It's not often that I discuss sports on my blog, even though I am a huge sports fan. It's something I probably should talk more about because a lot of stuff goes on in the sporting world, even if it doesn't involve the teams I root for. When I first started my blog here three years ago, I launched it by discussing sports. At that time, it was about the Detroit Tigers and their improbable run into the playoffs. Prior to 2006, the last time the Tigers set foot in the playoffs was 1987. 2006 was a magical year for the Tigers. It ended a long streak of bad seasons that rarely saw the team get out of the basement of their division. Everything clicked for the team; the pitching was superb, they put up great offensive numbers, and competed with some of the elite teams in Major League Baseball. After being given no shot to beat the New York Yankees during the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers won three out of four to move on to face the Oakland A's. They swept the A's and earned a spot in the World Series; the first time playing in the championship series since 1984. Unfortunately they came up short in the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, but still, 2006 ushered in a new era of Tigers baseball. The Tigers have done a lot more winning since, but has yet to earn a trip back to the playoffs. And the 2009 season was their best shot in reaching the post-season since 2006 - yet they came up so very short.
The 2009 Tigers started the season off on the right foot. Instead of losing seven straight games to start the season like they did in '08, they did more winning and losing. The first three months of the season saw the Tigers jockeying for the division lead between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers eventually gained the lead after May 10 and never looked back. The first half of the season prior to the All Star Break saw Brandon Inge put up awesome offensive numbers; even leading the team in home runs. Edwin Jackson proved to be a tremendous pick-up for the Tigers as he pitched lights out for the club and earned a trip to the All-Star game. Justin Verlander, who had a horrible 2008 season, really bounced back in '09, pitching himself into contention for an AL Cy Young. Miguel Cabrera proved his worth after the Tigers picked him up from a trade with the Florida Marlins the prior season, proving to be the best offensive player the Tigers had.
After the All Star break, the Tigers started to play more .500 ball. They began to feel more pressure from the White Sox and the Minnesota Twins. The offense wasn't quite as stellar as it was during the first half of the season. Brandon Inge was never the same player offensively as he was in the first part of the '09 season. Of course dealing with a serious knee injury certainly didn't help. The pitching wasn't quite as lights-out as it had been during the first half. The Tigers just started playing more listlessly and didn't appear to have the desire to finish with an AL Central Division Title. However, the Tigers appeared to have things on track in early September when they held a 7 game lead over the Twins and White Sox. Yet that is when the Twins went on an incredible tear. They finished the season winning 18 out of 22 games, despite the fact being without Justin Morneau and Joe Crede; two of their most important players. Meanwhile, the Tigers did all they could do hold on. After splitting a four game series with the Twins in Detroit, the Tigers held a two game cushion in the division against the Twins. Both teams had three games remaining and if the Tigers could win two of three, they would be crowned AL Central champs. Yet, it would be even more helpful to the Tigers if the Twins would lose any of the games in their next series against the Royals. They didn't. The Twins ended up sweeping the Royals at the Metrodome and the Tigers would end up losing two of three against the Chicago White Sox in Detroit. At the end of the season, the Tigers and Twins were tied for the division lead and thus, a one-game playoff would be needed to decide the division winner.
So the Tigers held the division lead from May 10 until October 4. They certainly had their chances to win a few more games down the stretch than what they did. Series' against the White Sox and Royals come to mind where they wound up losing more games than winning. But all of that was in the past during last night's 163rd game to decide the division. Seeing that the Twins had won the head-to-head season series against the Tigers in 2009, the final game would be played at the Metrodome - a huge home team advantage for the Twins. And how fitting when this is the final year they'd be playing in the dome. The Tigers came out with a roaring start, putting up three runs in the third inning; two of them coming off a two-run homer from embattled star Miguel Cabrera. Rick Porcello pitched lights out against the Twins, carving up Twins' batters for eight strike-outs. But when Porcello got himself in a bit of a jam in the bottom of the sixth, manager Jim Leyland made a questionable call by pulling his rookie pitcher for Zach Miner. Now Zach has had his memorable pitching moments over the years with the Tigers yet he's also had his not-so memorable moments. Last night's game provided a not-so memorable moment when Miner gave up a two-run homer that allowed the Twins to take a 4-3 lead. Miner soon gave way to Brandon Lyon, who settled things down and got the Tigers out of the inning.
Magglio Ordonez, who struggled mightily in the first half of the '09 season, really tore it up after the All Star Break and it continued during the one-game playoff. He provided the tying run of the game at 4-4 when he blasted a solo shot into left field. The game would head into extra innings. Brandon Lyon continued to pitch well for the Tigers but would give up a base hit to the Twins in the bottom of the ninth. In came Fernando Rodney, who's proven to be a great closer, but not the greatest in non-save situations. This game was one of those instances, but Rodney delivered when he needed to. He got out of a ninth inning jam (along with an awesome defensive play from Brandon Inge) and allowed the Tigers a chance to win the game in extras. In the tenth, pinch hitter Don Kelly hit a double to left center, giving the Tigers a much needed base-runner in scoring position. Brandon Inge then made an important offensive play, scoring the go-ahead run, giving the Tigers a 5-4 lead heading into the top of the 10th. Unfortunately, the Twins came back in the bottom of the inning and scored the tying run. We were nodded up until the 12th inning.
Throughout the entirety of the game, when it appeared the Tigers had the game in their grasp, the Twins quickly snatched away. In the top of the 12th, the Tigers managed to have the bases loaded with only one out. Brandon Inge was again up to bat. He was pitched inside and the ball brushed his jersey and should've allowed him to reach first base, thus sending the go-ahead run home. However, the home plate umpire didn't see it that way, and Inge had to keep batting. On a 2-2 count, Inge hit a bouncer to the shortstop, who then threw to home plate to get the force out. The bases were still loaded, but this time, two out. Gerald Laird was up to bat. In his previous at bats, he had six runners on base, but failed to get any of them home. You would think that Jim Leyland would pinch hit Laird - despite the fact that Laird is a very good defensive catcher. However, his offense stinks and he proved it during the one-game playoff. Laird struck out - and Detroit's best scoring opportunity of the night was squandered. The score remained 5-5.
With Fernando Rodney heading into his fourth inning of pitching, the writing was on the wall that the Tigers did everything they could to win, but would probably end up just a bit short. And sure enough, that's exactly what happened. With Rodney tiring and Leyland not warming anyone else up, it was as if the Tigers were content with what was about to happen. The Twins had a runner on second, so the Tigers walk a batter to keep the double play potential in play. Well, it wouldn't work out that way as the Twins would then hit a walk-off single to end the game. Final score, Twins 6 Tigers 5 in 12 innings. It was an epic game, unlike any that I've ever witnessed. I don't recall ever experiencing such a wind swing of emotions in a baseball game like that. I just wish the outcome would've been different. Now us Tiger fans are left to wonder what might've been if only the team would've cashed in on some of those missed opportunities.
One has to wonder how the Tigers will fair next season. After a heartbreaking defeat like this, I think it's going to be difficult for the team to be competitive next year. It should be no surprise that the make-up of the team roster will be different. I'm expecting many of the same pitchers to be there next season. However, many of the position players may be gone, like Thames who struggled down the stretch, Huff, Polanco, Everett, and Laird. The Tigers need players who can hit the bat with more frequency. I would hate to see Polanco leave because usually he's a pretty clutch guy. However last night, he didn't deliver. Only time will tell what happens with the team during the off season. But I have a feeling this loss will be very difficult for the Tigers to get over. And that hangover will last well into next season.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Colder Weather is Here to Stay
Tomorrow we turn another page on the calendar and usher in the month of October. That also means we creep deeper into the season of fall. And lately in the Upper Peninsula, it has definitely felt more fall-like. The first three weeks of September were much more summer-like. In fact, many U.P. residents feel we finally got our official taste of summer, even if it came three months late. However, it doesn't last forever. We were affected by a major fall storm this past weekend which brought with it drastically cooler temperatures and plentiful rains. One thing about the first three weeks of this month; we hardly had any rain. Only trace amounts were picked up in certain parts of Upper Michigan. However, with this fall storm, it was like a flip of the switch. The rains fell hard and steady. The winds were brutal, even knocking out the power at my house for nearly two hours Monday night. It was definitely the first true sign of the cooler season ready to take charge of our weather for the next six months.
This time of the year, one can't even rule out the possibility of seeing snow. This past Tuesday, the daytime temperature barely rose above 40 degrees. The warmest I saw all day was 43 degrees. That was a shock to the system after we had been treated to 70's and low 80's during the previous three weeks. Temperatures that cool can change any rain we get to snow. No, the snow will not accumulate because the ground temperatures are so warm and it would take a lot of snow to start sticking. Yet, even a few flakes of snow in the air signals the beginning of the season that many Yoopers dread. The months of driving in treacherous roadways, shoveling days on end, and bundling up as tight as possible are quickly approaching. However, despite our complaints about the winter season, we always accept the fact that winter is coming and adapt. And many of us also embrace the winter season and it allows many to get out and enjoy the snow - in the form of snow shoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and ice fishing. Just because winter shows up, doesn't mean we can't learn to enjoy it, either.
Because of the warm first three weeks of September, the changing color of the leaves has slowed, too. However, seeing how quickly things have cooled down and more night are beginning to get more frosty, the leaves will start changing very fast. We should be experiencing peak leaf peeping conditions in two weeks in most northern locations in the Upper Peninsula. And the warmth won't be completely over quite yet. October usually does yield a few stretches of nice days here and there. That will allow many people to get some last minute projects done before the cold weather officially hits and doesn't leave until next spring. It's also a good time to pick up any fallen leaves that many start to accumulate on the ground. At my parents place, it's a constant battle to stay ahead of the falling leaves. Yet, I haven't known a fall season without leaves accumulating on the ground. As a kid, it was always fun to rake up a huge pile of leaves and jump into them.
The fall season is definitely one of change. Animals begin to hibernate, birds fly south, and much of the green vegetation dies off from frosty mornings. The northern hemisphere readies for the winter season. Here in the Upper Peninsula, fall is our one last moment to enjoy bare pavement and to walk in grass until several months. However, just because the seasons change, doesn't mean things get anymore ugly. With a fresh blanket of snow on the ground - that often provides the most picturesque scenery one can imagine. And you know something, it's rather neat to experience all four seasons. Imagine living in California or Florida.
This time of the year, one can't even rule out the possibility of seeing snow. This past Tuesday, the daytime temperature barely rose above 40 degrees. The warmest I saw all day was 43 degrees. That was a shock to the system after we had been treated to 70's and low 80's during the previous three weeks. Temperatures that cool can change any rain we get to snow. No, the snow will not accumulate because the ground temperatures are so warm and it would take a lot of snow to start sticking. Yet, even a few flakes of snow in the air signals the beginning of the season that many Yoopers dread. The months of driving in treacherous roadways, shoveling days on end, and bundling up as tight as possible are quickly approaching. However, despite our complaints about the winter season, we always accept the fact that winter is coming and adapt. And many of us also embrace the winter season and it allows many to get out and enjoy the snow - in the form of snow shoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and ice fishing. Just because winter shows up, doesn't mean we can't learn to enjoy it, either.
Because of the warm first three weeks of September, the changing color of the leaves has slowed, too. However, seeing how quickly things have cooled down and more night are beginning to get more frosty, the leaves will start changing very fast. We should be experiencing peak leaf peeping conditions in two weeks in most northern locations in the Upper Peninsula. And the warmth won't be completely over quite yet. October usually does yield a few stretches of nice days here and there. That will allow many people to get some last minute projects done before the cold weather officially hits and doesn't leave until next spring. It's also a good time to pick up any fallen leaves that many start to accumulate on the ground. At my parents place, it's a constant battle to stay ahead of the falling leaves. Yet, I haven't known a fall season without leaves accumulating on the ground. As a kid, it was always fun to rake up a huge pile of leaves and jump into them.
The fall season is definitely one of change. Animals begin to hibernate, birds fly south, and much of the green vegetation dies off from frosty mornings. The northern hemisphere readies for the winter season. Here in the Upper Peninsula, fall is our one last moment to enjoy bare pavement and to walk in grass until several months. However, just because the seasons change, doesn't mean things get anymore ugly. With a fresh blanket of snow on the ground - that often provides the most picturesque scenery one can imagine. And you know something, it's rather neat to experience all four seasons. Imagine living in California or Florida.
School Dances
It's hard to believe that junior high was nearly 15 years ago for me already. I would say my middle school experience was an okay time for me, certainly nothing glamorous yet not dull. I guess one of the highlights for me during this period of my life was going to school dances. Honestly, I don't even know how I got suckered into going to school dances. I think it became one of those deals that if a friend of mine was going, then I planned on going, too. And that became the norm throughout each middle school year. And you know what? Those school dances ended up being a blast! They were a lot less torture than I thought they'd end up being.
It's actually quite comical how kids behave at these dances, especially in junior high. The boys are basically there to goof off and attempt to show off to the girls. More often than not, they aren't interested in dancing, but rather just to be a wall flower. Meanwhile, the girls stick together in little groups, even dance with each other (mostly just the upbeat songs). Yet, they look out for a boy with whom they can reel in and get a dance in with. Back when I was in junior high, I ended up being the guy that all the girls wanted to dance with. And you want to know something? That made me feel pretty darn good.
I remember the first dance I went to, all of the boys in my class were sitting in the bleachers. We weren't even close to the dance floor. Heck, we weren't even interested in dancing. I mean eventually, we'd probably dance a few times with the girls. But we didn't plan on making it an all-evening affair. I was sitting on the lowest bleacher of our group when a girl from my class grabbed my hand and pulled me to the dance floor. No matter how much I protested, she wasn't letting go until she got her dance in with me. And so we danced to a slow song, my hands around her sides and her doing the same with me. I remember my hands being sweaty because I was nervous - heck this was the closest I got my hands on a girl through much of my grade school career. And especially in junior high, when the hormones are going crazy, this was a pretty big deal. When one slow song ended, so did my turn with that one particular girl. Yet, a new slow song would begin and I would start dancing with a new girl. This went on all night and I ended up becoming the dancing stud, at least in my class. It wasn't long, however, before many of the other boys in my class took my lead and started dancing with the girls, too. I guess they saw how such a minor deal it really was.
