Deadliest Catch - Phil's Stroke

I don't know if there's a reality show that has captivated me as much as "Deadliest Catch" has as of late. The entire drama surrounding Phil Harris' stroke while onboard the Cornelia Marie is an event unlike any other seen on television. I mean sure, sadly, it happens all of the time in real life. But it's very rare for a camera crew to capture an individual suffering from a stroke on television. If it were me in Phil's shoes, I don't know if I'd be comfortable having the cameras rolling while I was in such grave condition. But he allowed the cameras to keep filming - it's what he wanted. Even while he was at the hospital, the camera crews were still there. Even though he couldn't speak at the time, he wrote down on a piece of paper that he wanted his story to play out on TV, no matter what might end up happening to him. And sadly, he would succumb to the stroke. But he believed that his story needed to have a beginning, middle, and an end. And in the week's to come, we'll all get to witness Phil Harris' story come to a closure.

Not only do we have the emotional story involving Phil and the rest of the fleet's reaction to his condition, but there's also Jake Anderson's story while onboard the Northwestern. While out in the Bering Sea fishing, Jake learns that his father is still missing, yet his family and the related search parties have found his truck. Still, there's no sign of his father (and as of today, Jake's father still hasn't been found). It's just another blow to Jake's family life. For those who may have watched the show last year, his youngest sister passed away while he was out at sea. You just have to feel for the guy because he's having to deal with such terrible incidents being thousands of miles away from home. So far, he's dealt with the circumstances quite well considering.

While watching the show, you absolutely have to enjoy the camaraderie shown between all of the captains and the crew. Each boat is very competitive with one another in the fleet - they're all out to capture the most crab in a season. Yet, when something negative happens, whether it's a skipper dealing with a serious medical condition or a man going overboard, they all huddle together and are as supportive as can be. You know, there aren't many that are able to handle the immense pressure that exists with that particular job. It's one of the most dangerous professions in the world. So it's easy to see why they are all like family out there. When a ship is in distress, each boat is praying for a successful outcome. And when there's a call for a man overboard, if there is a vessel close enough, they're searching like mad to find that individual - because they don't last very long in the cold Bering Sea.

Next week we'll find out about Phil's progress in the hospital as he gets treatment for the stroke he suffered. For those unaware of the events surrounding Phil's stroke, he made incredible progress while in the hospital before losing the battle. Ultimately it was a blood clot that ended up killing him. It's likely we'll see his progress and more interaction between his two sons. I'm not sure if it'll be next week's episode or the following episode where he passes away. Whenever it happens, I know it'll be a very emotional event. Captain Phil was a favorite captain of many who watched the show, including me. And even though he's been gone since March, watching him during these episodes certainly made it seem like he was still with us. In the next few episodes, the reality on TV will truly hit home for us all.

Summer & the Fourth of July

We are quickly approaching the Fourth of July holiday and for me, once we get to that point of the summer, the rest of the season goes by so fast. That's not to say this summer hasn't already gone by quick, because it has. But that's pretty much how it's always been. The greatest season of them all in the Upper Peninsula (for me at least) always goes by way too fast. That just gives me all the more reason to enjoy it while I can. Because by the time October and November roll around, it won't be long until the snow starts flying. Even more unbelievable to me is that 2010 is nearly half over. The first year of the new decade is about half-way through the books! Honestly, where does the time go?

I am rather disappointed I wasn't able to snag the Fourth of July holiday off from work this year. Last year I happened to have that weekend off and my sister from Wisconsin also came up - so we were able to enjoy the holiday together as a family. It didn't work out as well this year, but I still do plan on enjoying the holiday as much as I can. Growing up, it was always my favorite holiday of the warm season. We'd always go to this small town parade in one of the nearby communities and although the parade was small, at least the floats made up for its shortness by going around the parade route twice! We always picked up a ton of candy from the event. I think there were only a couple of other times where we went to a different community with a larger Fourth of July celebration - otherwise we always went to this small town. We knew plenty of people there and it really was the epitome of a small town - everybody knew everyone!

But probably my most favorite part about the holiday overall is the fireworks. The last five years, I've been able to enjoy the fireworks display that the city of Marquette lights off. I think there was only one year where the fireworks disappointed me - and that was the year they didn't receive near as many donations as in previous years, and it really showed. Lately though, the fireworks displays in the city of Marquette have been spectacular. I'm not sure if I'll venture into the city this year as the Fourth of July lands on a day where I have to work a 12-hour shift, so I guess it'll depend on how I feel that evening as to whether or not I'll make the short drive into town to watch the fireworks. Then once it's over, I'll have to go right to bed for work the next morning. We'll see; it's not that far off now.

So whether you have the holiday weekend off or are one of the unfortunate people to be working, at least try and set aside some time to spend it with family and friends. It's never a good idea to be alone on an important holiday like the Fourth of July. Of course it's not like Christmas or Easter, which are important religious holidays. Yet, it's the day we celebrate our country's birthday, and it shouldn't be forgotten. July 4, 1776 was the day we declared our freedom from England and we're still going strong as a country. Sure, we've had our fair share of bumps in the road, but I don't see us going away as a country for a very, very long time. God bless America indeed.

The U.P. Growing Season

In this week's U.P. Mondays topic, I will discuss the opportunities for people to grow their own food during the Upper Peninsula's short growing season. So I am sure for those familiar with the U.P. understand that the winter's last quite long. It's not uncommon for the snow to stay well into April and even into early May in some cases. But with the increasing daylight and the strengthening rays of sun, the snow eventually will melt away. Before long, people begin to think of the growing seasons and preparing their gardens to plant. In general, people with gardens do have decent success in the U.P. You have to know when to plant, however, otherwise if you plant too late, then it's difficult to harvest anything in the fall as frost and freezes do have a tendency to sneak up on you if you're not prepared.

Over the years I've helped my mom grow a garden in her backyard and some years have produced better than others. Lately, the garden spot where we plant hasn't done very well, which I think is largely because it's been used for so many years that it needs more nutrients. This year we decided largely on just planting mostly tomatoes and a few other selected vegetables and flowers; those that have done well for us over the years. But this year with our crazy spring/summer weather, the garden has so far looked rather meek. Hopefully with the dry weather this week and warming temperatures, the garden will begin to perk up. It's just been so wet lately that the garden hasn't been given much of a chance to grow. I do, however, believe that will change after this week.

