Posts
Went to parent/teacher conference yesterday for my son..he is in 1st grade... he is doing really good.. I am very proud of him.. You can see a huge improvement from the beginning of the school year until now..
Not much going on.. still working a lot.. still getting up in the morning and that is working out great. I am not much of a morning person, but it really makes my afternoons better, when I dont have to worry about exercising, showering etc... Gives me a lot more time to do other things in the evening.. and I am not as rushed in the morning.. it gives me extra time to do somethings around the house.
The job is working out better than I expected.. oddly I dont miss the time too much.. maybe because I get to do something I enjoy while I am there (read) so I dont feel like I am losing time.. but maybe more because I wasted a lot of time in the evening.. well whatever the reason it is working out good on all fronts, and also good for my wife..
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
It is nice out!
It is in the mid 60's as I write this :) WOW! It is nice to be able to go outside without a jacket... may not last for long, but it is nice.. have the itch to get my bike out and hit the trails!
Been a busy week.. working B5 til close this week.. got out a bit before 10 last night.. much better than the night before..
Misc... Went to P Barrel for lunch.. MSU Women won last night.. they move on to the Final 4 also.
I see the picture thing with Picas worked out :) Really like that program.. download it if you have not already (http://picasa.com) Really wish there was a Google toolbar for Firefox..wtf.. Even Yahoo has one.. And Google is donating time and talent to Firefox.. seems like they could do it... I like the Blogger button on the Google toolbar.. but not using IE much any more.
I put up a new profile picture.. althought it does not seem to be showing up here... At first I really liked it.. my daughter took it Saturday at Mackinaw.. I love pics that small children take because they are always looking up.. gives you an interesting insight to their world.. Anyways at first I liked the pic.. now when I look at it I seem to look like the unibomber/? Hmmm.....
Parent teacher conferences today.. Dr appt for son tomorrow.. work, work, work.. I seem to be busy.. need to get the oil changed in my car too...
Hmm.. idle ramblings...
Been a busy week.. working B5 til close this week.. got out a bit before 10 last night.. much better than the night before..
Misc... Went to P Barrel for lunch.. MSU Women won last night.. they move on to the Final 4 also.
I see the picture thing with Picas worked out :) Really like that program.. download it if you have not already (http://picasa.com) Really wish there was a Google toolbar for Firefox..wtf.. Even Yahoo has one.. And Google is donating time and talent to Firefox.. seems like they could do it... I like the Blogger button on the Google toolbar.. but not using IE much any more.
I put up a new profile picture.. althought it does not seem to be showing up here... At first I really liked it.. my daughter took it Saturday at Mackinaw.. I love pics that small children take because they are always looking up.. gives you an interesting insight to their world.. Anyways at first I liked the pic.. now when I look at it I seem to look like the unibomber/? Hmmm.....
Parent teacher conferences today.. Dr appt for son tomorrow.. work, work, work.. I seem to be busy.. need to get the oil changed in my car too...
Hmm.. idle ramblings...
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Back at it.
Beer Friday was good (I do like Blue Moon :) .. then went out to dinner and had another.. went home and watched the game.. wow State won.. and again on Sunday night.. so we are off to the Final 4!
On Saturday we decided to drive up to Mackinaw for the day.. long drive, but it was a nice trip. Still lots of ice on the Straits, but we saw a Laker passing as we went over the bridge.. got some pictures of if from St. Ignace. Also got some pictures of the Round Island Lighthouse from Mackinaw City, which is about 7 miles away.. was amazed I could see it... so needless to say I like the new camera. If I can figure out the Picasa thing I will add a few of my pictures here.
Back to work yesterday.. I get next Saturday off... so that will be 13 of 14 day on. It was nice to have the weekend off.. I still like the job, and the extra $ is making a big difference in the budget :) Called the Dentist yesterday and make an appt for my crown... I think I have even figured out how to pay for it.
