Get Ready For SASHTO 2008 in Florida

I can't wait for the 2008 meeting in Orlando, Florida. The dates are August 8-13 and the meetings will be held at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Check out the new Web site at Sashto.org. Here's a short video that highlights some of the things you'll see in Orlando. I can't wait. Just click HERE

My First Weekend in Florida

So what do you do on your first weekend in Florida? You head to the BEACH!! We've got a whole year to plan SASHTO 2008. Panama City Beach here we come! I took my new shades, some sunscreen and a beach chair.

New Florida Friends

Meet my newest Florida Friends -- the Florida Otter, Panther, Black Bear and Alligator. Before I leave, I expect to have made my mark on the state. Looks like there's enough space here for the newest edition -- the Florida Monkey!

Welcome to Florida

SASHTO 2007 was a phenomenal success! I'll never forget all the lifelong friends I made at the Alabama DOT. Heck, they weren't just friends, they were family. At the Alabama/Florida/Mississippi Breakfast on August 8, I presented a plaque to my mentor, Lamar "Bubba" Woodham and he handed me over to David Lee. I had my new duds on -- some khaki shorts, a beach shirt, a new visor and, of course, shades. Dave and I loaded up the van and headed to Tallahassee. We stopped at the Florida Welcome Center where I was officially welcomed to the Sunshine state. It will be hard to top SASHTO 2007 but Dave and I had some long conversations and began our new friendship.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

What an exciting Closing to SASHTO 2007!! The Closing Reception & Banquet was called the “Stars Fell on Alabama”. It featured The Commodores, Percy Sledge &
The Thrasher Brothers. Alabama DOT Rocks!!

Pictured here are the Coordinators of SASHTO 2007, 2008 and 2009. That's Lamar "Bubba" Woodham, Jr., (The Bad) on the left, Danada McMurtry (The Good) in the middle and David Lee (The Ugly) on the right.

Just kidding guys!

Final Preparations

Man things are beginning to pick up. Everyone is working hard to make this event successful. Homer Hickam, our main speaker, was in Montgomery this past Tuesday for a book signing at one of our bookstores so I went to meet him. You know he has written several books and the movie “October Sky” was based on his book titled “Rocket Boys.” He always encourages young writers and since I just learned to blog I’m thinking about writing a book. I may call it “Monkey Boys.” It would be about 4 young monkeys growing up in the zoo and then going to space camp together. I have to stop because I don’t want to give up any more of the story except to tell you that Universal Studios is developing a screenplay to be called “November Island.” Get it……Since monkeys do not fly (except for the monkeynauts) most of the time you see us on islands at the zoo.
Got to go …I have another photo op at the annex with all of the door prizes that will be given away. More pictures to follow.
I heard our Governor may show up at the conference too!

Spring Update

Well I’ve gotten my taxes done and I am back to helping with SASHTO 2007. I went to Atlanta this weekend to see the Pre-SASHTO 2008 Party Band. They are named “Odd Man Out” because four members are engineers in the Atlanta area and one is not. They really sounded good and I think they will be a perfect end to the conference. How good are they? The Commodores, Percy Sledge and the Thrasher Brothers are opening for them!
One other note before I close, The Door prize gallery is really coming together. We currently have 191 prizes totaling $18, 820. These are all made by ALDOT employees and their friends. It’s amazing to see the talent we have. Also spread the word – I have gotten a few prizes from Alabama businesses and the consulting & contracting community but need more. This will be an event at SASHTO this year never equaled before!
I love to Blog. There is always a story to tell!

New Year Update

Well the holidays are finally over. I hope each and every one of you have welcomed in the new year on a positive note. It’s time for us to begin making final decisions for activities during SASHTO. My observation is that Alabama is doing a great job in the planning process. They are on the verge of contracting with some big name speakers and entertainment for the Opening and Closing sessions. Alabama is doing the Closing Session a little different this year. The highlight of the Closing Session will be a one-hour tribute showcasing Alabama’s musical history with some prominent and well-known entertainers. After the Closing Session, a dance band will play well into the night for those who want to hang around. Please visit my photo gallery. I have documented some of my planning trips, and you can see photos from some of the initiatives that I am endorsing as the “official SASHTO Monkey.” For example, safety is one of my initiatives and you will see several pictures of me operating vehicles and power tools where safety is foremost. Being as famous as I am, I get to meet a lot of celebrities. You can also see them in my photo gallery. Lastly, I am glad to be in Alabama this year for SASHTO 2007. It is especially exciting to be about a mile from the Montgomery Zoo. Sometimes I visit the monkey island at lunch to play with my friends. We like to harass the visitors. One of our favorite games is to snatch ice cream out of the children’s hands and throw it at their parents. I have had several calls from David Lee of the Florida Department of Transportation. I am delighted he is going to be my next keeper. I won’t give away the site of SASHTO 2008, but I understand some of my relatives will be near and we can go ape all day long and nobody will notice. What a way to come back down to earth from SASHTO 2007.