I hope most of you out there in blog-land have been able to catch at least a little bit of the Olympics the last few weeks. I missed some of the events earlier on last week but have been watching as much as I can lately, because it's almost over. This Sunday is the closing ceremonies already. There is a sense of sadness and depression once the Olympics are over, at least for me. I would compare it to the experience after Christmas, a family reunion, or some other event that was a lot of fun but ended all too soon. The Olympics are an event that unites countries from all over the world to compete in sports. For two weeks every four years (per season), countries all play the same events in the hope of capturing gold, silver, and bronze metals. All of the world events; fighting, wars, and politics get pushed aside for the hope of worldwide comradery during these two weeks. It doesn't always happen but at least the effort from all is appreciated.
A sport that I've been finding myself more and more fascinated by is curling. Within the United States, it's a sport that pretty foreign. There are curling clubs within the United States but they mainly lie along the Canadian border. I know there are one or two curling facilities in the Upper Peninsula, but not that many (and there might be even more - I just don't know of them). I was lucky enough to get a shot at playing curling approximately ten years ago down in Wisconsin while visiting my sister. There was a curling facility a short drive from where she lived at the time and I don't recall the circumstances that brought us there anymore. But I remember attempting to slide a few stones down the surface of the ice and coming up rather short of the target. The game looks pretty basic but after watching it on TV, it seems rather complex. You have guards, sweepers, hog lines, double scoring, you name it. I have yet to understand the rules and regulations involving the sport but would definitely like to learn more about it. The women's gold medal match is on TV right now and it's turning out to be a pretty intriguing game between Canada and Sweden. Here's hoping for future appreciation for the sport of curling within the United States in the years to come.
Many of the sports featured during the Winter Olympics are quite commonplace in the Upper Peninsula. There are hundreds of cross country ski trails across the U.P. and some are more developed than others. The Noquemanon is a cross country ski marathon that takes place at the end of January every year in the Marquette area. It draws cross country skiers from all across the United States. Ski jumping is also very big. Tournaments are held at the Pine Mountain and Suicide Bowl ski jumping facilities each winter and draws athletes from all over the world. It's not uncommon to see ski jumpers participating in these two respective jumps that have also ski jumped in the Olympics. There are several different downhill skiing facilities across the western and central Upper Peninsula and they often feature different ski races from time to time. The U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame is located in the heart of the Upper Peninsula in Ishpeming. Several of the nation's biggest and best skiers have been elected into the national hall of fame.
And then we have speedskating. In Marquette at Northern Michigan University, an education and training facility has been developed for several Olympic sports including speedskating. The United States Olympic Education Center has been established in Marquette for awhile now and not only trains athletes in their respective Olympic sport, but it also allows them to achieve a quality education while doing so. Even though Apolo Ohno was not a part of the speedskating program at the USOEC, he often visited and did some training there. Alison Baver attended the USOEC and in the 2010 Olympics, picked up a bronze metal for her involvement in the 3,000 meter relay. Shani Davis, a long-track speedskater and a former athlete of the USOEC, picked up a gold and silver medal at the recent Vancouver games. Marquette was host to the World Cup Short Track Speedskating event this past fall and also hosted the United States Speedskating Team Trials that solidified the team to represent the United States at the Vancouver games. So all of the faces you see competing on the U.S. Speedskating team were here in the Upper Peninsula this past fall. It just goes to show you that Marquette and the Upper Peninsula play a major role in the Winter Olympics every four years.
With the Winter Olympics coming to a close, it's time to look back on the excitement the Olympics have brought across our nation and the world. The current medal totals for the U.S. are a record for a Winter Olympics and it shows our strengthening power in the winter sports movement. We have medaled in sports that we haven't had any success with for the first time in years. Meanwhile, we continue to show our dominance in snowboarding and hockey. The Olympic games are ever changing and no two events are ever the same for a particular country. Some athletes rise from adversity to capture a medal while others struggle (even some of the favorites predicted to win). It's an intriguing spectacle that occurs every four years. Once the Vancouver games have wrapped up after this week, it's another four-year wait to see stars like Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, and Shani Davis compete for a gold medal. However, it's only two years away until the next Summer Games take place. It'll be here before we know it.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
American Idol 9 - Top 24 (Boys Night)
It's night number two of the top 24 performances and this time it's the boy's turn to try and impress the American voting audience. Overall, I'd have to say that the girl's were disappointing in their performances. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some bright spots here and there. But considering how the producers and the judges were pimping the girls - it just didn't live up to their hype. Now taking all of this into account, maybe the boys can take advantage of the girls' faltering and try to become the better gender of singing contestants this season. Let's see what happens!
Todrick Hall - "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson : I was quite impressed with Todrick's performances during Hollywood week. He seems like quite the polished performer and has the potential to go far. He completely rearranged Kelly Clarkson's famous tune "Since U Been Gone" and turns it into this hyped-up, electronic, dance song and makes it totally unrecognizable to the original! Despite that, it's not that half-bad. He took a big risk by changing up the song as dramatically as he did. I think that in itself is admirable.
Aaron Kelly - "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascall Flatts : Here we have a contestant who's 16, who we know is a great singer, yet had his ups and downs during Hollywood Week (including forgetting the lyrics). I wasn't all that familiar with this Rascall Flatts tune, but overall I'd say he did a pretty decent job with the song. I wasn't totally blown away by his performance and he did have a few off-notes here and there. But he didn't forget any words and it was overall a pretty solid performance.
Jermaine Sellers - "Get Here" : Here's one contestant that didn't receive a whole lot of air-time during Hollywood week, but when he did, it was probably for all the wrong reasons. He threw the band under the bus after one of his performances and it was not perceived as a good thing (rightly so). Tonight is his shot at redemption, so to speak. Overall, it was an average performance - nothing that really wowed me. He seemed to struggle at times to hit the high falsetto notes and went way over the top with the runs. He really needs to reign it back in.
Tim Urban - "Apologize" by One Republic : So Tim is the last-minute addition to the American Idol puzzle after Chris Golightly's sudden disqualification from the competition. You know, after watching Tim during Hollywood week, there was nothing that really impressed me about his singing abilities. So it surprised me he received a second chance. Needless to say, I remained unimpressed after his rendition of "Apologize." The arrangement of the song was terrible and he was struggling to hit the high notes in the song. It doesn't look too good for him.