That's how school dances were for me throughout middle school - and I don't recall ever missing any (except maybe one or two). Once we entered high school, dances became few and far between. I don't even think one dance was held for the entire high school during my junior and senior year, except for the prom. I went to my junior prom which I considered to be a total disaster, so I basically wrote off even attending my senior prom. During my freshman year, I was "elected" by my class to be involved in the high school formal court. I think my class didn't really take it all that serious and elected me as sort of a joke candidate. I wouldn't have necessarily considered myself to be all that popular during my freshman year. I was probably in the middle of the popularity chart. Looking back at the experience, it was definitely a worthwhile event to attend, yet I am somewhat insulted at my classmates perception of me at the time. Whatever the case, at least I got to spend a wonderful evening with a girl I had a major crush on throughout high school. I even got to dance with her! Now that was pretty cool.
All in all, the whole school dance experience was fun for me. Looking back, I probably wouldn't have done much differently because I at least went to a majority of the dances that were held at my school. It's one thing to look back and regret some of the decisions you made at the time. However in this instance, I think things worked out quite well for me.
It's actually quite comical how kids behave at these dances, especially in junior high. The boys are basically there to goof off and attempt to show off to the girls. More often than not, they aren't interested in dancing, but rather just to be a wall flower. Meanwhile, the girls stick together in little groups, even dance with each other (mostly just the upbeat songs). Yet, they look out for a boy with whom they can reel in and get a dance in with. Back when I was in junior high, I ended up being the guy that all the girls wanted to dance with. And you want to know something? That made me feel pretty darn good.
I remember the first dance I went to, all of the boys in my class were sitting in the bleachers. We weren't even close to the dance floor. Heck, we weren't even interested in dancing. I mean eventually, we'd probably dance a few times with the girls. But we didn't plan on making it an all-evening affair. I was sitting on the lowest bleacher of our group when a girl from my class grabbed my hand and pulled me to the dance floor. No matter how much I protested, she wasn't letting go until she got her dance in with me. And so we danced to a slow song, my hands around her sides and her doing the same with me. I remember my hands being sweaty because I was nervous - heck this was the closest I got my hands on a girl through much of my grade school career. And especially in junior high, when the hormones are going crazy, this was a pretty big deal. When one slow song ended, so did my turn with that one particular girl. Yet, a new slow song would begin and I would start dancing with a new girl. This went on all night and I ended up becoming the dancing stud, at least in my class. It wasn't long, however, before many of the other boys in my class took my lead and started dancing with the girls, too. I guess they saw how such a minor deal it really was.
That's how school dances were for me throughout middle school - and I don't recall ever missing any (except maybe one or two). Once we entered high school, dances became few and far between. I don't even think one dance was held for the entire high school during my junior and senior year, except for the prom. I went to my junior prom which I considered to be a total disaster, so I basically wrote off even attending my senior prom. During my freshman year, I was "elected" by my class to be involved in the high school formal court. I think my class didn't really take it all that serious and elected me as sort of a joke candidate. I wouldn't have necessarily considered myself to be all that popular during my freshman year. I was probably in the middle of the popularity chart. Looking back at the experience, it was definitely a worthwhile event to attend, yet I am somewhat insulted at my classmates perception of me at the time. Whatever the case, at least I got to spend a wonderful evening with a girl I had a major crush on throughout high school. I even got to dance with her! Now that was pretty cool.
All in all, the whole school dance experience was fun for me. Looking back, I probably wouldn't have done much differently because I at least went to a majority of the dances that were held at my school. It's one thing to look back and regret some of the decisions you made at the time. However in this instance, I think things worked out quite well for me.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Adventures in Finding a Truck
There's something about driving a pick-up truck that gives a person a sense of power. Maybe because the vehicle sits a bit higher up off the ground or maybe because a truck has a lot more towing power than any other kind of vehicle. A truck also has the ability to maneuver a lot easier in treacherous weather conditions like snow. I have been wanting a truck for awhile, but never really had the space for it. I had contemplated getting a truck when I lived in my apartment but then I'd have two vehicles out in the elements. Now that I have a home and a two-car garage, I have room for an extra vehicle in there. And despite the fact that I am paying on a mortgage, I still have the finances to pay off a truck. So needless to say, I have finally taken the next step in owning my first truck.
Yesterday got the ball rolling on my purchase of a truck as we visited five area dealerships. But the problem was, there weren't very many choices in trucks. In most cases, the trucks on the lots were either too big for my taste or the wrong color. My dad came along to help me out on the search and we ended up speaking with three salespersons. We first drove around through each of the five dealerships, just to scope out the selection of trucks. Like I said, there wasn't a whole lot to choose from. In speaking with one of the sales people, some of that was attributed to the slowdown in the auto industry. We're also in between "seasons" for vehicles. 2009 vehicles are being sold; in some cases as quick as dealers' can to make room for the 2010 vehicles. And yet, a lot of the 2010 models have yet to arrive. Those were a few of the reasons why the car lots were looking pretty sparse, in addition to the government cash for clunkers rebate program offered during the summer.
Our first visit with a sales person went reasonably well. We first stopped at the dealer that had the most trucks in their lot. They actually had quite a few extended cab trucks. But that's something I'm not looking for, because at this point in my life I'm single and don't need all of that interior room. However, this dealer had three regular cab trucks - yet they were considered "work trucks" in that they didn't have exactly all of the amenities that a truck with all the features would carry. Yet, the only features not included with work trucks are power windows and doors. As long as I have air conditioning for the summer months and a radio, that's really all I need. Plus, I could always get those things added at some point in the future. So it wasn't a huge issue for me. Before we started the search, I was rather set on getting a truck with a large box in the back. However, I was persuaded in getting a truck with a 6 foot box and the more I thought about it, the more comfortable I felt with that decision. I think a truck with an eight foot box may have been a little tight in getting in my garage. Plus, do I really need a truck that big? So, the black 2009 Chevrolet Silverado was definitely a possibility. But the deal wasn't quite as sweet as either of my dad and I would've liked, so we initially passed and decided to see what the other dealer's were offering.
Our next visit was to a dealership that sold GMC trucks. Well, they had absolutely zero regular-cab trucks and they were all three-quarter ton. We spoke with a sales person and he was able to find one ... in Baraboo, Wisconsin. That's over six hours away and they'd charge a $600 round-trip fee to pick it up for you. Needless to say, we decided to pass - and the deals they were offering weren't quite as good as the Chevy truck we looked at earlier in the day. Next, we went and visited a Ford dealership which sold the F-150's. Honestly, out of all the trucks offered on the market, the F-150 is probably my favorite in the looks department. No wonder it won this year's award for Motor Trend Truck of the year. Naturally, there were no regular-cab F-150's at this Ford dealer. Actually there was one, but it was white. Not the color of truck I was looking at getting. We talked with a sales person briefly and went on our way. Our day of looking at trucks was over and I had decided to wait awhile to see what the future might hold - and if it brought with it better deals.
I got home from work earlier today with a message from the Chevy dealership that had the black Silverado I was interested in. They were able to slash an additional $2,000 off the asking price of the truck in addition to the $3,000 in incentives already offered, taking $5,000 off the asking price. After some contemplating, I decided to accept that purchase price (including a good sized down payment). So, I am moving forward with my first purchase of a full-sized truck. I also opted to get the underside coated of the truck to battle against rust (because we get a lot of snow in da U.P. and they use a ton of salt on the roads) as well as a sprayed-on bed liner. All in all, I'm pretty pleased how things turned out. And it won't be long before I finally have a truck sitting inside my garage.
Yesterday got the ball rolling on my purchase of a truck as we visited five area dealerships. But the problem was, there weren't very many choices in trucks. In most cases, the trucks on the lots were either too big for my taste or the wrong color. My dad came along to help me out on the search and we ended up speaking with three salespersons. We first drove around through each of the five dealerships, just to scope out the selection of trucks. Like I said, there wasn't a whole lot to choose from. In speaking with one of the sales people, some of that was attributed to the slowdown in the auto industry. We're also in between "seasons" for vehicles. 2009 vehicles are being sold; in some cases as quick as dealers' can to make room for the 2010 vehicles. And yet, a lot of the 2010 models have yet to arrive. Those were a few of the reasons why the car lots were looking pretty sparse, in addition to the government cash for clunkers rebate program offered during the summer.
Our first visit with a sales person went reasonably well. We first stopped at the dealer that had the most trucks in their lot. They actually had quite a few extended cab trucks. But that's something I'm not looking for, because at this point in my life I'm single and don't need all of that interior room. However, this dealer had three regular cab trucks - yet they were considered "work trucks" in that they didn't have exactly all of the amenities that a truck with all the features would carry. Yet, the only features not included with work trucks are power windows and doors. As long as I have air conditioning for the summer months and a radio, that's really all I need. Plus, I could always get those things added at some point in the future. So it wasn't a huge issue for me. Before we started the search, I was rather set on getting a truck with a large box in the back. However, I was persuaded in getting a truck with a 6 foot box and the more I thought about it, the more comfortable I felt with that decision. I think a truck with an eight foot box may have been a little tight in getting in my garage. Plus, do I really need a truck that big? So, the black 2009 Chevrolet Silverado was definitely a possibility. But the deal wasn't quite as sweet as either of my dad and I would've liked, so we initially passed and decided to see what the other dealer's were offering.
Our next visit was to a dealership that sold GMC trucks. Well, they had absolutely zero regular-cab trucks and they were all three-quarter ton. We spoke with a sales person and he was able to find one ... in Baraboo, Wisconsin. That's over six hours away and they'd charge a $600 round-trip fee to pick it up for you. Needless to say, we decided to pass - and the deals they were offering weren't quite as good as the Chevy truck we looked at earlier in the day. Next, we went and visited a Ford dealership which sold the F-150's. Honestly, out of all the trucks offered on the market, the F-150 is probably my favorite in the looks department. No wonder it won this year's award for Motor Trend Truck of the year. Naturally, there were no regular-cab F-150's at this Ford dealer. Actually there was one, but it was white. Not the color of truck I was looking at getting. We talked with a sales person briefly and went on our way. Our day of looking at trucks was over and I had decided to wait awhile to see what the future might hold - and if it brought with it better deals.
I got home from work earlier today with a message from the Chevy dealership that had the black Silverado I was interested in. They were able to slash an additional $2,000 off the asking price of the truck in addition to the $3,000 in incentives already offered, taking $5,000 off the asking price. After some contemplating, I decided to accept that purchase price (including a good sized down payment). So, I am moving forward with my first purchase of a full-sized truck. I also opted to get the underside coated of the truck to battle against rust (because we get a lot of snow in da U.P. and they use a ton of salt on the roads) as well as a sprayed-on bed liner. All in all, I'm pretty pleased how things turned out. And it won't be long before I finally have a truck sitting inside my garage.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Local Sightseeing
Who knew the Marquette area had such an extensive shipping and boating history? That is what my sister and I found out almost three weeks ago when we visited the Marquette Maritime Museum and Marquette Lighthouse. When my sister comes up from Wisconsin to visit, we're always looking for new things to do locally. When she stays at my house, I try to make it so she's not too bored and this time around, I think I succeeded in making her stay pretty enjoyable. Back when I was in college, one of the walks I would take passed right next to the Maritime Museum and Coast Guard Station. I've been always curious to see what the museum had to offer and it hasn't been that long since the museum also offered tours of the lighthouse. So it was one of the destinations we decided to check out earlier this month, and I'm glad we did.It was Labor Day weekend and although many people had the weekend off, I wasn't expecting too many people to show up for the tour. We arrived right when the museum had opened at 10 a.m., and the first tour of the lighthouse didn't start until 11. We weren't expecting the tour of the museum would take all that long and we had another event planned for later that day, so we didn't want to take too much time at the museum. So we decided to only tour the museum at that point and see how much time we would have to wait before the lighthouse tour began. Before we got through everything inside the maritime museum, including watching the historical perspective of the history of Marquette's maritime past, it was quarter to 11. It wouldn't hurt us to wait another 15 minutes.
I wouldn't call the tour of the lighthouse exceptionally glamorous - but it definitely was interesting considering the history the lighthouse has had with Marquette's maritime history. For those of you unfamiliar with how the lighthouse looks, it's a two-story building with the lighthouse facing the waters of Lake Superior. It's painted a bright red color, so it's easy to spot. And the piece of land that juts out into Lake Superior is appropriately named, Lighthouse Point. The building has certainly stood the test of many harsh U.P. winters but the structure is quite sturdy. The red color of the lighthouse is a bit faded up close, but you can't tell from far off. The inside of the building had been kept up fairly well. We walked through the basement and through the first and second floors. Only recently had the lighthouse been left vacant as it housed individuals from the Coast Guard there. So the interior was still in pretty decent shape. The group from the maritime museum was in the process of restoring the second floor. And the Coast Guard still operates the lighthouse beacon itself, even though it's just an automated beacon now. We couldn't actually go up and see the lighthouse, unfortunately; just peak up at it through the circular staircase. But all in all, it was an enjoyable experience and for those of us locally, it was finally nice to be able to check out this facility that's right in our backyard. Our tour group was comprised of about 12 people which the people from the museum declared as being one of the biggest this late in the season. And most of the individuals were either from out of state or two-or-three hours away.
It just goes to show you that a person doesn't need to travel long distances to find something scenic or interesting, especially when it's right in your own backyard. I know it's nice to get away from time to time from the hustle and bustle of every day life, yet it isn't always necessary to travel far. And in these tough economic times, it'll save money in your pocketbook to stay closer. And I think at times, we take for granted what our local areas offer in the tourism department. For the Upper Peninsula in general, tourism is a large part of what drives our economy. So in times like these, it's important for us Yoopers to help out our own cause.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Trouble at Work
Things have certainly gotten interesting as of late where I work. Our crew coordinator, which supervises and manages the activites of the crew, has gotten very difficult to work for. Even though we get paid lunch and coffee breaks, they are only supposed to be ten and 20 minutes respectfully. We've always stretched them out to a half hour at least and never received any backlash for it. In fact, it's been this way for years and not only in operating, but in other departments. Well the details are a bit sketchy, but the word is that upper management has cracked down on the coordinators in charge of the crews. And our boss is following their every word.
