America Saves Week is upon us. In today’s economy, it may be hard for a lot of us to find ways to save money, but we can. There may not be a lot to spend, but you can do things like turn off the lights, turn down the thermostat or stop making repetitive trips in the car (conserve gas). These are just a few of the ways you CAN save money, but by no means all.

Visit the website (www.americasavesweek.org) and make a plan to save and stick to it so that when the next recession hits you will say “What Recession?”

My previous post contains more information on America Saves Week.

I look forward to a very prosperous year for all of us in 2009.

Yours in prosperity in 2009,

Joseph R. Mays

Today was to be the day that digital television was to make it’s mandatory debut all across the nation. However, President Barack Obama scored another victory by requesting the transition be delayed until June 12, 2009. Millions of people would have been affected by this transition. Many homes are unprepared as they don’t have the money to buy the digital converters to interpret the digital signal into a usable signal for analog television sets. The delay allows people time to get the converters and be ready when the transition takes place on June 12, 2009.

For more resources on the digital TV transition, please visit the links below.

DTV Answers

DTV2009.gov

Digital TV Transition - en Espanol

Digital TV Transition

DTV Fact Sheet – English

DTV Fact Sheet – Spanish

DTV.gov

cnet News

DTV Transition.org

Iowa Public TV

Consumer Reports – Digital Television Information

zdNet – Digital+Televison (tags)

HubPages – Digital TV Transition Guide

Yours in the DTV transition,

Joseph R. Mays

The NASCAR season started under the lights at Daytona International Speedway with the running of the Budweiser Shootout. The woman that sang the National Anthem had a finicky sound system to deal with but the fans made it cool and exciting by singing along with her when the microphone went out temporarily.  Someone fixed it and she was able to go on uninterrupted. It goes to show how cool NASCAR fans are and how we stick together to make the event fun.

Defending Nextel Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson is starting his season off with a quest for something that has NEVER been done.  No one has won the championship four times in a row. He is in the hunt to do just that. Big name drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ran neck and neck throughout the race. Dale Jr’s car was loose throughout the race and was responsible for the wreck that dashed his hopes of  winning the Budweiser Shootout.

One of my favorite drivers, Mark Martin, is back for a full schedule this year. I look forward to good things from him. Bill Elliot is reportedly making a comeback as well. Tony Stewart is expanding his team and Richard Petty has a new driver and his major sponsor is McDonald’s.

The race ended on a caution as Kevin Harvick put the pedal to the metal and propelled himself to the front and never looked back as his fellow racers crashed behind him. It was a wild finish at the end.

NASCAR qualifying for the Daytona 500 is tomorrow. The Daytona 500 is set to run on February 15, 2009.

Yours in NASCAR news,

Joseph R. Mays

PS. In reply to Karman, the singer was Sister Hazel.
PS1. 2009 NASCAR Nextel Cup Racing Schedule

In the tradition of the Super Bowl , NASCAR and other events, I want to take a moment out to say hello to ALL members of our Armed Forces. Hello to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. As a former Marine, I can appreciate what you do for our country and know personally what it is like to be away from home. You do us proud by serving and continuing to keep the country I love FREE.

Keep up the good work and may you ALL be safe in your jobs and your journeys in life. And may your families be free from burdens while you are away.

Sincerely,

Joseph R. Mays
Former US Marine 1982-1990
Semper Fidelis

In what was a show of outstanding body control and presence Santonio Holmes put away the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers with a remarkable catch that will go down as one of the greatest moments in football history. With three defenders around him, Santonio Holmes managed to pull the ball down and maintain control of the ball on the way out into the end zone. Their victory wasn’t without some stirring in their stomach as Kurt Warner attempted to take the Arizona Cardinals down for the score. He was unfortunately made to fumble the ball and the Pittsburgh Steelers recovered it with five seconds to go. At that point the game was over and the Pittsburgh Steelers became to celebrate their victory in earnest.

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers on their victory in Super Bowl XLIII. They are the ONLY NFL team to win SIX Super Bowls.

Yours in Super Bowl History,

Joseph R. Mays

In what was a stellar return to the spotlight, Jennifer Hudson showed what made her a star in the first place. She showed courage and conviction in the face of the tragedy that befell her family. She moved past that and brought joy to me and the rest of the world with her rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl 43 Halftime show in Tampa, Florida today. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals were the NFL teams that fought their way to Tampa for a chance to win the NFL’s most prestigious prize; the Vince Lombardi Trophy and a Super Bowl Ring.

Jennifer Hudson belted out a soulful rendition that touched everyone. It is definitely a moment to remember for a long time to come.

Yours in warm and wonderful memories for the future,

Joseph R. Mays

Sunday is that day that some wives dread, but football fans adore. Super Bowl Sunday.

The ritual is repeated each year with adoration and fun. The viewers look forward to the new commercials which advertisers pay a pretty penny to get their new catchy ad seen in front of a large audience. It is their chance at eternal media fame or flopdom. Everyone is seeking the Coke (Coca-Cola) notoriety as in the Mean Joe Green commercial which I still remember to this day.

My predictions for the Super Bowl never materialized. The Philadelphia Eagles were defeathered by the Arizona Cardinals and so too were the Baltimore Ravens by the Steel Curtain defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s deja vu for Kurt Warner as he helped to get the Arizona Cardinals to their FIRST Super Bowl EVER. Quite an accomplishment for the team and they were impressive doing it. As I stated, I have to allow the Arizona Cardinals to represent the NFC for me. It would have been Dallas and then Philadelphia. Well, you know the story already. LOL My Dallas Cowboys are home around the fire with Romo and TO. :-O LOL

Let’s get ready for some fun on Super Bowl Sunday and keep it safe and keep it positive.

