Random notes from the press box

Mt. St. Helens eruption: I don't know how many of you were around then, but today's eruption brought back some memories of the 1980 eruption. But not that many memories, really. Today's eruption was cool to see and, according to the talking heads, it may be a sign of a future eruption. Having visited the site on Johnston Ridge, it is a breathtaking site to be at. You can still see the blasted trees leaning away from the mountain and you get a small sense of what it may have been like to feel what happened. Today's eruption was major, in only that it hasn't done anything since 1980, but pray that the bugger doesn't pile up and spew again.

Take a look here: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

And this:

Thursday night's debate: I really don't care where you are on the political spectrum, it was just good to see both of these candidates on stage at the same time. Of course, they still took pot shots at each other, but you got to see what was going on in their facial expressions, body language and tone of voice. I'm not big on the negative aspects of politics, where it is better to knock down your opponent than speak about your positives and goals. The ads on TV are horrible and show nothing in the way of giving you an idea what Bush believes are his accomplishments and what Kerry wants to do differently in office. Thursday night's debate was a good first start and I hope to catch the other two, either on TV or radio.
But until then, my mind hasn't been made up yet. I'm not a fan of Pres. Bush, but Kerry hasn't shown me anything yet. We'll see...

A weekend of football: This weekend will be a double dose of coverage for me -- Hoquiam hosts Montesano at Olympic Stadium on Friday night and Wishkah Valley hosts Taholah (eight-man) on Saturday afternoon -- so I'll have to catch up on the college games on Saturday. Of course, I'll be vegging in front of the TV on Sunday until my nephew's birthday party. Then, come home and watch my 49ers try to get off the snide against the Rams. The Seahawks made mince meat out of the Niner offense last week and I got to see it from the press box at Qwest Field. It is always good to see a game there that way, but it is also better to see your team do something more than just doink a field goal off the crossbar in the second quarter. *shrug* Ah well...

Whoever catches this, have a good weekend and I'll see you in the press box...

R.B.