Joe Munoz - "You and I Both" by Jason Mraz : I am quite surprised by how many of the male contestants I don't know a whole lot about, yet it seems like the girls have gotten a lot of exposure thus far (producer pimping, anyone?). Anyways, Joe is one of those unfamiliar contestants, yet his performance of this Jason Mraz tune is pretty decent. Sure, he appears to be nervous and hits a few off-pitch notes. But overall it was a pretty pleasant performance. He definitely has a great voice and he's pretty easy to listen to.
Tyler Grady - "American Woman" by the Guess Who : I guess I don't really remember anything memorable out of Tyler so far on his Idol journey, just that he embraces 1970's music and style. How is that going to work in today's contemorary style? Nevertheless, he didn't make it this far based on that, so let's see if he has the vocal chops to advance far. Based on tonight's performance, I'm not entirely impressed. I liked his blusey take on the song to start, but it became rather indulgent and not all that vocally strong. There were several off pitch moments in there.
Lee Dewyze - "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol : I remember Lee's journey during Hollywood week wasn't without its dramatic moments. He was really wondering whether he'd be chosen in the top 24, and finally he heard the words he wanted to hear. Tonight's performance wasn't perfect, but it was one of the better of the night. He really changed the melody of the song and turned it into a new song. He made it more of a rock tune and I found it quite enjoyable to listen to. He needs to work on his vocal abilities a little more, though.
John Park - "God Bless the Child" by : Hmm, I know very little about this guy and I don't forsee him going very far in this. He's one of those contestants labeled as cannon fodder. All of a sudden he made the top 24 last week and it came out of nowhere. As for tonight's performance, it's downright dreadful. Who honestly picks a song like that and expects to get votes for it? It starts off so dreadful and I can barely understand the lyrics he's singing. It gets a tiny bit better but I have no hope for this guy advancing. If he does, it's pure luck.
Michael Lynch - "This Love" by Maroon Five : Michael is the contestant we've probably seen the most prior to tonight's semi-final performances out of them all. His wife had a baby during Hollywood week and that took up more of the show than his actual singing. That being said, he's probably one of the most consistent contestants so far. His performance of this Maroon Five song was pretty decent; one of the best of the night by the boys (but that ain't saying a lot). He didn't bring anything new to the song by any means but he did sing it quite well.
Alex Lambert - "Wonderful World" by James Morrison : Here's a contestant that we haven't seen a lot of singing from prior to tonight's performance round. He was unlucky to find himself in the group with Mary Powers that didn't do so well with their performance during Hollywood week. It kind of amazes me he made it out of that because tonight's performance is not going so good. He's off-pitch pretty steady and seems awfully unsure of himself on stage. He later admits he hasn't done a lot of singing in front of large groups and it shows.
Casey James - "Heaven" by Bryan Adams : I'm left to believe that Casey is a contestant that's flown under the radar and is out to surprise a lot of people. So far, he's more known for his good looks than his singing ability. But tonight, he really stepped it up and picked the perfect song. I am a bit partial to this Bryan Adams tune because it's one that David Archuleta excelled at. Casey does just as well, even though he was at a serious disadvantage by the judges and their antics while he sung. Despite that, he still did quite well.
Todrick Hall - "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson : I was quite impressed with Todrick's performances during Hollywood week. He seems like quite the polished performer and has the potential to go far. He completely rearranged Kelly Clarkson's famous tune "Since U Been Gone" and turns it into this hyped-up, electronic, dance song and makes it totally unrecognizable to the original! Despite that, it's not that half-bad. He took a big risk by changing up the song as dramatically as he did. I think that in itself is admirable.
Aaron Kelly - "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascall Flatts : Here we have a contestant who's 16, who we know is a great singer, yet had his ups and downs during Hollywood Week (including forgetting the lyrics). I wasn't all that familiar with this Rascall Flatts tune, but overall I'd say he did a pretty decent job with the song. I wasn't totally blown away by his performance and he did have a few off-notes here and there. But he didn't forget any words and it was overall a pretty solid performance.
Jermaine Sellers - "Get Here" : Here's one contestant that didn't receive a whole lot of air-time during Hollywood week, but when he did, it was probably for all the wrong reasons. He threw the band under the bus after one of his performances and it was not perceived as a good thing (rightly so). Tonight is his shot at redemption, so to speak. Overall, it was an average performance - nothing that really wowed me. He seemed to struggle at times to hit the high falsetto notes and went way over the top with the runs. He really needs to reign it back in.
Tim Urban - "Apologize" by One Republic : So Tim is the last-minute addition to the American Idol puzzle after Chris Golightly's sudden disqualification from the competition. You know, after watching Tim during Hollywood week, there was nothing that really impressed me about his singing abilities. So it surprised me he received a second chance. Needless to say, I remained unimpressed after his rendition of "Apologize." The arrangement of the song was terrible and he was struggling to hit the high notes in the song. It doesn't look too good for him.
Joe Munoz - "You and I Both" by Jason Mraz : I am quite surprised by how many of the male contestants I don't know a whole lot about, yet it seems like the girls have gotten a lot of exposure thus far (producer pimping, anyone?). Anyways, Joe is one of those unfamiliar contestants, yet his performance of this Jason Mraz tune is pretty decent. Sure, he appears to be nervous and hits a few off-pitch notes. But overall it was a pretty pleasant performance. He definitely has a great voice and he's pretty easy to listen to.
Tyler Grady - "American Woman" by the Guess Who : I guess I don't really remember anything memorable out of Tyler so far on his Idol journey, just that he embraces 1970's music and style. How is that going to work in today's contemorary style? Nevertheless, he didn't make it this far based on that, so let's see if he has the vocal chops to advance far. Based on tonight's performance, I'm not entirely impressed. I liked his blusey take on the song to start, but it became rather indulgent and not all that vocally strong. There were several off pitch moments in there.
Lee Dewyze - "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol : I remember Lee's journey during Hollywood week wasn't without its dramatic moments. He was really wondering whether he'd be chosen in the top 24, and finally he heard the words he wanted to hear. Tonight's performance wasn't perfect, but it was one of the better of the night. He really changed the melody of the song and turned it into a new song. He made it more of a rock tune and I found it quite enjoyable to listen to. He needs to work on his vocal abilities a little more, though.
