Bryan's Little Corner

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Monday, January 26, 2009

An Interview

Last week Lime decided to take the challenge and do an interview from a fellow blogger. She also offered to send out interview questions to any that asked. Well here is my interview.

Thank you Lime.


1. You've won a photography contract with National Geographic, however the economic crunch has hit them and they can only afford to give you a camera phone. where will you go to shoot and how will you manage?

Ah but you look at this as a restriction, I just see an advantage. I will make my first trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Besides all the bright vibrant colors that will be there, the Japanese people also tend to be a little shorter. This will make the camera pictures seem even more spectacular. And if that is not enough, being a big producer of cell phones, no one will even know I am from National Geographic which means I will get some great candid. Then it is off to Mt Fuji to document the latest climb to the summit in search of Godzilla who is rumored to be living in the inactive volcano on top of Fuji. To be safe however we will pick up several Godzilla models and keep them in the backpack just in case the rumor are not true. I will take them out and use my trusty camera phone to simulate Godzilla being there. This should be good for two or three assignments easy. From there we will see where my cell phone guides me.

2. More time or more money and why?

Since time is going by faster and faster it seems rather pointless to have more time. With more money I could purchase an Island and become Lord ruler supreme. At that time I would ban all things that keep track of time thus accomplishing both more time and more money.

3. An evil mastermind is going to destroy the world unless you can stop him. You are armed with a spoon, a rubber chicken, a can of aquanet, and a bucket of peanuts. What is your plan?

It turns out that in one of Dr. Doofenshmirtz past professions we a stand up comic. I found this out about a year ago when, as fate would have it I bumped into Dr D bellied up to the bar. He was about to leave but I thought it would be a shame not to see what his story was so I slipped the waitress a fin to set a bucket of peanuts next to where I was sitting. Dr D could not help himself as he reached in an picked up a few peanuts. That lead to a few more peanuts and I capitalized on the moment and bought him a drink. It was a wild night but I found out enough to know Dr D was an inept evil wana-be.

When I realize the evil mastermind who was plotting to destroy the world was indeed Dr D I just knew I needed to be the one to do something. I planned on appealing to his vanity.

I gathered my McGuiver kit including a rubber chicken, a can of aquanet, and a spoon. It was a long shot but this just had to work.

I proceeded to the Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated lair only to find a locked door. Luckily the handle of the spoon I had was easily fashioned into a pick and I was soon inside the lair. The next part was going to be the tricky part. I planted the rubber chicken on a table in the middle of the dinning room and waited in the shadows for him to take the bait. How could a standup comedian pass this up?

An hour or two went by and I must have nodded off a few times. At long last as the sun was setting, Dr D came into the dinning room and spotted the rubber chicken. He was very curious and could not help himself. He walked over to the rubber chicken and started to do some of his old stand up routines right then and there. He was so mesmerized by that chicken that when I snuck up on him and sprayed his hair with the can of aquanet he had no idea I was doing it, that is no idea until I started to smooth down his cowlick. He quickly put down the chicken and spun to see what was happening. It was at this point that I handed him the spoon so he could see his reflection in the spoon. He was in a trance and my plan had worked. The world was saved for now.

4. What's the best job you had?

Lets see. I once helped put up a carnival tent. Lucky me, I got to hold the stakes while the strong men were swinging away at it. Another time I got to ride a hoist across the a plant cleaning florescent lights. Wait, I know. I once had the job of oiling the contestants at an oil wrestling contest. That counts, doesn’t it?

5. You are in charge of the National Cornhole Championships (that game with tossing the beanbags, not porn you pervs....) Where is it held? will it be round robin or single elimination? What are the prizes? Who are the sponsors?

While I was originally tempted to hold the Championships in Iowa because they are the largest producer of corn, I decided to pass this up for something much more interesting. In a rather strange twist of fate it was determined to hold the NCC in Key West, Florida during Fantasy Fest. It turns out that artists who paint all the lovely ladies in such amazing costumes that they look like they are wearing clothing had an idea. They decided what they were going to do was paint up the cornhole boards to look like the most popular models they have painted in the past few years.

The custom boards are destined to make the NCC more popular than it ever has been. It will also sell of lot of custom boards that, hello, the artists have produced. They would then more than make up for the fees to become the co-sponsor of the event. The other sponsor is Old Milwaukee Beer. For the occasion they have decided to revive their old add campaign the Swedish Bikini Team.

