Author Archives: RJ Hamster
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
Hebrews 2:1-4 – Beware of Spiritual Drift: Heed His Message Before It’s Too Late
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Hebrews 2:1-4
(1) Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (2) For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (3) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (4) God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
King James Version Change email Bible version
These Hebrew Christians were neglecting what they were given. William Barclay’s translation of the first clause of verse 1 reads, “We must, therefore, with very special intensity [the opposite of “apathy”]pay attention to what we have heard” (our emphasis).The wonderful message that these people had heard was drifting from their minds.
This word “drift” (or “slip” as translated in the King James Version) is used of a thing that is negligently, carelessly, or thoughtlessly lost: of a ring that slips from one’s finger; a thought that is slipped into a conversation; or a boat that drifts away from the dock because the knot in the rope securing it slips. In Greek literature it is used of an idea that slips from one’s mind. In this word picture is a major warning for us today—as we enter the most distracting, enervating, and fearful time in man’s history.
There is another illustration here that is equally compelling. It is of a man on a long journey who is carrying over his shoulder a goatskin, which was used in ancient time to carry water. He intends to use the water in that bag to refresh and reenergize himself, whenever he needs it. However, the goatskin is cracked, and the water is slowly dripping out unobserved by the traveler. The water is “slipping away.” When he becomes thirsty and reaches for the goatskin to take a drink to refresh himself, he finds that his bag is empty. Nothing remains.
It is reminscent of the Ten Virgins and their oil (Matthew 25:1-13). Half have none when they need it, for it has run out. They have been negligent in buying it from the sources that they could have gotten it from, whenever they had the time. But now the Bridegroom approaches, and they have no oil, a kind of oil that cannot be transferred from one person to another. So, they must go out in desperation to find some on their own—but it is too late.
— John W. Ritenbaugh
To learn more, see:
Hebrews: A Message for Today
Topics:
Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
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Open Bottle Thursday: Crisp, Fresh & a Full Liter!
Hello Peter,
Open Bottle Thursday
September 24, 2026
Hugl
Grüner Veltliner
2025
Crisp, Classic & a Full Liter!
Our Thoughts…this classic Austrian Grüner Veltliner is crisp, refreshing, and wonderfully expressive, with bright citrus and grapefruit aromas complemented by exotic fruit, fresh herbs, and a subtle hint of white pepper. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with lively acidity and a firm mineral backbone leading to a clean, refreshing finish. And at a full liter, there’s plenty to enjoy! A versatile white that’s perfect with seafood, sushi, salads, and Asian-inspired dishes—or simply enjoyed on its own as a vibrant aperitif.
Don’t let this week’s rain fool—you summer isn’t done…
Warm days ahead! ☀️
About the winery…HuglWimmer is a family-run winery in Poysdorf, in Austria’s Weinviertel, founded by Martin Hugl and Sylvia Wimmer, who both grew up in winemaking families. After producing their first vintage together in 2006, they combined their family estates in 2013 to form Weingut HuglWimmer. Today, Martin oversees winemaking and quality control, while Sylvia manages the estate, tastings, marketing, and accounting. Their 30 hectares of vineyards surround Poysdorf on south- and southwest-facing hillsides, with soils ranging from light, sandy soils to loam and deep loess. Grüner Veltliner is at the heart of their white wine production, alongside Zweigelt and Zweigelt Rosé, with modern cellar technology and traditional methods working together to produce wines that reflect the character of their vineyards.
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Who will step up for Yankees without Judge?
Wednesday, September 23
Welcome to The Pregame Lineup, a weekday newsletter that gets you up to speed on everything you need to know for today’s games, while catching you up on fun and interesting stories you might have missed. Today’s edition is brought to you by David Adler.
OK, so the Yankees won’t have Aaron Judge for the Wild Card Series. Now what?
It’s not like they’re going to roll over in the playoffs just because they don’t have him in the lineup. They’ve been playing most of the season without Judge already, and here they are, right back in the playoffs.
But missing your best hitter — maybe the best hitter — obviously hurts. We’re not going to sugarcoat that. Even if Judge can return for the Division Series or later rounds, it’s just much tougher to get through a postseason series without Judge than with Judge.
So how can the Bronx Bombers make a run even without their captain and three-time MVP? Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch rattled off five big reasons today, and we want to piggyback off that.
