Chargers Lose to Jags - But do not give up fans!

OK. Unilke most Charger fans - I am not going to give up on the Bolts - even though every other Charger fan I know in East Chula Vista is depressed right now. The following, written the third week in November, is my prediction of how the Chargers will go DEEP into the playoffs. BELIEVE!

#1 - The Chargers are one game up on the competition in what has to be the worst divsion in the NFL right now.

#2 -Assuming we go 9-7 (heck, even 8-8), we will win the division. To do that, the Chargers simply must a) Beat Baltimore at OUR HOUSE on 11/25, b) Beat Tennesse (who are lousy), c) Beat the Raiders (who are REAL LOUSY) and they will be 8-8 which should secure the division. If they beat awful Denver on December 24th - they will be 9-7 - which pretty much assures them the division.

#3 - OK - here is where things get interesting. As we learned last year - the point of the NFL is not to have a good regular season record - it is to get a slot in the playoffs! Once our Bolts get into the playoofs - they have as good a chance as anyone to get on a run. Think about it - with all that talent - they could be one of those teams (as the Rockies did in baseball) -that gets hot - and go deep into the playoffs.

#4 - Objectively - I predict the Chargers will go at least 2 games into the Playoffs...maybe more. Does anyone disagree?

Uncle Walt took my money

Jake and Steph on the way to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida.

The Rose family just returned from a week of fun and traveling to Florida. We signed up for one of those "see everything in Disneyworld while you eat all you want for $327,493" deals. I know with many people Walt Disney and Disneyland are almost sacred - but as for me - yuck! I told Stephannie that this was a great place to visit with our kids - ONCE! Allow me to share the good vs. the bad...

It is GOOD that Disneyworld is safe, clean, and obviously family friendly.

It is BAD to have so many families with so many kids crammed into so many areas at the same time. The sight of parents exploding at thier kids - or kids acting like kids -was almost constant. (Yes - I was one of the parents who lost my cool - once...or twice).

It is GOOD that there are so many diversions, so many things to do, so much entertainment.

It is BAD to spend too many days sitting on your behind - being entertained, eating, milling around like cows on a farm.

It is GOOD to be able to walk around Epcot center and have your picture taken in front of replicas of famous European monuments.



It is SAD to realize that as impressive as Epcot center is - it is all fake, smoke and mirrors.

It is GOOD to spend large amounts of time with the family.



It is BAD for a family to be passive, waiting for Uncle Walt to entertain you.

Maybe I am biased becasue I live in Cali - but for my money - The original Disneyland is far superior to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. Here in Anaheim - you go to one park - ok - maybe 2 - and you are done. In Florida - you need to go to FOUR PARKS to hit all the rides and sights. YUCK!

Fire Part 5 - Pictures From My Front Yard

Monday Night - Behind the edge of our cul-de-sac

Tuesday morning - coming up over the hill towards our house.

That helicopter was awesome - dropped water right on approaching fire. Note the little "floating pipe" coming out it's belly - thus the nicknake "Mosquito".

Fire Part 4 - From The Helped to Helping

Steph's Brother and his family are on thier way! The live up in Escondido - and have not been home since Sunday. The hotel they were staying in has booted them :( - so we are happy to help. We have found one portable "pack & play" crib - but still need another. Please call me 540.1221 if you can loan us one for a couple days.

The Fire Part 3- HOME!

The Smokey Moon from our home

We heard from our friends that people who lived in Rolling Hills Ranch were free to return at 5 PM today. The Rose family has returned to our home with a new appreciation for the "little" things. Much thanks to Mitch and Michelle Rosen - who a) allowed us to crash at Midnight, b) Allowed us to "Re-crash" at noon, C) Offered to set up a "Omelette Bar" for Breakfast if we stayed one more day.

I am - honestly - humbled by the many calls of care and concern from all of our friends from across the country. I do encourage you to pray powerfully for our community - and for the many people who continue go without housing - or who have lost thier homes. If you sleep tonight in your won bed - in your own place - you are better off then 500,000 residents of San Diego.

I am going to sleep...

Fire Part 2 - Notes From The Inferno

Jake and Michaela - Midnight Evacuation October 22nd, 2007 -
Harris Fire - San Miguel Ranch

It is about 3 PM. Steph and I went back to the house - and talked a police officer into letting us run into our home and grab some "essential items". We have heard that we will be allowed to return home at 5 - but are not sure. A couple observations- at a moment like this.

1 - I feel so blessed by the great "Neigbors & Friends" we have in our neighberhood. YOU REALLY know the kind of people you live next to during a disastor. So many of us have called each other - knocked on each others doors- kept one another posted. If you have not invested time in getting to know your neighbors - do so BEFORE you need to.

2 -It looks like the Eucalyptus grove to the east of our cul-de-sac - did not catch on fire. Although it appears there were some sparks. Our home ajoins San Miguel Golf Course - and that is where part of the fire got bad today.

3 - I have great sympathy for so many people who are suffering right now - and displaced. Steph's brother - who just bought a dream home in Escondido - has not seen his home in three days - but it is near the "Del Dios highway" - which seems to a bad area. Stephs mom and dad in El Cajon were in danger for a while last night. My Dad just called me - (he lives in Big Bear lake) - and he has been notified that he may have to evacuate. GEEZ, we could't stay wiht family if we wanted to!

Everyone - it looks like my family & home have been spared. However - many others have not. I really encourage you to pray for those who are suffering loss right now. And you can bet Rancho Vista will do SOMETHING to help one those who have devastated in this fire.

Rose Family Fire Update

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear" Psalm 46:1-2

Thank you to the many friends who have called and inquired about our safety. To be efficient I would like to send out this update vie email. I will update as I am able.

First - Most importantly - Steph, Michaela, Jake and I are safe! It has been a LONG 24 hours.

Last night - as the hill due east of our home was engulfed in flames - we evacuated at about Midnight. I left our family at Mitch & Michelle's home - and went back to our home to keep an eye on things.

This morning we returned at about 7 am. I promptly fell asleep. At 10 am - our neighber pounded on our door. The hill side directly across the street was smoking. Fire trucks, helicopters, police, and #)(@$$#@) "Lookie-Lous".

The police came by with a bullhorn - and told as we are under a "Mandatory" evacuation. We had about 3 minutes to leave.

Now we wait...and hope...and pray. We solicit your prayers - and that you pray for our neighbous and all in our community who are displaced,suffering,or suffered loss.

I will update when I can.

John