Farmers markets are becoming a more popular event here in the Upper Peninsula. In fact, I think a farmer's market is held each week at the Commons in Downtown Marquette. And as the season progresses, more and more people join in the event to sell their produce. Right now, the strawberry season is in its peak and you'll see a lot of strawberry stands begin to sprout up around the area (and that's not including the variety of strawberry farms located throughout the Upper Peninsula that allow you to pick berries at their particular locations). If you are looking for a farmer's market to sell produce, search some of the area media websites or ask around (especially if you're in one of the U.P's bigger towns). You should be able to find what you're looking for.

And if you are a U.P. farmer, then you are likely getting ready to start cutting hay. Typically just before the Fourth of July, farmers begin to start cutting hay for the animals at their farms. And you are beginning to see that happening across the U.P. So, despite the climate challenges that exist in the U.P. in regards to a growing season - people do make the most of the summer months up here and plant a variety of crops. Personally, we've never had much success in growing corn, but I know of others who have. It just all depends on the type of vegetables or flowers you intend on growing. It helps to check with local agricultural organizations like 4-H clubs or county agricultural offices to find out exactly what does well. If you plant in late May, be prepared to deal with frost from time to time because it still can get quite cool at night during the early growing season - and the same can be true about the early fall. Just be sure to cover your tender vegetation well and you'll be fine. It doesn't involve too much work when planting a garden up here. You basically just have to work around the snowy and cold season in order to have success.

Songs I Dig - 17

Well folks, here we are. It's been a long time, but I am proud to announce that the occasional-specific topic music blog "The Songs I Dig" is back. It's the first time it has appeared in 2010 and you'll be seeing more and more of it in the remaining months of the year. Before we get into this edition's songs, I will say that 2010 has been rather quiet as far as new interesting music has gone. However, it's really taken off lately. And for me, what made it that way was taking a trip to Wisconsin a week ago. It's amazing the difference in music on the stations they play there than in the Upper Peninsula. That's why you are going to see some interesting picks on this edition than ever before. And without further ado, here are the songs I dig!

David Guetta & Chris Willis, feat. Fergie & LMFAO - "Gettin' Over You" : I had heard the name David Guetta before but I never saw him in interviews or heard any of his music prior to the last weekend (in fact, I think I heard his name in the same circles as David Archuleta only because their names got mixed together somehow). Well it turns out he's a house producer and DJ; no, not a singer. However, he creates some pretty sick tracks and is able to recruit quite a few popular singers to perform to his tracks. And I've got to say, "Gettin' Over You" is probably one of the coolest sounding songs I've heard in quite awhile. I could easily hear this song being played in clubs and people going nuts over it. And it doesn't hurt to have Fergie sing a few of the lyrics, either.

The Script - "Breakeven" : I am happy to say that this group is making a return to the SID blog. It seems that lately, many of the groups that come from across the pond have one-hit wonders and then disappear (James Blunt and Duffy come to mind - although I am sure some people disagree there). However, I can't say that of the Script, who have continued to release songs in the United States from their successful self-titled album, initially released in 2008. "Breakeven" follows "The Man Who Can't be Moved," which has a similar sound, yet "Breakeven" might have a bit slower tempo to it. Whatever the case, "Breakeven" has proven to be a big hit in the United States; already certified as platinum and topped the Billboard Top 40 Hot Adult Chart earlier this year.

Lady GaGa - "Alejandro" : It was either going to be Lady GaGa or Ke$ha featured in this edition of the Songs I Dig and I decided on Lady GaGa (Ke$ha will be featured soon, I promise!). What more is there to say about Lady GaGa that hasn't already been published. She's an interesting character to say the least (what other female out there would wear only panties and a bra to a Yankees game?) and her music is pretty epic as well (by the way, even though I never published it officially, "Poker Face" was my pick for song of the year in 2009). When I first heard "Alejandro," I wasn't sure if it was the right song for her. It's hard to describe my initial reaction to it - it's a Mexican themed song and kind of out in left field, but yet it DOES fit her because it doesn't quite match her persona. Get it? I think I'm confusing myself! Basically what I'm saying is that I enjoy listening to "Alejandro" because it's got a nice beat to it and just like David Guetta's song already featured in this blog, it's a song I can see being danced to at clubs. Lady GaGa definitely has another hit on her hands with this one.

And that wraps up this edition of the Songs I Dig - the first in 2010! I can assure you that there'll be a lot more as I have a TON of songs to feature (some even from earlier this year - can you believe the year is almost half-over!!). Thank you for reading and please be sure to check back again soon for another edition of the Songs I Dig.

Little People Big World

I know I mentioned before in a previous blog that "Little People, Big World," a show on TLC, was one of my favorite reality-based programs that I watched. However in the past year, I can't say that anymore. It's probably the first time that I didn't watch a single episode of the latest season and I really had to interest in doing so. Something about the show changed in my views between the season in 2009 and this year. In fact, I believe the entire focus of the show has changed since it originally premiered several years back.

Originally, the show focused on Matt and Amy and their struggles with being little people. One of their children, Zak, is also a little person. That really became the sole focus of the show and it spotlighted their adventures in being little people. If you've ever watched the show, you know that Matt cannot walk around without the help of crutches. And if he has to walk long distances, he rides around on a little scooter. Amy doesn't have any walking disabilities but she still faces her obstacles in being so small as does her son Zak. However, they've been able to make the most of their lifestyles and have lived their lives to the fullest, despite the challenges that exist in being dwarfs.

Lately in the most recent episodes, the spotlight on the family has in a more luxurious light. It seems they are always on some sort of vacation. During the last season, it appeared that the majority of the episodes focused on their trip to Europe. They traveled all over Europe from Rome, Italy, Spain, the UK, and several other spots in between. In the earlier seasons, the only sightseeing they did was when they made cross country trips across the U.S. I always found it interesting to see the family dynamic get tested during those road trips across the U.S. - I mean, doesn't that happen with any family during road trips? Lately it seems the Roloffs can fly all over the world where ever they want. And hey, more power to them, but please don't make it a huge focus of the show. Heck, I'd take more episodes focusing on the trials and tribulations of pumpkin season than anything.