Last night I finished The Nighte the Fitz Went Down by Capt. Dudley J Paquette... an terrible book on the Fitzgerald.. This guy was also on the lake that night.. except he went a different route and went on endlessly about his abilities to perdict weather.. the book was more about this guy than anything to do with the Fitz.. His assesment is that McSorley pushed the boat too hard and over years that caused stress and the boat broke apart.. he has weak circumstancial evience for this.. ugh.. the only interesting part of the book is when he was talking about his own career coming up and a few interesting stories about life on the lakes.
Need to go to the library today.. almost done with my next book.. Need a break from boats going down.. I think I have read enough about sinking boats and dying people for a while.
It is suppose to be 60+ today WOW! Maybe winter really is over?!
On Saturday we decided to drive up to Mackinaw for the day.. long drive, but it was a nice trip. Still lots of ice on the Straits, but we saw a Laker passing as we went over the bridge.. got some pictures of if from St. Ignace. Also got some pictures of the Round Island Lighthouse from Mackinaw City, which is about 7 miles away.. was amazed I could see it... so needless to say I like the new camera. If I can figure out the Picasa thing I will add a few of my pictures here.
Back to work yesterday.. I get next Saturday off... so that will be 13 of 14 day on. It was nice to have the weekend off.. I still like the job, and the extra $ is making a big difference in the budget :) Called the Dentist yesterday and make an appt for my crown... I think I have even figured out how to pay for it.
Last night I finished The Nighte the Fitz Went Down by Capt. Dudley J Paquette... an terrible book on the Fitzgerald.. This guy was also on the lake that night.. except he went a different route and went on endlessly about his abilities to perdict weather.. the book was more about this guy than anything to do with the Fitz.. His assesment is that McSorley pushed the boat too hard and over years that caused stress and the boat broke apart.. he has weak circumstancial evience for this.. ugh.. the only interesting part of the book is when he was talking about his own career coming up and a few interesting stories about life on the lakes.
Need to go to the library today.. almost done with my next book.. Need a break from boats going down.. I think I have read enough about sinking boats and dying people for a while.
It is suppose to be 60+ today WOW! Maybe winter really is over?!
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Misc things for the week
I have been getting up at 6 am this week and exercising before I go to work. This has been working out better than I expected. I thought I would be tired doing it and dead in the morning. The workouts are not too bad and I feel fine during the day... maybe even a bit more energy? Plus it gives me some more time in the morning and also in the evening.. I dont have to rush to exercise and do everything else before I go to work.
It has been an uneventful week in the booth.. at SCR5 a lot.. mostly Law students from next door parking there.. they are pleasant.. and they know the routine. I work there every day next week on the closing shift.. works out great. I like that shift and it works out better for watching the kids.
Talked the boss into taking us out for lunch and beers tomorrow.. it will be a *good* Friday - lol
Finshied "Sole Survivor" by Dennis Hale last night.. I think that is (14)? It was interesting.. the last half of the book was the USCG report.. lots of infomation on metal stress.. but not too bad to read.
It has been an uneventful week in the booth.. at SCR5 a lot.. mostly Law students from next door parking there.. they are pleasant.. and they know the routine. I work there every day next week on the closing shift.. works out great. I like that shift and it works out better for watching the kids.
Talked the boss into taking us out for lunch and beers tomorrow.. it will be a *good* Friday - lol
Finshied "Sole Survivor" by Dennis Hale last night.. I think that is (14)? It was interesting.. the last half of the book was the USCG report.. lots of infomation on metal stress.. but not too bad to read.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Books
Ok, I am going to start recording the books I am reading.
I just finished Lighthouse Adventures: Heroes, Haunts & Havoc on the Great Lakes
by Wes Oleszewski. Which was pretty good, and had some interesting stories.. but after a while they all become very much alike and somewhat depressing.. There is always a story.. the small boat overturns and people die in the cold water... sigh... What I really want to read is about the everyday life on a lighthouse... some of these places were incredibly small and very isolated. What was that like.. I'll keep looking there must be something.
