
1) Jeff Gordon
Have a great day!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Wine country...or is it Whine Country...
I am in Napa, California...wine country...it is so beautiful here. I think this may be my favorite trip of the year since it is so pretty out here. The trips to and from the hotel are very enjoyable. Wishing I had a convertible this week. We moved hotels from the Double Tree Resort in Sonoma, to a Marriot in Napa...sounds like up move up, huh? Not so much. This Marriot is a motel. Cars park right outside my glass door. Am I whining in wine country? Sorry.
I don't have any plans for my off afternoon tomorrow...last year I went to Fisherman's Wharf in San Fransisco...it was fun, but kind of a one-timer trip for me. If I was a wine drinker, I'd be living it up...there are a million wineries out here....each with a tour and wine tasting. I did see a brochure on renting segways...that could be fun...I've wanted to try one out for a long time. http://www.answers.com/topic/segway?cat=biz-fin
On to racing...It's a road course here in Sonoma, Ca. That means right turns along with the normal lefts. There are a few Cup drivers that are really good on road courses, such as Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart, but this race also brings out the "road course ringers", the guys who are professional road course drivers who fill in for the regular drivers. We only see these guys a couple of times a year...Ron Fellows, Scott Pruitt, PJ Jones, and a few others. The addition of the open wheel drivers, such as last year's winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Sam Hornish brings the competition up. It is a pretty course and lots of fun to watch. I wish everyone had cable so they could see the race.
I had a great birthday on Tuesday...I took the family to Dave and Buster's, http://www.daveandbusters.com/, for an evening of fun and frivolity. We bowled and then played video games. It was a blast!
And now I'm old.
I don't have any plans for my off afternoon tomorrow...last year I went to Fisherman's Wharf in San Fransisco...it was fun, but kind of a one-timer trip for me. If I was a wine drinker, I'd be living it up...there are a million wineries out here....each with a tour and wine tasting. I did see a brochure on renting segways...that could be fun...I've wanted to try one out for a long time. http://www.answers.com/topic/segway?cat=biz-fin
On to racing...It's a road course here in Sonoma, Ca. That means right turns along with the normal lefts. There are a few Cup drivers that are really good on road courses, such as Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart, but this race also brings out the "road course ringers", the guys who are professional road course drivers who fill in for the regular drivers. We only see these guys a couple of times a year...Ron Fellows, Scott Pruitt, PJ Jones, and a few others. The addition of the open wheel drivers, such as last year's winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Sam Hornish brings the competition up. It is a pretty course and lots of fun to watch. I wish everyone had cable so they could see the race.
I had a great birthday on Tuesday...I took the family to Dave and Buster's, http://www.daveandbusters.com/, for an evening of fun and frivolity. We bowled and then played video games. It was a blast!
And now I'm old.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day!!!!
First of all, Happy Father's Day to you, Dad! I love you!
Now, on to more trivial business...great truck race yesterday! 1st and 2nd decided by .005 seconds.
In the Nationwide race yesterday, Joel Logano, the youngest person ever to win an NASCAR event, won his first race.
Today in the Cup race, we hope they get at least halfway before the rain comes...don't really want to stay another day.
Predictions for today's race: 3) Kyle Busch 2) Jimmy Johnson and 1) Greg Biffle
I went on a hike around the campus of the University of Michigan yesterday...a bit bigger than my alma mater, Ball State University! I walked for 90 minutes...went around "The Big House", Michigan's football stadium. Let me tell you, for being the summer time, there are lots of great scenery around...if you know what I mean...wink, wink...nudge, nudge.
Sandy is dancing at a church in Brownwood, TX today.
The twins fly home this morning and head straight to church to meet up with Zach.
It's a beautiful day in the Irish Hills of Brooklyn, Michigan.
Happy Father's Day!
Now, on to more trivial business...great truck race yesterday! 1st and 2nd decided by .005 seconds.
In the Nationwide race yesterday, Joel Logano, the youngest person ever to win an NASCAR event, won his first race.
Today in the Cup race, we hope they get at least halfway before the rain comes...don't really want to stay another day.