Here are three hitters who will have to step up if the Yankees are going to win without Judge:
1) Ben Rice
With no Judge in the lineup, Rice has to be The Guy. And he’s shown all year that he can lead this lineup. His .884 OPS this season is by far the best of any healthy Yankees hitter — Cody Bellinger is next at .779.
But Rice will still need to carry that 39-homer, 95-RBI bat into October. Last year, after his breakout regular season, Rice didn’t have the best playoffs, batting .222 in six games — but he did hit a big home run in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Red Sox.
2) Paul Goldschmidt
Especially in the first round, Goldy could have a big chance to step up. If the Yankees do indeed end up in a rematch against the Red Sox, they’d have to face two good lefty starters in a three-game series in Payton Tolle and Ranger Suarez … not to mention Aroldis Chapman and maybe even Garrett Crochet out of the bullpen. And against lefties, Goldschmidt is the Yankees’ secret weapon.
The 39-year-old former MVP has had a resurgence as a platoon bat this season. Goldschmidt is batting .307 with 11 home runs and a .990 OPS in 179 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. He’s one of the best lefty mashers in the league. As he tries to win that elusive World Series late in his career, this will be Goldschmidt’s opportunity to make a difference.
3) Spencer Jones
If there’s anyone who can literally step into Judge’s shoes, it’s Jones. The 6-foot-7 rookie slugger provides some of the biggest thump in this Yankees lineup. As long as Judge is out, he should have the chance to provide some big swings in his first career postseason.
The lefty-swinging Jones might only be in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, but the Yankees won’t face all southpaws, and when Jones is in there he can punish a baseball. He has the fastest bat speed in the Yankees lineup when Judge and Giancarlo Stanton aren’t playing. Jones is averaging an elite 77.1 mph, which is top-10 in the Majors.
BIGGEST GAMES OF THE NIGHT
The playoff picture is getting clearer by the day, but there’s still plenty to be decided. Multiple races are still up in the air, and five teams could potentially clinch a playoff spot tonight. Keep an eye on these games.
Brewers at Phillies (6:40 p.m. ET, MLB.TV)
The Brewers clinched a bye and home-field advantage in the NLDS yesterday despite dropping the series opener to Philadelphia. That Phillies win gives them the chance to clinch a postseason berth today. The Phils need a win against the Brewers and either a D-backs loss to the Rockies or a Padres loss to the Dodgers.
Guardians at Red Sox (7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Guardians have now won six games in a row, including yesterday’s opener against the Red Sox. That win kept them a game ahead of the White Sox in the AL Central race, and tonight — with a great pitching matchup on tap in Foster Griffin vs. Sonny Gray — the Guards have a chance to clinch a playoff spot. If they win and either the Rangers lose to the Mets or the Astros lose to the Mariners, they’re in.
Marlins at Cubs (7:40 p.m. ET, MLB.TV)
Of all the teams that clinch a playoff spot today, the Cubs have the most straightforward path. They just need to win. Or even if they don’t, they still clinch if the D-backs lose. We’re also on PCA 40-40 watch — with 45 home runs and 39 stolen bases, Pete Crow-Armstrong just needs one more steal to become the seventh member of the 40-40 club.
Mets at Rangers (8:05 p.m. ET, MLB.TV)
The Rangers’ loss to the Mets yesterday dropped them into a tie with the Astros for first place in the AL West. But Houston owns the tiebreaker against them, so now the Rangers have to outwin the Astros over their final five games to win the division … and quite possibly to make the playoffs at all, since they’re three games back of the White Sox for the third Wild Card spot.
Astros at Mariners (10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The ‘Stros now control their own playoff destiny. After a big win last night, the Astros now hold the edge in the AL West by virtue of their tiebreaker over Texas. And Yordan Alvarez’s Triple Crown quest is back on — he smashed his 41st home run of the season yesterday to tie Junior Caminero for the AL lead (Pete Alonso is now also tied with them after a homer off Max Scherzer today), and drove in three runs to stay within striking distance of Alonso in the RBI column.
WILD CARD 3-WAY TIE? HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS
The NL Wild Card race is set up for a fun — but confusing — photo finish. We might get a three-way tie! So let’s lay out exactly what would happen, if that happens.
Here’s what the standings look like today:
The Cubs, Phillies and Padres all have the same record. So… what’s the playoff seeding if things stay that way?