The thing that frustrates me the most about this individual is that he gets very, very moody. And when he's in his bad moods, he takes it out on the rest of the crew. I've heard stories where he's yelled, slammed doors, and completely lost his cool. I am relatively new to this particular crew, joining it in April of this year. And I've dealt with this individual before, prior to him becoming a boss even. In fact, I wrote a blog entry about him two or three years ago and is on my WordPress blog. Back then, we were on the same crew and had the same position. Something happened where he didn't speak to me or our control room operator for a good two weeks - and we couldn't exactly figure out why. Eventually he got over the problem he had with us, but it continues to remain a mystery why he acted the way he did then. But now flash forwarding to current times, he's keeping up with his same behavior patterns that he had then, and it's certainly troubling.
Those of us on the crew agree that he probably isn't in the right job and he's not very good at coordinating the crew. He's been at the job for approximately two years now, so you would think he'd have a good handle on things. However, that doesn't appear to be the case. We've been working very hard at work the past few days, shutting the plant down for maintenance work. Do you think we've gotten any compliments on our work - with only four people on the floor? Our plant is three quarters of a mile long, so that's a lot of floor to cover with just four people. All he does is walk around, staring down at the ground as he walks by. He doesn't remotely seem interested in being where he's at, and that's kind of a dangerous thing because there are a lot of moving parts in every aspect at this facility. He's a puzzling figure, one that we really can't figure out.
When me or someone else from the crew talks to him individually, he seems perfectly fine, even joking around at times. However, when it comes to meeting with the crew as a whole, he fails miserably. A lot of times he appears lost or wishing he was somewhere else. And his recent behavior hasn't been the first incident of its kind, like I said. He's acted this way in the past, for no apparent reason, and takes it out on other people. He bullies one person in particular on the crew, always piling work on him. And when he decides to enforce certain rules that have been handed down from upper management, he doesn't discuss it with the crew in a rational manner. He goes right out and enforces it without explanation or discussion. Our crew just is not happy with the performance of our boss and it's beginning to wear on all of us. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. All of the bosses in our department are being switched around and we'll be getting a new boss in December. Unfortunately at this point, December is three months away.
The thing that frustrates me the most about this individual is that he gets very, very moody. And when he's in his bad moods, he takes it out on the rest of the crew. I've heard stories where he's yelled, slammed doors, and completely lost his cool. I am relatively new to this particular crew, joining it in April of this year. And I've dealt with this individual before, prior to him becoming a boss even. In fact, I wrote a blog entry about him two or three years ago and is on my WordPress blog. Back then, we were on the same crew and had the same position. Something happened where he didn't speak to me or our control room operator for a good two weeks - and we couldn't exactly figure out why. Eventually he got over the problem he had with us, but it continues to remain a mystery why he acted the way he did then. But now flash forwarding to current times, he's keeping up with his same behavior patterns that he had then, and it's certainly troubling.
Those of us on the crew agree that he probably isn't in the right job and he's not very good at coordinating the crew. He's been at the job for approximately two years now, so you would think he'd have a good handle on things. However, that doesn't appear to be the case. We've been working very hard at work the past few days, shutting the plant down for maintenance work. Do you think we've gotten any compliments on our work - with only four people on the floor? Our plant is three quarters of a mile long, so that's a lot of floor to cover with just four people. All he does is walk around, staring down at the ground as he walks by. He doesn't remotely seem interested in being where he's at, and that's kind of a dangerous thing because there are a lot of moving parts in every aspect at this facility. He's a puzzling figure, one that we really can't figure out.
When me or someone else from the crew talks to him individually, he seems perfectly fine, even joking around at times. However, when it comes to meeting with the crew as a whole, he fails miserably. A lot of times he appears lost or wishing he was somewhere else. And his recent behavior hasn't been the first incident of its kind, like I said. He's acted this way in the past, for no apparent reason, and takes it out on other people. He bullies one person in particular on the crew, always piling work on him. And when he decides to enforce certain rules that have been handed down from upper management, he doesn't discuss it with the crew in a rational manner. He goes right out and enforces it without explanation or discussion. Our crew just is not happy with the performance of our boss and it's beginning to wear on all of us. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. All of the bosses in our department are being switched around and we'll be getting a new boss in December. Unfortunately at this point, December is three months away.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Reviewing my College Life: Part 1
With fall around the corner, schools across the country are starting a new academic year. The same rings true at my old university in which classes began this past Monday. There are times when I become reminiscent of my college days - but honestly, there are few memories that I can call happy. College never ended up being something I enjoyed. The grind of classes really wore down on me. And coming right out of high school and starting college classes that fall really proved to be a struggle for me. My focus was never there. It finally took me to my fourth year before I finally got a handle of the college studying routine and by then, my GPA never recovered to where I was hoping to get it. That's not to say my entire five year college experience was a total waste. I did end up with a four-year degree and there were a few people who had a positive effect on me. But the negatives far outweigh the positives and as far as I'm concerned, I really have no desire to go back.
When I started classes for my freshman year in the fall of 2000, I wasn't positively sure of what I wanted to major. I had declared my major to be in network computing systems - something to that effect. But I just wasn't sure if I'd be able to handle the more complicated mathematics that would be required for the major. Algebra 2 was as far as I had gotten in high school and taking a higher math course in high school like calculus scared me. I was happy with Algebra 2, to be honest. So following through on the math was going to be a huge test - and sadly it was too large of a goal to overcome for me. But it wasn't just the math that caused me to change my major; it was my first computer science course that totally threw me for a loop. It was Computer Science 120 and right from the first day, I was confused. We had started to make these simple programs with our laptops and I just couldn't understand what to do. The professor I was dealing with was absolutely no help. She wasn't even that approachable, in my opinion. She was old and quite cranky. I knew this computer science thing was not going to go in my favor, so I soon became an "undeclared" major and knocked out some of my elective courses.
One of the very first elective courses I decided to tackle was Music in Society. It was basically a music history course, but it also made you learn about some basic music terms. In fact, this was the first class I went to at 9:00 AM on day one. The professor was super nice, one that I had dealt with briefly in high school as he helped our high school choir group. But coming out of high school and into college, I was not prepared for the course load and so I was unfocused. I could not study the material for this class. And looking back on it, it was such an easy course! I ended up with a "D" as my final grade and getting that D honestly hurt. Never in my life had I gotten a D in a class. If I kept this up, I was in trouble. Not only was that class somewhat of a nightmare for me during semester one, but Intro to Sociology was a struggle, too. If I didn't study the material for Music in Society, well I certainly didn't for Sociology. And I did something in this class that I regret to this day and vowed not to do it ever again - I cheated. I didn't bring a cheat sheet, but I was looking at other students' bubble sheets in the row below me (we were in an auditorium setting). I honestly believe a girl sitting below me caught me looking at her sheet because she gave me a dirty look and covered up her paper really well. I thought she was going to turn me in and my college career could've ended quite abruptly. I was so scared she was going to say something to the professor when she turned her bubble sheet in. But apparently she didn't because I never was talked to by the professor. I ended up with a C for the final grade in that class which amazes me. I hardly studied as it was and I ended up with an average grade. The only class that semester I did well in was a freshman college composition course which I wound up with an A-. Intermediate Algebra I ended up with a C+. That didn't bode well for my future with Math.
The Winter semester of 2001 went a little better for me, but not much. This was the semester where I took the computer science course but ended up dropping out. I just couldn't hack it, no matter how hard I tried. I also took a basic Biology course which, again, I didn't study much for but ended up with a C. The professor for that class was easy on the eyes at least. I also took a Finite Mathematics course which, to my surprise, I ended up with a B. The only reason I did decent in that course was because of the professor. He was originally from India and his teaching methods were pretty lax, in my opinion. His grading methods were so lenient. Overall, he was a nice guy even though there was a bit of a language barrier that hindered the learning process. But growing up, we had Indian priests at my church, so I was kind of used to hearing the Indian dialect. Also this semester was another Sociology course, which I did far better with than the previous Soc. course. That was because the teacher basically referenced what would be on the test through the course material she covered in class. This was a class that met only once a week in the evenings. And more often than not, the class ended far earlier than the 9:20 ending time. So overall, the second semester of the year ended up much more positive than the first.
Then came the third semester, the first of my sophomore year. Again overall, this semester was 0.2 GPA better than the previous one. But that ain't saying much! I took a more advanced English course, a Writing and Literature class. It wasn't terribly bad, but it wasn't great either. The professor could put you to sleep at times with his lecturing. I think we ended up writing four different essays in this class - obviously these essays weren't stellar on my part. But this was the semester when the tragedy on September 11th occured. In fact, this was the first class I went to on that day, and it was extremely hard to focus because of the events that were going on. Classes ended up being called for the day soon afterwards and rightfully so. But it's one of those events that I'll never forget. Also during this semester, I took a history course called "The Third World." If you couldn't already guess, it was a class on the third world countries in our world. It was interesting to learn about the history of some of these countries, particularly those in South America. But do you think I can remember much of that history anymore? Anyways, I ended up with a C in this class which was disappointing because I took rediculously good notes and it didn't exactly help me. I also took an Intro to Philosophy course which was a class I honestly had no use for. I didn't know Philosophy could be so boring! I consider the "C" I got for a grade pretty good. And a big plus was that the professor re-used some of the questions from previous tests on the new tests. Last but certainly not least for the fall semester of 2001 was Statistics and Probability - yes, one of those dreaded math courses. I certainly made an effort and tried the best that I could with this course, but I was doomed from the start. I technically didn't have to take this course because after I became an undeclared major, I didn't need it for my network computing major. But it still qualified for an elective which is why I decided to give it a try. Well, it didn't work out and I soon struggled with the course material. It wasn't long before I dropped out.
As you can tell, I definitely had my struggles through the first three semesters of my college career. Keeping focus was proving to be a tremendous challenge for me. And I blame a large portion of my non-focus on my living arrangements through the first three years of college. I made an arrangement to live with my grandmother who lived a relatively short distance from campus. I think living with her and her boyfriend proved to be a double-edged sword. Growing up, I didn't really see her that often. And after living with her for three years, I can understand why. But all of that is for another day and part of me doesn't really want to go into those details for fear that one of my family members should happen upon this particular blog. Even though my grandmother has burned a lot of bridges in her life, I still think she has one or two people that are close to her. I don't want those individuals to be upset by what I have to say.
This blog posting is going to run rediculously long if I continue into my college career, so this will be a multi-part blog. Expect part 2 to be posted soon.
When I started classes for my freshman year in the fall of 2000, I wasn't positively sure of what I wanted to major. I had declared my major to be in network computing systems - something to that effect. But I just wasn't sure if I'd be able to handle the more complicated mathematics that would be required for the major. Algebra 2 was as far as I had gotten in high school and taking a higher math course in high school like calculus scared me. I was happy with Algebra 2, to be honest. So following through on the math was going to be a huge test - and sadly it was too large of a goal to overcome for me. But it wasn't just the math that caused me to change my major; it was my first computer science course that totally threw me for a loop. It was Computer Science 120 and right from the first day, I was confused. We had started to make these simple programs with our laptops and I just couldn't understand what to do. The professor I was dealing with was absolutely no help. She wasn't even that approachable, in my opinion. She was old and quite cranky. I knew this computer science thing was not going to go in my favor, so I soon became an "undeclared" major and knocked out some of my elective courses.
One of the very first elective courses I decided to tackle was Music in Society. It was basically a music history course, but it also made you learn about some basic music terms. In fact, this was the first class I went to at 9:00 AM on day one. The professor was super nice, one that I had dealt with briefly in high school as he helped our high school choir group. But coming out of high school and into college, I was not prepared for the course load and so I was unfocused. I could not study the material for this class. And looking back on it, it was such an easy course! I ended up with a "D" as my final grade and getting that D honestly hurt. Never in my life had I gotten a D in a class. If I kept this up, I was in trouble. Not only was that class somewhat of a nightmare for me during semester one, but Intro to Sociology was a struggle, too. If I didn't study the material for Music in Society, well I certainly didn't for Sociology. And I did something in this class that I regret to this day and vowed not to do it ever again - I cheated. I didn't bring a cheat sheet, but I was looking at other students' bubble sheets in the row below me (we were in an auditorium setting). I honestly believe a girl sitting below me caught me looking at her sheet because she gave me a dirty look and covered up her paper really well. I thought she was going to turn me in and my college career could've ended quite abruptly. I was so scared she was going to say something to the professor when she turned her bubble sheet in. But apparently she didn't because I never was talked to by the professor. I ended up with a C for the final grade in that class which amazes me. I hardly studied as it was and I ended up with an average grade. The only class that semester I did well in was a freshman college composition course which I wound up with an A-. Intermediate Algebra I ended up with a C+. That didn't bode well for my future with Math.
The Winter semester of 2001 went a little better for me, but not much. This was the semester where I took the computer science course but ended up dropping out. I just couldn't hack it, no matter how hard I tried. I also took a basic Biology course which, again, I didn't study much for but ended up with a C. The professor for that class was easy on the eyes at least. I also took a Finite Mathematics course which, to my surprise, I ended up with a B. The only reason I did decent in that course was because of the professor. He was originally from India and his teaching methods were pretty lax, in my opinion. His grading methods were so lenient. Overall, he was a nice guy even though there was a bit of a language barrier that hindered the learning process. But growing up, we had Indian priests at my church, so I was kind of used to hearing the Indian dialect. Also this semester was another Sociology course, which I did far better with than the previous Soc. course. That was because the teacher basically referenced what would be on the test through the course material she covered in class. This was a class that met only once a week in the evenings. And more often than not, the class ended far earlier than the 9:20 ending time. So overall, the second semester of the year ended up much more positive than the first.
Then came the third semester, the first of my sophomore year. Again overall, this semester was 0.2 GPA better than the previous one. But that ain't saying much! I took a more advanced English course, a Writing and Literature class. It wasn't terribly bad, but it wasn't great either. The professor could put you to sleep at times with his lecturing. I think we ended up writing four different essays in this class - obviously these essays weren't stellar on my part. But this was the semester when the tragedy on September 11th occured. In fact, this was the first class I went to on that day, and it was extremely hard to focus because of the events that were going on. Classes ended up being called for the day soon afterwards and rightfully so. But it's one of those events that I'll never forget. Also during this semester, I took a history course called "The Third World." If you couldn't already guess, it was a class on the third world countries in our world. It was interesting to learn about the history of some of these countries, particularly those in South America. But do you think I can remember much of that history anymore? Anyways, I ended up with a C in this class which was disappointing because I took rediculously good notes and it didn't exactly help me. I also took an Intro to Philosophy course which was a class I honestly had no use for. I didn't know Philosophy could be so boring! I consider the "C" I got for a grade pretty good. And a big plus was that the professor re-used some of the questions from previous tests on the new tests. Last but certainly not least for the fall semester of 2001 was Statistics and Probability - yes, one of those dreaded math courses. I certainly made an effort and tried the best that I could with this course, but I was doomed from the start. I technically didn't have to take this course because after I became an undeclared major, I didn't need it for my network computing major. But it still qualified for an elective which is why I decided to give it a try. Well, it didn't work out and I soon struggled with the course material. It wasn't long before I dropped out.