Predictions for today's race: 3) Kyle Busch 2) Jimmy Johnson and 1) Greg Biffle
I went on a hike around the campus of the University of Michigan yesterday...a bit bigger than my alma mater, Ball State University! I walked for 90 minutes...went around "The Big House", Michigan's football stadium. Let me tell you, for being the summer time, there are lots of great scenery around...if you know what I mean...wink, wink...nudge, nudge.
Sandy is dancing at a church in Brownwood, TX today.
The twins fly home this morning and head straight to church to meet up with Zach.
It's a beautiful day in the Irish Hills of Brooklyn, Michigan.
Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Brooklyn...and not a borough...
Brooklyn, Michigan...home of the Michigan International Speedway. Arrived today...staying through Monday. Well, that about sums up Michigan. This is one of my least favorite races...we stay nearly an hour away from the track, but this time around we are staying at a hotel on the campus of the University of Michigan...so don't be surprised to fine me at a keggar late tonight. No, be very surprised if you find me at a keggar tonight. The hotel we used to stay at was across the street from a mall that had $2 movies...I will miss that.
The twins left today for a Women of Faith meeting at St. Louis with Nicole. This is the first trip they have taken with her this year and they are pretty excited. They will also be going on trips separately this year...Alex has one next week to New Jersey and Andy has one in July to Washington, DC.
Zach will be home alone this weekend and loving it. I see a lot of Wii in his future. He will be staying overnight at our pastor's house and going to some swimming party at the house of one of the members of Audio Adrenaline. Zach has been driving a lot and still doing quite well. He also applied to for a job at Kroger this week. Haven't heard anything back yet. He is also going to an interview on Monday for a dishwasher job at a new restaurant in Franklin. Kroger would be better since he could walk there, but the dishwashing job might pay more. He really wants to work to start saving for a car.
Have a great weekend!
The twins left today for a Women of Faith meeting at St. Louis with Nicole. This is the first trip they have taken with her this year and they are pretty excited. They will also be going on trips separately this year...Alex has one next week to New Jersey and Andy has one in July to Washington, DC.
Zach will be home alone this weekend and loving it. I see a lot of Wii in his future. He will be staying overnight at our pastor's house and going to some swimming party at the house of one of the members of Audio Adrenaline. Zach has been driving a lot and still doing quite well. He also applied to for a job at Kroger this week. Haven't heard anything back yet. He is also going to an interview on Monday for a dishwasher job at a new restaurant in Franklin. Kroger would be better since he could walk there, but the dishwashing job might pay more. He really wants to work to start saving for a car.
Have a great weekend!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Lynyrd Skynyrd with a Northern accent....
Race day in Pocono...
We got out early yesterday since only Cup is here in Pocono. I got back to the hotel around 4pm. Fell asleep for a couple of hours, then decided to get out and run for awhile. I got about 100 yards from my hotel and the downpour started. Pocono Manor is over 100 years old and used to be a great ski resort. Well, when the rain started, I was halfway down this trail that I think used to be a bunny hill for skiing. I ran back up the hill and ducked into an old building that was a ski lift a million years ago. It had three walls and a roof and still had the old motors and the rails for the ski lift. It was pretty neat and a good shelter to wait out the rain. It did let up after a few minutes and I scooted back to the my room without much of a workout.
Later I went to the main lodge and watched a band in the bar called "Who Knows". If you want to book an 80's cover band for your next bar mitzvah, birthday or just a fun gathering, you can reach them at whoknowsband.com
I sat and enjoyed about 10 songs before I drifted back to my room for a few hours sleep. It was funny to hear a band clearly from the Northeast do a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama" featuring a violin...they may get shot trying that down in my neck of the woods. They actually were very good. It was fun to do something a little different than the normal sit and watch tv in my room.
Thanks to Jackie for keeping me updated on the Nationwide race while I enjoyed the musical interlude.
Nice segue to the racing news...Kyle Busch is completing the first ever triple race weekend in three different top NASCAR series in three different states. Friday night, he raced trucks in Ft. Worth, TX...last night he raced Nationwide cars in Nashville and today he competes in Cup here in Pocono. Some have criticized him saying that he needs to stay focused on Cup, but if you can run them all and have the sponsors etc, who am I to stand in your way of free enterprise. Though he did crash in practice here yesterday morning...again, some said that was due to not being focused and only getting a few hours sleep flying back late Friday night from Texas. I think he just crashed. Anyway, he had to go to a backup car, and will start at the rear of the field today at 2pm eastern.