For awhile TLC was airing repeats of the previous seasons weekdays at 4 PM (eastern time), but they've even stopped doing that. Hopefully they start airing it at that time again because I'd like to get caught up on the show, even though I'm not happy with its new direction. Even though I wasn't a follower of the past season, I'm still a fan of the show overall. I just wish they'd keep focusing on their lives as little people and less about the amazing trips they've been able to go on and how mansion-esque their home has become. Keep making episodes about the Little People of America conferences, the Little People Games, pumpkin season, more about the twins' college experiences, etc. Hopefully they'll be able to return the focus of the show to where it once was.

The First Year in My Home

Next week marks the one year anniversary of the closing on my home - and what a year its been, mostly positive. So far I've worked on a few smaller projects inside the house, mainly painting and minor cosmetic stuff. However, I will be tackling my biggest project so far when I'll be building a deck off the back of the house next week. It'll be ten by 16 feet which should be just right in my view. The entryway from the house is off the back of the garage and the deck will be on the north side of the house, so it won't get the full effects of the sun. All in all, it should be an interesting process in building a deck as I've never done so before. Thankfully my dad will be along to help so I won't totally be going into the process blind.

I have so many other projects at the top of my list that it gets to be a bit overwhelming trying to decide which ones to do next. This spring, I began to re-install the rain gutters that were removed by the previous owners (still never figured out why they took them down), but I am missing some parts. So I need to go to one of the hardware stores and pick up some rain gutter parts. There's lots of landscaping work I'd like to have done, but that is going to be an ongoing process. I'm sure I mentioned it before, but the property where I live is pretty much sandy soil. It looks like the previous owners have tried improving the lawn through the years by putting down topsoil, but it's not a very thick layer. I would like to buy a truckload of topsoil and re-plant the lawn. But pretty much the entire lawn needs to be done so as I mentioned, it will take time.

I have encountered a few troubles here and there since I moved into this house nearly a year ago, but they've mainly only been minor issues. The windows in this house were described as being "new," but I think they are cheap windows. During the winter, I had one window blow out, meaning the outer window pane shattered for no particular reason. There's a screen on the outside and it wasn't cut, so nobody attempted to break-in and no birds crashed into the window. I just think the window had a bad seal and with the cold air that particular day, it shattered. I've been trying to track down who made the windows but have not been able to find any kind of serial number to track down that information. One of the windows in the living room also fogs up quite frequently which means the gas inside the two window panes has escaped. So that one also needs to be fixed. Ah, the issues in buying a home I tell ya.

The appliances have also been a bit of trouble - mainly the fridge and the washing machine. The washer was only a little over a year old when I moved in, but I began to have trouble with the machine stopping halfway through the washing cycle. Well, it turns out the timer failed and so I had to track down a part for that. It wasn't a cheap part either, $140 to get the washer working properly again. I am happy to say, though, I haven't had issues with it since. Let's hope it stays that way! And then there's the refrigerator. Every three to four months, the freezer gets too warm and all my frozen goods start getting soggy. So I've been having to manually thaw out the freezer with a hair dryer to get rid of the ice build up and then it works fine again. It sounds like the fridge has a couple of issues, one a temperature sensor and the other I'm not sure about. But my uncle who's very good at fixing electronics and such, is supposed to come over one day and fix the fridge so that I don't have to keep thawing it out every three to four months. I'll be glad when it's fixed once and for all!

So needless to say, home ownership isn't totally easy, and I expected that coming in. But I have no regrets in buying this home - in fact, I think it all worked out exactly as planned. Even when I curiously look at homes currently on the market, I still haven't been able to find a place as good as the one that I have. And despite a few bumps in the road here and there, the first year living in my home has been overwhelmingly positive. Here's to several great years to come!

Upper Peninsula Highways

This weekend I spent some time in Wisconsin visiting my sister. The journey to and from where she lives is always a long drive, no matter which route we take. I went with my parents, which is always nice to have company on such a journey. But driving the roads between Michigan and Wisconsin is like night and day. The state of Wisconsin is putting billions of dollars into their road infrastructure statewide, not just in the most congested areas of the state like Milwaukee or Madison. Compare that to the U.P., where the roads have been status quo for years, except for the typical maintenance like crack sealing and roadway resurfacing. The Upper Peninsula is in need of an east-west four-lane divided highway, as well as a north-south divided highway to service the western and central portions of the peninsula. I-75 serves the eastern U.P. from the Mackinac Bridge to the Sault, but that's it. For the remainder of the Upper Peninsula, traveling to and from destinations is done by two-lane highways.

And I know there'll be people coming onto this blog completely denouncing the idea of additional lanes on U.P. highways, saying that traffic counts do not back up the idea of more divided highways in the Upper Peninsula. Drive on M-35 from Menominee to Escanaba and you'll see that traffic is starting to increase on that stretch of roadway. Or how about US-2 from St. Ignace to Escanaba or M-28 between Harvey and Munising? They are all roadways in need of expansion with increasing amounts of traffic. More and more people are driving these days and some are traveling more miles than ever just to get to work. You also have to include the increasing amount of truck traffic on highways. With railways becoming more and more extinct by the decade here in the U.P., how else are goods delivered here? The traffic is only going to get worse before it gets better.

Several years back, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) had the opportunity to bypass a few cities in the southern Upper Peninsula that were experiencing increasing traffic problems. Instead of developing plans to create bypasses of those two cities, MDOT nixed those plans and instead tried developing plans to improve the stretches of highways entering and exiting those cities. Four lanes of traffic became five and the roadways have received surface improvements. But yet, the traffic is still heavy and it's only predicted to get worse in the coming years. I realize that when communities get bypassed by new highways, it leads to decreased traffic within that city. Communities like Peshtigo and Oconto in Northern Wisconsin are facing that same dilemma these days when US-41 traffic was bypassed around their cities. However, when your community is the only major commercial and retail center for miles, I don't believe that problem will exist so much here in the Upper Peninsula. I know it's a very touchy subject for some, but I don't believe it would hurt communities in the U.P. like it would in other areas of the country.