As you can tell, I definitely had my struggles through the first three semesters of my college career. Keeping focus was proving to be a tremendous challenge for me. And I blame a large portion of my non-focus on my living arrangements through the first three years of college. I made an arrangement to live with my grandmother who lived a relatively short distance from campus. I think living with her and her boyfriend proved to be a double-edged sword. Growing up, I didn't really see her that often. And after living with her for three years, I can understand why. But all of that is for another day and part of me doesn't really want to go into those details for fear that one of my family members should happen upon this particular blog. Even though my grandmother has burned a lot of bridges in her life, I still think she has one or two people that are close to her. I don't want those individuals to be upset by what I have to say.
This blog posting is going to run rediculously long if I continue into my college career, so this will be a multi-part blog. Expect part 2 to be posted soon.
A Lost Love
Her name was Jennifer Swanson - a woman who was strikingly beautiful and whom I had determined to have zero chance even speaking to. The first time I noticed her was during an upper level non-fiction writing class. I sat towards the back of the room while she was placed in the middle. At certain times, I would stare at her and not pay attention to what was going on in the class. I just had to talk to her, even if it was just "hello." But that would be difficult, because I had always been shy, especially when it came to striking up conversations with pretty girls. The non-fiction writing class would not be the one where I would "introduce" myself to her, so to speak, but later on in my college career.
It was the next winter semester and Jennifer and I would end up having another class together. I remember entering the classroom and the room was packed with people. I managed to find one of a few remaining empty seats and it was up towards the front of the class. The classroom ended up being way too small for the class and we eventually moved into a bigger room. But on that first day of class, I wasn't the last one to enter the room. Jennifer ended up being one of the last to show up. She found a seat on the other side of the room and she was striking up a conversation with another fellow classmate with whom I had class with prior. I was feeling pretty jealous but I knew if I kept my courage up, I would get a chance to talk with her. Hey, the semester lasted around four months long. I figured that was a lot of time to bump into her.
I can't remember the exact details of our first official conversation, but we bumped into each other outside of the classroom in the hallway during one of our breaks. I remember a feeling of euphoria coming over me as I talked with her. She was so easy to talk to; I felt comfortable and didn't stumble over my words. I knew that she was single because she had brought it up during her introduction to the rest of the class when the semester first began. From that point on, I continued to talk to her whenever I got the chance. However, it remained simply a college friendship and nothing outside of the campus life.
We would end up being part of another class together the semester following. She even sat right next to me in that class as I was the most familiar face that she knew. And despite the class being absolutely useless - she actually made it fun for me to attend. I know we would converse about the teacher and her being an absolute dingbat. The professor seemed absolutely unprepared to teach and her syllabus was so unorganized. Despite that, Jenny made all of the headaches involved with the class go away. She was an absolute joy to be around and I was a total fool for not making that next step and arranging a date outside of school with her. Who knows what life could've been like if she would've been more involved with me? And even if she only wanted to remain just friends - at least I would've know.
After that semester, I lost all contact with Jennifer. Those were the days prior to facebook and myspace - so I really didn't have a source where I could find her. I know she talked about flunking out of the second class we had together and she was looking forward to officially being done with school after the last semester we had that class together. All I can guess is that she either quit college altogether, graduated (barely), or transferred to a new school. I know that she lived in Illinois originally and that she possibly went to be closer to home. In other words, she was no longer in the local area. Also during that last class we had together, she revealed that she had a boyfriend but that the relationship was "new." I felt that all but quashed my chances of us being an item. Foolish me - I was so naive.
Hard to believe, but it's been five years since I've talked with Jenny. She's been on my mind recently which is why I thought she would be a good topic to discuss in my blog. Where ever she is - I hope she is happy. And if she happens to see this blog about her, I hope she even remembers who I am. She may not have felt the same way about me that I do about her, but she still holds a special place in my heart. And on the very slim chances that we ever to talk again, I hope I am able to tell her how I really feel about her, even if she is married to someone else. You know, I've had a lot of missed opportunites when it came to women in my life, but not initiating a relationship with Jennifer is probably the biggest missed opportunity of them all and it's something I'll live with for the rest of my life.
It was the next winter semester and Jennifer and I would end up having another class together. I remember entering the classroom and the room was packed with people. I managed to find one of a few remaining empty seats and it was up towards the front of the class. The classroom ended up being way too small for the class and we eventually moved into a bigger room. But on that first day of class, I wasn't the last one to enter the room. Jennifer ended up being one of the last to show up. She found a seat on the other side of the room and she was striking up a conversation with another fellow classmate with whom I had class with prior. I was feeling pretty jealous but I knew if I kept my courage up, I would get a chance to talk with her. Hey, the semester lasted around four months long. I figured that was a lot of time to bump into her.
I can't remember the exact details of our first official conversation, but we bumped into each other outside of the classroom in the hallway during one of our breaks. I remember a feeling of euphoria coming over me as I talked with her. She was so easy to talk to; I felt comfortable and didn't stumble over my words. I knew that she was single because she had brought it up during her introduction to the rest of the class when the semester first began. From that point on, I continued to talk to her whenever I got the chance. However, it remained simply a college friendship and nothing outside of the campus life.
We would end up being part of another class together the semester following. She even sat right next to me in that class as I was the most familiar face that she knew. And despite the class being absolutely useless - she actually made it fun for me to attend. I know we would converse about the teacher and her being an absolute dingbat. The professor seemed absolutely unprepared to teach and her syllabus was so unorganized. Despite that, Jenny made all of the headaches involved with the class go away. She was an absolute joy to be around and I was a total fool for not making that next step and arranging a date outside of school with her. Who knows what life could've been like if she would've been more involved with me? And even if she only wanted to remain just friends - at least I would've know.
After that semester, I lost all contact with Jennifer. Those were the days prior to facebook and myspace - so I really didn't have a source where I could find her. I know she talked about flunking out of the second class we had together and she was looking forward to officially being done with school after the last semester we had that class together. All I can guess is that she either quit college altogether, graduated (barely), or transferred to a new school. I know that she lived in Illinois originally and that she possibly went to be closer to home. In other words, she was no longer in the local area. Also during that last class we had together, she revealed that she had a boyfriend but that the relationship was "new." I felt that all but quashed my chances of us being an item. Foolish me - I was so naive.
Hard to believe, but it's been five years since I've talked with Jenny. She's been on my mind recently which is why I thought she would be a good topic to discuss in my blog. Where ever she is - I hope she is happy. And if she happens to see this blog about her, I hope she even remembers who I am. She may not have felt the same way about me that I do about her, but she still holds a special place in my heart. And on the very slim chances that we ever to talk again, I hope I am able to tell her how I really feel about her, even if she is married to someone else. You know, I've had a lot of missed opportunites when it came to women in my life, but not initiating a relationship with Jennifer is probably the biggest missed opportunity of them all and it's something I'll live with for the rest of my life.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Favorite Fast Food Restaurants
I'm hoping to flip the switch on more blogging here within the next few weeks. It's been a pretty hectic summer and I haven't really had the opportunity to do much writing. With summer winding down and cooler weather on the horizon, it'll give me more motivation to start writing again. But hopefully the cooler weather doesn't move in on us too fast! Because we've hardly had much of a summer as it is. It's finally gotten more summer-like and I'm hoping our fall ends up unseasonably warm. Only time will tell. I can promise that you'll see the return of "The Songs I Dig," which unfortunately has been placed on the back-burner in the meantime. I have so many songs to write about it's not funny! Rest assured, it hasn't permanently gone away. You'll see it pop back up here in a short amount of time.
I recently returned from a road trip to Central Wisconsin to visit with my sister. Overall the trip was nice, but I had hoped no problems would pop up. Unfortunately problems did occur - leaving me with a bit of a headache. I may address this at another time or not. But the main focus of this particular blog is to discuss and rank my favorite fast food restaurants. It's been awhile since I've done a blog like this, but I thought it would be something fun to do again. While sight seeing through many of the larger and smaller towns of Central and Northeast Wisconsin, you can't help but notice many of the restaurants that exist in each of those towns. It's quite expected to see a McDonald's or a Burger King in just about every town with a large enough population to sustain it. Yet others might not be as frequent. With that said, here is my ranking of favorite fast food restaurants. As always, this ranking is unofficial and very biased. Don't take my word for it.
#1 - Culver's : This fast food restaurant is most famous through most of the Midwest, although it is gradually growing and expanding its boundaries through other areas of the U.S. Culver's is famous for its butter butters and frozen custard. Not only are its hamburgers delicious, its fries cooked perfectly and always warm, and it's frozen custard to die for, but they also have numerous others items to choose from the menu. This fast food restaurant won me over as being a favorite of mine because of the wide variety of custard choices, from sundaes, to concrete mixers, slushies and so on. If you've never been to one and happy to drive upon one someday, be sure to check it out!
#2 - Wendy's : The restaurant made famous by Dave Thomas comes in a close second as favorite for me. If Culver's never expanded and entered the area, Wendy's probably would've made it as a number one choice. Nevertheless, it's still a very tasty fast food joint. Just as with Culver's, Wendy's hamburgers are very delicious, juicy, and cooked in that familiar square shaped. The fries from Wendy's are about as good as they get, cooked perfectly with the right amount of salt. It's not only about the burgers and fries, however. Their chicken and fish sandwiches are just as tasty. And how can you not include the always popular chili and frosty's!
#3 - Dairy Queen : I had considered not even including DQ on the list because where I live, it's basically just an ice cream stand and they don't even sell hamburgers or hotdogs. It's even opened just in the summer months. However, I know it's not like this everywhere. Just south of the Michigan border into Wisconsin, the DQ's there are open year-round and are enclosed buildings. They offer more than just ice cream on the menu, too. I think at one time in my life, I had a DQ hamburger and it was pretty good. However, I cannot give an honest opinion of their warm food since it's been so long. All we ever get from DQ is ice cream and it is always delicious! From their blizzards, sundaes, and ice cream cones and so much more. You cannot go wrong by making a quick stop at your local Dairy Queen.
#4 - Burger King : So next up is Burger King. Selections number four and five are going to be a bit more difficult because these are restaurants I basically go to in a pinch and are not frequented by me all that often. BK is a good selection for number four because their hamburgers are very good, being that they're flame-broiled. No other restaurant does it quite like BK. They have become famous for their whoppers and the fun-loving king they've developed as their mascot - attempting to act cool in many of their TV ads. One of their most-recent commercials had these people dressed up in hamburger costumes, playing roles as "Whopper" and "Whopper Jr." A few of those ads ended up being pretty hilarious. Another one I got a kick out of was where these two college-aged guys are eating these BK burger shots (mini burgers) and suddenly become surrounded by a group of very attractive-looking girls. One exclaims "I just want to squeeze them!" (referring to the burgers). The one guy says, "squeeze away." Gets me every time...
#5 - Hardee's : Rounding out the top five is Hardee's, which seems to be within a period of tough times, judging by the amount of closed restaurants I've been seeing within my travels. They are also known as Carl's Jr. in the western United States. As a kid, Hardee's was one of those restaurants we visited quite often. But then their quality of food diminished and eventually, it became a restaurant we rarely entered. To this day, I just cannot get myself to go to a Hardee's, even when I suddenly come to crave a Hardee's burger (and no, NEVER a thickburger - unless I want to gain a tremendous amount of weight). And their switch to Angus burgers did them no favors for me, in my opinion. They ended up giving me heart burn, unlike any other fast food burger I've ever had! But the Hardee's franchise still holds a special place in my heart, which is why sentimentally, I gave it #5 in my rankings.
And here are some honorable mentions:
-McDonald's : You might be shocked as to why McDonald's doesn't make my top five. Well, I've never been a big fan of their food overall and it was a restaurant we rarely stopped at when I was a kid and even now. However, don't be surprised if at some point, when and if I re-do this ranking, it manages to sneak into the top five. They are building a new McDonald's restaurant just two miles down the road from my new house. That easily beats out the seven or eight miles I need to travel to get to Wendy's or Culver's! I just might have to try McDonald's food a bit more often now.
-A&W : Another restaurant that seems to be having its struggles, at least locally, anyways. Within the past year, the last two A&W restaurants in the central U.P. have closed. One restaurant just a short drive from my new house closed a few years ago and was recently purchased. I was hoping someone would re-open it as an A&W but sadly, it's being converted into a different commercial business. The building is being transformed into something completely different and I find that disappointing! When they closed that A&W, they opened another one in the city of Marquette. But the location was very poor and within a few months, it was closed. I was looking forward to trying that one out, too, but it didn't stay open long enough. Now there are no more A&W's left within a short driving distance for me but it gets an honorable mention for me, basically for nostalgic reasons. Their root beer is what made them a household name and that rings true today.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my ranking of the favorite fast food restaurants. Like I said, this is only my opinion and I'm sure many of you may disagree with which restaurants belong where. And, if we had even more varieties of restaurants, I'm sure you'd see others included. There's no IHop or Sonics in Upper Michigan, that's for sure. Well, maybe eventually. And just in case you haven't heard or one or two of the restaurants featured here, maybe you learned something about them, too.
I recently returned from a road trip to Central Wisconsin to visit with my sister. Overall the trip was nice, but I had hoped no problems would pop up. Unfortunately problems did occur - leaving me with a bit of a headache. I may address this at another time or not. But the main focus of this particular blog is to discuss and rank my favorite fast food restaurants. It's been awhile since I've done a blog like this, but I thought it would be something fun to do again. While sight seeing through many of the larger and smaller towns of Central and Northeast Wisconsin, you can't help but notice many of the restaurants that exist in each of those towns. It's quite expected to see a McDonald's or a Burger King in just about every town with a large enough population to sustain it. Yet others might not be as frequent. With that said, here is my ranking of favorite fast food restaurants. As always, this ranking is unofficial and very biased. Don't take my word for it.
