Get out the bike

The week has gone quickly... so has the month for that matter.. almost May.. wow
I am reading a book about the UP, which I dont care for much.. but read something last night that really struck me.
The author is a retired University professor from Michigan, and he tried wintering in AZ.. but did not like it.. he said " I felt uprooted, fragmentd, a noncitizen. There was no coninuity tot he past, no personal landmarks, no sense of indetity with a community. And my connection to the land, to my home place, was severed."
I love that line.. I think that explains why I like Lansing, and prehaps while I never cared for Gladwin.

Nice day out.. think I will go ride my bike (for the first time this year) this afternoon.
This will count as my exercise, and I did not get up this morning.. didnt yesterday either, but was real proud of myself because I did exercise when I got home from work last night.

Mood D

When Pine Was King

Last night I finished "When Pine Was King" by Lewis C Reimann, c1952. (19) I realized when I was done that the book was signed by the author.
The book was interesting, stories about the lumber era of Upper Michigan. Not so much long stories as quick tales about people and events. While not a complete look, I think it gave a unique look into the life of those times. It also included a number of photos taken in tha era, which really helped the reader picture the land, men and times described in the tales. Very enjoyable and recommended book!

Work Sleep, repeat

Worked a full shift in a ramp last night, first time in weeks. Very dead - lol
Things are tense at home, finals are coming up. Think I will go visit my mom with the kids on Saturday after I get off work.
Just not much going on right now - lol Work, sleep, work, sleep etc.

Dentist and daughter

The weather has warmed up a bit, but not really improved. Still very grey and wet.
Have been training people at work, think I am nearly done with baseball. Asked to work a few more games, as I do enjoy it. They are on the road for a while, so we will see what happens. Work in the ramp for the rest of the week.
Wife has finals coming up and think I may go away with the kids over the weekend so she can have some time to study.
Played with the VoIP box more yesterday and got it to work... Almost think the POS phone they gave me was some of the problem. Should have my own service by first of next week.. hope it is more reliable.
Daughter was sick yesterday.. hoarse cough and cold. I had a dentist appt in morning to get crown finished, but spend the afternoon at home with her before going to work. Wife took her to the Dr and they said she had a virus. She has not been feeling the best over the past month or so.. think she has a touch of something.
Crown went well.. took a while to get it just right.. and it still felt funny.. but think it was just because I was still numb.. after that wore off I felt fine. Notice some sensativity to cold with it, but he said that would diminish as time goes on. At least it doesnt hurt when I chew, so I am very happy that I got this done.
Having trouble dragging my ass out of bed in the morning to exercise.. didnt do it yesterday and barely made it today.. almost slept in, but finally got up and did it.. was proud of myself for doing it even thought I wanted to sleep.

Mood C+
Morning Music - Liz Phair

Winter?

Ok, so the weekend got worse, weather wise. Friday it was pissing down rain.. and we were busy with people lined up to go to the game. There was a 1 hour rain delay, and they actually played it.. of course it was about 36 degrees at game time.
Saturday was worse.. cold and *dead* game was cancelled and I went home about 1 after 6 hours. Went to dinner at PB, that was cool... although got in a disagreement later so that wasnt.
The rain/sleet of Saturday turned full on to snow in the evening and finally started to stick, woke up to about 1" on the ground.
Yesterday game was also called, so just hung out at the house and got a few things done. Nice to have a day off and be home.. even if the weather wasnt the best.
Today starts a new week. I doubt if they will play tonight, but possibly? Wont have a lot of hours this week.. think I have Sat off.
Go to dentist tomorrow to have my crown finished. Really happy with this so far, no pain, and very little hot/cold sensativity...
Did really good on exercise last week.. and did fairly good on my eating. This week I am going to try to work on the late night eating.. I think that is what is killing me.. I am about 10 lbs over where I want, and even worse I know where the weight is and I want it gone - lol

Mood B- and falling
Morning Music D12

Where did spring go?