For roadways to become reconstructed and expanded, it's going to take money. Unfortunately, the state of Michigan can barely fund essential services these days - let alone building new highways in the Upper Peninsula. It's why these dreams of east to west or north to south divided highways in the U.P. are a long way off. Believe me, the roadway infrastructure in the U.P. needs to be expanded. I know because I've seen it for my very eyes. Even U.P. representatives to the Michigan State Senate and House have bemoaned the fact that it takes so long to drive down to Lansing because the U.P. highways are so small and are only 55 MPH. So it's not like no one has complained about the issue. But right now, it all comes down to money. And in a state where they are actually talking about decreasing the amount of road projects that are completed in a year rather than increasing, I'd say those dreams of more U.P. highway work are a long, long ways off.

Deadliest Catch

With American Idol out of the way, I've finally been able to start watching one of my other favorite reality shows on television. It's the Deadliest Catch on Discovery, and who knew a show about crab fishing could be so intriguing? I didn't start watching the show until a couple of years ago but then I just so happened to turn to Discovery and watched an episode. Then I watched another and another and soon I was hooked. I think it was during a Deadliest Catch marathon and what a great way to get caught up on the show. Crab fishing is one of the deadliest jobs in the world, if not THE deadliest. And I can understand why when they deal with some unbelievable conditions. They certainly deserve the money they get when cashing in their crab deliveries.

My favorite crab boat out of the five featured on the show is the Cornelia Marie. Part of the crew is comprised of three family members, one of whom is Phil Harris, the captain of the boat. His two sons, Jake and Josh, are deckhands on the boat. They, along with a few others make for an intriguing group trying to capture as much crab as they can. Sadly, Phil Harris died earlier in the year after complications from a stroke. He initially suffered the stroke while off-loading crab at Dutch Harbor. He was medevaced to an Anchorage hospital where he was treated. Initially it appeared he would survive the stroke. But about a week later, he succumbed to the disease and died. He left behind an incredible legacy and his loss was felt across the Alaskan crab industry.

Last night's episode began to feature the initial stages of what leads up to Phil's stroke. Phil was incredible back pain and went down into the living quarters of the boat to retrieve some pain medication. Upon arriving to his sleeping quarters, he found his son, Jake, stealing his pills. That lead Phil to become unglued, calling Jake a thief and a liar, and disowning him in the process. He told Jake that once the boat arrives in the harbor, he doesn't want him to step back onto the boat ever again. Soon afterwords, Jake confesses to be an addict, and you could see the pain and shock on Phil's face at the revelation. And that's when the episode ended.

Next week's episode and those to follow before the season finale will prove to be pretty emotional. Phil's stroke will be documented on the show and I'm sure there'll be plenty of tears shed between those participating on the show and for viewers at home. Phil had a dynamic personality and wasn't afraid to speak his mind. However, he did have a soft spot inside of him and you could definitely tell his sons were a big part of his life. How special for him that he was able to spend a huge amount of time with them while crab fishing. And they were with him when he ultimately suffered the stroke and eventually died. I know it must've been very difficult for them to see him in that condition. However, I'm sure they are proud of the legacy Phil leaves behind and I bet they're pretty motivated to continue that legacy in his honor. I know I'm going to be glued to the TV set the next several Tuesdays at 9:00 PM.

Soccer is Boring

I don't know about anyone else out there in the United States, but for me, I find soccer quite boring. Wait, boring isn't quite right. How about mind-numbing, coma-inducing, and worse than watching paint dry. Okay, maybe it's not that bad. But still, I haven't watched a single ounce of the World Cup being held in South Africa yet. Maybe when the United States is playing, then I'll watch it. But for me and most Americans, I just cannot get into soccer. Meanwhile, the rest of the world continues to go ga-ga over it.

I remember when we played soccer in high school during P.E. and I was bored with it then. I just couldn't get myself to run up to the black and white ball and try kicking it around. Usually when I was trying to steal away the ball from the defender, they'd end up blowing by me. It's not that I was slow; I just didn't care. it seemed like I was always on the other side of the field of the ball - I acted more like a defender than an offensive player. Needless to say, I never caught on to the game of soccer early on in my life and that continues to this day.

That isn't to say the game of soccer isn't growing in the United States. It seems that in the more larger cities in the country, soccer leagues continue to sprout up. Yet, the majority of Americans still have no interest in the sport. Many largely place the blame on the fact that the game wasn't invented in our country (or nearby countries). Hey, if it ain't American, then forget about it, right?! I don't know if that's entirely true. I think the game itself is to blame. The matches seemingly go on for hours with very little scoring taking place. I dunno, that's just my opinion. If you love the game and are completely infatuated with the World Cup, then more power to ya. But unfortunately, I probably won't be watching unless the U.S. is playing. And let's hope the United States can actually go far this year. If the Americans have a good amount of success in the 2010 World Cup, then there's a potential for the game to grow that much more here. But even then, it's a toss up.

Growing Urban Sprawl

Just as with any location in the United States these days, the Upper Peninsula isn't immune to the problem of urban sprawl. Obviously it's not a problem for the entire peninsula - and it may only be an issue for one city in particular. But yes, urban sprawl does exist even in the U.P. The one location I am talking about is the city of Marquette and Marquette Township. I am sure that most people know that Marquette is the biggest city in the Upper Peninsula with a population of around 20,000 people. Yes, it's still not a very large city by most people's standards, but it is such in the U.P. Within the last two decades, more and more big box retailers have been opening their doors within the Marquette area. The city itself doesn't really have any buildable land along and near the highway anymore, so most of these large stores are building out in the township. And they are continuing to build westward further out into the township. It's an issue that many people saw coming but maybe not as fast as its started.

Within the past few decades, we've had companies like Wal-Mart, Target, Menards, and Lowe's build stores in Marquette Township. Those stores take up a lot of real estate within the township. Tractor Supply Company erected a store in nearby Negaunee Township which is just a few short miles from Marquette Township. Now, Best Buy is currently in the process of building a store along the highway - it being the furthest store west on the corridor. And I'm sure more stores will spring up eventually along the way. It's great to see companies still investing in our area even in today's tough economic times. And these stores are bringing with them jobs that are sorely needed. Do they pay great? No, but at least it's something. However, with urban sprawl comes other issues.

