La Nouba™!

Have you heard about the Opening Event for SASHTO 2008? Wow!!
It will be on Sunday evening, August 10 and it's called La Nouba™! It's a creation of Cirque du Soleil®. I've been working with the cast and teaching them some of my best moves. Want to see a sneak preview? Just click HERE

Cinco de Mayo

On May 5 we observed "Cinco de Mayo", a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Pueble on May 5, 1862. My friends at the Florida DOT bought me a new sombrero. How do you like it? You can learn more about Cinco de Mayo HERE.

My Friend DD

This is my friend DD Florez. She works at FDOT and I think she really likes me. She dresses me in outfits for the holidays. I love all the attention I get. I have made many special friends as I travel from state to state. Paula San Gregorio also contributes to my ever expanding wardrobe.

Is it Albert or the Easter Bunny?

Okay, the responsibilities I have as the SASHTO monkey are huge. I have to keep everyone motivated and be the goodwill ambassador. So when they asked if I would mind dressing up as the Easter Bunny, I said, "No problem". It's a tough job being the SASHTO monkey, but someone has to do it.

P.E. Trainees

Today, I got to meet the Professional Engineer Trainees in FDOT. What a great group! Here I am with Jeannine Offutt and Jason Trujillo. Looks like the future Secretary and Chief Engineer of FDOT don’t you think? They asked to have their photo with me which demonstrates how quickly they recognize true talent when they see it! I hope they didn’t confuse me with the Easter Bunny. The future of FDOT will be in good hands with these aspiring young engineers.”

St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day what a great holiday. Pretty cool hat, huh? Green bananas anyone?

I say we make Ireland a member of SASHTO!!

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.

My First Blog

Few monkeys live the life of luxury that I have enjoyed since unwittingly becoming the official monkey of SASHTO. There I was, seven years ago, stuck in that toy store in New Orleans when this nice lady picked me from among all the other monkeys. It was my lucky day. I have traveled the lovely Southeastern United States, met some really nice people and been treated like a celebrity. And I always have an inside track on everything associated with the annual SASHTO conference. So far, I’ve lived in Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Puerto Rico and Georgia. This year, I’m living in Alabama with my new daddy, Lamar “Bubba” Woodham. I was a little worried when I found out I had to spend a year in Alabama with a guy named “Bubba,” but it hasn’t been bad so far. Except for when I got kidnapped from his office. Whew, that was scary. And then it took Bubba a week to come up with the ransom. When the kidnapper returned me, I was left bound and gagged hanging upside down by my tail in Bubba’s office. But Bubba is taking better care of me now. He takes me to all the SASHTO planning meetings, and I spend my days in his office and watch him work (that’s what he calls it). He has even taught me how to use the power tools in his woodworking shop, and they sewed my hand back on so well that you can’t even tell I sawed it off on the table saw. Take it from me, the woodworking shop is no place for monkey business. The 2007 SASHTO conference is shaping up and is going to be the best yet. From the Opening Reception at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to the Closing Session with big-time entertainment, prepare yourself for a fun-filled and rewarding conference. The technical sessions will be exciting and informative, and the professional development sessions will be invigorating. Read my blog often for the latest inside information. Just don’t tell Bubba I’m letting you in on the plans.