John Park - "God Bless the Child" by : Hmm, I know very little about this guy and I don't forsee him going very far in this. He's one of those contestants labeled as cannon fodder. All of a sudden he made the top 24 last week and it came out of nowhere. As for tonight's performance, it's downright dreadful. Who honestly picks a song like that and expects to get votes for it? It starts off so dreadful and I can barely understand the lyrics he's singing. It gets a tiny bit better but I have no hope for this guy advancing. If he does, it's pure luck.
Michael Lynch - "This Love" by Maroon Five : Michael is the contestant we've probably seen the most prior to tonight's semi-final performances out of them all. His wife had a baby during Hollywood week and that took up more of the show than his actual singing. That being said, he's probably one of the most consistent contestants so far. His performance of this Maroon Five song was pretty decent; one of the best of the night by the boys (but that ain't saying a lot). He didn't bring anything new to the song by any means but he did sing it quite well.
Alex Lambert - "Wonderful World" by James Morrison : Here's a contestant that we haven't seen a lot of singing from prior to tonight's performance round. He was unlucky to find himself in the group with Mary Powers that didn't do so well with their performance during Hollywood week. It kind of amazes me he made it out of that because tonight's performance is not going so good. He's off-pitch pretty steady and seems awfully unsure of himself on stage. He later admits he hasn't done a lot of singing in front of large groups and it shows.
Casey James - "Heaven" by Bryan Adams : I'm left to believe that Casey is a contestant that's flown under the radar and is out to surprise a lot of people. So far, he's more known for his good looks than his singing ability. But tonight, he really stepped it up and picked the perfect song. I am a bit partial to this Bryan Adams tune because it's one that David Archuleta excelled at. Casey does just as well, even though he was at a serious disadvantage by the judges and their antics while he sung. Despite that, he still did quite well.
Andrew Garcia - "Sugar We're Going Down" by Fall Out Boy : Out of 12 semi-final male contestants, Andrew is clearly the front runner to do the best. His Hollywood performance of "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul was probably one of the best out of the lot. Tonight, he re-arranges a Fall Out Boy song to match his style. Overall, it's not half bad. The arrangement is a bit weird and the song does sound more lounge-style. Also, the song seems extremeny high for Andrew. All in all, not his strongest but one of the better performances of the night.
My favorite performers of the night: Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Lee Dewyze, Joe Munoz.
Performances that were so-so: Michael Lynch, Aaron Kelly, Toddrick Hall.
In danger of being voted off: Alex Lambert, John Park, Tyler Grady, Tim Urban, Jermaine Sellers.
Going Home: Tim Urban and John Park. Urban's performance was pretty shaky and downright dreadful. I honestly have no idea why the producers brought him back as opposed to someone else with a little more stage precense and charisma. Park's wasn't much better, especially the way the song first began. It was practically unintelligible! Their terrible performances and their lack of air-time previously should probably do them in. However, the way the guys performed tonight as a whole, I wouldn't be surprised if all of them could be in danger of going home. There were only a couple that really stood out in the crowd. Don't forget to see how it all plays out tonight during the results!
(2/25/10) Actual Eliminees: Tyler Grady and Joe Munoz. Total fail this week, even though I had a feeling Tyler was in danger of being voted off. Ultimately, I didn't pick neither one.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
American Idol 9 - Top 24 (Girls Night)
Welcome to the American Idol live shows! Its been a long time coming, but they have finally returned. We are also going to see how Ellen does during the live performance shows. Overall, I thought she did quite well tonight (and has been doing great since joining the show). Tonight, the girls performed pretty much any song they wanted to sing (it was bascially a billboard top 100 songs-type of night). Some performed older songs, while some went current. All in all, it was a bit of a disappointment overall. A few of the girls picked the wrong song and others just didn't sound very good. However, there were some bright spots. Let's get to the reviews!
(BTW, the reviews at this stage of the game are going to be shorter and I'm not going to focus too long on the write-ups. Either the contestants are memorable or they're not.)
Paige Miles - "Alright Now" by Free : So this is basically the first glance we get of this girl. I don't really remember much of her prior to tonight. I was not totally wowed by this performance. I mean, it was good but it didn't blow me away. She probably could've been helped by a more current song, but please no Alisha Keys, Mariah, or Whitney. She may be hurt by the lack of previous screen time and by going first. We'll see how it all pans out on Thursday.
Ashley Rodriguez - "Happy" by Leona Lewis : I do enjoy the direction she was trying to go with this song (by going current) however, I do agree with the judges that this song was just too big for her. Honestly, by tomorrow this performance will be forgettable (already I'm forgetting how she sang it). It was too sound-alike, she didn't differentiate herself from Leona, and it wasn't sung as well as it could've been. She would've done much better, I believe, with a different song.
Janell Wheeler - "What About Love" by Heart : I really like the original but Janell is not doing well with this selection. This is a big, rocker-chick kind of ballad and Janell doesn't necessarily fill that mold. I liked her Hollywood performance when she sang that Kara Dioguardi song while she played the guitar. I am afraid she tried to go all-out and went too far with this one. Again, it wasn't memorable enough and it was just an average performance. She has potential but this didn't cut it tonight.
Lilly Scott - "Fixin' a Hole" by the Beatles : Finally, someone that breathes new life into tonight's otherwise dull performance show. I enjoy the music from the Beatles but this is one song I'm definitely not familiar with. I swear she could've wrote this song herself and made a hit from it. The very beginning of the song was a bit off for me but then she truly delivers and I'm totally digging her style. She's passionate, soulful, and very fun to listen to. And look, I guess they can play the guitar during the semi's, too!
Katelyn Epperly - "Oh Darlin' " by the Beatles : Another of the Beatles' lesser popular songs, but it's a nice selection by Katelyn. I gotta admit, I follow a lot of Idol sites out there and many didn't think very highly of Katelyn prior to tonight. But I must say she was better than expected. It's probably not a performance we're all going to remember in a week, but it should be enough to get her through. I'd like to see her back playing the guitar like we saw during Hollywood week.
Haeley Vaughn - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles : Wow, why all these Beatle songs tonight (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course)? I like that she distinguishes herself from the original and does an original take on it with guitar in hand. However, she struggles with the higher notes in her upper register. And some of those notes, boy, they were painful to listen to. Not as strong as it could've been. It probably would've been better for her if she waited a year or two before auditioning.
Lacey Brown - "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac : Another older song pick but hey, oldies are goodies, right? It's a very slow, serious song. I'm just not wowed by it and I noticed a lot of pitchy notes. I feel bad for her because I think she's got some major potential. Seeing how close she was last year to making the semi-finals and then making it this year, I was expecting a lot more. It just wasn't as strong as it could've been and the judges let her know it. She could definitely be in trouble.