For one, traffic has increased quite substantially along the US-41/M-28 corridor. During peak traffic periods, the highway can get pretty jam packed and it can be quite difficult to cross the highway and get to where you need to go. Along the north side of the highway, there are enough access routes away from the highway so that you don't have to keep going on and off the busy corridor. However, the south side of the highway, where Wal-Mart and Menards are, there aren't any access routes between stores, so you need to go on and get off the highway in order to access these stores. That stop and go traffic can get to be quite hazardous. Then you consider the 50 MPH speed limit through the highway and the Michigan Lefts to boot, you really have to be paying attention to what the other people are doing. But that's not to say the 41 corridor is an accident magnet. It's actually been a pretty safe stretch thus far despite the increase in traffic.

Another side effect to the urban sprawl is the increasing presence of commercial properties being developed within former residential areas along the highway. First off, it's not like highway was lined with subdivision after subdivision. But there have been a few homes here and there that are now suddenly surrounded by these mammoth buildings. More often than not the people that lived in these homes feel suffocated and move away. There have been plenty of complaints from people within Marquette Township who may live near the highway but live off a side road about these mega-stores moving in. They may live far enough away, yet they still feel the effects when these stores start building. In the case of Best Buy, they are digging out the side of a hill for their store along the highway and are needing to blast large amounts of rock. The property is actually a corner lot also being along a side road. Yes, there are homes along the side road who are now having to deal with these blasts going off at different times during the day along with the heavy amount of earthwork that's currently going on. And once the store is officially open, they'll need to deal with traffic near the intersection to the highway. It may be a good thing for the area that this store is opening, but it's got to be hard for those people living along that side road. Their lives are changing with the addition of this new store just down the road from them.

So as you can see, even in the city of Marquette and the township, they are dealing with big city problems. But yet again, these stores are bringing new jobs with them in addition to increasing the tax base within the township. So it's not all bad. With any big store that moves in, there are pros and cons. Hopefully everyone is able to maintain somewhat of a positive outlook on the urban sprawl that exists within the Marquette area.

Songs from the Year 2003

So last week on Music Thursdays, I presented to you a listing of my favorite songs from the year 2002, as well as other songs that were hits in that particular year. This week, I will recap the songs that made it big in 2003. That year saw a variety of artists make it big on the charts, from rap artists to country to pop. By the way, the majority of the songs being recapped by me during these years fall into the pop or the adult contemporary charts. There may be a few country or R&B crossovers, but they are pretty limited. So here's looking back to 2003 in music.

2003 was the year for Outkast and it's popular anthem "Hey Ya!". The song is super catchy and can easily get you up on your feet. I remember hearing it quite frequently on the radio during its peak. Now I hear it very rarely and truthfully, songs that have a tendency to be overplayed tend to fall off in regards to popularity. And I think the same can be said for "Hey Ya!" I compare it to the song "Who Let the Dog's Out" by Baha Men. It was their one true hit and we haven't heard much from them since. The same can be said for Outkast, who had a few other hits from that particular album, but have fallen off the charts since. But that's the way the music industry tends to go.

3 Doors Down released a new album in 2003 after having a big success with their previous album. On their '03 album "Another 700 Miles" came the hit "Be Without You." It's a song that was ranked as the number three song of the year. 3 Doors Down is definitely a modern-day rock band and it mixes between ballads and upbeat songs, but they definitely give their songs that rock feel. "Be Without You" is definitely one of the most memorable songs to come from that group. Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson began making a name for herself after winning the American Idol crown in 2002. She released the first song from her debut album called "Miss Independent." It proved to be a big hit for Kelly, as it ranked as the fifth biggest song for the year. She was beginning to prove herself to the critics that she truly was the real deal.

Matchbox Twenty had a very popular song in 2003 with "Unwell." It ended up being ranked as the 12th most popular song of the year. And although the groups' songs from the album that "Unwell" came from didn't garner as much critical acclaim as previous songs did, you still heard them on the radio quite often. In addition, Avril Lavigne continued the success she achieved during the previous year when she went on to release the ballad "I'm With You" which ranked as the 15th most popular song of the year. And she didn't stop there, either.

As for other songs which I enjoyed during 2003, they include: "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5, "Your Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer, "Picture" by Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow, "Are You Happy Now" by Michelle Branch, "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" by Jason Mraz, "Clocks" by Coldplay, "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne, "All the Things She Said" by T.A.T.U., "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield, "Headstrong" by Trapt, "Breathe" by Michelle Branch, "Calling All Angels" by Train, and "Bigger Than My Body" by John Mayer, among others. I am sure there are a few songs I missed, but these were ranked within the top 100 songs of 2003. Be sure to check back next week when I may (or may not) review the top songs of 2004.

America's Got Talent

According to overnight ratings since the new season started, America's Got Talent continues to be ranked as the summer's most watched program. I used to be an avid follower of the show. But this year, I am just not that enthusiastic about the program. The show has some serious flaws, yet people keep watching! The ratings seem to be as consistent as they were last year. I compare it to Britain's Got Talent over in the UK, which is a fantastic show. It's a well produced show and the talent really is there. Just look at world sensation Susan Boyle. Yet America's Got Talent just doesn't compare favorably to it. I just can't get into watching a full episode yet this season.

Last season was a down year for the show talent-wise, in my opinion. I thought winner Kevin Skinner was undeserving of the award, however, he was pimped so incredibly hard by the producers that he was an easy pick to win. The judges kept praising his off-key singing. It's not really much of a surprise to see he is not doing any large shows since winning the competition last season. He doesn't even have a professional-looking website. I have not heard any press regarding the Vegas shows that he did and really have not been able to find any information regarding those shows. Did his run end early? Were they canceled by AGT producers because of this underwhelming winner? If I were the producers, I'd be looking long and hard at who I'd be pimping this season. They really need to find a dynamic act that can sustain an audience. Yes, Kevin Skinner had a great back story. That's what America's Got Talent does best; showcases all of the great back stories of each contestants they find most compelling. But in my view, it's not always about the back stories either, and a lot of times they go overboard in bringing up back stories over and over again. Yes, it's great to hear those stories earlier in the season. But it gets old fast in the end.