I am also reading Dennis Hale's book.. He is the sole survivor of the 1966 sinking of the Laker Daniel J Morrell. This was the last great boat lost in the Great Lakes before the Fitzgerald. I had never heard of it before, but there was some mention of it in other books. I recognized the name.. of the man the boat was named after. Daniel J Morrell was the head of the Cambria Iron Company of Johnstown PA.. the one my great grandfather worked at. I have actually visited Morrell's grave. He is in the same cemetery (Grandview) as my grandparents and great grandparents.
So anyways the Morrel (the boat) broke in 2 during a storm.. quite a feat for a 600+ foot Laker.. Hale wearing only boxers and a pea coat and he survived for 38 hours in late November during a snow storm. Amazing that he lived... but his 28 shipmates did not.
I just finished Lighthouse Adventures: Heroes, Haunts & Havoc on the Great Lakes
by Wes Oleszewski. Which was pretty good, and had some interesting stories.. but after a while they all become very much alike and somewhat depressing.. There is always a story.. the small boat overturns and people die in the cold water... sigh... What I really want to read is about the everyday life on a lighthouse... some of these places were incredibly small and very isolated. What was that like.. I'll keep looking there must be something.
I am also reading Dennis Hale's book.. He is the sole survivor of the 1966 sinking of the Laker Daniel J Morrell. This was the last great boat lost in the Great Lakes before the Fitzgerald. I had never heard of it before, but there was some mention of it in other books. I recognized the name.. of the man the boat was named after. Daniel J Morrell was the head of the Cambria Iron Company of Johnstown PA.. the one my great grandfather worked at. I have actually visited Morrell's grave. He is in the same cemetery (Grandview) as my grandparents and great grandparents.
So anyways the Morrel (the boat) broke in 2 during a storm.. quite a feat for a 600+ foot Laker.. Hale wearing only boxers and a pea coat and he survived for 38 hours in late November during a snow storm. Amazing that he lived... but his 28 shipmates did not.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Never A Dull Moment
Friday I am working the Lot by the LC, and it is busy with a Mary Kay conference.. and the Police pull someone over right in front of the center.. almost at once another Police car arrives.. they talk to the people in the car, then among themselves.. next thing you know they have the driver out and are cuffing him.. than is when I heard the dog barking.. sticking out of the first car.. I dont know what it was but it was big and black... next they get the passenger out.. they dont cuff him just talk to him for a long time.. they let him go and he just takes off running down the street talking on a cell phone.. next they take the dog all over the car, outside, inside, under hood, trunk.. All the while they are right in front of the center... They had all the meters on the street bagged because they had all these tour busses brining women in for the conference.. so just as the arrest and search are going on.. all these busses full of Mary Kay women are coming in - lol.. it was amusing.. so eventually Northside showed up and towed the car and everybody left...
The rest of my weekend was good... continue my 'study' of the Great Lakes.. got some videos this weekend. One was made in 1960 about the Lakes shipping trade.. at one point they talk about the mail boat.. and show it coming along side a Lake to deliver mail to it.. The name on the Laker was clear to see.. it was the Edmund Fitzgerald.. sort of a haunting image to randomly see it in a video made 17 years before its sinking.
The rest of my weekend was good... continue my 'study' of the Great Lakes.. got some videos this weekend. One was made in 1960 about the Lakes shipping trade.. at one point they talk about the mail boat.. and show it coming along side a Lake to deliver mail to it.. The name on the Laker was clear to see.. it was the Edmund Fitzgerald.. sort of a haunting image to randomly see it in a video made 17 years before its sinking.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Great Lakes
It has been an uneventful week.. but I am tired.. maybe because I am working so much.. but I dont feel worn out.. just that I tire easily.. like when I was sick last year.
I have a new passion.. lol.. I get on these kicks where I immerse myself in a topic and want to learn all about it.. Right now it is the Great Lakes. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald.. I also picked up some books on Lighthouses.. Now I am all fasinated with the Great Lakes (again) I have always loved the Lakes! I have been spending a lot of time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much information on the shipping trade on the lakes.
