Clean up after your....horse

Driving home in the past week I saw something that I hadn't seen before. I wish I wasn't in my car a few lanes from the sidewalk, otherwise I would have been able to share the image with you. Americans are very diligent in cleaning up after their pets. Unlike in the Netherlands, there are no dog droppings anywhere on the streets and sidewalks. All dog owners clean up after their pets and that's the way it should be. But how about your horse and what if you're a cop on a horse? That's what I saw the other day, a San Jose police officer dismounted his horse, pulled out a dust pan and started scooping up what his horse had just dropped on the sidewalk near the Santana Row shopping center. He then placed the horse manure in a plastic bag which he placed in his saddle bag. What can you say, San Jose finest sure clean up after their animals, giving the right example.

ABC Reports On Obama's Cybersecurity Plans

ABC News' David Louie did a segment on President Barack Obama's cybersecurity plans late May. He stopped by McAfee's headquarters and interviewed me for the piece, which you can see below and on the ABC News Web site.

Sights of the Livermore Rodeo 2009

General sights of the Livermore Rodeo 2009 -- A true American way to spend a Sunday afternoon, including a good dose of patriotism that included a gigantic flag and the singing of the national anthem.

People at the Livermore Rodeo

People watching is always fun and at a rodeo you see all kinds. Here some shots of people seen in the crowd, I especially like the young cowboys and cowgirls. Pink cowboy hat anyone?

Rodeo Pictures

Pictures taken at the 2009 Livermore Rodeo. The event was a great opportunity to try out my new telephoto lens for my Canon Eos 40D. It worked well, if you ask me. This is an impression of the horseback and bull action at the event. It is pretty tough to see how the animals are being forced to buck by using belts strapped on their lower bodies and by pushing them out of tiny gates. The crowds loved it though and I must say that I don't regret seeing it at least this once.

Bareback bucking

Barrel race, the one activity for women that actually looks humane towards the animals as well and is quite fun and exciting to watch as well

The bulls threw off their tormentors in rapid succession

Livermore Rodeo

Two friends visiting from the Netherlands heard about a rodeo in Livermore (30 miles from San Jose) and invited me to go along. Being a rodeo virgin, I happily accepted. I didn't expect all the comments from American friends and coworkers though when I announced I'd go to a rodeo. They ranged from animal abuse to a rodeo being entertainment for white thrash (or low class Americans.)

This commentary actually made me want to experience a rodeo more. So we went and I must say, it was an experience and it turned out to be a day of other firsts including my first funnel cake (tasty!), first two Bud Lights (foul) and the end of the day atop of Mount Diable (fantastic!)

Here's a photo impression of the rodeo. I had a good time, it being my first rodeo. However, I do feel for the animals and this is probably the first and only time I will go to a rodeo, until other visitors from abroad ask me to go see this original Americana type of entertainment.

My first Funnel Cake

Interesting people in the crowd

Future or former Miss Rodeo?