Here’s how a three-team tiebreaker would shake out. It’s actually simpler than you might think.
Step 1: The Cubs are the top Wild Card team.
Because the Cubs won their season series against BOTH of the other two teams (they went 5-1 against the Padres and 6-1 against the Phillies), they’d be the No. 4 seed in the NL playoffs and have home-field advantage in the Wild Card Series over the No. 5 seed.
Step 2: The Phillies are the second Wild Card team.
That No. 5 seed? The Phillies. Once you remove the Cubs from the tiebreaker, it’s simply a head-to-head between the other two teams. Philadelphia swept the season series against the Padres, 6-0, so they’d face the Cubs in the Wild Card round.
Step 3: The Padres are the final Wild Card team.
That leaves the Padres as the No. 6 seed. They’d face the No. 3 seed in the first round of the playoffs — aka, the NL division winner with the worst record. That’s probably the Braves, who are way behind the Dodgers (the Brewers have already clinched one of the byes).
OHTANI SET TO RETURN
This was already a fun Padres-Dodgers series, between the division rivalry and both teams jockeying for playoff position (the Dodgers are close to clinching a bye; the Padres are close to clinching a Wild Card).
And now Shohei Ohtani is coming back.
Ohtani is expected to return tonight (10:10 p.m. ET, MLB.TV) after a minimum-length stint on the injured list due to his lingering left knee and right biceps issues.
Ohtani might not be in his usual leadoff spot right away, with the Dodgers facing a tough lefty in Robbie Ray, but just having the reigning MVP back in the lineup in any capacity will be a welcome boost for the defending champs as they approach the postseason.
In case you forgot, Ohtani will only be hitting the rest of the way — his attempt to return as a pitcher was derailed by flareups of his injuries. But even one-way Ohtani is enough to lead a team to a World Series championship, as we saw in 2024.
Dodgers beat reporter Sonja Chen has more >>
QUEENS CROWNED WPBL CHAMPS
Your inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League champions are … the Los Angeles Queens!
The Queens beat the San Francisco Firebells in the winner-take-all Game 5 of the WPBL championship series last night to clinch the new league’s first title.
L.A. was led by superstar Ayami Sato, who pitched a shutout — the first complete game in WPBL history — to win her team the championship. Sato took home MVP honors thanks to her clutch performance.
“I felt today’s game went really slow because I just wanted to feel every single moment,” Sato said after the game through her partner and translator, Mayo Hirano. “I wanted to enjoy my baseball with the best teammates in the world. My mind and my pitching connected successfully, and we won.”
Michael Clair has the full story here >>
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Rays clinch division, AL’s top seed
Wednesday, September 23
The 5 teams nobody wants to face in postseason
The heightened urgency and strategic roster construction in the playoffs mean the scariest clubs in October aren’t always the best teams over the course of a 162-game season.
YOUR NEWS
D-backs keep narrow playoff hopes alive with commanding win over Rockies
D-backs’ No. 5 prospect adds to breakout year by catching shutout, mashing HR in playoffs
TOP NEWS
Boundless confidence powers Rays to AL East title, home-field through ALCS
Another start, another Messick gem as first-place Guardians win 6th straight
‘Let’s go 5-0’: Astros control their destiny after moving into tie for AL West lead
Wheeler achieves career, franchise milestones as Phils close in on Wild Card
Brewers secure bye, home-field advantage in NLDS
Cubs’ clinch put on hold after rocky 12-inning loss to Marlins
Guards-Red Sox, Astros-Mariners amid tight playoff races on ESPN
STAFF PICKS
10 October newbies set to make an impact
While we will see many returning players who have excelled in the playoffs, there will be plenty of potential new names to showcase their skills in their first postseasons.
She doesn’t know why she threw the ball back, but it was adorable
A fan celebrating her 6th birthday wound up with Eugenio Suárez’s 350th career homer, and while flashing the biggest smile imaginable, she tossed it onto the field. Her reasoning? “I don’t know. I just wanted to throw it.”
Queens take winner-take-all Game 5 for WPBL title
Ayami Sato threw a complete game as the Los Angeles Queens defeated the San Francisco Firebells to wrap up the Women’s Professional Baseball League’s inaugural season.
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TB 6
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WSH 3
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CLE 3
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