Only 7 States Have More Presidential Primary Delegates Than the U.S. Territories Have

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Gotta love U.S. politics. Not one person I talk to understands the presidential primary process that began in January and continues through June 2012. But regardless it is fascinating to watch.

There are 57 presidential primaries. One for each state, except Louisiana, which splits its primary into two (a primary and a caucus). In addition, Washington D.C. and 5 U.S. territories, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa, participate in the process.

In addition to the Louisiana caucus, the states of Iowa, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Wyoming, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas, Hawaii, Missouri, Nebraska and Montana, as well as Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands hold caucuses.

The difference between a caucus and a primary is that a primary is a statewide process open to all registered voters by secret ballot whereas a caucus is mor

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Photos of the Lunar Eclipse on December 10, 2011 From Newbury Park

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While most of us were snoozing away this morning, some were viewing the lunar eclipse. According to Wikipedia, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the Sun's rays from striking the Moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth.

Jonathan Stewart was one of the early risers this morning, taking in the views of the lunar eclipse. The Earth's shadow completely blocked the moon from about 6:06 a.m. PST to almost 7 a.m. Thanks to Jonathan we all get to see what transpired.

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Outdoor Watering Restrictions in Ventura County

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In February 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency and immediate actions to address the current water shortage crisis in California. On March 30, 2011, Governor Brown proclaimed an end to the state's drought, but urges continued conservation.

The City of Los Angeles has mandatory water conservations requirements for all LADWP customers as revised August 2010:

  • Odd numbered street addresses may water on Mon/Wed/Fri
  • Even numbered street addresses may water on Tues/Thurs/Sun
  • Outdoor watering not allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Sprinklers can be used for 8 minutes maximum per station, but if you have water-conserving nozzles, you're allowed 2 15 minute cycles each watering day
  • No watering driveways, sidewalks and other hard surfaces
  • No excessive runoff or leaks
  • No washing vehicles without a hose shutoff valve
  • No serving water in restaurants unless requested

Simi Valley watering restrictions since July 2009 were rescinded on May 9, 2011 (www.simivalley.org/index.aspx?page=500). The previous restrictions in place that are still advised however:

  • Outdoor watering/irrigation between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. prohibited, except you can use buckets and hoses with shut-off valves
  • Cannot water more than 45 minutes per station per week from April 1 to October 31
  • Cannot water more than 30 minutes per station per week from No
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In Memory of Steve Jobs: His 2005 Stanford University Commencement Speech

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Steve Jobs as we know passed away yesterday at the much too young age of 56, after nearly a decade of battling health problems. Every one of us owning an Apple computer, iPod, iPhone, iPad and other products hold his vision and brilliance in our hands. Though Jobs dropped out of college to pursue his passions that ultimately benefited us all, he was asked to give this memorable commencement speech at Stanford University's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005. He will be missed but well remembered.

U.S. Postal Service Looking to Make Dramatic Changes to Survive

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The U.S. Postal Service announced today that unless legislation is passed this month, it is on the brink of default on its obligations. They say they need to cut operating expenses by $20 BILLION a year by 2015 to survive.


The Postmaster General spoke today to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Here are some of the challenges the USPS would like to address with the help of Congress:

Retirement Benefits: By law the USPS is forced to contribute $5.5 billion each year to fund retirement health benefits of future retirees (in addition $2.5 billion for current retirees). The USPS would like to change this requirement.

Delivery Frequency: USPS wants to be able to be able to control delivery frequency...e.g. perhaps 5 days per week instead of 6. USPS states that in surveys, about 75% of the American public (up from 50% 2 years ago) favors cutting back service rather than cover l

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Kim Kardashian Marrying a Man With the Same Name as Her Mom, Names That Start with "K" and Other Random Thoughts

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Yesterday the kids and I had a terrific time in Santa Barbara, riding the Cabrillo Bike Path, visiting the Ty Warner Sea Center at Stearns Wharf, stopping by Alamada Park for its incredibly cool kids' play area as well as the awesome turtle and duck filled pond at Alice Keck Memorial Gardens before heading back back home. It was a perfect 70 degree day in Santa Barbara as fellow Conejo Valleyians baked away.

The traffic was fairly steady for about the first 10 miles coming out of Santa Barbara through Carpinteria before it cleared up for awhile, until we reached Camarillo, where we were greeted with another slow passage. For awhile we were driving directly behind the car pictured below.

It was getting towards 8PM and we had an action packed weekend (the prior day I ran a hot, hilly 25K race in Agoura before enjoying time with the kids in the pool then at Ventura Harbor Village (where it was also a perfect 70 degree kind of day). So I was pretty tired, in fact maybe getting a bit delirious. We all needed our beds.

But this Just Married car was in front of me for a good 15 minutes and my mind wandered. Long drives can do this to you. I thought, hey, maybe this car is being driven by Kim Kardashian and her new husband, Kris Humphries.  Obviously they wouldn't be driving a Toyota

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