Now on to the predictions: I predict a boring race...500 miles is too long of a race here, but they didn't ask me. It's not easy to pass here with no banking and cars spreading out so much. I think that Kasey Kahne will be strong again today. In fact, I think he will win followed by Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth.
On the homefront...Sandy and the twins have wrapped up shooting at the Hannah Montana movie. They said the days were long and hot, but they liked it. They are pretty sure they'll be in the scene where "Jan" from "The Office" kisses Billy Ray Cyrus...sorry, for the spoiler...hope you still go see the movie.
Yesterday, Sandy flew to Texas to visit a her friends Ken and Dawn, pastors in Brownsville, TX. She's been wanting to see Dawn for a couple of years, so I used one of my free tickets from Southwest and sent her on a mini vacation.
This Tuesday, I hope to get the boys out kayaking on the Harpeth River...if the weather cooperates.
Signing off from spooky Pocono Mountains.
We got out early yesterday since only Cup is here in Pocono. I got back to the hotel around 4pm. Fell asleep for a couple of hours, then decided to get out and run for awhile. I got about 100 yards from my hotel and the downpour started. Pocono Manor is over 100 years old and used to be a great ski resort. Well, when the rain started, I was halfway down this trail that I think used to be a bunny hill for skiing. I ran back up the hill and ducked into an old building that was a ski lift a million years ago. It had three walls and a roof and still had the old motors and the rails for the ski lift. It was pretty neat and a good shelter to wait out the rain. It did let up after a few minutes and I scooted back to the my room without much of a workout.
Later I went to the main lodge and watched a band in the bar called "Who Knows". If you want to book an 80's cover band for your next bar mitzvah, birthday or just a fun gathering, you can reach them at whoknowsband.com
I sat and enjoyed about 10 songs before I drifted back to my room for a few hours sleep. It was funny to hear a band clearly from the Northeast do a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama" featuring a violin...they may get shot trying that down in my neck of the woods. They actually were very good. It was fun to do something a little different than the normal sit and watch tv in my room.
Thanks to Jackie for keeping me updated on the Nationwide race while I enjoyed the musical interlude.
Nice segue to the racing news...Kyle Busch is completing the first ever triple race weekend in three different top NASCAR series in three different states. Friday night, he raced trucks in Ft. Worth, TX...last night he raced Nationwide cars in Nashville and today he competes in Cup here in Pocono. Some have criticized him saying that he needs to stay focused on Cup, but if you can run them all and have the sponsors etc, who am I to stand in your way of free enterprise. Though he did crash in practice here yesterday morning...again, some said that was due to not being focused and only getting a few hours sleep flying back late Friday night from Texas. I think he just crashed. Anyway, he had to go to a backup car, and will start at the rear of the field today at 2pm eastern.
Now on to the predictions: I predict a boring race...500 miles is too long of a race here, but they didn't ask me. It's not easy to pass here with no banking and cars spreading out so much. I think that Kasey Kahne will be strong again today. In fact, I think he will win followed by Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth.
On the homefront...Sandy and the twins have wrapped up shooting at the Hannah Montana movie. They said the days were long and hot, but they liked it. They are pretty sure they'll be in the scene where "Jan" from "The Office" kisses Billy Ray Cyrus...sorry, for the spoiler...hope you still go see the movie.
Yesterday, Sandy flew to Texas to visit a her friends Ken and Dawn, pastors in Brownsville, TX. She's been wanting to see Dawn for a couple of years, so I used one of my free tickets from Southwest and sent her on a mini vacation.
This Tuesday, I hope to get the boys out kayaking on the Harpeth River...if the weather cooperates.
Signing off from spooky Pocono Mountains.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Zoinks!
Anyone ever see "The Shining"? This is the view down the hallway from my room...if you look close, you can see two little kids down there, right?
I slept fine last night...I left TBN on the tv all night...not sure it that helped or not.
This place looks like it's right out of a Scooby Doo cartoon. There's a crazy caretaker running around with a hoe! And it would have worked, too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids and their dog! ROOBY DOOOBY DOOOOOOOOO!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Poke-Oh-No
I have arrived in Pocono, PA for this weekend's race. It's only a Cup race here with Nationwide taking place in Nashville and Trucks racing in Texas. That makes my job a lot easier this week, so that's nice.