While we started the contest as a round robin tournament and progressed to a flighted round robin tournament it was just to much work to schedule so now it is sudden death, single elimination baby. The first team registered will play the last team and so on. We will then hold round 2 and so on doing the same thing until we have the last 4 remaining teams. Everyone will win a prize. First place will win a keg of Old Milwaukee beer, a custom cornhole set, and an all expense paid trip to Sweden accompanied by the Swedish Bikini team. The second place team will get a case of Old Milwaukee beer and custom cornhole bags. The third place gets a 12 pack of beet. The fourth place team, well there are only three prizes. Better luck next year guys.

Friday, What a Nice Day

Friday was fun. Every have one of those days where everything goes right? Well Friday was almost that good. The day time was just like any other day. I went to work and was looking forward to the weekend. So far, nothing special.

After work I bolted out to head to the Absolute Art Gallery to talk to them about framing my photo. Now I took this picture a little over two years ago of a cheerleader at an MSU Women’s basketball game. When I looked at the photo it just spoke to me, I knew I had to do something with it. I took the photo to a local printer and they worked with me to print a 12x18. After getting discouraged looking at framing options online I just let it sit for a while.

Well Friday I took that photo in the gallery. I had an idea of what I wanted and they listened and basically liked what I was looking for only with a little twist. Of course one of the things that really did not hurt is they kept telling me how much they loved my photo and how they thought I could sell prints of it, etc. Now I know, you have someone you are going to do some work for so stroke their ego a little but ... well it felt good. I think they were being sincere because to tell you they truth the photo really did stand out in my eye as well.

Anyway they right away headed the conservatory/archival route. I knew that would bump the price up a lot but I had already decided I should go that way. With me planning on hanging the picture in the half underground, half above basement in the family room or the third bedroom I knew the added moisture might be a problem. Going the more expensive route would help out with that problem.

They came back out after being in the back room for a little while and came out with the mating and frame that seemed to make sense to me. Then they sprung the surprise on me. They put down a 8 ply mat for the top mat. Oh my, did that look unbelievable. Now that is at least double what you might normally see. The result, when they cut the mat on a 45 angle you really get a big 3D affect. Not only will this look good but I think it will draw the eye into the photo. The good news, that only added about $10 to the cost so not to bad.

I had decided I was just going to talk to them and then make up my mind and do the job at some point in the future. I also had two price points. The lower one was what I expected was the minimum this would cost. The upper number was the cutoff at which I would not frame this print. They fell in the middle. I wish it was cheaper but I will survive. Now the tough part, I have to wait up to 2 weeks to pick up the framed print.

Oh and by the way, now I am going to hang the print upstairs in my living room. Now I think I might need to check into sheers as there are times when the sun will hit the wall I plan to hang the print on and I want to cut down the affect of the sun some.

I then went out and saw the movie Bedtime Stories and despite some people really cutting it down, I enjoyed it. I knew I was getting involved in an Adam Sandler movie. I knew it would not be some epic movie with deep meanings or anything but ... I really did enjoy it.

When I arrived at the theater I went to get some popcorn and something to drink. I set my money down on the counter and, yuck, the counter was all wet. So I grabbed a few napkins and sopped up at least part of the dampness. In retrospect I should have just asked them if they had a rag or something. Anyway the people behind the counter made the comment I was a regular now. Something about that just kind of hit me right. By the way, the reason I am a regular is I bought a season pass. I can go see one movie a week for just under $1 each.

Anyway afterwards I talked to the owner and mentioned I thought the sound was better from last year and wondered if they had improved it. He said they just had turned the sound up. Then we just got out talking about different things and one thing that really got me smiling... This is a little Mom and Pop operation. I like to give my business to the smaller more unique businesses. Anyway what made me smile is I found out one of the two major movie houses in the area has been helping them out. They needed a new part and since Celebration Cinema had converted to all digital they happened to have some parts available that the could use. They gave it to them for free. They also have helped them out consulting too. Now I know this theater is not real competition to Celebration Cinema but still. Real big smile on my face.

So there you have it, I really enjoyed the end to my Friday. The weekend was not as nice but I still managed to get things done.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Some Randomness

Yesterday I was out shoveling my street. I guess I miss snow shoveling so much that I just needed to get my fix in.

In honesty we are expecting a minature thaw. It will only get above freezing for a little bit and will only last part of today and part of tomorrow but… If I do not clear the drain which is in front of my house than I will have all the melting water from a four lane road come sit in my driveway. Besides being a good neighbor I figure I will save myself a little grief too as we are expecting real cold temps on Saturday. Of course the upside, I could create an ice arena and maybe rent ice time. I know they used to have a serious shortage on ice time. Then I could probably get to be entertained as I watched all the activites at the foot of my drive…

I think I was better off just clearing the snow and ice so the water can drain.