#1 - Culver's : This fast food restaurant is most famous through most of the Midwest, although it is gradually growing and expanding its boundaries through other areas of the U.S. Culver's is famous for its butter butters and frozen custard. Not only are its hamburgers delicious, its fries cooked perfectly and always warm, and it's frozen custard to die for, but they also have numerous others items to choose from the menu. This fast food restaurant won me over as being a favorite of mine because of the wide variety of custard choices, from sundaes, to concrete mixers, slushies and so on. If you've never been to one and happy to drive upon one someday, be sure to check it out!
#2 - Wendy's : The restaurant made famous by Dave Thomas comes in a close second as favorite for me. If Culver's never expanded and entered the area, Wendy's probably would've made it as a number one choice. Nevertheless, it's still a very tasty fast food joint. Just as with Culver's, Wendy's hamburgers are very delicious, juicy, and cooked in that familiar square shaped. The fries from Wendy's are about as good as they get, cooked perfectly with the right amount of salt. It's not only about the burgers and fries, however. Their chicken and fish sandwiches are just as tasty. And how can you not include the always popular chili and frosty's!
#3 - Dairy Queen : I had considered not even including DQ on the list because where I live, it's basically just an ice cream stand and they don't even sell hamburgers or hotdogs. It's even opened just in the summer months. However, I know it's not like this everywhere. Just south of the Michigan border into Wisconsin, the DQ's there are open year-round and are enclosed buildings. They offer more than just ice cream on the menu, too. I think at one time in my life, I had a DQ hamburger and it was pretty good. However, I cannot give an honest opinion of their warm food since it's been so long. All we ever get from DQ is ice cream and it is always delicious! From their blizzards, sundaes, and ice cream cones and so much more. You cannot go wrong by making a quick stop at your local Dairy Queen.
#4 - Burger King : So next up is Burger King. Selections number four and five are going to be a bit more difficult because these are restaurants I basically go to in a pinch and are not frequented by me all that often. BK is a good selection for number four because their hamburgers are very good, being that they're flame-broiled. No other restaurant does it quite like BK. They have become famous for their whoppers and the fun-loving king they've developed as their mascot - attempting to act cool in many of their TV ads. One of their most-recent commercials had these people dressed up in hamburger costumes, playing roles as "Whopper" and "Whopper Jr." A few of those ads ended up being pretty hilarious. Another one I got a kick out of was where these two college-aged guys are eating these BK burger shots (mini burgers) and suddenly become surrounded by a group of very attractive-looking girls. One exclaims "I just want to squeeze them!" (referring to the burgers). The one guy says, "squeeze away." Gets me every time...
#5 - Hardee's : Rounding out the top five is Hardee's, which seems to be within a period of tough times, judging by the amount of closed restaurants I've been seeing within my travels. They are also known as Carl's Jr. in the western United States. As a kid, Hardee's was one of those restaurants we visited quite often. But then their quality of food diminished and eventually, it became a restaurant we rarely entered. To this day, I just cannot get myself to go to a Hardee's, even when I suddenly come to crave a Hardee's burger (and no, NEVER a thickburger - unless I want to gain a tremendous amount of weight). And their switch to Angus burgers did them no favors for me, in my opinion. They ended up giving me heart burn, unlike any other fast food burger I've ever had! But the Hardee's franchise still holds a special place in my heart, which is why sentimentally, I gave it #5 in my rankings.
And here are some honorable mentions:
-McDonald's : You might be shocked as to why McDonald's doesn't make my top five. Well, I've never been a big fan of their food overall and it was a restaurant we rarely stopped at when I was a kid and even now. However, don't be surprised if at some point, when and if I re-do this ranking, it manages to sneak into the top five. They are building a new McDonald's restaurant just two miles down the road from my new house. That easily beats out the seven or eight miles I need to travel to get to Wendy's or Culver's! I just might have to try McDonald's food a bit more often now.
-A&W : Another restaurant that seems to be having its struggles, at least locally, anyways. Within the past year, the last two A&W restaurants in the central U.P. have closed. One restaurant just a short drive from my new house closed a few years ago and was recently purchased. I was hoping someone would re-open it as an A&W but sadly, it's being converted into a different commercial business. The building is being transformed into something completely different and I find that disappointing! When they closed that A&W, they opened another one in the city of Marquette. But the location was very poor and within a few months, it was closed. I was looking forward to trying that one out, too, but it didn't stay open long enough. Now there are no more A&W's left within a short driving distance for me but it gets an honorable mention for me, basically for nostalgic reasons. Their root beer is what made them a household name and that rings true today.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my ranking of the favorite fast food restaurants. Like I said, this is only my opinion and I'm sure many of you may disagree with which restaurants belong where. And, if we had even more varieties of restaurants, I'm sure you'd see others included. There's no IHop or Sonics in Upper Michigan, that's for sure. Well, maybe eventually. And just in case you haven't heard or one or two of the restaurants featured here, maybe you learned something about them, too.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
A Recap of Last Weekends Events
Around 4:00 tomorrow afternoon, I'll be heading down to Wisconsin for the weekend to visit my sister who lives about five hours away. It'll be our first visit down there in six months. Believe me, we've tried making it down there sooner, but a lot of different things came up. One specifically was my move into the new house back in June. I am really looking forward to the visit and being able to get away from the U.P. for three to four days. That's not to say I am sick of living where I live - I can't think of living anywhere else! It's just that any person, not just me, needs a breather every now and again to appreciate where they live and to be grateful about where they live once they do arrive back home. So, with the impending trip, I want to try and get in a few blogs before I go. Otherwise by the time I get back, it'll already be the middle of August!
So this week I'm on vacation from work - and let me tell you, it's been a long time coming. I was last on vacation over a year ago back in July 2008. So I was definitely due for a week off. This past weekend, I spent some time back at my parents place where the annual homecoming and county fair were being held. If you read my previous blog post, I'm sure you saw how excited I was to go back and be apart of the festivities again. I arrived on Saturday, plenty of time to take the walk down to the downtown area of the village to watch the parade march down the street. Like I said in the last blog, no matter how old you are, you never get sick of watching a parade. And there's something absolutely special about watching your own hometown parade. You see familiar faces and businesses represented in the parade and it truly makes it feel like home. What made it even special was my niece and nephew being able to watch the parade and to retrieve enormous amounts of candy. Heck, even my parents and I were picking up the candy off the street every time people from each float would throw some at us. It always helps to have kids with ya, cause as soon as they saw them, out flew the candy! I took a whole round of pictures with the kids and of each parade float as I'll soon be uploading them to my hometown website. As soon as I get the pictures and the time!
One of the activities of the county fair is a tractor pull that is held during the weekend. I believe there were at least 12 different tractors in the parade and a couple of them were pretty unique. One individual souped up his tractor and installed a V-8 engine in it! He was revving it up every so often and it was a pretty interesting piece of equipment to look at. Another tractor was a real-old timer. It was one of those old steam engine tractors, complete with a whistle you'd hear from a train back in the early 1900's. You could smell the wood burning inside the tractor as it went by. It was a cool sight to see and it's one of those things you don't often get to witness. There were also a countless number of reunion floats this year - probably the most I've ever seen. From the class of 2009 (which I had to admit was pretty clever - only 60 some days of being out of school, but having the least decorated float) to the class of 1949, there were a lot represented at this year's parade. And next year, it'll be my class, the class of 2000! Our ten year reunion will be held, and I just might happen to be in the parade. How crazy is that?
The parade is always the biggest highlight of the event for me, but it's always nice to walk the grounds of the fair as well. It's a small fair, so it doesn't encompass many acres. We checked out both exhibit buildings, saw my sister's and her kids' exhibits and variety of ribbons. Then the kids went on a few of the rides there. They were just those bouncy-slide kind of things and my nephew especially likes those. So they got their fill of those rides and then we went and checked out the animals in the barns. My niece loves animals and she even got to pet a baby calf. We got a few refreshments and took a final walk around the grounds until we headed home. And home for us is just a block away practically.
So now that that event is over, my summer is practically over with! No big occasions to look forward to, other than to enjoy the rest of the summer and to finish some of our big remodeling projects. I am hoping the end of summer and fall will end up being warmer than average. I mean afterall, I think we're due. And better yet, I have another week off from work in September to enjoy, so I'm sure there's plenty of nice weather left to enjoy. Better make the most of it, because it won't be long until the snow starts flying!
So this week I'm on vacation from work - and let me tell you, it's been a long time coming. I was last on vacation over a year ago back in July 2008. So I was definitely due for a week off. This past weekend, I spent some time back at my parents place where the annual homecoming and county fair were being held. If you read my previous blog post, I'm sure you saw how excited I was to go back and be apart of the festivities again. I arrived on Saturday, plenty of time to take the walk down to the downtown area of the village to watch the parade march down the street. Like I said in the last blog, no matter how old you are, you never get sick of watching a parade. And there's something absolutely special about watching your own hometown parade. You see familiar faces and businesses represented in the parade and it truly makes it feel like home. What made it even special was my niece and nephew being able to watch the parade and to retrieve enormous amounts of candy. Heck, even my parents and I were picking up the candy off the street every time people from each float would throw some at us. It always helps to have kids with ya, cause as soon as they saw them, out flew the candy! I took a whole round of pictures with the kids and of each parade float as I'll soon be uploading them to my hometown website. As soon as I get the pictures and the time!
One of the activities of the county fair is a tractor pull that is held during the weekend. I believe there were at least 12 different tractors in the parade and a couple of them were pretty unique. One individual souped up his tractor and installed a V-8 engine in it! He was revving it up every so often and it was a pretty interesting piece of equipment to look at. Another tractor was a real-old timer. It was one of those old steam engine tractors, complete with a whistle you'd hear from a train back in the early 1900's. You could smell the wood burning inside the tractor as it went by. It was a cool sight to see and it's one of those things you don't often get to witness. There were also a countless number of reunion floats this year - probably the most I've ever seen. From the class of 2009 (which I had to admit was pretty clever - only 60 some days of being out of school, but having the least decorated float) to the class of 1949, there were a lot represented at this year's parade. And next year, it'll be my class, the class of 2000! Our ten year reunion will be held, and I just might happen to be in the parade. How crazy is that?
The parade is always the biggest highlight of the event for me, but it's always nice to walk the grounds of the fair as well. It's a small fair, so it doesn't encompass many acres. We checked out both exhibit buildings, saw my sister's and her kids' exhibits and variety of ribbons. Then the kids went on a few of the rides there. They were just those bouncy-slide kind of things and my nephew especially likes those. So they got their fill of those rides and then we went and checked out the animals in the barns. My niece loves animals and she even got to pet a baby calf. We got a few refreshments and took a final walk around the grounds until we headed home. And home for us is just a block away practically.
So now that that event is over, my summer is practically over with! No big occasions to look forward to, other than to enjoy the rest of the summer and to finish some of our big remodeling projects. I am hoping the end of summer and fall will end up being warmer than average. I mean afterall, I think we're due. And better yet, I have another week off from work in September to enjoy, so I'm sure there's plenty of nice weather left to enjoy. Better make the most of it, because it won't be long until the snow starts flying!
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Splendour of Lake Superior
I've never been a big fan of the beach or of swimming in general. I know when I was little, my dad and I would always venture out to my uncle's camp where it was situated along a lake. My uncle had ski doo's, speed boats, canoes, you name it. He took his kids water skiing, wake boarding, and inner tubing. As for me, I was mostly content swimming by the shore and watching my cousins be acrobatic in the water. Heck, they spent all of their summers by the lake so you can understand how used to the water they were. As for me, I never found the water to be all that enjoyable. I am mostly afraid of the water, to be honest. I would rather have a life vest on than to be stuck with absolutely nothing in the middle of a lake. My swimming is very amateurish at best.
Where I live, I am within a short walk to the sandy shores of Lake Superior. In fact, all my life I've been close to the big lake. You know, I think for those who live here and anywhere throughout the Great Lakes, it's something we take for granted. It's rather fascinating for me to watch people traveling through marvel at how big the lake is and how you're not able to see land over the horizon. And when you think about it, it really is a spectacular thing. These lakes are hundreds of miles long and encompass thousands of gallons of fresh water. It's a place unlike any other on the entire planet. And for us, it's right in our own backyard. I make it a necessary thing to walk along the beach and to soak in the whole lakeside environment at least a few times a year. The water is so clear and the sandy beaches are so pure. Anytime of the year, the water is usually pretty chilly, so it's not often that I'll venture into the water unless it's rediculously hot out. But still, to have this grand and beautiful lake right at your feet is something to behold and enjoy.
A couple of weeks back, my family and I enjoyed a picnic by the lake side just three miles down the road from my house. My dad cooked burgers and hotdogs on one of the grills at the park and we all sat down and ate at one of the picnic tables there. It was really a fun thing that we did and something we hadn't done in many years. I think the last time we did something like that was when all of us kids were little and we were on a trip heading to Ohio or something. After the picnic, we went by the lake side and enjoyed the nice weather while the kids went swimming. It was an enjoyable three hour event and it's something we're all looking forward to do in the future. See what advantages there are to living so close to a Great Lake?
Yes, there are a few disadvantages to living close to Lake Superior, but they are so minor in comparison to the positives, I'm not even going to list them. Another great thing about where I live now, is on those breezy days, you can hear the water of the lake splash onto shore from the big waves. What an amazing natural feature of this great land! And where ever you live, make sure you come to embrace a feature that makes it special. We can all hate certain aspects about where we live, yet we also should make an effort to enjoy it, too. Afterall, we live in these locations for a reason, and it can't all be for not.
Where I live, I am within a short walk to the sandy shores of Lake Superior. In fact, all my life I've been close to the big lake. You know, I think for those who live here and anywhere throughout the Great Lakes, it's something we take for granted. It's rather fascinating for me to watch people traveling through marvel at how big the lake is and how you're not able to see land over the horizon. And when you think about it, it really is a spectacular thing. These lakes are hundreds of miles long and encompass thousands of gallons of fresh water. It's a place unlike any other on the entire planet. And for us, it's right in our own backyard. I make it a necessary thing to walk along the beach and to soak in the whole lakeside environment at least a few times a year. The water is so clear and the sandy beaches are so pure. Anytime of the year, the water is usually pretty chilly, so it's not often that I'll venture into the water unless it's rediculously hot out. But still, to have this grand and beautiful lake right at your feet is something to behold and enjoy.