A few stories on Super Bowl Ads

blogs.trb.com – Super Bowl Commercial Previews

blogs.trb.com – 9 month old baby creates chaos (not Super bowl Related but funny to watch)

Atlanta Journal Constitution – Pepsico unveils ads for Super Bowl Sunday

LA Times – Advertisers shell out for Super Bowl spots

WDEF in Tennessee – Mean Joe Green Super Bowl Commercial

Yours in hilarious Super Bowl commercials,

Joseph R. Mays

Happy Birthday to a man who helped to shape the course of the civil rights. He preached non-violence and respect for one another. He wanted us to work together in brotherhood no matter what race, creed or color we are. He wants us to judge each other by the content of our character and not on skin color or religious preferences. He stood  for unity for ALL races and ALL mankind.

If he were here today, he would be grinning ear to ear with pride at our newly elected President, Barack Obama. I am sure he is in heaven smiling down with tears of pride and joy streaming down his cheek. America finally did it and the world is rejoicing. We can change. America demonstrated that in November 2008 on Election Day and will take it to the next level tomorrow at he Inauguration Ceremony.

Go out today and ask yourself “What difference can I make in my world today?” Shake someone’s hand, share a smile and have a good time. Temporarily forget about bills, traffic and other things that bother us and take in this moment in history. The celebration of a life now passed, but not forgotten and the beginning of a new era/chapter in American history.

Happy BirthdayDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, I honor you on this day for the victories you accomplished to make my life better today. Thank you very much. I know you paid the ultimate sacrifice, but I am here to tell you that it was NOT in vain. Your purpose was well served and I will honor your name and heritage until the day I die.

Thank you for your part in shaping American/African-American history.

Joseph R. Mays

Thousands of people (including myself) braved the cold weather today to watch National Park Service and other workers put the finishing touches on the inauguration preparations. Security fencing was being installed to control access to and from the inauguration ceremony grounds. They worked pretty fast because I had to make a slight adjustment on my way out because they had installed the fencing across my original path I took to get over to the inauguration grounds. It was a warm occasion because everyone was excited to be there and the view was beautiful. The sun lit the underside of the clouds to give a majestic sunset setting as a backdrop for the Capitol Building. It is truly a historic moment and it feels good to be a part of it.

Our Capitol Police were hard at work protecting our interests and safety. Make sure you thank them and say hello when you see them when you go down there. They have a very important job and don’t always get the thanks they deserve to ensure that we can witness history in a safe environment.

I took some pictures just you (my blog audience) while I was down there.  All I ask you to do is to share the pictures with others who are not privileged to be there or don’t have a camera or as a good gesture to let someone have a piece of history in the making. Just make sure you mention the source of the pictures. You can link back to us as well.

Picture Narration/Chronology

I approached the area and took a picture of one of the banners telling ticket-holding spectators which way to go to there respective areas. I was then welcomed warmly by Barack Obama’s Animal Welcoming Committee. LOL Several squirrels came all the way up to my shoe. A good start to my journey.

Then comes the security barriers that were erected to control the crowds and a Metro bus with a plant and flower scene painted on it. Metro YOU move DC. Thank you and all your employees for helping me several years ago and for helping people get around during major events like this. As a matter of fact, I am taking a moment out to thank all employees “down in the trenches”/behind the scenes that help make events like this go smoothly.

I started taking pictures of the east side of the Capitol Building. The President is supposed to parade past the troops on this side. The sun was going down and less light was available, then the sun started shining on the underside of the clouds in shades of reds and orange. The lights that shine on the Capitol Building came on adding to the effect. I took several shots of myself with the Capitol Building in the background. I used my camera’s remote control and a tripod to take the pictures.

I proceeded around to the western side where the seats are placed to view the ceremony. Two huge Jumbotrons were on this side with the 56th Presidential Inauguration message on both for now. This will allow people to see what going on at different points on the mall.

If you have to “go”, they have more than accommodated us in that department as well with rows of Portajohns available in multiple locations. It is going to be nice all around.

The finale was some night shots of the Capitol Building after the sun had gone down. Enjoy them all and share them with your friends.

Yours in Inauguration Day history,

Joseph R. Mays

PS. For detailed information about the Inauguration Day ceremonies visit the following resources:

Avoid Driving into DC on Inauguration Day

More Inauguration Day Traffic and Road Closure Information

Your Complete Guide to Celebrating Inauguration Day

Fans all across the world are getting ready for the final NFL Championship Games (The NFC Championship Game and the AFC Championship Game). The winners of these two games will be the contenders in one of America’s most publicized championship games; the Super Bowl. This year’s Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLIII, will be held in Tampa Florida on February 1, 2009.

I predict that Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles will emerge victorious. They are located just a short distance from each other on Interstate I-95, hence the name “Battle of the Beltway”.  The Baltimore Ravens are celebrating a great season under the leadership of their new rookie coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco. I am following the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFC East representative, since the Dallas Cowboys fell asleep during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles and was sent packing their bags for the season. I am picking them to win the Super Bowl.

Enjoy the games and have fun.

Yours in NFL Football,

Joseph R. Mays

AFC Championship Game information
NFC Championship Game information

Super Bowl XLIII information