Tonight I am going to a local gallary to see about getting a picture framed. Now this is a new experience for me. I have placed frames around photos before, you know we have 5x7 photo, get a 5x7 frame and be done with it. I even did 8x10 and, the humanity, 11x14… gasp. But I have never went the way of mats, let alone a double mat nor have I been concerned. Wait, I take that back. I did a nifty little double mat jobby doufer once that I hand cut the mats and boy does it show. It had pictures of my Brother in Law building his home. I know it is something that they enjoyed getting even with all the worts but I digress.

So I have been reading up on the process. It seems like I am being steared toward archival matboards since the photo will in the basement which means more moisture and more problems with acid. Of course that is 4 times more expensive. Ten we have glass rather than accrylic because it will be easier to clean even if you do not care after it all the time. I probably should have something to correct for glare but do not have to worry about UV since it will never be in direct sunlight. And it goes on and on. There is so much to learn and know. I could do this project myself but I suspect I am better off with a professional at least this time. Who knew this was so complicated?



I am excited. In a little while I am off to wash my car. The reason I am excited is it has been below freezing almost every day since mid December. If I washed the car I may or may not have had fun getting back in. Today it will be just above freezing and we are suppose to see sun. Between the two I AM WASHING MY CAR at luch. Whoo Hoo… I live such a boring life that this is a major event.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Day is Here at Last


Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President of the United States at noon today. It’s about time. I am just sick of all this hype. “Obama is going to be our savior.” “This is history in the making.” “This will be our first black President.” “Change, change, change.” Print art, mouse pads, can koozies, coasters, car flags, shirts, sweatshirts, scarfs, bumper stickers, clocks, pins, glasses, coffee cups, stamps, chocolates, yes we can can opener, Dunkin' donut inaugural donut....

I just hate the idea of him being “the first Black President.” Come on, he will be President... isn’t that enough? Out of 220 years he will be only the 44th person to be President. Why do we need to make such a big deal of him being black? I will have the same feelings when the first woman President takes office. I will be glad when we just elect a president and not a black person or a woman, etc.

President Obama will have a hard time living up to all this hype. I mean I think he has a lot of good intentions. He has a lot of energy. He has a lot of support. But the problem is this is such a huge task he is charged with. Change from the Bush administration. Improving the image of the United States. Turning around the countries (and with it the worlds) economy. Bringing the country together from how fractured it is now. Court the conservatives while at the same time keeping the liberals happy. Neuter fix Wall Street. Improve the housing crisis. Help preserve not only the American automotive industry but also a lot of other fixtures in the country. Make us as a country less dependent on foreign oil. Fix the broken health care system. Provide for the aging population. Keeping good jobs here in the United States.

People are going to expect change and they will want change now. They will expect things to happen in a week or a month. They will expect real meaningful change in his first 100 days of office. The problem is the change will not come that fast. I would imagine some change will never come. Even though Congress is now completely Democrat, they still will be a stumbling block for Obama. Some change people think they want but they will not like the price for change. Also it took us a while to get into the mess we are in now. It will take us some time to get back out of it.

You know Obama will be under a microscope. If he so much as sneezes there will be someone there criticizing him for it.

It is time for all of us here in the states to get behind OUR PRESIDENT. I look forward to this day being behind us so President Obama can officially hit the ground running. Best wishes to our new President in all that is before him. I am sure he is up to the challenge if we will all give him a chance.

UPDATE: Thank you so much Lime for pointing out Suldog's post about Obama title American Jesus. He said some things I really felt and had no idea how to express it. If you should read this post might I suggest you follow the link to Suldogs post for today. I think it is some really good reading.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

bob marley - no woman no cry

This weekend I was watching part of a movie, the 2007 version of I am Legend with Will Smith in it. At one part he mentions to someone that he could not believe she had not heard of Bob Marley. He continued that Legend was the best album ever made.

Well guess what, I don't have a clue who Bob Marley is. From what I gather I am one of only 5 or 10 people that do not know him. So I decided to get busy and picked up the album. Here is one of the songs from Legend. Enjoy while I kick back and listen to the album and read up on the man.

Friday, January 16, 2009

55Flash Fiction Friday

You are just out
from a four year stay
at the big house.