I've checked into the Pocono Manor...www.poconomanor.com...lovely 3000+ acres of wooded bliss....and ghosts!
http://www.ghostsofamerica.com/1/Pennsylvania_Pocono_Manor_ghost_sightings.html
I did bring the twins glow-in-the-dark hockey mask....just for fun.
Zach comes home late tonight...I talked with him last night and he is having a blast...hard work, but worth it.
Sandy and the twins are "back on set" today. They had a good time yesterday...long day...they were there from 6am until 9pm. Sandy was in a scene with the girl who plays Jan on "The Office". They all seem to be having fun at minimum wage.
If I see any ghosts, I'll let you know. REDRUM, REDRUM, REDRUM.
I've checked into the Pocono Manor...www.poconomanor.com...lovely 3000+ acres of wooded bliss....and ghosts!
http://www.ghostsofamerica.com/1/Pennsylvania_Pocono_Manor_ghost_sightings.html
I did bring the twins glow-in-the-dark hockey mask....just for fun.
Zach comes home late tonight...I talked with him last night and he is having a blast...hard work, but worth it.
Sandy and the twins are "back on set" today. They had a good time yesterday...long day...they were there from 6am until 9pm. Sandy was in a scene with the girl who plays Jan on "The Office". They all seem to be having fun at minimum wage.
If I see any ghosts, I'll let you know. REDRUM, REDRUM, REDRUM.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hannah Montana is not a city....
Big day here at the Bennett -Nashvegas household. I have a day off. Now that's not the big news. The big news is that Sandy and the twins are working as extras in the new Hannah Montana film being shot here in Nashville. They had to be at the set at 6am which was really early for boys on summer break...but they were up and excited. Zach is still at wrestling camp, but he is not a fan of Hannah Montana, so he probably wouldn't have gone. Anyway, Sandy called me a few minutes ago and said that she was talking with one of Miley's dancers who Sandy knows when Miley came up and started talking to Sandy. Now they want Sandy to play Miley's mom in the movie...ok, just kidding, but stranger things have happened to Sandy! She enjoyed talking to her. The boys have already been used as concert goers at the front of the stage, so I am sure they are stoked. I don't think Sandy has been used yet, but they are filming for 3 days, so I am sure she'll get her chance! I'll keep you posted on this new adventure!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Dover Day
Greetings on this lovely first day of June! It's a beautiful day here in Dover...unlike yesterday when it poured. Last night, the Nationwide race began 3 hours late, but did run nonetheless.
Today's race is 400 miles of fun on concrete...there don't seem to be any favorites because this track is famous for first time winners....the latest being Martin Truex, Jr. last year.
My picks are: 3). Matt Kenseth 2). Carl Edwards 1). Greg Biffle...for a Jack Roush sweep.
The twins party went great Friday night, according to sources close to the situation. I talked to Andy Saturday morning and he said he'd only slept 1/2 hour...he and some friends stayed up all night playing Wii. It seems like only yesterday that he was waking up in the night because of a diaper filled with wee...my how time flies.
We sent Zach to a wrestling camp today in Ohio...he wasn't that excited because he's not always thrilled about going places without his brothers or parents, but I know he'll have a blast once he's there. He'll get back on Friday. He got his hair shaved last Wednesday in support of his friend John who had brain surgery on Wednesday. He looks so much older to me. I look older to me, too.
Today's race is 400 miles of fun on concrete...there don't seem to be any favorites because this track is famous for first time winners....the latest being Martin Truex, Jr. last year.
My picks are: 3). Matt Kenseth 2). Carl Edwards 1). Greg Biffle...for a Jack Roush sweep.
The twins party went great Friday night, according to sources close to the situation. I talked to Andy Saturday morning and he said he'd only slept 1/2 hour...he and some friends stayed up all night playing Wii. It seems like only yesterday that he was waking up in the night because of a diaper filled with wee...my how time flies.
We sent Zach to a wrestling camp today in Ohio...he wasn't that excited because he's not always thrilled about going places without his brothers or parents, but I know he'll have a blast once he's there. He'll get back on Friday. He got his hair shaved last Wednesday in support of his friend John who had brain surgery on Wednesday. He looks so much older to me. I look older to me, too.
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