Michelle Delamor - "Fallin' " by Alisha Keys : Just as I had feared, someone performing an Alisha Keys' song, particularly this one. In the past, contestants have not fared well performing this one. Michelle does a good job with it but it sounds too much like the original. She doesn't do enough to distinguish herself from Alisha's masterful job with the song. However, I will say that she did enough to stay for another week. She can definitely sing, there's no doubt about that.
Didi Benami - "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson : I had to laugh when I first heard she was singing this because another contestant sang this song during their audition and Simon hated the song! He had nothing bad to say about the song this time but he certainly wasn't wowed. I got what the judges were saying about Didi's performance but all in all, I thought she did very well compared to most of the previous contestants tonight. I think Didi has the potential to go very far this season.
Siobhan Magnus - "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak : What an excellent song choice and one that I don't believe any previous contestant has picked before. This song showed that Siobhan has an incredible range. Just look at how low she had to go at the beginning of the song and really went high in the middle and the end. She was definitely in the moment with this performance and it was virtually flawless. Definitely one of my favorites of the night, despite the fact that it's a dark and dreary-kind of song.
Crystal Bowersox - "Hand in my Pocket" by Alanis Morissette : Another song choice I am loving - Alanis really knows how to write some epic songs. And Crystal truly has some staying power in this year's competition. She's an original, she's soulful, and she knows what kind of an artist she wants to be. I remember seeing her play the harmonica during Hollywood and I was blown away then. I, too, am glad to see that Crystal auditioned for American Idol because she has the potential to win the entire show.
Katie Stevens - "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble : Katie has gotten a lot of early hype which has been well deserved. Now that we're into the live shows, will she be able to keep it up? She has the all-important pimp spot tonight which should definitely work to her favor. She does not disappoint but it's probably not as great as it could've been. I do agree with the judges, that even though it's a current song, Buble's kind of music is more old-fashioned. Katie is 17 and we need to remember that.
So, my favorites tonight were: Crystal Bowersox, Siobhan Magnus, Didi Benami, Lilly Scott, and Katelyn Epperly. These five should definitely advance.
Performances that were so-so: Katie Stevens, Michelle Delamor, Paige Miles, Janell Wheeler. They weren't great, but they weren't terrible. These girls should be safe.
In danger of being voted off: Ashley Rodriguez, Haeley Vaughn, and Lacey Brown. Start to pack your bags tonight, girls.
Going home: Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown. Unfortunately Haeley enterted the competition too soon. I think she would've been better off waiting a few more years. As for Lacey, it just wasn't her night. However, during these semi-final rounds, usually there's a surprise or two. One of these girls just might be safe. But as of now, these are my predictions.
That is all, folks. I'll probably be able to blog during most of tomorrow night's show when the boys perform, but I will not be able to finish. Be sure to catch the rest of tomorrow's blog the follow day.
(2/25/10) Actual Eliminees: Ashley Rodriguez and Janell Wheeler. Not totally surprised by this outcome, although I thought Janell would've been saved by the voters because of her good looks. It was all for naught this time, however.
(BTW, the reviews at this stage of the game are going to be shorter and I'm not going to focus too long on the write-ups. Either the contestants are memorable or they're not.)
Paige Miles - "Alright Now" by Free : So this is basically the first glance we get of this girl. I don't really remember much of her prior to tonight. I was not totally wowed by this performance. I mean, it was good but it didn't blow me away. She probably could've been helped by a more current song, but please no Alisha Keys, Mariah, or Whitney. She may be hurt by the lack of previous screen time and by going first. We'll see how it all pans out on Thursday.
Ashley Rodriguez - "Happy" by Leona Lewis : I do enjoy the direction she was trying to go with this song (by going current) however, I do agree with the judges that this song was just too big for her. Honestly, by tomorrow this performance will be forgettable (already I'm forgetting how she sang it). It was too sound-alike, she didn't differentiate herself from Leona, and it wasn't sung as well as it could've been. She would've done much better, I believe, with a different song.
Janell Wheeler - "What About Love" by Heart : I really like the original but Janell is not doing well with this selection. This is a big, rocker-chick kind of ballad and Janell doesn't necessarily fill that mold. I liked her Hollywood performance when she sang that Kara Dioguardi song while she played the guitar. I am afraid she tried to go all-out and went too far with this one. Again, it wasn't memorable enough and it was just an average performance. She has potential but this didn't cut it tonight.
Lilly Scott - "Fixin' a Hole" by the Beatles : Finally, someone that breathes new life into tonight's otherwise dull performance show. I enjoy the music from the Beatles but this is one song I'm definitely not familiar with. I swear she could've wrote this song herself and made a hit from it. The very beginning of the song was a bit off for me but then she truly delivers and I'm totally digging her style. She's passionate, soulful, and very fun to listen to. And look, I guess they can play the guitar during the semi's, too!
Katelyn Epperly - "Oh Darlin' " by the Beatles : Another of the Beatles' lesser popular songs, but it's a nice selection by Katelyn. I gotta admit, I follow a lot of Idol sites out there and many didn't think very highly of Katelyn prior to tonight. But I must say she was better than expected. It's probably not a performance we're all going to remember in a week, but it should be enough to get her through. I'd like to see her back playing the guitar like we saw during Hollywood week.
Haeley Vaughn - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles : Wow, why all these Beatle songs tonight (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course)? I like that she distinguishes herself from the original and does an original take on it with guitar in hand. However, she struggles with the higher notes in her upper register. And some of those notes, boy, they were painful to listen to. Not as strong as it could've been. It probably would've been better for her if she waited a year or two before auditioning.
Lacey Brown - "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac : Another older song pick but hey, oldies are goodies, right? It's a very slow, serious song. I'm just not wowed by it and I noticed a lot of pitchy notes. I feel bad for her because I think she's got some major potential. Seeing how close she was last year to making the semi-finals and then making it this year, I was expecting a lot more. It just wasn't as strong as it could've been and the judges let her know it. She could definitely be in trouble.
Michelle Delamor - "Fallin' " by Alisha Keys : Just as I had feared, someone performing an Alisha Keys' song, particularly this one. In the past, contestants have not fared well performing this one. Michelle does a good job with it but it sounds too much like the original. She doesn't do enough to distinguish herself from Alisha's masterful job with the song. However, I will say that she did enough to stay for another week. She can definitely sing, there's no doubt about that.