Now if you could only escape
the Detective determined
to send you back...


Everywhere you turn is trouble
people, places, even memories.


You have a gun
been drinking
hanging with the wrong crowd


Only bad things can be headed your way now



Fairview Street

Last night I went to a screening of a new movie, an independent movie called Fairview St. Don’t go looking for this movie to appear at your local theater however. It was shot entirely in Lansing Michigan and so far has only shown at Celebration Cinema. Next they hope to show the movie in Grand Rapids Michigan at another Celebration Cinema location. Eventually the director hopes to get the movie to some film festivals.

Luckily for the movie maker a place like Celebration Cinema exists. From the very beginning Celebration Cinema has always said they would make room for the up and coming movies, the independents, the artsy films and they have made good on their word. More recently the entire chain of theaters has went digital meaning no more film ever. This also allowed so many more things to happen including making it easier for an independent film to be displayed there. The digital equipment used allows a film to come alive on the large screen.

Fairview St is about a man who just got out from spending 4 years in prison and his struggles to not go back. From the very beginning the company he kept was pulling him back to prison, the detective that was so sure he still belonged in prison that he was willing to frame him to see justice is served, the strained relationships between him and his Dad and also his most understanding young wife.

At some point I will have to go out to lunch or something with Jon who, among other things, did a lot of the editing of the movie. I have questions about certain things they did in the movie. Some things I am curious what they were trying to do. Some things I wonder if they were done on purpose. Some comments on things that I thought just could have been done slightly different. But mostly about how great a job they did in this film.

It was really fun to see all the different scenes showing off Lansing. I sat and wondered where are they shooting now? Than at another part, especially outside the walls of the prison, I wondered where on earth that was shot. It was obvious this was shot at least a year ago as some of the backdrop of the movie no longer exists. The Verlinden automotive plant was in process being torn down in the movie where as now almost all that is left is an open field.

I thought I was not going to like the movie. It was entirely in black and white and that just did not feel right but in the end I loved that about the movie. The characters were great. I so got into the main character and his choices and unfortunate circumstances. Then there was the dick ... I mean detective who I just hated. Add to that the best friend who was such a bad influence. The sweet wife, the Dad who was never a Dad to him, the owner of a local restaurant who was more his Dad... Yep, I thought it was a wonderful movie. Kudos to the producer, editor, actors and all the business involved in the production and showing of this movie.

UPDATE: I found out a couple of interesting things about the movie. First one came from the editor of the film. Now granted this was showing at a 100-120 seat theater (not sure of exact size) but they actually had a sellout on the last night. The other three nights in the small theater were between 65 and 80 people. The second thing I got from a person that handles advertising for Celebration Cinema where the movie was showing. The film actually was 5th in revenue for several nights. Considering this is a 20 screen threater (not including iMax) with most showing hollywood shows I think this is a pretty good accomplishment.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveler

Lately the snow has settled a little but when I received this in email today, I just had to share...


December 8 6:00 PM

It started to snow . The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9

We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the
best idea I've ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!

December 12

The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry- we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14

Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15

20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16

Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17

Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20

Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The damn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22

Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white shit fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the asshole is lying.

December 23

Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24

6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snow plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25

Merry f---ing Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn slop tonight - Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26

Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27

Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28

Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The BITCH is driving me crazy!!!

December 29

10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That 's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30

Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only for the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his ass. The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted.

December 31

I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8

Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Monday, January 12, 2009

How Soon is Spring

Looks like a record setting season this year. Were I live we already have almost 47 inches of snow. Last year which was a very snowy year, we only had 25 inches of snow about now. In another 1 to 7 inches we will hit our season average. This should happen before the week is over and here we are only half way through January. The Meteoroligist I talked to said we could hit 100 inches this season which would easily set an all time record snowiest season. Our current record is either 80 or 90 inches.

I just have to ask ... so when will spring be here? I mean I planted all those bulbs and all. I want to see the results of my labor. That's it, I want to see what I did. It has nothing to do with the cold temps and snow almost every single day.

So spring is in another 68 days. I can not wait.

Friday, January 09, 2009

55Flash Fiction Friday

Here is a brochure for a trip to India
and another for Trinidad
Hong Kong
Bangkok
South Africa
Australia

Cruses to the Bahamas
Alaska
British Virgin Isles
French Riviera
Cayman Islands

So many brochures
So little time
To bad you’re
the travel agent
and won’t be taking
any of these trips
except in you mind

The above was a simple 55 Flash Fiction Friday. Others do much better with their exercise. It really is pretty simple. Just pick a subject, have at least one character and put down 55 words on paper. It may seem hard but once you get started you will find it is actually pretty fun. Once you have participated be sure to visit G-Man to tell him you participated so other may come and see you 55.