In my view, the auditions go on for far too long. And I understand the show wants to display as much great/not so great talent that they can. But the auditions seem to go on and on. Why showcase the bad talent when there's plenty of good talent to show off? Why take a similar route like American Idol when they could be different? Condense the auditions and showcase the best of the best. Then let's see how they progress during the voting rounds. As we've seen in previous seasons, some acts may have great auditions but then totally tank once the voting rounds starts. It's all part of these kind of shows.

I may watch bits and piece of the audition rounds, but I doubt I'll be watching entire episodes. There's plenty of websites out there who do recaps of the show anyways. I'll probably start watching the show more regularly once the voting rounds begin. But if the judges and producers start pimping another "talent" like Kevin Skinner again, that may be my last straw with the show. As I said, it's not always about the back story. You actually need to have a talent to do well on this show.

Summer Cold

This past cold and flu season was a pretty good one for me. Good in that I did not get sick all that much. I did get a bad case of the stomach flu for a few days which was no fun. And I think I got a couple of minor colds - really no big deal. So I am left to wonder why I picked up the worst cold of the year during the summer months?! So far, this is the worst cold I've had since December 2008 - but I am thankful in that I haven't yet developed a serious cough. And I am beginning to feel better so I am hoping that the worst is over, right?

It seems I average about one cold during each summer, and usually it's this time of the year. I think there are a couple of culprits why I picked this up. Number one, the weather. The temperature has been so up and down lately it's been crazy. 50's one day and then 70's or 80's the next. That certainly doesn't help. Another excuse is the increased amount of hours I've been working thanks to the forced overtime. Usually working days is the shift where I get the least amount of sleep. So combining that with the increased amount of working hours, the roller coaster temperatures outside, and a little bit of stress added in - it all makes sense.

I honestly can't think of a place where I picked up this cold, though. I don't recall anyone at work getting all that sick and I didn't do any sort of shopping other than Tuesday of last week. Still, I never thought I'd have to deal with a cold in June. But like I mentioned, it's happened to me before and it'll probably happen again, too. It's just one of those things you have to deal with. For me, it includes getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and let it takes it's course. Before I know it, I'll be back to normal. Now I hope I don't get anyone else infected with my germs!

Employment Opportunities in the Upper Peninsula

Frequent commenter to Luke's Ponderings, B., prompted me to discuss a very important subject when it comes to living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. So, to start off the very first U.P. Monday blog, I'll be discussing employment opportunities in the U.P. I believe I discussed it before briefly when talking to those individuals who may be interested in moving to the Upper Peninsula to enjoy nature at its best. Let's be honest right from the start - finding good paying jobs that your entire family can live off of is difficult, to say the least. However, it's not totally impossible. And I know that more people are moving to the U.P. who can work at home via the internet. So that definitely makes it nice in today's technological era.

The good paying jobs are found in the following areas: mining, logging, paper mills, criminal justice and heathcare. The Upper Peninsula's founding was based on the rich iron and copper deposits that existed in the region. Currently, no active copper mines are in operation in the U.P., but that could be changing very soon as new companies are exploring the possibility of mining copper again - all thanks to the rise in copper prices. As for the iron ore industry, it's not as vibrant as it once was, however, it still does well in western Marquette county where the two remaining iron mines in the Upper Peninsula crank out iron ore pellets for shipment to steel mills. There's no question the U.P. will always have mining. Even if it's diminished compared to the mining heydays. And who knows; there very well could be a new mining boom of sorts in the years to come.

The Upper Peninsula is also known for its large abundance of trees and forestland. So, it's easy to see why both logging and paper production is big here. However, in recent years, paper mills have started to struggle. A few have closed up here and more may be on the way. The paper industry is having to compete with foreign entities who are able to produce paper products at a cheaper cost. So, it's easy to see why the paper producing industry will face a variety of challenges in the near future. As for the logging industry, it remains quite strong. Every place on this earth needs wood in order to build things. And as long as the forests keep growing, the U.P. will continue to be a powerhouse in the logging industry.

As for the final two higher paying income sources, it's probably typical to every other location in the United States. Heathcare is big region-wide. With the baby-boomer generation reaching retirement age, the need for healthcare in our country increases even more. The healthcare industry will remain very strong as long as an individual majors in a specific field in the medical industry. The Upper Peninsula also has several state prisons located within it - some of them are maximum security prisons. And that doesn't even include the local jails located in each county. Just as with healthcare, there will always be the need for prisons and jails, unfortunately.

And as I mentioned before, if you're able to work from home via the internet and still make an honest earning, then you're doing great. Also, if a person has a specific craft, such as carpentry or painting, then you'll probably do pretty well up here. People always need remodeling done to their homes. Still, it's quite common to see both adults in a household working in order to support a family these days - and that's not only here in the U.P. but nation wide. That's just the way things are these days, unfortunately. With the constant rise in cost of living, it's easy to see why more people need to work.

So that's answers the employment question here in the Upper Peninsula. But it's definitely a multi-faceted topic that'll continue into another day. The U.P. is certainly not immune to the unemployment struggles that have hit our nation in recent years. People are being forced to cut back in these tough times, regardless of the kind of jobs they have. What's important these days is if a person has a job. That certainly makes all the difference.

Random Thoughts

Four blogs in four days ... I'd say I've started out the new era of Luke's Ponderings quite well, wouldn't you say? And I'm hoping that with more blog postings, more people will visit and read what I have to say! I've heard from a lot of bloggers out there who started small and wrote mainly about personal things in their lives. But then they branched out - discussing music, entertainment, celebrities, you name it. More people visited their blogs and they continued expanding by including video content and holding live chats. If I work hard enough, that's definitely something I'd like to achieve. And hey, if I get popular enough and can earn money from this blog, then maybe I can quit my job! Ah well, one can dream, right? But it's certainly happened to a few out there.