Didi Benami - "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson : I had to laugh when I first heard she was singing this because another contestant sang this song during their audition and Simon hated the song! He had nothing bad to say about the song this time but he certainly wasn't wowed. I got what the judges were saying about Didi's performance but all in all, I thought she did very well compared to most of the previous contestants tonight. I think Didi has the potential to go very far this season.
Siobhan Magnus - "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak : What an excellent song choice and one that I don't believe any previous contestant has picked before. This song showed that Siobhan has an incredible range. Just look at how low she had to go at the beginning of the song and really went high in the middle and the end. She was definitely in the moment with this performance and it was virtually flawless. Definitely one of my favorites of the night, despite the fact that it's a dark and dreary-kind of song.
Crystal Bowersox - "Hand in my Pocket" by Alanis Morissette : Another song choice I am loving - Alanis really knows how to write some epic songs. And Crystal truly has some staying power in this year's competition. She's an original, she's soulful, and she knows what kind of an artist she wants to be. I remember seeing her play the harmonica during Hollywood and I was blown away then. I, too, am glad to see that Crystal auditioned for American Idol because she has the potential to win the entire show.
Katie Stevens - "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble : Katie has gotten a lot of early hype which has been well deserved. Now that we're into the live shows, will she be able to keep it up? She has the all-important pimp spot tonight which should definitely work to her favor. She does not disappoint but it's probably not as great as it could've been. I do agree with the judges, that even though it's a current song, Buble's kind of music is more old-fashioned. Katie is 17 and we need to remember that.
So, my favorites tonight were: Crystal Bowersox, Siobhan Magnus, Didi Benami, Lilly Scott, and Katelyn Epperly. These five should definitely advance.
Performances that were so-so: Katie Stevens, Michelle Delamor, Paige Miles, Janell Wheeler. They weren't great, but they weren't terrible. These girls should be safe.
In danger of being voted off: Ashley Rodriguez, Haeley Vaughn, and Lacey Brown. Start to pack your bags tonight, girls.
Going home: Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown. Unfortunately Haeley enterted the competition too soon. I think she would've been better off waiting a few more years. As for Lacey, it just wasn't her night. However, during these semi-final rounds, usually there's a surprise or two. One of these girls just might be safe. But as of now, these are my predictions.
That is all, folks. I'll probably be able to blog during most of tomorrow night's show when the boys perform, but I will not be able to finish. Be sure to catch the rest of tomorrow's blog the follow day.
(2/25/10) Actual Eliminees: Ashley Rodriguez and Janell Wheeler. Not totally surprised by this outcome, although I thought Janell would've been saved by the voters because of her good looks. It was all for naught this time, however.
Friday, February 19, 2010
American Idol - Season 9 Preview
Finally, after a lengthy and painstaking journey in the crazy American Idol journey, the American public will soon be allowed to vote for their favorites starting next week. I have begun to loathe the audition rounds because they are drawn out rediculously long. I honestly believe they could have two or three weeks of audition episodes, then two weeks featuring Hollywood week, then start the Top 24 competition. But that's just my opinion and I know there are several people out there who enjoy the auditions and the bad singers more than the competition-portion of the show itself. So far, I don't really have my eye on a clear favorite to win this year's American Idol title. A strong contender at this stage is Andrew Garcia, who performed an amazing rendition of Paula Abdul's big 1980's hit "Straight Up" in his first performance during Hollywood week. Unlike the past few years, this year features a strong contingent of girls. It'll be interesting to see if a girl prevails this year afterall. At this stage of the game, things can quickly change.
I was also happy to hear earlier in the winter when it was announced that the show was going back to its more traditional Top 24 format as opposed to last season's Top 36. So many talented individuals were cut too soon last year. For everyone involved during season eight's semi-finals, it was a one-and-done process. All everyone got was one performance and if they did enough to impress the American voting public, they advanced to the Top 12 (which became the Top 13 after the wildcard show). That means there'll be no wildcard, in which the judges pick the last three contestants, and there'll likely be no judge's save this year. To be honest, the judge's save was not used at the right time during last season's competition. Ultimately, they used the save on Matt Girad, who pretty much was already past his prime on the show. The judges should've used the save on Alexis Grace right off the bat. But I can see why they waited to use the save and not use it on Alexis so early on. But the gimmick of the save is just that, a gimmick. It's better off being just a one-season thing because although it produced a nice moment last season, the surprise of a shocking elimination helps make American Idol what it is. And maybe we'll have a return to that this season.
Other contestants who I like at the top of my head include Crystal Bowersox. And what a cool last name, by the way. She's very bluesy, soulful, and does an impressive job playing the harmonica and guitar. She really stood out during Hollywood week. I also really liked Didi Benami and her performances during Hollywood week. She's basically performing for her best friend who tragically died way too young. At this stage for the girls, there are a lot of blondes and many of them play the guitar. So it's kind of difficult to keep track of who's who. However, once we get to the semi-final performances, I think it'll be quite easy to pick them all out. Right now all we're basing our opinion on these contestants are from short snippets of their auditions and during Hollywood week. As for the guys, I've already mentioned Andrew Garcia as being a front-runner. A couple of the other guys who may be strong contenders are Casey James and Aaron Kelly. I am sure Casey is going to have a big following because he took off his shirt to bare his chest to America during his audition. And he's not a bad singer, either. He actually proved to be quite impressive, especially with his guitar-playing skills. Now as for Aaron, he'll likely get the tween and young teenage girl vote because he's only 16. So far I haven't been completely blown away by his singing, and he did have difficulty remembering some of the words of a song during Hollywood week. But he's definitely had some strong moments and I'd be shocked if he didn't make the Top 12.
So there you have it; a short preview of the upcoming American Idol season. Who knows, this season may prove to be the strongest yet. However, for me, nothing can beat the excitement I felt during season seven, when David Cook beat David Archuleta for the title. We may experience something along those very same lines this season - except it's two girls vying for the title of American Idol. This may be the most wide-open field of contestants we've ever had for the show heading into the Top 24. Even last year, Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert were front-runners heading into the Top 36, and look how far they went. Really, only Andrew Garcia is the only one whom I consider a front-runner. You never know how this season will play out. After all, that's why American Idol is the most popular show in America. It's truly unpredictable!
