Today was quite hot, 103 F in San Francisco and about 108 F in Concord. We're in the middle of a 3-4 day heat wave, with record temperatures. PG&E instituted a rolling blackout to conserve power, highlighting the shortage of generated electricity. I saw a report that said that our power infrastructure won't be able to meet anticipated demands this year. We need to build more generators, which means we'll need more gas and oil to burn.

I heard that one cause for the increased demand is the high tech industry. All the computers and servers and other electronics use up a lot of energy. And a lot of high tech companies are practically 24x7, so they're using power all the time. Makes sense to me. Even with Energy Star compliant devices, motion sensors that shut off lights, and more energy friendly buildings, we still use a lot of power.

Last night I slept under the air conditioner. By morning when I got up my rather badly insulated apartment was already quite warm. Then I drove to work in the blazing heat, finally resorting to using the car's air conditioner. Traffic at the San Mateo Bridge toll plaza has been pretty bad the last week or two. There is some amount of construction in the center divide, but I don't think it's bad enough to affect traffic. The backup from the toll plaza is a mile plus at 12:30, while a month ago it was inconsequential.

Work is in an air-conditioned office building so that was nice. I left at 20:00 and it was still hot, with the sun starting to set. Cooled off a bit as I drove home but Concord was hotter. 93 F at 23:00. Too hot for my air conditioner to cool off my apartment. But now it's 02:00 and with the windows open wide the cooler outside air is helping. This apartment is really badly insulated.

The TNN Music Awards are tomorrow night. So let's make some predictions. For Entertainer of the Year, I'll pick Faith Hill, who has been in the spotlight quite a bit in the last year. A new album helps, as Shania Twain has stood pat while touring. Male Artist of the Year, Tim McGraw. I don't really have a preference here and George Strait certainly has been popular lately.

Female Artist of the Year, I still like Faith Hill. It'd be nice if Martina McBride got this one. But the TNN Awards I think are fan voted this year, and Faith Hill is better known around here at least. Fast Track Award, which is for an established artist that suddenly is doing well after years of obscurity. I like Chely Wright, with her Single White Female album.

Discovery Award, which is for new artist. I'd pick SHeDAISY becauise I have their album. But Montgomery Gentry look awful good. Group/Duo of the Year, Dixie Chicks. Lonestar has a shot also. Collaborative Event of the Year, "Let's Make Love" with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Can you tell I like those two? There's something really special about their love.

For Album of the Year I'll pick Breathe, by Faith Hill. It's the only one I've listened to out of the five, although the Dixie Chicks' Fly is also good. For Song of the Year I'll pick Faith Hill's "Breathe". Lonestar's "Amazed" I heard for months. Single of the Year - Breathe. Music Video of the Year, definitely Breathe. Although "Ready to Run" has some nice action, the other videos are rather pedestrian.

Impact Award. I'm not too sure what this award is for. I'll say Faith Hill because of her crossover popularity and the amount of new coverage she's gotten. And she's a Cover Girl. So those are my picks, and I'll find out later today if my rather sentimental picks were correct.