Off to the library this weekend again, for more books :)
I have a new passion.. lol.. I get on these kicks where I immerse myself in a topic and want to learn all about it.. Right now it is the Great Lakes. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald.. I also picked up some books on Lighthouses.. Now I am all fasinated with the Great Lakes (again) I have always loved the Lakes! I have been spending a lot of time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much information on the shipping trade on the lakes.
Off to the library this weekend again, for more books :)
Great Lakes
It has been an uneventful week.. but I am tired.. maybe because I am working so much.. but I dont feel worn out.. just that I tire easily.. like when I was sick last year.I have a new passion.. lol.. I get on these kicks where I immerse myself in a topic and want to learn all about it.. Right now it is the Great Lakes. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald.. I also picked up some books on Lighthouses.. Now I am all fasinated with the Great Lakes (again) I have always loved the Lakes! I have been spending a lot of time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much information on the shipping trade on the lakes.Off to the library this weekend again, for more books :)
Great Lakes
It has been an uneventful week.. but I am tired.. maybe because I am working so much.. but I dont feel worn out.. just that I tire easily.. like when I was sick last year.
I have a new passion.. lol.. I get on these kicks where I immerse myself in a topic and want to learn all about it.. Right now it is the Great Lakes. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald.. I also picked up some books on Lighthouses.. Now I am all fasinated with the Great Lakes (again) I have always loved the Lakes! I have been spending a lot of time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much information on the shipping trade on the lakes.
Off to the library this weekend again, for more books :)
I have a new passion.. lol.. I get on these kicks where I immerse myself in a topic and want to learn all about it.. Right now it is the Great Lakes. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald.. I also picked up some books on Lighthouses.. Now I am all fasinated with the Great Lakes (again) I have always loved the Lakes! I have been spending a lot of time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much information on the shipping trade on the lakes.
Off to the library this weekend again, for more books :)
Great Lakes
It has been an uneventful week.. and I am tired.. I am getting run down, and not sure why.. well other than I am always at work - lol.. Not sure if that is it or not? I feel really tired again, like I did last year when I was sick..
I get on these kicks where I am all consumed by a topic... Right now it is the Great Lakes.. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald, then some books on Great Lakes lighthouses.. now I am hooked - lol.. I have always loved the lakes.. The Soo Locks open on 3/25, they are still frozen over.. I will be watching next week to see if they send and ice breaker through or if the first Laker just breaks it up.
So I have a whole list of books I want to read on the subject of the Great Lakes. Plan to head to the library tomorrow in search of some more. I have also been spending time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much cool stuff on the shipping trade on the Lakes.
I get on these kicks where I am all consumed by a topic... Right now it is the Great Lakes.. I read a few books on the Edmund Fitzgerald, then some books on Great Lakes lighthouses.. now I am hooked - lol.. I have always loved the lakes.. The Soo Locks open on 3/25, they are still frozen over.. I will be watching next week to see if they send and ice breaker through or if the first Laker just breaks it up.
So I have a whole list of books I want to read on the subject of the Great Lakes. Plan to head to the library tomorrow in search of some more. I have also been spending time at http://www.boatnerd.com they have SO much cool stuff on the shipping trade on the Lakes.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Weekend of parking
On Friday I left Job #1 to go to Job #2. I get there and there seems to be schedule chaos.. I get moved to a different booth. Later they ask if I can stay until close..
People are amusing.. lots of folks around for the big Sports Show.. and they all seem surprised that we charge for parking in the evening.. DUH.. lol So as I am working my second shift a guy comes through with a diesel truck.. which I hate because they are loud and it echos off the concrete.. The guy turns the truck off and I can see he has his money and ticket in his hand.. but he is just looking at me.. He says 'I know you" and I looked at him for the first time and said 'You are Mr Horton'.. it was my HS Chem teacher.. have not seen him in about 10 years... actually a good friend of mine.. who I have since lost touch with, married his daughter.. So we chatted for a moment..
On Saturday I was standing outside and got to see an accident.. one truck rear-ened another truck.. I called it in, but both had left before the cops turned up.
Back tonight for more fun!