I was also happy to hear earlier in the winter when it was announced that the show was going back to its more traditional Top 24 format as opposed to last season's Top 36. So many talented individuals were cut too soon last year. For everyone involved during season eight's semi-finals, it was a one-and-done process. All everyone got was one performance and if they did enough to impress the American voting public, they advanced to the Top 12 (which became the Top 13 after the wildcard show). That means there'll be no wildcard, in which the judges pick the last three contestants, and there'll likely be no judge's save this year. To be honest, the judge's save was not used at the right time during last season's competition. Ultimately, they used the save on Matt Girad, who pretty much was already past his prime on the show. The judges should've used the save on Alexis Grace right off the bat. But I can see why they waited to use the save and not use it on Alexis so early on. But the gimmick of the save is just that, a gimmick. It's better off being just a one-season thing because although it produced a nice moment last season, the surprise of a shocking elimination helps make American Idol what it is. And maybe we'll have a return to that this season.
Other contestants who I like at the top of my head include Crystal Bowersox. And what a cool last name, by the way. She's very bluesy, soulful, and does an impressive job playing the harmonica and guitar. She really stood out during Hollywood week. I also really liked Didi Benami and her performances during Hollywood week. She's basically performing for her best friend who tragically died way too young. At this stage for the girls, there are a lot of blondes and many of them play the guitar. So it's kind of difficult to keep track of who's who. However, once we get to the semi-final performances, I think it'll be quite easy to pick them all out. Right now all we're basing our opinion on these contestants are from short snippets of their auditions and during Hollywood week. As for the guys, I've already mentioned Andrew Garcia as being a front-runner. A couple of the other guys who may be strong contenders are Casey James and Aaron Kelly. I am sure Casey is going to have a big following because he took off his shirt to bare his chest to America during his audition. And he's not a bad singer, either. He actually proved to be quite impressive, especially with his guitar-playing skills. Now as for Aaron, he'll likely get the tween and young teenage girl vote because he's only 16. So far I haven't been completely blown away by his singing, and he did have difficulty remembering some of the words of a song during Hollywood week. But he's definitely had some strong moments and I'd be shocked if he didn't make the Top 12.
So there you have it; a short preview of the upcoming American Idol season. Who knows, this season may prove to be the strongest yet. However, for me, nothing can beat the excitement I felt during season seven, when David Cook beat David Archuleta for the title. We may experience something along those very same lines this season - except it's two girls vying for the title of American Idol. This may be the most wide-open field of contestants we've ever had for the show heading into the Top 24. Even last year, Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert were front-runners heading into the Top 36, and look how far they went. Really, only Andrew Garcia is the only one whom I consider a front-runner. You never know how this season will play out. After all, that's why American Idol is the most popular show in America. It's truly unpredictable!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
More Work Drama
So lately I've been finding myself stressing out about work more than usual; and no, it doesn't involve my boss this time around. The operating department in the concentrator at the mine is comprised of four run-crews (that work swing shift) and one day shift crew. Back in November, our department manager hinted at the possibility of the crews being switched around; with the day shift crew staying put. There wasn't a huge amount of talk amongst the crews about it, but I knew that was likely to change as we reached closer to the new year, when a process called shift-in-area takes place across both properties at the two Michigan iron ore plants. Shift-in-area is where an individual has the opportunity to change shift or work locations based on their job class. It mainly affects maintenance and electrical, but occasionally it can affect operating. Anyways, sure enough, as soon as the New Year passed, the discussion of switching crews heated up. This time, it was starting to be discussed amongst management. It really looked like it was going to happen, and the blood was starting to boil for many in the operating department.
You see, they did this exact same thing three years ago, and it proved to be a major failure. My dad has worked at the mine for 37 years and only once had they switched the crews around - that one time was three years ago. The reason why it didn't work the previous time is because of the tremendous amount of turn-over that takes place within the department. People leave and transfer to new areas of the operation, most likely resulting in a better paying position. Back three years ago, they wanted to break up this one crew because there was some in-fighting taking place on that crew and it was loaded with guys that had a lot of seniority. In comparison, another crew had individuals comprised of new people. So the balance was way off - so they decided to do a major shake-up and switch the crews around. This ticked a lot of people off and it took awhile for many of the hourly people to trust management again. There was even more turn-over then and some of the older employees retired that could. And surprisingly, three years later, they wanted to try it again.
I was prepared to be moved to a different crew, as there was a 25 percent chance I'd stay on my same crew. But as the days progressed, the story from management about the switch changed. Initially, there was going to be a minor shake-up, but nothing like three years ago. Then that was reversed and it was going to be exactly like three years ago. It changed again; this time management saying eight to nine people would be moved around. In our monthly safety meeting, management told me that I would likely be moving. So that really prepared me for the move. However, that eight-to-nine people estimate would end up being shrinked even further. Now only three-to-four people were moving, and I was still one of them. You see, in my situation, I am an assistant plant operator. I get to help operate the concentrator from a control room in special situations or when one of the full-time operators is not there. I did this before prior to last April when I got moved to a different crew because of a special circumstance. I was the senior APO on that crew at that time. But upon being moved to this new crew last April, there was already an APO on that crew who had more seniority than me; meaning I became a junior APO. With this latest switch, I will again be taking on the role as a senior APO but it comes with a major hitch. I will be having to deal with an individual that does not like working with me.
I was on the exact same crew as this individual before being moved last April, so I know who I'm dealing with. He's the control room operator, the one I will be filling in for when he's gone or when he needs additional help in the panel when there's a lot going on. He and my dad haven't gotten along for the past five years - something involving a very trivial incident that involved the two of them before at work. So for some reason, he has taken the existing feud with my dad out on me. He has treated me differently than most of the others on that crew. A lot of times I feel like I am getting the silent treatment. He could be joking around with everyone else on the crew, but when I enter the room, he turns stone-faced. I really don't know what to make of it - he's not really very easy to talk to. He's tall and talks in a very, gravely tone. He's been a smoker for years, so you can understand why he talks the way he does. He used to be very involved in the union but quit a few years back because of "health reasons." When he was in the union, he was gone quite a bit. I kind of wish he was still involved with the union because then I wouldn't have to deal with him that often!
