High Quality Colts Stadium Renderings

Don't ask me how I got these links. Confidential sources. Here are some high quality PDFs of what the new Colts stadium will likely look like.

Outside View

Night, Bird's Eye View

Inside View

Spring 2005 Card Nights

Here's the preliminary dates and locations for our monthly poker nights.

Monday, January 17th

Jim Roach's house: 3641 S. Wickens Street

Monday, February 21st

Kurt Babcock's house: 805 E. Grimes Lane

Monday, March 21st

Nigel Pizzini's house: 3425 N. Stoneycrest Rd

Tuesday, April 19th: NEW NIGHT

Patrick Shay's house: 4111 W. Woodlyn Dr

Monday, May 16th

CANCELED - See you in the Fall

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (NIV)

Snow Day

......City of Bloomington Office: Closed...............
......Indiana University: Closed.......................
......Monroe County Roads: Closed......................

It was a regular snow day in the Roach house today. We spent the morning digging out of 14-17 inches of the white stuff. That's the most I can remember in a long time. We spent the afternoon wrapping presents, baking cookies and roasting chestnuts by an open fire.

But since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

New Colts Stadium

It was annouced last week that The City of Indianapolis had reached a deal with the Indianapolis Colts on the construction of a new $500 million, 63,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium to replace the 20 year old, 57,000 seat RCA Dome, which is the smallest in the NFL. Despite my strong opposition to the proposed funding for the stadium, legalized slot machines in Marion County, I do like the design.



For some alternative designs for a Colts Stadium, be sure to check out the designs of the students of the Ball State University, College of Architecture and Planning's Indianapolis Center. I got to view three dimensional models and renderings of theoretical stadiums in their Indianapolis Stadium Redevelopment District Gallery Exhibit during a recent visit to the center. If you're in downtown Indy, stop in and visit them at 22 E. Washington St.

A White Christmas in Bloomington

Nothing much new here, except for the weather and last minute Christmas shopping.

We got about 3 inches of snow last night and are expecting up to a foot accumulation by Thursday. I had to shovel our new driveway for the first time this morning. It will definitely be a White Christmas in Bloomington!





Also, if you're still Christmas shopping, Cathy finally put together an
Amazon.com Wish List.

Congratulations to the Browns

I just got an e-mail from Matt Brown. He, Connie, and Keegan were proud to annouce the birth of Peyton Rowley Brown Wednesday, December 15th. He is 22" long and weighs in at 8 lb 13 oz. Matt reports that both Peyton and Connie are doing great.

you can send Dad and son an e-mail at MBrown112 AT aol DOT com

Southwest White Chili

I got a couple of request for the recipe for my White Chili after the office holiday party, so here it is, with help from the good folks at McCormick & Co.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon hickory smoked salt, optional
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I've also used ground chicken and this year I used 1/2 chicken and 1/2 pork)
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 chopped green pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chiles
• 1 can (19 ounces) white kidney beans (cannellini)
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese, optional
• 2 sliced green onions, optional

Directions

1. Combine garlic, cumin, oregano, cilantro, salt and red pepper in a small dish and stir until well blended. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4 - 5 minutes, stirring. Remove chicken from pot with a slotted spoon, set aside.
3. Add onions and green peppers to pot; cook 5 minutes, stirring.
4. Stir in chicken broth, chiles and spices. Simmer uncovered over low heat for 30 minutes.
5. Stir in beans and chicken and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Top with cheese and sliced green onions, if desired.

Serves 4
Calories: 242, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 61 mg, Sodium: 587 mg, Carbohydrates: 17 g, Fiber: 5 g, Protein: 30 g

A Digital Christmas

So, if you can believe it, I've found a new way to waste time. Christmas MP3 Blogs! I've found some great blogs and websites hosting up holiday tunes for the season. I've found some good stuff and some rather bizarre stuff on these great sites. Some might end up making the cut for next year's Christmas CD. Enjoy!

• FaLaLaLaLa.com


• Copy, Right?


• Spoilt Victorian Child


• Frosty Chestnuts


• Yule Shoot Your Eye Out


• Keep the Coffee Coming


• bigrockcandymountain

RIP Robin Tacket, 1976-2004

As many of you know, Robin Tacket passed away last Thursday. I knew Robin in High School but had only seen him occasionally since then. He had recently been involved in the Indy band "Nine Drink Minimum." I like to think that he was still using the Crate practice amp I sold to him many years ago. I believe some sort of trust fund is being established for his son. I'll post details as they become available.

A memorial service for Robin is planned for tomorrow, Wednesday, December 15th, from 4:00-8:00 PM at Grinsteiner Funeral Home, 1601 E New York St. in Indianapolis. For more details call them at (317) 632-5374.

There are also plans in the works for a memorial concert at Birdy's in mid-January, likely Saturday, January 15th. Again, more details as they become available.

"Digital Music for Dummies," the book and the party

If you're like me and haven't quite finished your Christmas shopping, or started for that matter, I recommend "Windows XP Digital Music for Dummies" by the incomparable Ryan Williams. You can find it at Amazon.com or at better bookstores near you.

Or, if you're in the Indianapolis area, you can buy an autographed copy Friday at the book release party at Bridy's. The party is this Friday, December 17th, starting at 8:00. There is a $5 cover and you must be 21 or over to attend. Birdy's is located at 2131 E. 71st St. in Indianapolis. In addition to the book signing, performing will be local bands The Leisure Kings and The Fuglees, as well as the infamous NO*STAR

No*Star

Hello Cleveland!

My all time favorite band, U2 will be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was the first year they were eligible. It's been 25 years since their first single U2-3 debuted back in 1979. The full story, "U2 to Enter Rock Hall" is available on the Rolling Stone web site. Here's part of the story:

From their earliest days in post-punk Dublin, U2 -- whose latest album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, deputed last month at Number One -- have been a rock band with a purpose. Beginning with the 1987 blockbuster The Joshua Tree, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year, the band became one of the first alternative acts to achieve classic-rock status, building a following that spans generations. Guitarist Dave "The Edge" Evans' frantic, chiming style has influenced countless successors, and singer Paul "Bono" Hewson has created a larger-than-life celebrity persona for himself, singing with Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavarotti and making international news for his activism on behalf of reducing third-world debt.

Cathy and I had a chance to visit the Rock Hall in the summer of 2003 during the fantastic "IN THE NAME OF LOVE: Two Decades of U2" retrospective was on display. If I get a chance I'll post some of our pictures from this trip. You can find some great pictures from other people at U2Wanderer.org and @U2.com.

In other music news, U2 was nominated for two Grammy awards for their "Vertigo" single, while another favorite of mine, Wilco, was also nominated twice for their phenomenal "a ghost is born" album. For a complete list of winner, click here.

Welcome and Season's Greetings!

Welcome to our new Blog. It's still in its infancy but we hope to create a place on the web to stay in touch with our family and friends. Keep checking back for more news from the Roaches.

On that note, our 2004 holiday CD is going in the mail today. If you don't get a copy and want one, please send me an e-mail.

Here's a preview.