A couple of weeks back, my family and I enjoyed a picnic by the lake side just three miles down the road from my house. My dad cooked burgers and hotdogs on one of the grills at the park and we all sat down and ate at one of the picnic tables there. It was really a fun thing that we did and something we hadn't done in many years. I think the last time we did something like that was when all of us kids were little and we were on a trip heading to Ohio or something. After the picnic, we went by the lake side and enjoyed the nice weather while the kids went swimming. It was an enjoyable three hour event and it's something we're all looking forward to do in the future. See what advantages there are to living so close to a Great Lake?
Yes, there are a few disadvantages to living close to Lake Superior, but they are so minor in comparison to the positives, I'm not even going to list them. Another great thing about where I live now, is on those breezy days, you can hear the water of the lake splash onto shore from the big waves. What an amazing natural feature of this great land! And where ever you live, make sure you come to embrace a feature that makes it special. We can all hate certain aspects about where we live, yet we also should make an effort to enjoy it, too. Afterall, we live in these locations for a reason, and it can't all be for not.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Hometown Celebration
It's been about three years since I was able to attend the last homecoming and county fair activities in my home town. The work schedule I was on didn't allow me to travel the short distance home to attend the festivities. This year, I switched work crews with another individual which allowed me to have this upcoming weekend off. And you know something, I'm pretty excited about it. Now don't get me wrong, this is a small-town, small-county celebration we're talking about. Year in and year out, things basically remain the same. But this celebration allows people to come back and reminisce about the old times, if you will. I like to refer to it as reunion-weekend, as well. Many class reunions from the high school are held during the weekend, so it's not uncommon to see a few old faces from the past. In ten years, it'll be my classes' reunion (which totally blows my mind). I wouldn't be surprised to see a few familiar faces from the class of '99 this weekend.
The homecoming and county fair celebrations have been a part of my summer for as long as I can remember. There have been a few family reunions and gatherings held during this weekend, as well. The parade through town is probably the biggest highlight for me. I've even been in the parade on a few instances when I was younger. Again, it's a small town parade but it seems like in the smallest of parades, that's when you get the most candy. And I'll tell you, candy is no longer a big priority when you're an adult, but my niece and nephew will be joining us at the parade in a few days and they'll get a kick out of being thrown all that candy. No matter how old you are, you can never get tired of a parade. And it typically features just about every local business in the area. I mean, this is probably the biggest weekend of the year to experience hometown pride.
As part of the county fair, we used to submit exhibits to put on display and to be judged. It was actually a really good way to earn money, because if your displays were awarded a blue (first place), red (second place) or white (third place) ribbon, you also earned money depending upon the ribbon you won for your respective display. The majority of the ribbons my sisters and I won through the years were blue. Heck, one of my sisters consistently won top prize ribbons for her sewing and for my mom's vegetables. It was actually a nice way to earn some money in the summer time especially if you're a young kid. Not only that, but it was neat to see all of the animals on display and to check out some of the vendors that had merchandise on sale. This particular county fair was never known for having any rides for the kids to enjoy as there's not a tremendous amount of space for such things, but they offer many different activities for kids. So it's not a total snooze-fest for the kids that do attend.
So needless to say, I am pretty happy about getting the opportunity to attend this year's homecoming and county fair for the first time in three years. Hopefully the management where I work doesn't decide to switch crews on me again like what has been rumored, otherwise this might be the last weekend I'll be able to attend the hometown celebration for awhile. And although it's a small town celebration and typically not much changes year in and year out in this town, its still always about the people. And this is one chance throughout the entire year for the whole community to get out and see what's going on in the community and to reunite with individuals they may not have seen in years.
The homecoming and county fair celebrations have been a part of my summer for as long as I can remember. There have been a few family reunions and gatherings held during this weekend, as well. The parade through town is probably the biggest highlight for me. I've even been in the parade on a few instances when I was younger. Again, it's a small town parade but it seems like in the smallest of parades, that's when you get the most candy. And I'll tell you, candy is no longer a big priority when you're an adult, but my niece and nephew will be joining us at the parade in a few days and they'll get a kick out of being thrown all that candy. No matter how old you are, you can never get tired of a parade. And it typically features just about every local business in the area. I mean, this is probably the biggest weekend of the year to experience hometown pride.
As part of the county fair, we used to submit exhibits to put on display and to be judged. It was actually a really good way to earn money, because if your displays were awarded a blue (first place), red (second place) or white (third place) ribbon, you also earned money depending upon the ribbon you won for your respective display. The majority of the ribbons my sisters and I won through the years were blue. Heck, one of my sisters consistently won top prize ribbons for her sewing and for my mom's vegetables. It was actually a nice way to earn some money in the summer time especially if you're a young kid. Not only that, but it was neat to see all of the animals on display and to check out some of the vendors that had merchandise on sale. This particular county fair was never known for having any rides for the kids to enjoy as there's not a tremendous amount of space for such things, but they offer many different activities for kids. So it's not a total snooze-fest for the kids that do attend.
So needless to say, I am pretty happy about getting the opportunity to attend this year's homecoming and county fair for the first time in three years. Hopefully the management where I work doesn't decide to switch crews on me again like what has been rumored, otherwise this might be the last weekend I'll be able to attend the hometown celebration for awhile. And although it's a small town celebration and typically not much changes year in and year out in this town, its still always about the people. And this is one chance throughout the entire year for the whole community to get out and see what's going on in the community and to reunite with individuals they may not have seen in years.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Summer Flying By
It's already July 29th, meaning there's only one month of summer weather to enjoy. Honestly, though, this summer has been one of our coolest in quite some time. Many of the weather experts around here are comparing it to our last "year without a summer" in 1992. That year we had a lot of rain and cool temperatures. This summer, it's just been cool and dry. I can't remember the last 80 degree day we had and I don't believe we hit 90 degrees yet this summer. I'm not really complaining about missing the heat and humidity, though. However, temperatures in the low 80's would be nice to see. Maybe taking our cool summer into account, mother nature will bless us with an unseasonably mild autumn! One can only hope.
It's been another very busy month of July - and I am happy to say I have now lived in my new house for a month! So far nothing extremely wild or crazy has gone on at my new residence. There is one incidence that was a little troubling during the first few days I officially lived in the house, however. I had just got home from work around 11:30 PM from afternoon shift and was trying to get into my house from my garage into the kitchen. I go to unlock the deadbolt, turn the doorknob, but the door would not open. No matter what I tried, I could not get in. I even tried getting into the house through the front door but even the screen door was locked! So I took that door right off, got to the exterior door, and found out I didn't have keys for that door, either. It was back to the drawing board; which then I finally started taking apart the door knob that was giving me trouble in the garage. I got out the electric-powered drill and started drilling away at the problematic knob. The thing is, it was around midnight at that time and the noise coming from the garage was getting pretty loud. So after awhile I knocked it off - for fear of waking up one of my new neighbors. I certainly didn't want to piss anyone off the first week I was hear! And it's not like the house is all that close to the other homes around here. There's a good distance between homes. Still, I didn't want to chance it, especially around midnight! Well needless to say, after about 45 minutes, I eventually got the old doorknob off. It was certainly a struggle, but I never gave up from getting inside my house! It ended up being a broken spring inside the doorknob that caused it to fail. Why couldn't this have happened a week prior when the old owners were still here?
In addition to keeping up with the daily chores of my new house, I have also been busy helping out my dad put new siding and windows on his house. The project is progressing quite nicely and we're now down to the last wall of this particular phase of the house. But the last wall certainly isn't going to be the easiest, either. It's the largest of the walls and there are many obstacles to put the siding around, including about four different windows and utility boxes/meters. The electric power for the house comes from the roof and runs down the wall through a large piece of conduit, goes to the meter box and through some more conduit into the house where the fuse box is. My dad put siding up on this wall 15 years ago so there is no more room to pull on the conduit and slide the new siding under it. So we're thinking of creating a whole new box for all of the different utilities on this particular wall. It's going to be a challenge and will end up taking a lot of time. But eventually we'll get it figured out. The rest of the house looks super nice and it really makes the house stick out as the nicest in the neighborhood now.
From the looks of it, it doesn't seem like this hectic summer of mine is going to slow down anytime soon. This weekend is my hometown's annual homecoming celebration - that along with the county fair. And this is the first time in over three years that I'll be able to attend! I'm actually looking forward to it, although I don't expect things to be all that different from year's past. My niece and nephew will also be around, so we'll be busy taking care of them. Then we'll continue to work on the siding project on my dad's house this next week and then the following weekend, we'll be making a trip down to Wisconsin to visit my sister. We haven't been down there in six months! It's been long overdue but you know what? It's better to be busy than bored out of my mind. Summertime is when you want to get out and make the most of it.
Monday, July 20, 2009
House Plans
All in all, things are going quite well with the new home. It's not entirely a new home since it was built in 1969. But considering it's 40 years old, it really doesn't seem like it's that old. The ex-owners have done plenty of work to the place to modernize it over the years, including making exterior improvements like vinyl siding and a new roof. Inside, the kitchen is relatively new with new cabinetry and new flooring. Yet when you're a new homeowner, there's always things you want to do to personalize the place. At this stage of the game, I am not going to go crazy and make mass improvements to the place. I want to stage out the improvements gradually. And as I've posted previously, not a lot of work needs to be done with the home. Just minor improvements for now, if you will.
So it's a three bedroom, one bath home. At some point in time, I'd like to add another bathroom somewhere, whether that'll be in the basement or if I convert one of the closets upstairs into one. But the main bathroom is already on the west end of the house where all of the bedrooms are. On the other end of the house is the kitchen and living room. It'll take some planning and engineering to decide if another bathroom can be built somewhere upstairs or not. I am sure it can happen, but whether it's the absolute perfect location or not is left to be determined. The basement is probably the most logical location since I've got lots of room down there and it's where I'd like to build a sauna at some point in time. And as far as the size of this new bathroom, I'm only looking at a toilet and a sink, so it won't be tremendously large. The sauna, which will be located in the basement, will be large enough to accomodate a shower. So at this point in time, the new bathroom would be best located downstairs. But at this point, those two projects won't be in the immediate future.
As for projects that I am planning to tackle in the near future, they involve repairing walls and repainting rooms. Two of the three bedrooms, the hallway, and the living room I am all planning to repaint at some point. One of the things that all these rooms are lacking is baseboard trim. I believe when the ex-owners installed new carpeting, they also removed the baseboard trim and never re-installed it. There are few trim pieces in the garage and basement, but not nearly enough to install it in all the rooms. I would like to buy new trim for all of the rooms, stain it, and install it in a room-by-room basis. I'm looking to start in one room of the house, probably the guest bedroom, by this fall. In addition, many of the electrical outlets do not match other outlets or light switches in the rooms. I plan to buy new outlets or match outlets properly and put up the wall plate that matches the best. Again, not major improvements but little things to make the place my own.
Most of the additional "major" projects involve landscaping improvements and additional exterior fixes. I am hoping at some point to get some top soil for the front lawn and re-seed the lawn. As it stands now, the entire property is comprised of sandy soil. Needless to say, the grass doesn't grow real thick. Eventually I'd like to try upgrading the lawn, but that might be a pretty large task to overcome. I am also tinkering with the idea of installing a doorway leading into the basement from the rear-side of the house. The ground slopes away from the house in the back and it actually could work. But all of that will have to figure in as to where I plan on putting the sauna and bathroom. It all takes planning and I've got many years to make it work. All in all, when time comes for me to sell this house or for someone else to sell it for me, I want to be able to make a profit off of it and to really be proud of the place I've come to call home. Hopefully these improvements through the years will allow me to do just that.
So it's a three bedroom, one bath home. At some point in time, I'd like to add another bathroom somewhere, whether that'll be in the basement or if I convert one of the closets upstairs into one. But the main bathroom is already on the west end of the house where all of the bedrooms are. On the other end of the house is the kitchen and living room. It'll take some planning and engineering to decide if another bathroom can be built somewhere upstairs or not. I am sure it can happen, but whether it's the absolute perfect location or not is left to be determined. The basement is probably the most logical location since I've got lots of room down there and it's where I'd like to build a sauna at some point in time. And as far as the size of this new bathroom, I'm only looking at a toilet and a sink, so it won't be tremendously large. The sauna, which will be located in the basement, will be large enough to accomodate a shower. So at this point in time, the new bathroom would be best located downstairs. But at this point, those two projects won't be in the immediate future.
As for projects that I am planning to tackle in the near future, they involve repairing walls and repainting rooms. Two of the three bedrooms, the hallway, and the living room I am all planning to repaint at some point. One of the things that all these rooms are lacking is baseboard trim. I believe when the ex-owners installed new carpeting, they also removed the baseboard trim and never re-installed it. There are few trim pieces in the garage and basement, but not nearly enough to install it in all the rooms. I would like to buy new trim for all of the rooms, stain it, and install it in a room-by-room basis. I'm looking to start in one room of the house, probably the guest bedroom, by this fall. In addition, many of the electrical outlets do not match other outlets or light switches in the rooms. I plan to buy new outlets or match outlets properly and put up the wall plate that matches the best. Again, not major improvements but little things to make the place my own.
Most of the additional "major" projects involve landscaping improvements and additional exterior fixes. I am hoping at some point to get some top soil for the front lawn and re-seed the lawn. As it stands now, the entire property is comprised of sandy soil. Needless to say, the grass doesn't grow real thick. Eventually I'd like to try upgrading the lawn, but that might be a pretty large task to overcome. I am also tinkering with the idea of installing a doorway leading into the basement from the rear-side of the house. The ground slopes away from the house in the back and it actually could work. But all of that will have to figure in as to where I plan on putting the sauna and bathroom. It all takes planning and I've got many years to make it work. All in all, when time comes for me to sell this house or for someone else to sell it for me, I want to be able to make a profit off of it and to really be proud of the place I've come to call home. Hopefully these improvements through the years will allow me to do just that.