RUMMAGE SALE
Its already been a week since my sister and I hosted a garage sale at my house. We were a bit skeptical at how well the sale would go, but all in all, I'd say it was a success. We had plenty of items for people to buy and we stayed quite busy until 1:00 in the afternoon. From then until the sale closed at 3:00, it slowed right down. A few people came, but they mostly left without buying an item. The way I feel about it is that if people come to check out a rummage sale, the least they can do is buy something. Heck, we had many different things priced at 25 cents. Yet, I understand if they come looking for one item and we don't have it. Some people look for collectibles like antiques and dishware. I had a few items for sale that could be qualified as antiques and they sold. Obviously you always hope that everything sells at a rummage sale, but that's quite impossible. I'd say we sold about half of everything we had on sale - which is pretty decent. And it ended up being the most profitable rummage sale my sister has been a part of. So that says a lot.

MUCH NEEDED RAIN
Our spring and early summer weather has been pretty spectacular for the Upper Peninsula's standards. But one thing we've desperately needed that we haven't gotten a lot of is rainfall. For the year, we're close to five inches short of our average rainfall. The month of May was very dry - I don't think we picked up even a half-inch of rain for the entire month. Fire danger region-wide was very high but luckily, no major wildfires broke out. But ever since the month of June has started, we've finally picked up some much needed rain. In fact today, we finally saw our first all-day soaking rainfall of the season. All of the rain events that have occurred since the snow melted have been quick, showery-type of events. So this was nice to see and it'll help green up the grass that has already started to dry out.

MANDATORY OVERTIME
We've been forced overtime at work this past week and next week as part of a major clean-up initiative in the plant. I am not a big fan of overtime in general, so being forced to work two additional hours ontop of an eight-hour shift can be a bit of a struggle. But I guess I shouldn't complain too much because in today's economy, finding work is extremely difficult, especially here in the Upper Peninsula where good paying jobs are few and far between. That's why I wish they'd hire more workers where I am employed. They claim it costs them less to force us to work overtime than to hire more people. And that makes sense, especially when they have to give new employees benefits. We are getting some relief in the form of summer students joining the various departments at the mine. However, they are only around until the summer months. Hopefully at least we'll be able to keep the plant clean from here on out!

Songs from the Year 2002

In tonight's edition of Music Thursdays here at Luke's Ponderings, I'll be going back to the year 2002 in music. That year in particular was a great one for music, in my opinion. I was in the midst of my sophomore year of college, soon to be followed by my junior year that fall. That year also ended up being the final year I spent long periods of time at my high school. During the summer of '02, I held a custodial/maintenance job there for $5.75 an hour. I really enjoyed the experience, yet the pay was so ungodly poor. However, to this day, I am thankful for the opportunity they gave me. But that story is for another blog entry.

I searched for the Top 100 songs of 2002 and instantly, I came upon some great ones. At the very top of the list was a Vanessa Carlson song called "A Thousand Miles." This proved to be the breakout song for Vanessa as the song soared to the top of the charts and helped propel her album "Be Not Nobody" to go double platinum. It's a gentle song with a quick beat, powered along with the rhythm of a piano. Another song from that album released by Carlson was "Ordinary Day," which in my opinion, was the best from the album. I don't know quite exactly why I became so enamored with that particular tune - it just seemed to speak to me. I remember quickly learning the words to that song and to this day, I still do. The sound of the piano is so strong in this song and Vanessa's vocals are extremely powerful. The lyrics hold such a great message. 2002 proved to be a very big year for Vanessa in her music career, probably a feat she'll likely never be able to repeat.

2002 also saw the Counting Crows release a new album titled "Hard Candy." They smartly covered Joni Mitchell's song "Big Yellow Taxi" which proved to be a big hit for the group. And the woman who's already been mentioned in this blog, Vanessa Carlton, provided backing vocals for the Counting Crows rendition of the song. But it wasn't that song that became my favorite from the "Hard Candy" album (but don't get me wrong, they made a classic song sound contemporary with their remake). My favorite 2002 song from the Counting Crows was titled "American Girls." It's a radio-friendly tune that's catchy as heck and fun to sing along to. I remember staying at my grandmother's house while at college and listening to my CD player singing along to this song. It provided a much more upbeat sound to the band - I know I was more familiar with their earlier works such as songs like "Cold December," although they did provide some hit upbeat songs earlier on as well. However, back in 2002, it was fun to see the Counting Crows back on the radio charts. And during that decade, that wasn't the last we'd see of the group either (that in a future blog entry).

As for other tunes from the year 2002, it was also a breakout year for Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne. She's been mentioned in my "Songs I Dig" blog in the past and 2002 was the year we heard songs like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi". She definitely brought a new sound to the radio that year. Canadian rock group Our Lady Peace released an epic single titled "Somewhere Out There" that provided powerful lyrics and a wonderful message. It has remained their largest selling song to date. And a song that is probably known very little here in the United States became a favorite of mine in 2002. "Insatiable" is sung by Darren Hayes, formerly the lead singer of Savage Garden and is a love song in the truest fashion. It's passionate, emotional, and speaks of the true forms of intimacy. It's actually quite baffling to me why that particular song wasn't as big in the United States as it could've been. 2002 was also a big year for Pink, as "Get the Party Started", "Don't Let Me Get Me", "Just Like a Pill", and "Family Portrait" all charted. Other songs of note in '02 that were favorites of mine were "My Sacrifice" from Creed, "Whenever, Whenever" from Shakira, "Hands Clean" by Alanis Morisette, "Gotta Get Through This" by Daniel Bedingfield, "A New Day Has Come" by Celine Dion, "Everyday" by Dave Matthews Band, and "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow.

It's hard to mention every song from a particular year that was a favorite of mine. In fact, I'm sure there are a few that I missed, especially those that charted below the top 100. Still, seeing that these songs came out of 2002 just shows how big of a year it was for music, especially in my life. Hopefully for those of you out there reading, maybe you had similar feelings as well.

