The Intel Corporation has been in the news a lot recently. A lot of the articles are related to their newest processor line, the Core 2 Duo. Even though they are bragging about their newest processor to sell it, there are even more articles talking about their future (Quad Core). Because of all of this news, I went on a "virtual tour" of Intel and found their Headquarters on Google Maps! Their Headquarters is found in Santa Clara, CA. It has about 8,500 employees at this one location (about 15 locations in the US, and who knows how many in other countries!) Most of the locations are specialized in certain areas of the company, but since this is headquarters, these employees partake in many different branches of the company.

One fact that really caught my eye is that over 100,000 people visit this Intel location every year so they can see the Intel Museum. This museum holds all of Intel's history, and also shows the evolution of the computer. I'm not a big museum fan, but I would still love to see this!

Since Intel is spread out across the country (and the world), I do not think I can classify this as a Campus (like Google and Microsoft). Campus atmospheres are my favorite to view, but I will have to do with what I get.

Google map image: Intel Corporation - Santa Clara

When I woke up this morning, I decided I wanted to do something on aDayBlog that i have never done before. I wanted to find an elephant on a map and show it! It was no easy task, but I finally found one. It is very difficult to see it on the map image, but that is because Google would not let me zoom in far enough...I should try it on Microsoft's mapping site (because the bird's-eye-view would get me close enough). This elephant is found in the National Zoo in Washington D.C. To make sure that the little spec that I was looking at was an Elephant, I pulled up a park map found on the National Zoo's website, and made sure that the area I am looking at is for the elephants at the zoo. Can you see it? Look south of the left corner of the building. The elephant is in the bottom corner of his holding area. To be more exact, the lighter white area that he is standing in is a man-made watering hole...so when the map image was made, that elephant was having the time of his life playing in the water! It has been a really long time since I have been at the National Zoo, but I enjoyed myself the last time I was there, and recommend that you stop by if you are in the Washington D.C. area. Even though these elephants are pretty cool, my favorite part of the Zoo was the Panda Bear Exhibit.

Google map image: National Zoo

My biggest excitement this past week was opening the sports section of the Buffalo News and noticing that the University of Buffalo Bulls will be playing against Auburn University this weekend. I do not watch a lot of Bulls football, but seeing a local school go up against the #2 school in the nation is something that gets me interested! Let's start by talking about the line for the game. Currently, the spread is a whopping 42.5 points. I am sure other games in the past have had such a big spread, but I cannot remember them. UB has been looking great in their conference this year. Both of their games have gone to overtime, and they currently have a 1-1 record. The coaching looks great under the new head coach Turner Gill. I think the big flaw on the team this year is their run defense. They allowed way too many yards in the past 2 weeks, and I think you will see that large number just get bigger after this week. Auburn has been looking great. Their defense has been dominant only allowing an average of 5.7 points per game. From looking through their stats for the year so far, I can see why they have been ranked #2 this year. Even though I do expect the game to be a 1-sided match, it will still be interesting to watch and to see if they can cover such a large spread. The game will be held at Auburn, so the home field advantage should help! Have a great weekend of football (and a little golf).

Google map image: Auburn University

There is a little restaurant by my house called "Apollo's". It is my mother's favorite place to go for dinner. It seems like every time we go to eat there, it is a Friday...and I am always asking "Where are the performers?" Ma never gets it, but (to me) the Apollo is not a restaurant, but a place where people in the entertainment business can have their dreams come true and be on stage! So many stars have played at the Apollo and became who they are today because of their performance there. On the flip side, the Apollo has killed so many careers in the entertainment business. The Apollo was built in 1914 in Harlem, NY. It did not start its "Amateur Nite Hour at Apollo" until 1934. The venue helped people like James Brown and Michael Jackson start on their road to stardom. Today, there is still a television show called "ShowTime at the Apollo" running weekly that does the same thing "Amateur Nite Hour at Apollo" did. It really is a dream for many people to perform here, but even more of a wish to do well and have the audience accept you on the stage. Just remember that if you get on stage, you better rub the Tree of Hope for some good luck!

Google map image: Apollo

All summer i have been waiting for the football season to start back up. Tonight is the first game of the season, and last night's sleep was as if I was a little kid again and it was christmas eve! I rolled all night thinking of the first breakout run for the season, the interception run back for a touchdown, the tackle that takes my breath away, etc. Looking at all of the teams, I think this is going to be a great and competitive year. Even if a bunch of teams will end up with a low record for the season, I can't see many blowout games.

Tonight's game is the Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. For some basic information, the game will be held in Pittsburgh and will be shown on NBC at 8:30 ET. i have been very impressed with Miami this year, and even though Pittsburgh is last years Champs, I think the Dolphins will come through in a close match to win tonight's game. A few days ago I would have taken the Steelers, but after hearing that Big Ben will not play and Hines Ward being questionable, I had to take Miami. Needless to say, this is going to be a great game to watch...so I highly suggest you watch it and then leave a comment after the game with your thoughts!

Google map image: Heinz Field