Monday, July 13, 2009
First Blog from New Home
It's been ages since I last posted in my blog (shame on me) but its been a busy three week stretch for me. Not only did we celebrate the Fourth of July, but I also enjoyed my birthday and the very important occasion of moving into my new home. The closing for the home was on June 26th. For those unfamiliar with a closing on a house - it's basically the final hurdle in the long home buying process. You meet with the bank, sign a ton of papers, hand over down payments and other assorted checks, and then it's basically the handing over of keys and voila! It's officially you're own home. At least for me, I had to wait a day before the ex-owners were officially moved out. But with all things considered, that delay in ownership worked out for the best.
When I first started the process of buying a home, I had no idea how exhausting it could be. I mean, you can't simply pick out a home and buy it right then and there. You have to find a bank where you can acquire a loan, you need to have your home inspected by a professional to detect any potential problems that could hinder the purchase of said home. You also need to transfer utilities into your name or move utilities prior to closing. You need to find home owners insurance, especially if your plan on including it in an escrow account as part of the home loan from the bank. Then there's the whole packing and moving from the old place of residence. It's a whole whirlwind of activity that I'm certainly glad is over. However, I'm glad I went through it because I ended up with a really nice home.
I would say that since I moved into this home, I have found very few surprises left by the previous owners. One thing I was a bit surprised to find out was how much stuff they decided to leave behind. Mind you, it's not tremendously a lot. But there were a few treasures here and there that were pretty awesome. And obviously the home is not perfect - there are things that I'd like to change eventually. But considering the age of the home (it's 40 years old this year) and how good the previous owners took care of the house, there's not really any major work that needs to be done to the place. A lot of the work is cosmetic and minor. I am very thankful I was able to find a home such as this because many others I went and saw on my first initial tour were pretty dreadful. And they wanted a lot of money for them, too!
So there you have it folks, I am officially a home owner. It's nice not needing to worry about paying rent at the beginning of each month and being stuck with a place you absolutely cannot change. Sure, you can change around the furniture from time to time, but with the way my old apartment was set up, it was very difficult to do that. So from the time I moved in three years ago this month at the old apartment to last month, the furniture was in the exact same spot as it was when I initially moved in there. In the new house, I have the freedom to do whatever I want. If I get sick of my current bedroom, I can move to the one across the hall or into the room next door. I can paint, wall paper, and completely gut rooms if I wanted to. But at this point in time, I'll just stick to painting. And with me being involved with re-siding my parents house this summer, I probably won't be able to get to many of the improvements on my home until this fall. And I'm okay with that, because actually I'm pretty happy with the stauts quo at this point in time. But I'm sure in time, that'll change. After all, doesn't that come with owning your own home?
When I first started the process of buying a home, I had no idea how exhausting it could be. I mean, you can't simply pick out a home and buy it right then and there. You have to find a bank where you can acquire a loan, you need to have your home inspected by a professional to detect any potential problems that could hinder the purchase of said home. You also need to transfer utilities into your name or move utilities prior to closing. You need to find home owners insurance, especially if your plan on including it in an escrow account as part of the home loan from the bank. Then there's the whole packing and moving from the old place of residence. It's a whole whirlwind of activity that I'm certainly glad is over. However, I'm glad I went through it because I ended up with a really nice home.
I would say that since I moved into this home, I have found very few surprises left by the previous owners. One thing I was a bit surprised to find out was how much stuff they decided to leave behind. Mind you, it's not tremendously a lot. But there were a few treasures here and there that were pretty awesome. And obviously the home is not perfect - there are things that I'd like to change eventually. But considering the age of the home (it's 40 years old this year) and how good the previous owners took care of the house, there's not really any major work that needs to be done to the place. A lot of the work is cosmetic and minor. I am very thankful I was able to find a home such as this because many others I went and saw on my first initial tour were pretty dreadful. And they wanted a lot of money for them, too!
So there you have it folks, I am officially a home owner. It's nice not needing to worry about paying rent at the beginning of each month and being stuck with a place you absolutely cannot change. Sure, you can change around the furniture from time to time, but with the way my old apartment was set up, it was very difficult to do that. So from the time I moved in three years ago this month at the old apartment to last month, the furniture was in the exact same spot as it was when I initially moved in there. In the new house, I have the freedom to do whatever I want. If I get sick of my current bedroom, I can move to the one across the hall or into the room next door. I can paint, wall paper, and completely gut rooms if I wanted to. But at this point in time, I'll just stick to painting. And with me being involved with re-siding my parents house this summer, I probably won't be able to get to many of the improvements on my home until this fall. And I'm okay with that, because actually I'm pretty happy with the stauts quo at this point in time. But I'm sure in time, that'll change. After all, doesn't that come with owning your own home?
Monday, June 22, 2009
One Last Stroll Through the Neighborhood
A little while ago, I just got back from a walk around my current, but soon to be former neighborhood. It has its charming characteristics, yet some things are left to be desired. This is the basic layout of the neighborhood: to the east and south is the business and commercial district. You have a bunch of apartment buildings directly east of my building, then kiddy-corner to the building, you have a dairy. Then, due south is a commercial building that comprises a variety of offices. To the north and west, it's all residential (except closer to the highway). Due west, there are some very beautiful homes located along the street - and if any of those homes were for sale while I was looking, I would've considered relocating here. But that never ended up happening. North of my apartment building is more residential, but not far down the street is township jurisdiction.
When I first moved into this building nearly three years ago, I definitely found the atmosphere much better than the apartment prior. It was newer, for one thing, and the rent for being in this city was the lowest I could find. It also provided me a bit more space. However, the exterior and the lot around the apartment is basically comprised of concrete and asphalt. There's no physical lawn, if you will, to really sit out and enjoy the weather. The landlords here have not provided a public green space for its residents and that is kind of a detraction to the place. Don't get me wrong, the landlords here have been nothing but kind and considerate. But I just think they could do more to make it more tenant-friendly, if you will. Sure, there's a small parcel of land in the back of the apartment, but it's only a little more than ten feet in width. I would rather go to the park than spend some time out back there.
As for the neighborhood itself, it's a mixed bag, really. The row of houses due west of the apartment building are quaint and well-kept, except for one. Several old oak trees line the roadway and the leaves drape over the street and the lawns of the homeowners. Many of the lawns are well kept and the grass is a beautiful green; absolutely no weeds to be found. The people here really take great pride for their homes and it's truly a pleasure to walk along the street and to marvel at their properties. The apartment complex due east of my building is a well-maintained complex. They provide such a wonderful atmosphere for their tenants with park benches, plenty of green space, and even a fitness center within their complex. But then everything beyond that is pretty plain and city-like, complete with parking lots, busy streets, office buildings, and retail stores. It's definitely not a walkers or sight see-ers paradise to be sure. But having those businesses, particularly the retail store that close by has certainly been handy. I even lament the fact that I haven't taken advantage of going to the dairy just across the street from my building at all. I was there once when my sisters visited one time, but that has been it. They sell a variety of dairy products at their store and I can't tell you how many times I've kicked myself for not getting milk on the way home from work - only to realize later they sell it right across the street! Oh well, you can't always be perfect.
When I first moved into this building almost three years ago to the day, at first I didn't do hardly any walking. That first year I basically stayed inside my apartment or drove to other parts of the city to do my walking. But in the two years since, I've ventured out more and more and have grown accustomed to my surroundings. Where I'm moving, it'll be more of a country-setting. But the conveniences of the city are not that far away. I'll miss certain aspects about living in my current building, but all of the aspects about owning a home far outweight the prospects of renting. It's been an enjoyable three years here, overall. And despite some of the early drama about this apartment back in 2006, I'd say living here has been worth every month's rent I've been paying. But after this coming weekend, it's finally time to embrace a new setting, one that I can call all to my own.
When I first moved into this building nearly three years ago, I definitely found the atmosphere much better than the apartment prior. It was newer, for one thing, and the rent for being in this city was the lowest I could find. It also provided me a bit more space. However, the exterior and the lot around the apartment is basically comprised of concrete and asphalt. There's no physical lawn, if you will, to really sit out and enjoy the weather. The landlords here have not provided a public green space for its residents and that is kind of a detraction to the place. Don't get me wrong, the landlords here have been nothing but kind and considerate. But I just think they could do more to make it more tenant-friendly, if you will. Sure, there's a small parcel of land in the back of the apartment, but it's only a little more than ten feet in width. I would rather go to the park than spend some time out back there.
As for the neighborhood itself, it's a mixed bag, really. The row of houses due west of the apartment building are quaint and well-kept, except for one. Several old oak trees line the roadway and the leaves drape over the street and the lawns of the homeowners. Many of the lawns are well kept and the grass is a beautiful green; absolutely no weeds to be found. The people here really take great pride for their homes and it's truly a pleasure to walk along the street and to marvel at their properties. The apartment complex due east of my building is a well-maintained complex. They provide such a wonderful atmosphere for their tenants with park benches, plenty of green space, and even a fitness center within their complex. But then everything beyond that is pretty plain and city-like, complete with parking lots, busy streets, office buildings, and retail stores. It's definitely not a walkers or sight see-ers paradise to be sure. But having those businesses, particularly the retail store that close by has certainly been handy. I even lament the fact that I haven't taken advantage of going to the dairy just across the street from my building at all. I was there once when my sisters visited one time, but that has been it. They sell a variety of dairy products at their store and I can't tell you how many times I've kicked myself for not getting milk on the way home from work - only to realize later they sell it right across the street! Oh well, you can't always be perfect.
When I first moved into this building almost three years ago to the day, at first I didn't do hardly any walking. That first year I basically stayed inside my apartment or drove to other parts of the city to do my walking. But in the two years since, I've ventured out more and more and have grown accustomed to my surroundings. Where I'm moving, it'll be more of a country-setting. But the conveniences of the city are not that far away. I'll miss certain aspects about living in my current building, but all of the aspects about owning a home far outweight the prospects of renting. It's been an enjoyable three years here, overall. And despite some of the early drama about this apartment back in 2006, I'd say living here has been worth every month's rent I've been paying. But after this coming weekend, it's finally time to embrace a new setting, one that I can call all to my own.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Celebrity Affairs
Today's blog is going to be about a couple of different topics - mainly dealing with public celebrities, if you will.
News broke within the last few days about an alleged incident involving Jeff Archuleta, famous father of season seven American Idol runner-up David Archuleta, soliciting a prostitute working for a massage parlor in Utah back in January. Reportedly, Jeff sought these services through Craigslist and was caught in a police sting. He pleaded no contest to the charges and paid $582 in fines. Apparently the Jeff Archuleta camp is saying this is one big misunderstanding. However, it's obviously true if he pleaded no contest. I just can't understand what this man was thinking. He had the world at his feet, with a popular and very successful son doing well in the music industry. He has a gorgeous wife and a wonderful family. I am honestly dumbfounded that Jeff could've even resorted to such an activity. What is this world coming to?
During season seven of American Idol, Jeff Archuleta kind of became a controversial backstage figure on the show. We heard these horrible rumors about him being this terrible stage dad, shouting orders at his son, refusing to give his son water when thirsty, and fighting with directors/producers of the show to get advantages for his son on Idol. Those allegations were all deemed as false and once season seven concluded, many David Archuleta fans really learned more about the real Jeff Archuleta. He didn't seem to be as bad of a guy as the rumors have stated. But you have to wonder if some of those rumors actually were true? Obviously those ones about him refusing David water and bossing him around couldn't be right. But the ones about him being too involving in the decision making for David during his Idol run very well could be true. This latest incident involving Jeff and the prostitute really changes his public perception. Prior to these allegations, many Archie fans became to think highly of Jeff. Well, judging from a variety of comments on message boards, Jeff Archuleta is no longer a popular parent. His public image has been changed forever, and that's very unfortunate.
That leads me to another topic that I've been considering discussing for awhile. Prior to this year, how many Americans knew who Jon and Kate Gosselin were? The show had always managed decent ratings for TLC - but nothing like what it's brought in ratings-wise this season. Obviously a firestorm of media controversy has erupted over this couple ever since rumors of their separation and infidelity began. The season premiere of their show on Memorial Day of this year reaped in record ratings for the TLC cable channel. However, the ratings achievement was reached because of the controversy over this couple - not because of the show and their eight children. And the sad part is, the children are the innocent victims of their parents in-fighting. The show used to be about the kids and how the parents dealt with raising eight children in a household. Now they only play the backstory to the controversy involving Jon and Kate.
I had just started an interest in watching the show prior to the Jon and Kate drama that has played out in tabloids and celebrity blogs. I had sensed from watching earlier episodes that Kate could be a pretty demanding wife for Jon. So it's not really a huge surprise for me to see their marriage has crumbled. However, to see eight children tangled up in the midst of everything is a terrible thing. Obviously Jon and Kate will set up arrangements for visitation if the rumors are true that they will indeed seek a divorce. I just have to wonder how exactly the show will go on once the divorce becomes final. Will Jon no longer be part of it? I have strong suspicions that Kate will not give up the show and the money she gets paid for doing it. But Jon very well could drop out of the public eye - and I sense that's what he's wanted since this past year and the drama has evolved.
News broke within the last few days about an alleged incident involving Jeff Archuleta, famous father of season seven American Idol runner-up David Archuleta, soliciting a prostitute working for a massage parlor in Utah back in January. Reportedly, Jeff sought these services through Craigslist and was caught in a police sting. He pleaded no contest to the charges and paid $582 in fines. Apparently the Jeff Archuleta camp is saying this is one big misunderstanding. However, it's obviously true if he pleaded no contest. I just can't understand what this man was thinking. He had the world at his feet, with a popular and very successful son doing well in the music industry. He has a gorgeous wife and a wonderful family. I am honestly dumbfounded that Jeff could've even resorted to such an activity. What is this world coming to?
During season seven of American Idol, Jeff Archuleta kind of became a controversial backstage figure on the show. We heard these horrible rumors about him being this terrible stage dad, shouting orders at his son, refusing to give his son water when thirsty, and fighting with directors/producers of the show to get advantages for his son on Idol. Those allegations were all deemed as false and once season seven concluded, many David Archuleta fans really learned more about the real Jeff Archuleta. He didn't seem to be as bad of a guy as the rumors have stated. But you have to wonder if some of those rumors actually were true? Obviously those ones about him refusing David water and bossing him around couldn't be right. But the ones about him being too involving in the decision making for David during his Idol run very well could be true. This latest incident involving Jeff and the prostitute really changes his public perception. Prior to these allegations, many Archie fans became to think highly of Jeff. Well, judging from a variety of comments on message boards, Jeff Archuleta is no longer a popular parent. His public image has been changed forever, and that's very unfortunate.
