Blogging while at lunch...

I'll try to get this out...so many thoughts:

I'm sure HTA will revote in favor of the NFL Pro Bowl.  Too many tourism people that know the value of this major event, probably THE biggest of the year that has come year after year for the last 30 years.  Have we gotten to the point where we took it for granted?  Or maybe we felt like we could have more pull to get more from the NFL?  What would have Mike McCartney done if he had been in the hotseat?  I know it's a ways off, and one shouldn't talk about politics way in advance, but if I were Mufi Hannemann, I would be doing exactly what he's doing right now; telling HTA "better hurry up, the clock is ticking and you're out of timeouts".   There is a LOT of revenue that comes from having the NFL event here.  Especially since we need it in this difficult financial time.  Anything to keep the state and city from raising rates.  In some instances we don't pay for a bunch of stuff or we pay minimal compared to other states.  We need the revenue, we need the goodwill that these national "in-the-spotlight" players and give our kids, the money that gets given back to the community by the NFL for our kids....it's all positives from the way I look at it.  I'm sure HTA will use this timeout to regain composure and see this thru.

What an awesome day.  Spent the first part of the morning with the NFL as emcee of the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl Ohana Day.  Met Aaron Francisco at the NFL Kickoff Rally at Kapiolani Park, nice to see him again at the Ohana Day festivities.  I know I'll see him Monday at Windward Mall.  Aaron seems like the rest of his Pro Bowl Counterparts.  They don't really "work " the microphone when they do interviews.  But it's really evident that Aaron really wants to use his status to encourage the kids to do well.  He is an "Ambassador" player with the Pro Bowl meaning he is making a lot of appearances, and there is a real sincerity with him.  You gotta be happy with someone from home, who is out making a difference on AND off the field.

Small talk with Kurt Warner, but a very nice guy.  We picked fans out of the audience, and they were able to come down, run down the field and catch a pass from him.  Who can say they ran out and caught a pass from Kurt Warner!

Shook hands with David Archuleta.  It's been quite a while since he was on American Idol and that phenomenal season ending finale, but he STILL looks surprised by people that want his autograph; by people that still cheer him on and remember his outstanding performances week after week.  It will be nice to hear him sing Star Spangled Banner, and more so for me to introduce him on national TV tomorrow.