People are amusing.. lots of folks around for the big Sports Show.. and they all seem surprised that we charge for parking in the evening.. DUH.. lol So as I am working my second shift a guy comes through with a diesel truck.. which I hate because they are loud and it echos off the concrete.. The guy turns the truck off and I can see he has his money and ticket in his hand.. but he is just looking at me.. He says 'I know you" and I looked at him for the first time and said 'You are Mr Horton'.. it was my HS Chem teacher.. have not seen him in about 10 years... actually a good friend of mine.. who I have since lost touch with, married his daughter.. So we chatted for a moment..
On Saturday I was standing outside and got to see an accident.. one truck rear-ened another truck.. I called it in, but both had left before the cops turned up.
Back tonight for more fun!
Friday, March 11, 2005
Snow
Yesterday was cold and grey.. it started snowing around 3:30 as I was on my way to work.. outside
By then it was snowing pretty steady.. a fine snow in a good wind.
It wasnt cold standing outside.. I had dressed for it.. more annoying.. my face was cold and my fingers numb.. as I tried counting out cash and making change.
Every day something interesting happens.. last night it was the guy trying to scam free parking to the fishing show. He pulls in and asks my name.. I told him.. 'Ah yes Rob.. they said to talk to you.. blah, blah, blah.. Ill just park for a minute and run in.'
I didnt even say anything just shook my head.. then he gets annoyed and starts swearing under his breath.. it was funny.. It was such a poor scam - lol.. First of all we are not affiliated with the show.. so nobody inside even knows me.. much less can authorize free parking.. Shut up and pay the $4.. just like everybody else :)
By then it was snowing pretty steady.. a fine snow in a good wind.
It wasnt cold standing outside.. I had dressed for it.. more annoying.. my face was cold and my fingers numb.. as I tried counting out cash and making change.
Every day something interesting happens.. last night it was the guy trying to scam free parking to the fishing show. He pulls in and asks my name.. I told him.. 'Ah yes Rob.. they said to talk to you.. blah, blah, blah.. Ill just park for a minute and run in.'
I didnt even say anything just shook my head.. then he gets annoyed and starts swearing under his breath.. it was funny.. It was such a poor scam - lol.. First of all we are not affiliated with the show.. so nobody inside even knows me.. much less can authorize free parking.. Shut up and pay the $4.. just like everybody else :)
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Life in the Booth
So I have this part time job working for the City in the Parking ramps. You see some interesting things there. I really enjoy the job.. I think just because it is something different... It amuses me and I think I will share some of the stories....
Monday I was working NGR14 and a guy pulls up in a SUV.. he is in a shirt and tie and there is another guy in the car. His window is still up and I can see he is on his cell phone.. I the window to my booth letting the 20 degree night air in and wait.. He rolls down the window and I hear him just SCREAMING into the cell phone 'WHAT PART OF THIS DONT YOU UNDERSTAND.. hang on a minute' He put the cell phone down and turns to me 'Sorry about that' he says in a pleasant tone as he hands me his ticket... I looked at him he was beat red and just PISSED.. but pleasant to me (and I appreciate that).. I took his money and he was on his way.. I wonder how that conversation ended?? I felt bad for the other guy in the car.. but that was an uncomfortable trip to where ever they were going.
Yesterday afternoon I was at SCR5 and a younger guy comes through in a Land Rover as I am processing his ticket he asks 'Are you from Michigan' I told him I was and he asks 'when does it start to warm up around here' I asked if he really wanted to know and he said yes in a very serious manner.. so I leaned on the window and looked out at the street where is was snowing pretty hard then looked at him and told him we had another good 4 -6 weeks of cold weather before it started to improve.. I didnt have the heart to tell him it would be June before we got and real warm weather - lol.... I asked where he was from and he said "IL and I didnt think it would be so different here.
Yep.. welcome to Michigan.. bundle up!
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Oooooh I just made my first Wiki edit.. I added Cooley Law school to the Lansing page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lansing%2C_Michigan).. I am so excited.. This Wiki project really interests me.. I would like to try to add to the RE Olds page.