Needless to say, I was a bit upset to learn I'd be transferring back to my old crew after a little less than a year to work with an individual I have a hard time dealing with. On my last weekend off, I thought all about working with him in the past and it really bothered me. I couldn't even have an enjoyable weekend off from work! I don't know what has happened since, but I've become more accepting of it. Also, it might be because the switch doesn't officially take place for another two in a half weeks. But still, I was disheartened to know I'd be having to leave a crew I really enjoy working with in exchange for working on a crew that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm hoping that things end up a little better the second time around, but I'm not getting my hopes up. If I have to, I will confront him because this time around, I am not going to take his behavior as well as I have the last time around. I got to stand up for myself a little better and not be so intimidated about this guy so much. If I do that, it may help out my reputation he has of me.
You see, they did this exact same thing three years ago, and it proved to be a major failure. My dad has worked at the mine for 37 years and only once had they switched the crews around - that one time was three years ago. The reason why it didn't work the previous time is because of the tremendous amount of turn-over that takes place within the department. People leave and transfer to new areas of the operation, most likely resulting in a better paying position. Back three years ago, they wanted to break up this one crew because there was some in-fighting taking place on that crew and it was loaded with guys that had a lot of seniority. In comparison, another crew had individuals comprised of new people. So the balance was way off - so they decided to do a major shake-up and switch the crews around. This ticked a lot of people off and it took awhile for many of the hourly people to trust management again. There was even more turn-over then and some of the older employees retired that could. And surprisingly, three years later, they wanted to try it again.
I was prepared to be moved to a different crew, as there was a 25 percent chance I'd stay on my same crew. But as the days progressed, the story from management about the switch changed. Initially, there was going to be a minor shake-up, but nothing like three years ago. Then that was reversed and it was going to be exactly like three years ago. It changed again; this time management saying eight to nine people would be moved around. In our monthly safety meeting, management told me that I would likely be moving. So that really prepared me for the move. However, that eight-to-nine people estimate would end up being shrinked even further. Now only three-to-four people were moving, and I was still one of them. You see, in my situation, I am an assistant plant operator. I get to help operate the concentrator from a control room in special situations or when one of the full-time operators is not there. I did this before prior to last April when I got moved to a different crew because of a special circumstance. I was the senior APO on that crew at that time. But upon being moved to this new crew last April, there was already an APO on that crew who had more seniority than me; meaning I became a junior APO. With this latest switch, I will again be taking on the role as a senior APO but it comes with a major hitch. I will be having to deal with an individual that does not like working with me.
I was on the exact same crew as this individual before being moved last April, so I know who I'm dealing with. He's the control room operator, the one I will be filling in for when he's gone or when he needs additional help in the panel when there's a lot going on. He and my dad haven't gotten along for the past five years - something involving a very trivial incident that involved the two of them before at work. So for some reason, he has taken the existing feud with my dad out on me. He has treated me differently than most of the others on that crew. A lot of times I feel like I am getting the silent treatment. He could be joking around with everyone else on the crew, but when I enter the room, he turns stone-faced. I really don't know what to make of it - he's not really very easy to talk to. He's tall and talks in a very, gravely tone. He's been a smoker for years, so you can understand why he talks the way he does. He used to be very involved in the union but quit a few years back because of "health reasons." When he was in the union, he was gone quite a bit. I kind of wish he was still involved with the union because then I wouldn't have to deal with him that often!
Needless to say, I was a bit upset to learn I'd be transferring back to my old crew after a little less than a year to work with an individual I have a hard time dealing with. On my last weekend off, I thought all about working with him in the past and it really bothered me. I couldn't even have an enjoyable weekend off from work! I don't know what has happened since, but I've become more accepting of it. Also, it might be because the switch doesn't officially take place for another two in a half weeks. But still, I was disheartened to know I'd be having to leave a crew I really enjoy working with in exchange for working on a crew that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm hoping that things end up a little better the second time around, but I'm not getting my hopes up. If I have to, I will confront him because this time around, I am not going to take his behavior as well as I have the last time around. I got to stand up for myself a little better and not be so intimidated about this guy so much. If I do that, it may help out my reputation he has of me.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Things to Consider Before Moving to the U.P.
From someone who has lived in the Upper Peninsula all of his life, I thought I would share some perspective on how it's like living in the northern part of Michigan. And for anyone interested in traveling or possibly moving here - maybe this retrospective blog can be helpful for you. I visit a variety of websites promoting Michigan or the Upper Peninsula, and it's quite often I see people looking into the possibilities of moving to the U.P. For one thing, and it's probably the most important aspect when considering a move to the Upper Peninsula, you've got to enjoy snow and cold. The further north you go in the U.P., the more snow you'll find. Cities along the Lake Superior shore like Munising, Marquette, Houghton, Ontonagon, Negaunee, and Calumet (just to name a few) often experience a lot of snow, thanks to the influence of Lake Superior. We do get an old fashioned snow storm from time to time, but the fair share of snow for the northern counties of the U.P. comes from Lake Superior. During some of our worst winters on record, we have approached and even surpassed the 300 inch snow mark for a season. Now that's a lot of snow, especially for someone not used to being inundated with all that snow! As for the cold, yes, it does get cold here, too. Probably not as cold as Northern Minnesota because we are insulated somewhat by the Great Lakes. Still, don't be surprised to see temperatures struggling to get above zero during the day during some of the worst cold snaps of the winter. So in summation, if you're thinking about a move to the Upper Peninsula, seriously consider whether or not you can handle a typical U.P. winter. By February 1st, you may be so stir crazy that you might head south in a hurry.
So, we got the main climate challenge out of the way (oh yeah, don't be surprised to see six months of snow on the ground before it melts - forgot that one). Now it's onto the next challenge that may inhibit an individual from moving to the Upper Peninsula. You need a source of income. Good jobs here are hard to come by. Unless you work in the medical or educational field, finding a good source of income in the U.P. can be pretty difficult. Nowadays, high tech jobs are becoming more frequent, but even then, you have to do some extensive searching. There's a hospital in just about every large U.P. town, and that's not including the clinics and small doctors offices. So if you're a nurse, a doctor, or anyone else affiliated with the medical field, you shouldn't have any problem finding work here. There are three major universities located in the Upper Peninsula, as well as smaller universities and community colleges. These institutions always seem to be looking for professors and other support staff. The public school systems in the Upper Peninsula are hurting right now because of the struggles of our state. Instead of pumping more money to fund our public schools, the state is continually taking away. So public schools are cutting back, offering teachers early retirement and going so far as to cut support staff. So it is going to be more difficult finding work in the public school system because of Michigan's economic struggles. And the state has even cut funding to colleges and universities, so finding a job at those institutions probably isn't a sure-thing, either. The Upper Peninsula is also home to logging and mining industries - but those industries have also been hurt by the national economic struggles, so they are likely not hiring right now. In today's tough economic times, it's tough finding work. But, there could be a diamond in the rough if you look. If you're able to work from home via a computer or phone, then I'd say it'd be pretty easy to re-locate here. However, I caution anyone who is considering leaving their current situation to fully assess your options and to look at the job market in the Upper Peninsula before committing 100 percent to a move. If you're retired, have a job lined up here, or can work from home, then by all means come on up. If you can't meet those conditions, then re-consider your options.