American Idol 9 - Season Wrap-Up

It's Television Wednesday here on "Luke's Ponderings", which gives me the opportunity to look back on the American Idol season that just wrapped up last week. All in all, I wouldn't say it was a terrible season. Surely it never lived up to seasons seven or eight, which I think were two of the best in the series. I think early on, when the top 12 was announced, it was easy to see Crystal advancing to the final two. I think it was still up in the air whether or not Lee had a chance to make it to the finale, but he was starting to become more comfortable with performing live on television and on stage. Honestly, at that point in the competition, I thought Siobhan and Crystal would end up being the final two contestants standing. That's what I was hoping for, but Siobhan kind of fizzled until ultimately getting voted out at sixth place. Lee does make for a strong winner of American Idol, but is he, or will he live up to the legacy that Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, or even David Cook have left since being crowned winners of the show? That remains to be seen.

As we all know going into this season and watching during the finale, this was Simon Cowell's final year as judge on the show. You really can make the case that Simon was the show. But I really enjoyed his final comments last Wednesday when he said that the real judges of the show are those watching at home. The contestants and to a point, Ryan Seacrest are the show. The judges are replaceable. Even though we all hate to see Simon leave, it presents the opportunity for the show to bring aboard someone else with musical knowledge to critique the contestants and give constructive criticism. Sorry to all of the Ellen fans out there, but she has not lived up to her potential. Week in and week out, I heard her utter phrases such as "you're so good," and "that was great" to many of the contestants. You've got to say more than that. I really hope she brings her "A" game next season (reports say she will be back for season 10 as per the contract she signed prior to this past season). Brett Michaels has been rumored to be a potential candidate to replace Simon, which really intrigues me. He's been a judge on a TV singing contest before (anyone remember "Nashville Star"), he's experienced music success with his band Poison and other solo endeavors, and his recent health troubles make him an endearing figure and people will be willing to root for the guy. Plus, I have a feeling he won't be afraid to tell a contestant that their singing needs work when he needs to. That's not to say there aren't other people who can replace Simon's seat on the panel - it's just that Brett's name is one of the first rumored potential successors. And let's be frank, no one will ever be able to replace Simon on that show. He is one of a kind and it'll be interesting to see exactly how Idol adjusts in the new era, the Simon-less era.

I think the show is definitely in need of a major shake-up, and I'm not talking about new judges or new gimmicks - like the judge's save. Let's bring in some better themes instead of these recycles theme weeks we keep seeing season after season. I like one Idol expert's idea of having a contestant's originals week - in which a contestant would perform a song they wrote on their own. Or let the show feature more contemporary music from the past two decades. I think most Idol fans are getting tired of hearing the same songs performed season after season. The episodes also need to be cut down and condensed, which they are proposing for next season. Less filler during results night would be nice and please, less babble from the judges! Last but not least, let the show be more about the contestants. I think the producers are always trying to promise this but never prevail. How about additional behind the scenes footage when the contestants have some off time? I feel that during this season particularly, we just weren't able to connect to the contestants like I had hoped and often felt bored by them. And from their post-Idol interviews, they've been nothing but enjoyable to listen to.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the two-hour finale last Wednesday. Usually there are some surprises involved, and the finale certainly did not disappoint. Seeing Brett Michaels on stage singing with Casey James, so soon after getting out of the hospital, was pretty incredible. I've been a big fan of the Bee Gees for awhile, so it was nice to see the last two brothers reunite on stage again, performing with Siobhan and Aaron. Such great singing between the four of them! Alanis Morisette was amazing with Crystal and was another highlight of the evening. And what more can you say about Joe Cocker performing his classic tune with the two finalists? What a special moment. That's not to say the night didn't have a few duds, including the "Pants on the Ground" rendition and seeing some of the Idol rejects (along with Dane Cook) return to the stage. But all in all, it was a great night which in turn lead to the crowning of the new American Idol.

So that wraps-up my thoughts on the season that was. I wouldn't say it was the worst, nor was it the best. Kind of somewhere in the middle. And I look back at those surprising eliminations we had during the semi-finals, when Kately Epperly, Lilly Scott, and Alex Lambert were sent home. What might've happened if those contestants stayed on a little longer and attracted more attention from the voting audience? I think the season could've ended up a lot different than it did and Lee may have ended up taking fourth or fifth place. Ah well, it's easy to speculate and to wonder what might've been. This is the hand that we've been dealt and Lee is a decent recording artist. His live performances certainly need work, but not everybody does well singing live. I guess time will tell whether or not America made the right decision. In time, we'll certainly find out.

Cell Phone Frenzy

So, how many of you were thinking I'd forget to blog on the first day of the new "Luke's Ponderings" re-branding? I wouldn't blame you if you did. So tonight's blog entry will be a topic regarding my personal life. So here goes...

It's amazing how quickly we've embraced cell phones in our lives today. Back when I was in high school during the late 1990's, I could've never imagined each person carrying around their own cell phones and going text crazy. That's not to say cell phones didn't exist then, because they did. However, they were pretty pricey and it seemed the rich people owned them the most. E-mailing really became the fun way of keeping in touch with each other when we were out of school and soon came instant messengers like ICQ and MSN. It wasn't until I was in college when I really noticed the cell phone explosion.

Let me start by saying I still don't own a cell phone and have no desire to get one. Now, that may change eventually, but at this point in my life, my regular landline phone service works fine for me. I just don't see the point in owning a cell phone that I'd rarely use and still pay for a landline which would probably see decreased service. Yes, cell phones do have nice features and I'm sure anyone could find something positive in owning such a device. I have often thought about purchasing a cell phone, even if I bought a cheaper phone plan simply to have it for emergencies. My current landline service is through the cable company and when the power goes out, I have no phone service. If the cable service is off-line for more than a few hours, a cell phone would be nice to have in that circumstance. But then again, why have a landline when you have a cell phone?

It was during my last couple years of college, specifically the last year, when I really noticed the increase in cell phone usage among students. It surprised me because it seemed to come out of the blue that suddenly everybody, except for me and a handful of others, had cell phones. If I knew then what I know now, I'd probably own one. But even those phones didn't have the kind of features that today's cell phones do. So I guess it's just as well that I didn't get tricked into the cell phone frenzy that pretty much has captured everyone else. Otherwise I'd probably be paying two separate phone bills, or just using my cell phone exclusively.