My proposal for Metro

Here are my suggestions of changing Metro after another delay today:

1. Have 8 car trains during rush hour.

There are a lot of people that commute in DC. Most of the time it will get crowded. Sadly, its still an issue and expanding to 8 cars is necessary. People are coming into DC in records and you have to keep up with the demand.

2. More spacing in the cars.

Metro just redesign their trains recently to make it look spacious and it does work. More bench seats, more room to stand. The current alignment, the seats take space, but I like the progress they’re going.

3. Countdown when the door closes

With a new voice of Metro, I would think they would have a countdown for closing the doors. Nope, its the dong still and I hear people breaking legs and litigation abound for Metro.

4. Utilize your SmartTrip card online as well where people can put money using their card.

Saves time and benefit for people who bought the SmartTrip card of going to the machines. More flow to Metro.

5. Open 24 hours

If they worry about pay, don’t. Think of everyone: the conductors, the people, the kids. Have a set pay for people work in 6 or 8 hour shifts. It’s still normal working hours and treat them like a typical 9-5 worker. Pay should be good in the next few years and the train doesn’t drive itself.

6. A little entertainment, but not much

Today, I actually like the speaker keeping everyone calm by being funny and demanding. I don’t want him talking throughout my trip but each stop is fine. Oh Metro, no music on the trains, I got my own, thank you.

7. Someone needs to fix the escalators.

If you live in DC area, this is self-explanatory.

8. More ads

First I’m not a big fan of putting ads on anything public, but this is must for two reasons. One reason is Metro needs to be outside the box and create a cash flow. Although some of the ads are foofy, some can be effective like on the Red Line with the tunnel ads. The second reason is Metro is probably the most unattractive subway system in the world. The subway is gray or shades of it unlike in Paris or New York. I don’t mind ads on ceilings to make it appealing, although that will be selling out. Make the Metro colorful, not a serious destination (oh wait I live in DC, it is a serious town). If it doesn’t work, make the Metro polka dot.

Dan Tangherlini, I hope your reading. Your halfway there, but you got a long way to go.

If your interested, part 1

Here is my team. The starters are a little strange in our league: 1 QB, 2 RB, 4 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DEF. Here are The Lisa Loebs:

QB Ben Rothelisberger
QB Drew Brees
QB Steve McNair
RB Edgerrin James (Keeper)
RB Reggie Bush
RB Wali Lundy
RB Dominic Rhodes
WR Chad Johnson
WR Reggie Wayne
WR Javon Walker
WR Terry Glenn
WR Eddie Kennison
WR Keenan McCardell
WR Vincent Jackson
TE Benjamin Watson
TE LJ Smith
TE Jeb Putizer
K Neil Rackers
K Steven Gostkowski
DEF Kansas City
DEF Atlanta

Tony Kornheiser

If you’re a hardcore fan, you will realize my website address and screen name is one of the quotes of Tony Kornheiser. If your not, you probably won’t get it. I have been a big fan of Kornheiser since I started reading the Washington Post in the 90s. His gain to fame to me was his radio show, which was a local show that became a nationally syndicated show in 1996. This past week, he debut as an analyst for Monday Night Football. After the game, writers had their opinion on Kornheiser. Mostly, everyone had solid to good performance except for two people: Paul Farhi from the Washington Post and Mike Golic (I’ll explain). Then, Tony ripped the two and this lead to the second wave of opinion that Tony is thin-skinned and can’t take criticism too well. I will go on steps here:

Mike Golic:

When the announcement came that Tony got the job, he didn’t like it and thinks Tony would fail. The next day, he backtracked to save his ass. During his radio show after the game, Golic said Tony’s performance was fine. You might have imagined why would Tony get upset of a fair review? Well, Tony actually watch the show (and so did I) and the look of Golic’s disinterest position, he didn’t want to talk about it and wanted Tony to put on the kiddy table. That set Tony on a tizzy, but I thought it was tongue and cheek.

Paul Farhi:

If you read his take on the Washington Post, he trashed Kornheiser of being witless and clueless. The irony is Tony and Paul are co-workers for the Post. Every newspaper praised Tony’s debut except Tony’s own. I understand being critical if it was legit and truthful. If it was the first quarter, I understand, but he thought he had the timing wrong. Ok, that’s his opinion and I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and I totally disagree with his opinion. But, you got to have all the information there and when Farhi wrote that Tony “needs a tan,” you know Tony was mad. The story was a month ago; Tony was getting treatment for skin cancer. The irresponsibility comes when Farhi should have known that and he’s a few feet from Kornheiser’s desk. If he had the info, then he shouldn’t use that line. Instead, he wanted his article to be as vile as it can. I have no idea what his motive is: attention, hatred, real (I doubt it), all of the above. I understand Tony could be difficult at times, but that was a personal grilling, not a criticism.