I really don't mean to be dream buster because I am a huge promoter of the U.P. and everything we have to offer here. It's just that we can't offer everything to everybody. You have to make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you commit a move to the Upper Peninsula. The general population of the U.P. is 300,000 people and we're spread far and wide across this expansive stretch of land. The largest city in the U.P. is Marquette and its population is around 20,000. Certainly no Chicago or Detroit by any means. So, an additional challenge to consider is the U.P.'s isolation. We are quite far away from any major population centers (even Green Bay, WI is considered small with a population of 100,000). Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis are over six to eight hours away by vehicle. However, let's not paint a wrong picture of the U.P. by saying we don't have modern conveniences. We have running water, modern sewer systems, electric, phone, and cell service (and yes, even high speed Internet!). We have paved highways, shopping malls, and big-box retailers. We have everything available that any other location in the country has. Just because we are isolated and there's more trees than people in the U.P., that doesn't mean we're backwards.
So if all of that doesn't scare you, then there shouldn't be anything holding you back! The U.P. really has a lot to offer as it provides a way to enjoy all four seasons. From snowmobiling, skiing, and ice skating in the winter, to the melt of snow and ice and the beginning of nature's re-birth in the spring. In the summer, there's a whole plethora of activities to enjoy, from hiking, biking, relaxing by a beach, picnicking, sightseeing, you name it. And then by fall, the region begins to prepare for a new winter season, but will first enjoy the spectacular fall color that the U.P. is known for. The summer is by far and away my favorite season here in the Upper Peninsula because there's just so much you can do and the weather is typically fantastic. I just love waking up in the mornings, listening to the frogs croak in the springtime, and the birds sing all summer long. During the evenings, the stars shine bright and the crickets chirp loudly. You're basically a short drive to a body of water, a forest, or a recreation area. And really, that's only the tip of the iceberg as far as what the U.P. offers. The Upper Peninsula is a magnificent place and I'm blessed to have the opportunity to live here. Yes, the winter's are long but you do have to make sacrifices in order to live here. And certainly in my opinion, they're well worth it.
So, we got the main climate challenge out of the way (oh yeah, don't be surprised to see six months of snow on the ground before it melts - forgot that one). Now it's onto the next challenge that may inhibit an individual from moving to the Upper Peninsula. You need a source of income. Good jobs here are hard to come by. Unless you work in the medical or educational field, finding a good source of income in the U.P. can be pretty difficult. Nowadays, high tech jobs are becoming more frequent, but even then, you have to do some extensive searching. There's a hospital in just about every large U.P. town, and that's not including the clinics and small doctors offices. So if you're a nurse, a doctor, or anyone else affiliated with the medical field, you shouldn't have any problem finding work here. There are three major universities located in the Upper Peninsula, as well as smaller universities and community colleges. These institutions always seem to be looking for professors and other support staff. The public school systems in the Upper Peninsula are hurting right now because of the struggles of our state. Instead of pumping more money to fund our public schools, the state is continually taking away. So public schools are cutting back, offering teachers early retirement and going so far as to cut support staff. So it is going to be more difficult finding work in the public school system because of Michigan's economic struggles. And the state has even cut funding to colleges and universities, so finding a job at those institutions probably isn't a sure-thing, either. The Upper Peninsula is also home to logging and mining industries - but those industries have also been hurt by the national economic struggles, so they are likely not hiring right now. In today's tough economic times, it's tough finding work. But, there could be a diamond in the rough if you look. If you're able to work from home via a computer or phone, then I'd say it'd be pretty easy to re-locate here. However, I caution anyone who is considering leaving their current situation to fully assess your options and to look at the job market in the Upper Peninsula before committing 100 percent to a move. If you're retired, have a job lined up here, or can work from home, then by all means come on up. If you can't meet those conditions, then re-consider your options.
I really don't mean to be dream buster because I am a huge promoter of the U.P. and everything we have to offer here. It's just that we can't offer everything to everybody. You have to make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you commit a move to the Upper Peninsula. The general population of the U.P. is 300,000 people and we're spread far and wide across this expansive stretch of land. The largest city in the U.P. is Marquette and its population is around 20,000. Certainly no Chicago or Detroit by any means. So, an additional challenge to consider is the U.P.'s isolation. We are quite far away from any major population centers (even Green Bay, WI is considered small with a population of 100,000). Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis are over six to eight hours away by vehicle. However, let's not paint a wrong picture of the U.P. by saying we don't have modern conveniences. We have running water, modern sewer systems, electric, phone, and cell service (and yes, even high speed Internet!). We have paved highways, shopping malls, and big-box retailers. We have everything available that any other location in the country has. Just because we are isolated and there's more trees than people in the U.P., that doesn't mean we're backwards.
So if all of that doesn't scare you, then there shouldn't be anything holding you back! The U.P. really has a lot to offer as it provides a way to enjoy all four seasons. From snowmobiling, skiing, and ice skating in the winter, to the melt of snow and ice and the beginning of nature's re-birth in the spring. In the summer, there's a whole plethora of activities to enjoy, from hiking, biking, relaxing by a beach, picnicking, sightseeing, you name it. And then by fall, the region begins to prepare for a new winter season, but will first enjoy the spectacular fall color that the U.P. is known for. The summer is by far and away my favorite season here in the Upper Peninsula because there's just so much you can do and the weather is typically fantastic. I just love waking up in the mornings, listening to the frogs croak in the springtime, and the birds sing all summer long. During the evenings, the stars shine bright and the crickets chirp loudly. You're basically a short drive to a body of water, a forest, or a recreation area. And really, that's only the tip of the iceberg as far as what the U.P. offers. The Upper Peninsula is a magnificent place and I'm blessed to have the opportunity to live here. Yes, the winter's are long but you do have to make sacrifices in order to live here. And certainly in my opinion, they're well worth it.
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