Monday I was working NGR14 and a guy pulls up in a SUV.. he is in a shirt and tie and there is another guy in the car. His window is still up and I can see he is on his cell phone.. I the window to my booth letting the 20 degree night air in and wait.. He rolls down the window and I hear him just SCREAMING into the cell phone 'WHAT PART OF THIS DONT YOU UNDERSTAND.. hang on a minute' He put the cell phone down and turns to me 'Sorry about that' he says in a pleasant tone as he hands me his ticket... I looked at him he was beat red and just PISSED.. but pleasant to me (and I appreciate that).. I took his money and he was on his way.. I wonder how that conversation ended?? I felt bad for the other guy in the car.. but that was an uncomfortable trip to where ever they were going.
Yesterday afternoon I was at SCR5 and a younger guy comes through in a Land Rover as I am processing his ticket he asks 'Are you from Michigan' I told him I was and he asks 'when does it start to warm up around here' I asked if he really wanted to know and he said yes in a very serious manner.. so I leaned on the window and looked out at the street where is was snowing pretty hard then looked at him and told him we had another good 4 -6 weeks of cold weather before it started to improve.. I didnt have the heart to tell him it would be June before we got and real warm weather - lol.... I asked where he was from and he said "IL and I didnt think it would be so different here.
Yep.. welcome to Michigan.. bundle up!
---------------
Oooooh I just made my first Wiki edit.. I added Cooley Law school to the Lansing page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lansing%2C_Michigan).. I am so excited.. This Wiki project really interests me.. I would like to try to add to the RE Olds page.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Another week
Had a really good weekend.. did not do anything special.. just relaxed a bit. Everything was calm and enjoyable.. not sure why, but wont knock it either.
Received the new camera last week.. A Nikon D70.. really like it.. I took a bunch of pictures downtown over the weekend.. now need to get them sorted and put somewhere. I am impressed with the camera.. and I have barely learned how to use the feature.. mostly doing automatic settings right now. Also started playing with Picasa.. WOW.. I really like it.. gives you a lot of flexibility.
I work a lot this week.. which is ok, I enjoy the money and really dont mind the work.. Actually I have today off.. then work the next 6 days.. should be a busy week!
Warmer today.. it was raining this morning.. suppose to hit 50 today before getting colder and snowing again tonight
Received the new camera last week.. A Nikon D70.. really like it.. I took a bunch of pictures downtown over the weekend.. now need to get them sorted and put somewhere. I am impressed with the camera.. and I have barely learned how to use the feature.. mostly doing automatic settings right now. Also started playing with Picasa.. WOW.. I really like it.. gives you a lot of flexibility.
I work a lot this week.. which is ok, I enjoy the money and really dont mind the work.. Actually I have today off.. then work the next 6 days.. should be a busy week!
Warmer today.. it was raining this morning.. suppose to hit 50 today before getting colder and snowing again tonight
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
In Like A Lion
We have a bunch of snow! It is a fine snow.. and the wind is blowing.. it is drifting, and cold, and visability is poor... Winter is FULL ON this morning :) And there is no end in site... I bet we have around 6 inches with another 3~5 expected for Today.
On Friday we went to see Motley Crue.. It was a really good show.. although I have to say I can not remember being less excited about a concert. I like the group.. the show was good.. I enjoyed the experience.. just not really into it.. I dont know if it is because of the recent turmoil in my life.. if it is becuase (while I like MC) they are not my all time favorite.. or if it is just becuase I am getting older.. Hmm.. hope it is not the last one.
I worked a lot over the weekend.. still like the new job and looking forward to a nice paycheck for last week.
On Friday we went to see Motley Crue.. It was a really good show.. although I have to say I can not remember being less excited about a concert. I like the group.. the show was good.. I enjoyed the experience.. just not really into it.. I dont know if it is because of the recent turmoil in my life.. if it is becuase (while I like MC) they are not my all time favorite.. or if it is just becuase I am getting older.. Hmm.. hope it is not the last one.
I worked a lot over the weekend.. still like the new job and looking forward to a nice paycheck for last week.
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