The people who are writing Tony should tone it down:

If you hear his radio show, his best is he goes on those rants on any topic (bikers, Sarah Jessica Parker, flying). What they are trying to do is trying Tony to focus on the game and focus on his relationship with Joe Theismann. The criticisms are true, but they should know this Tony and most of these are writers and know Kornheiser for a long time. They make this into a bigger story.

My take:

This is going to take time but Tony is off to a good start and he should keep up with his jokes. He should ignore the critics, but it could be comedy fodder and the producers need to pick better emails to help Tony. Now the question is would he stay up to all the games. I got odds at 15%.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts August 2006 edition

August is the most deceptive month. There are no holidays but its the month with the most anticipation because September is coming. On we go:

1. Israel and Lebanon

A cease fire has begun, but for how long? There has been too much tension between the sides and I’m not sure there is a true resolution. Another spin that has been going on is Israel was asking the U.S. to set landmines so that Lebanese and Hezbollah do not cross. That alone sets the picture we have a long ways to go but is there a true solution where both sides win? What we have here is the Hatfields vs. the McCoys, but with more vile.

2. Religion

This leads to a controversial subject. Religion makes up who we are as individuals. It’s really what raises you as a child. Being a Catholic, I’m happily where my values and beliefs are. If there is a Catholic that needs help, I would do that. I would help other people who aren’t Catholics, but don’t change their own values and beliefs (unless it deals with death). But this issue has pooped along in politics, entertainment, sports, and other venues. I believe there is a God and he is creating our fates, but there are other people who believe in a different higher power and that’s fine. Its the people who are forcing religion down our throats is making me puke. The purpose of this country is “Freedom from religion.” However, many faith based organizations use religion as a marketing tool to bring in money and their excuse is there is no God in America because America abandon it. What kind of statement is that? No one is abandoning it. Here is my theory of why religion has become an issue:

• Lack of parenting, meaning there is no support and use religion as a backdoor excuse for kids.
• Money.
• The paranoia that the kids are going to rebel to their parents values.
• “The changing culture”

Religion is big cash cow for anyone who touches it. What it is to me is a mind-controlling business and the people who are converting others are mere neo-Mormons. A values person would know by themselves what they have. Of course people need help, but it’s the individual who has to make the decision and that is difficult to tell because you’re not sure if it’s authentic or not. It should not be an issue but with a lot of money and excuses on the table, why not take a shot.

3. Football

Yep, its back. Football season is coming and its been a terrible start (for the people outside of DC, Reggie Bush is going to be a star, Donovan McNabb is healthy, Matt Leinart just signed). Clinton got an injured shoulder, offense needs a little tweaking, but the defense looks good. But the most important thing, fantasy football is back and I’m in going to be in many leagues. I’ll be honest; I’m a hypocrite in this. I do root for the Redskins, but I have a guilty side that my fantasy teams are important because I have money in the pot. It’s a double edge sword, but that’s football season. Also, a don’t miss during football season: Tony Kornheiser on MNF.

4. Awards season

In the upcoming weeks, there going to be the Emmys and the VMAs. The VMA are non-existent because MTV does not do music videos anymore and the list I saw is not an impressive list. I would say the Red Hot Chili Peppers are the huge favorites, but how would I know? I don’t work for MTV. As for the Emmys, its a typical who’s who each year. Sadly, there’s no Mary-Louise Parker; that would of made my day. I would like Grey’s Anatomy to win, but who cares.

5. Can’t wait till next month

Next month it will be my birthday, football season arrives, the Fall TV season, autumn, and the cool down period. Oh, thank heaven.

That is all and I’ll go back to review my ten fantasy teams.

I’m relieved

As I mention before, I was a one-man HR department person for two weeks. I can tell you now that I have a new co-worker. Well, its the old co-worker who quit then came back. Apparently those two weeks, my co-worker didn’t feel comfortable at the other company and came back. So, my mind is refresh and kicking ass.

Also, I watched “An Inconvient Truth” with Al Gore and it is stunning about how global warming has become an issue. The great thing from the movie were the Republicans thinking global warming was a conspiracy the liberals are creating. If you see the film, your get a real appreciation of what were doing now.

Finally, I’m seriously addicted to fantasy football and no one can stop me.