Monday, March 28, 2011

Season Sports

We are a couple days from the so desired opening day of the Major League Baseball. It's crazy how people are so anxious for this coming season. Fantasy line-ups, new strategies and lots of things that come before this great day for those who love Baseball.

The pre-season at the warm south has shown what each team has to offer. Lots of new players have shown their qualities and some old dogs keep showing they rule this game.

Its very curious to me how sports here are played just for couple months. The reason for this is obvious, and this makes every single sport gain even more attention. Football lovers can now watch some basketball or some baseball too. Back home we just play all year long, and basically thats what happens all over the world. 

Edgar Renteria Edgar Renteria #16 of the San Francisco Giants poses during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium on February 23, 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Edgar RenteriaFor example, soccer is played almost the 11 months per year, whether it is on Europe, South America or Africa. Any way I think that this idea of selecting which sport plays on which month also helps advertising to focus even further. Since companies have only one or two sports to sponsor, they can use more time to be as efficient as possible with their messages to the customer and providing outstanding jobs.

For this season I hope another Colombian makes a great performance like Edgar Renteria did last year, not only winning the World Series with the Giants, but being the World Series MVP. 



Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Positive or Negative Negotiation?

This idea has created lots of controversy. Some critics say that this alliance will create a great coverage taking away those old problems of loosing bar signal all the time. Also their spectrum will increase massively making internet faster, more applications and better devices. Also another thing that was said by the pro side was that prices will decrease. Now that they have a greater capital and become more efficient they will start cutting down some prices.

The wireless world has been shocked by the proposal of AT&T. They want to keep expanding and their new target is T-Mobile, the price, 39 billion dollars. One if their eternal rivals has now become the best opportunity to increase their spectrum.


On the other hand, some people are afraid of a monopoly from AT&T. This monopoly could skyrocket prices since they will keep on growing and control the whole wireless industry. After buying T-Mobile they could keep on buying smaller companies looking for personal benefits. Another negative aspect was that the customer services. The New York Times says it will not increase. "Bigger is not Better". These two companies are the top worst of customer satisfaction....

I hope this negotiation brings lots of benefits to everyone. I'm currently a user of iWireless which is an affiliate of T-Mobile. I hope that the benefits are also seen be their affiliates.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1YUa0I71sk&feature=player_embedded

http://blogs.computerworld.com/18000/at_t_buys_t_mobile_usa_monopoly_merger_mania?ue

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Valuable Lesson


After the massive destruction of the tsunami in Japan last Sunday,  the wave of bad luck keeps covering Japan. They are fasing a huge dilemma concerning the nuclear plant of Fukushima Dai-Ichi.

An explosion at the power station destroyed a building housing the reactor, this created a radiation leak. The reactor's cooling system was damaged in the earthquake, but when water was poured on the superheated metal container of the fuel rods, it produced hydrogen which then interacted with the oxygen outside the reactor, causing an explosion. Luckily, the explosion seems not to have damaged the reactor, but only the building surrounding it.
We have a very important nuclear plant near our current location. The nuclear power plant at Palo, IA should really take on account all this problems that could happen from a possible meltdown. Having this type of plant requires lots of responsibilities with the community. The plant at Palo should take note of this unfortunate disaster and learn from these mistakes.  



Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Bad Weather for Lent



This Ash Wednesday comes with severe weather conditions. Iowa is going to face some snow storms and windy conditions. The temperature has dropped quite a bit also. It's sad that this significant day for us Catholics faces these severe conditions. This weather could create some difficulties when meeting with some family members or going to Church for mass and getting the ash.
 
But definitely the worst part of this severe weather condition is going to be suffered by the Mardi Gras celebrations. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes hit near New Orleans overnight, putting a damper on Mardi Gras just in time for the solemnity of Lent. There are more than 10,000 power outages in New Orleans.
Other states are being affected by the weather too, like Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Farther north, the Midwest can expect more rain and snow, adding to between six and 12 inches of snow around the Great Lakes.

Hope this weather changes soon....