That leads me to another topic that I've been considering discussing for awhile. Prior to this year, how many Americans knew who Jon and Kate Gosselin were? The show had always managed decent ratings for TLC - but nothing like what it's brought in ratings-wise this season. Obviously a firestorm of media controversy has erupted over this couple ever since rumors of their separation and infidelity began. The season premiere of their show on Memorial Day of this year reaped in record ratings for the TLC cable channel. However, the ratings achievement was reached because of the controversy over this couple - not because of the show and their eight children. And the sad part is, the children are the innocent victims of their parents in-fighting. The show used to be about the kids and how the parents dealt with raising eight children in a household. Now they only play the backstory to the controversy involving Jon and Kate.
I had just started an interest in watching the show prior to the Jon and Kate drama that has played out in tabloids and celebrity blogs. I had sensed from watching earlier episodes that Kate could be a pretty demanding wife for Jon. So it's not really a huge surprise for me to see their marriage has crumbled. However, to see eight children tangled up in the midst of everything is a terrible thing. Obviously Jon and Kate will set up arrangements for visitation if the rumors are true that they will indeed seek a divorce. I just have to wonder how exactly the show will go on once the divorce becomes final. Will Jon no longer be part of it? I have strong suspicions that Kate will not give up the show and the money she gets paid for doing it. But Jon very well could drop out of the public eye - and I sense that's what he's wanted since this past year and the drama has evolved.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Family Drama
I wish I could say I had a perfect family, but in recent days I've learned it's far from perfect. Since I am single, I have not yet started a family of my own, but I am hoping that eventually I will be able to. And maybe taking all of my life experiences into account up until this point will help in raising a family of my own. As I've watched over my parents relationship through the years, I've come to realize that marriage isn't all that it's cracked up to be. There's a lot of compromise to be had and if one side doesn't get their way regarding a certain thing, it could get ugly. My parents had a big fight earlier this week. Thankfully I was not around while it went on, otherwise I probably would've left. Not to get too descriptive as to what all went on (and only basing it from my mom's side of the story) - my dad uttered that terrible word that causes all marriages to cease existing - divorce. I couldn't believe it - in fact, I was shocked when my mom told me. And all the fight was about was my uncle and a satellite dish. But the thought of my parents possibly divorcing after 37 years of marriage was mind boggling. Sure, they had fights before - one instance I remember my mom yelling another word at my dad describing how she felt of him - hate. I never forgot about that - and yet, even though I was no where near their latest fight, I still can't get it out of my mind.
Needless to say, my mom is not a fan of my uncle - which would be my dad's brother. As long as I can remember, she has disliked the man, but maybe moreso in recent years. She claims he's never treated my dad right from the time my mom and dad met. She thinks my dad gets treated like a little kid by my uncle, even to this day. And I would have to say my dad tends to worship his brother - probably a little too much. There are many times during random conversation where his name gets brought up and my mom makes a face. My dad claims he always gets stuff from his brother and he does a lot of work for him. But more often than not, my dad also has to do a lot of the work before his brother steps in to help. It's kind of a complicated situation and I don't want to delve into it too much in case someone from my family happens upon this blog and reads what I have to say. But this family dynamic has existed for years and it finally came to a head this past week.
I don't have anything against my uncle; he's been nothing but nice and helpful to me throughout the years. I stayed over at his place many times during the summer while me and my cousins were growing up. All those experiences are fond memories now. My cousins and I never get together like we used to as we're all on separate paths. I just choose to stay out of either side of the issue that seems to divide my parents. My mom has been willing to compromise and be more accepting of my uncle in light of recent events. Obviously she wants her marriage to continue, however, she's not able to forget what my dad said to her about wanting a divorce. And their marriage may never be the same because of it. Like my mom said, if he actually said it, certainly he must mean it. And I feel bad for my dad, too. He was so distraught and angry over the whole situation, he started crying. I've never seen my dad cry other than at his own father's funeral. That image continues to haunt me. And I wasn't even there! Ugh, it's such an unpleasant situation.
Since then, my mom and dad have temporarily mended fences. They've gotten over fights in the past and I've got a pretty good feeling they will get over this one, too. But my mom is hurt by the things my dad said, no question about it. It's going to take her a long time to get over this situation. But heck, they've gone through 37 years of marriage already. I find it hard to believe that they're willing to end it all over something like this. And I just can't fathom my mom and dad ever being apart. If that day happens to come, it'll take a long, long time before I'll be able to accept it.
UPDATE: I am happy to say that things appear to be going very well for my parents since this incident took place. I spent a few days with them this past week and although my mom is still very hurt by the things my dad said, she is not letting that stop her from going forward.
Needless to say, my mom is not a fan of my uncle - which would be my dad's brother. As long as I can remember, she has disliked the man, but maybe moreso in recent years. She claims he's never treated my dad right from the time my mom and dad met. She thinks my dad gets treated like a little kid by my uncle, even to this day. And I would have to say my dad tends to worship his brother - probably a little too much. There are many times during random conversation where his name gets brought up and my mom makes a face. My dad claims he always gets stuff from his brother and he does a lot of work for him. But more often than not, my dad also has to do a lot of the work before his brother steps in to help. It's kind of a complicated situation and I don't want to delve into it too much in case someone from my family happens upon this blog and reads what I have to say. But this family dynamic has existed for years and it finally came to a head this past week.
I don't have anything against my uncle; he's been nothing but nice and helpful to me throughout the years. I stayed over at his place many times during the summer while me and my cousins were growing up. All those experiences are fond memories now. My cousins and I never get together like we used to as we're all on separate paths. I just choose to stay out of either side of the issue that seems to divide my parents. My mom has been willing to compromise and be more accepting of my uncle in light of recent events. Obviously she wants her marriage to continue, however, she's not able to forget what my dad said to her about wanting a divorce. And their marriage may never be the same because of it. Like my mom said, if he actually said it, certainly he must mean it. And I feel bad for my dad, too. He was so distraught and angry over the whole situation, he started crying. I've never seen my dad cry other than at his own father's funeral. That image continues to haunt me. And I wasn't even there! Ugh, it's such an unpleasant situation.
Since then, my mom and dad have temporarily mended fences. They've gotten over fights in the past and I've got a pretty good feeling they will get over this one, too. But my mom is hurt by the things my dad said, no question about it. It's going to take her a long time to get over this situation. But heck, they've gone through 37 years of marriage already. I find it hard to believe that they're willing to end it all over something like this. And I just can't fathom my mom and dad ever being apart. If that day happens to come, it'll take a long, long time before I'll be able to accept it.
UPDATE: I am happy to say that things appear to be going very well for my parents since this incident took place. I spent a few days with them this past week and although my mom is still very hurt by the things my dad said, she is not letting that stop her from going forward.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Where's Summer?
We're eight days into June and we're still left to wonder when summer intends to make its arrival. Today is another one of those cloudy, damp days with temperatures hovering in the upper 40's. I asked my dad if he can remember a summer starting out so cool like 2009 has. He replied, "oh probably." Obviously he can't remember quite like he used to, but as long as I've been alive, I don't recall such a cool start to summer. I think I read a stat that said we've only made it to 70 degrees and above just six or seven days so far this warm season. That interpretation might not be totally right, but it's something along those lines. And yes, typically we're a cool location year round, but this is rediculous! Hey, at least the snow has stopped falling.Speaking of snow, it's not unusual for us to see snow during the month of May. Back on May 19, 1990, a major snowstorm struck the Upper Peninsula, dumping as much as two feet of snow on much of the region. Imagine back then, the trees full of leaves and the spring flowers in full bloom. Obviously that freak snowstorm changed the landscape for a few days until the snow completely melted. From what I can recall, it only took a couple of days for everything to melt. But it just goes to show you that even in May, a snowstorm can occur. Fast-forward to this May, where the first two or three Saturdays of the month produced snow showers through much of North Central Upper Michigan. We didn't pick up any serious accumulations during those separate events, but it just goes to show you how cool this spring has turned out to be. I still don't think some of the trees are bearing their full coverage of leaves quite yet. The blossoms on the apple tree in the backyard are just starting to open up and the lilacs are finally starting to bloom. I honestly believe all of the trees and shrubs are later to bloom this year than they were last; and last year was a late start to everything. And what is the talk of global warming all about?
Ah, but there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Looking at the long range forecasts, after we get beyond the next few days, 70 degrees for a day-time high looks to be in sight. How nice that will feel after days and weeks of temperatures struggling to hit 50 and 60 degrees. I wouldn't be complaining if we had temperatures in the 60's - at least you don't need to wear a coat. But the light jacket has come in handy quite frequently the last few weeks. I want to be able to experience not having to wear a jacket to and from work and finally to be able to wear shorts every day of the week. My pants are beginning to get rather worn out from wearing them so often - usually by this time of the year, I'm making the switch over to shorts for the summer. Oh well, the weather can stay like this forever. And like I said, the forecast shows promising signs in the days ahead. This is the U.P. afterall, as they say, wait five minutes, the weather will change (on good days).
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Busy Summer Awaits
It's going to be another busy summer for me - probably busier than ever. As you may know, I am in the process of buying my new home and the sale closes at the end of the month. So I have a little bit of time to prepare for that. In addition to getting myself moved in, I also plan to make a few improvements to the house, even though the place does not need a lot of work. I don't know if I'll be doing much to the new home this summer as I have plans with other assorted projects, but maybe more this fall and winter. Whatever the case may be, it'll finally be nice to have my own home where I can do whatever I want with! That is what's rough about renting - you pay your rent every month and it's basically like throwing your money away. So in that regard, it'll be fun to gradually make improvements to the place.Phase two of the major siding and windows project will get started on my parents house this summer as well. In fact, our order of windows and siding will be dropped off this coming Thursday! We still need to pick up a few things from Menards - but we should be able to start the project almost immediately once my dad and I have time off together. I wouldn't say it's as extensive of a project like last years', but it'll still be a lot to accomplish. We're not rebuilding walls like we did last summer, just basically going over top the existing siding and replacing windows along the way. We elected to save one existing window that was roughly 15 years old (relatively new) and two others since they let out light from the attic and garage. The other important windows of the house will be replaced. I don't know what it is, but anytime my dad and I plan a major project, I just can't wait to get started. It must be the inner-carpenter inside of me.
Also on my parents house, we have one exterior door to change out. Last winter we had a lot of trouble with cold air passing through around the frame. It's not in physically bad condition, but it's just letting in too much cold air. Changing out this door might be tricky because around it is the new siding we put up last year. I have a feeling I might be taking it all down just to put the new door in. Hopefully not! Anyways, it should be an adventure as always. We also plan on installing metal roofing on the remainder of the garage. When we built the addition to the garage ten years ago, we installed a metal roof on it. Gradually my dad has been putting metal roofing on the rest of the garage. It's been a few years since he put the last section up, but he's looking to finish off the remainder of the garage roof this summer. It needs it, too, since part of the garage roof that's shingled started leaking last fall. Hopefully we'll be able to fit this project in once the siding is complete.
And if you thought that's all we had planned on my parents house, you're wrong! My dad also wants to dismantle the old chimney on the south side of the house. We used to have a wood burning stove years ago. After we remodeled the kitchen, we opted not to include the stove as part of the new kitchen, so the chimney inlet for the stove was covered up. Now, ten years later, we'll be taking down the old chimney. It shouldn't be too much work as the chimney's not all that big. However, my dad had the top of the chimney re-done 15 years ago when we installed a new roof on the south side of the house, so it might be kind of tough knocking the old bricks off. We'll see if we get that far.
Those are just a few of the projects planned for the summer of 2009. That doesn't include visits to see my sister in Wisconsin along with other fun activities that I plan to be part of. Before you know it, summer will be over and I'll be wondering where it all went. And then I'll think back, "oh, I was doing this, and this, and this!" Hopefully mixed in with all these projects, I'll be able to enjoy some of the U.P's wilderness. After all, I think summer in the U.P. is why many of us choose to live here year-round. Happy summer to all those out there in blog-land!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Sale Pending
YAY! It finally says "Pending"!
There it is, folks - my new home. After about a half-month of searching, I located the home that I will be purchasing. Last week I submitted an offer, which was counter-offered by the owners. They came down only $500, yet, I still felt it was too good of a deal to pass up. What might have complicated things was someone else submitting an offer only one day before I did, meaning I had to compete and didn't have the luxury of submitting an offer at least 1o% lower than the asking price. I didn't want to insult the current owners, either, who've been described to me as cautious and stubborn when accepting offers on their home. With that being said, in a competitive bidding process, you have to go with your gut. And that's exactly what I did. Am I a bit disappointed I couldn't land this home at a bit lower price? Sure ... but only a small fraction because I feel I got a tremendous house for a great price. When I toured six houses including this one, this was by far the best that I had seen. Important updates were made on the home meaning all I have to do is move in and it's all set. Eventually I'd like to do a few small changes to the place - but really nothing dramatic because I feel it's good the way it is. Now all I have to do is wait until the end of this month for my deal to close.
Tomorrow is a pretty important day regarding my new home as I get it professionally inspected. The current owners are still there - they are not scheduled to leave until the end of the month. However, as a buyer, I have the right to have the home inspected during the sales process. I have been told I will learn a lot about my home this way - which makes it very necessary for me to be there in case the inspector comes across something significant to the structure where repairs may be needed. This is my "out" clause, if you will. If I find something structurally deficient, I can cancel my sales contract or require that repairs be made prior to me moving in. There is no fault against me if I wish to move away from this home. However, I have a good feeling that won't happen as I saw nothing out of the ordinary the previous two times I went and saw the house. It'll take about two to three hours to go through the home, which sound pretty lengthy. But in the end, I think it'll be worth it.
That's not to say I don't feel a tad bit sad about leaving my apartment. It was strange as I entered the building where I currently reside. I began to feel sentimental about things; you know, I've grown to like my apartment. Its become my home away from home, if you will. But I am running out of room and when you pay rent, it's basically like throwing your money away. It's time for me to move on. I have a stable-enough job at this point where I am able to buy a home and not have to worry about a foreclosing. So at the end of this month, I will be packing up and moving about 10 miles south of town. I am sure I'll have mixed emotions about everything - but in the end, it's all for the better. I am getting a great home and moving into a place that's relatively maintenance-free. How can it get any better than that?
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