Yesterday was a little strange. I had a meeting at 1:00 PM and a install on a computer at 2:00 or 2:30 PM. So what happened? My 2:00 was moved to Noon which (I thought) I was barely able to get that done before my meeting. I flew out to the meeting and ... the door was locked. I knocked and knocked, no answer. Finally it clicked, I had my Blackberry with me and the information I needed so I called the office ... no answer. Then I was in the process of trying to leave an email saying I was here, where were you and I had an incoming call. I did not recognize the phone number so I ignored it so I could finish the email... now I have a new voice mail. So I decide to check the voice mail. Somehow I turn on the speaker phone and is it loud. Then I see this strange green dot on the screen and ... the phone rings AGAIN. I am not so sure I like my Blackberry anymore.

In the end I was able to finally send my email and head back to the office when no one answered the door. I contacted the person and they said that everyone decided to go out and buy the boss a gift... what about sending me an email or calling me to tell me the meeting was canceled? I also got rid of the voice mail and found the person trying to contact me from back at work had a question because my install had not finished all the way.

Yep, I am not so sure about this Blackberry now. Of course if I was better at using it...

SNUGGLE ALERT

It appears that here in Michigan we will be having morning lows below ZERO (that is -18 for anyone on Celsius) at least next week. I wonder if it is to late to go find a girlfriend? I don't know about you but that is just way to cold for me. Perhaps it is time for me to take one of those about trips.

OK, slightly funny story. Last night I had my hair cut. On the return trip two things happened. My heater actually started to work. I am not sure why. I was just about to take the car in to get it looked at and here it is working. The second thing I kept hearing what sounded like rocks hitting my car. I thought I was hitting something on the road and kicking up into my vehicle. But what did not make sense was the sound was coming from the middle of my car. I saw other cars near me and I assumed they were throwing up rocks so I backed off. With no cars around me and nothing in the road I was still hearing all the noise.

When I got home I opened up the back door and found ... I had a bunch of empty pop bottles that I had intended to take back to the store but forgot it was there. I think what was happening was they were very cold and expanding because of all the heat I was FINALLY seeing in my car. Needless to say I will be turning those bottles in after work today.

I hope you had a more interesting day yesterday and wish you all a nice weekend.

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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Slip Sliding Away

The other day I had something dawn on me. Now I have noticed this but just never really thought about it. Living in a state like Michigan (and Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, ...) Most of the year the roads are clear. But then in the winter the snow comes. Now this is a challenge.

With snow or ice it is much more like you are in a boat. My limited experiences on a sailboat (sorry GoGo) taught me that you point in the general direction of where you are headed, you can not count on going straight there. Also, to a lesser extent, when you want to get going or stop it is not right now.


In driving on snow you have lots of slippage. You go generally where you want to go but not always exactly where you want. Case in point when you are rounding a corner. Starting can always be a challenge and stopping, well lets just say I love my ABS system that really helps on the slippery stuff.

What is interesting about all this is most people here in Michigan (and see above) take maybe one time on snow to learn all over what driving in snow is like. Then you take people from California, or Florida. Put 1 inch of snow on the ground and things are practically at a stand still. People run into each other like they meant to hit them. Then take Kentucky. They see snow every year, just not much. People do not do real well with the stuff but they manage. Well except for the time withing the last 5 to 10 years they got 18 inches of snow. Almost everything was shut down for 5 days. Of course lower peninsula Michigan would struggle with that too. We are used to seeing 3 inches, maybe more. We can do OK on 6 inches. Much above that and life gets exciting. Then there is our Upper Peninsula who routinely sees 6 inches of snow possibly daily. They would feel the 18 inches but the snow plow teams would have things cleared up quickly.



Anyway it was just something amusing I was thinking about over the last week.

Oh boy, only 2 more days of fun at work (yes it has been a bear since the new year started) and the weekend is here.

Monday, January 05, 2009

I am back but...

running late. I will catch up with things after work today. The thing that has been consuming a lot of my time over the last few days ... a new cell phone. A Sprint Nextel Blackberry Curve 8350i. It is a brand new phone just released a couple of weeks ago. So far I am in love with what I can do with it.

More later. Happy New Year everyone and here is hoping we all have a better year. That includes the world economy and all that it affects. Oh and... World peace.