While Tuesday was beautiful... at game time on Wed the temp had dropped 31 degrees to 46, and it was damn cold. Thursday recovered but it looks like it is going to be a misrable weekend. I guess it is good to happen this weekend, rather than last when we were away on our get-away.
The City is hiring new people which is good... word is I will go back to a booth and now work baseball... I am going to talk to them about this. While I dont want to work *every* game, I do like it and would like to work some of the games.. Especially Thursdays, as it is busy and a lot of fun!
This isnt going to be much of a weekend anyway.. I have to work all day Sat outside (in rain and snow?) and Sun afternoon.
I think I have the new DVD burner figured out.. I have found the right programs to covert avi, etc and seem to be burning disks that are viewable.. :)

The week goes on

Work last night was ok.. it was nice out! 77 according to the sign outside the stadium. And I got to go home afterward.. wow... what a concept.. It was nice to get home earlier!
Bought a Lugnuts hat at lunch yesterday..
Only drawback to working the lots is that I dont get to read while I am there.. and I am there all week.. but I found a radio this morning.. so I can listen to the game while I am working.
Heard from my cousin yesterday.. have lost touch with him.. wrote to him a few months ago and had given up on him.. wrote back to me yesterday.. like everybody else he is just busy.. so that was cool.. Trying to keep in touch with friends, and should do the same with family.
Mood B
Morning Music Def Leppard, Pyromania

Monday

Yesterday was less than exciting... bossman was gone, so it is quiet at work. Had a rare day off from work so hung around the house. Spent some time with my daughter last night just talking with her and reading to her.. that was cool. I like working a lot, and it is helping us out.. but I do miss the kids, and I think they miss me too. She is growing up fast.. I can see recently how she is maturing again. She is being better about going to sleep at night.. and all of a sudden seems to get numbers.. loves to count everything right now.
Wife was upset last night.. so that always sours my mood.. I wish we could get along better.
Work is back on tonight! Lugnuts are home for the next 8 days, and I am sure I will work all of them. And that will close out basball for the month. After that they are off for a day, then away for the last 3 in April.. Hard to believe it is almost May.
Mood C-
Morning Music George Throughgood

Round lake during day. Coast Guard boat at mouth of Lake Charlevoix 

Round Lake at night 

Lighthouse during day 

Photos from Charlevoix. 

Good weekend!

Had a good weekend! On Saturday we went to my sons soccer game, then left to go north shortly afterward. It was a nice day and arrived at Weathervane a bit after 4 and got checked in. I do like that place, comfortable suite rooms.. and at this time of year (off season) they are dirt cheap. Relaxed for a bit, then had dinner and visited Jimmy. Kids had a ball running around and playing on the trampolene. Got back and I went out to take some pics of the lighthouse at night. Didnt turn out quite as nice as I wanted, but not too bad, and I think I learned a few things I can use in the future.
On Sunday went for a walk on the beach, and took some more pics.. then got ready and took off. Stopped at Big Buck for lunch.... who also has free wireless at the resturant! Stopped to see my mom on the way home to drop off a birthday present and arrived home around 6. Got a pizza and just decompressed a bit.

Its Friday

We have made it to the end of the week.. still tired in the morning.. slept in until almost 7 today.. so no exercising again.. will have to fix that before the weekend rolls around.
Looking forward to our getaway this weekend.
Worked Thirsty Thursday last night.. kept me busy.. then to the ramp where it was slow... Started reading REO Joe.. I thought it was about life as a typical auto worker in the 30's.. Instead it seems to be a social/gender/race discussion of the industrialized 30's.. groan... lots of facts and figures but very little of interest... maybe it will get better.. I hope!
Work 6:30 to close tonight.. still have lots to do to get ready for tomorrow... :)

Here is a picture of Oldsmobile Park that I took yesterday while working parking in Lot 15 across the street from it. 

Long day

Yesterday was a long day.. I got up at 6am exercised, was at work by 7:30 and worked until 11pm.. about 15 1/2 hours. Although it actually went quick.. Worked baseball and then went to NGR until close. We are going up north on Sat.. Amy made reservations yesterday.. I am looking forward to this!! One side benefit to working so much.. It really makes you appreciate your time off even more. Picked up a book on hiking with children in Michigan yesterday, gave me some ideas.. They are saying kids as young as 3 can do 1 - 2 mile hikes with proper preperation and motivation. These hikes are rate to difficultiy (easy-moderate-hard) and picked to have things of interest for children.... If the mind is active the legs are not tired! A few of them I have done, the kids have been to a few, and there are a lot I would like to try out!! I have all sorts of plans for things I want to do this spring and summer.. now to find the time and money. But I think that will all work out also!
Mood: B
Morning Music - none.. too tired to work out this morning

Dentist

Ok, the dentist thing went ok... Only took about 45 minutes.. no fuss.. no muss and NO pain :)
I can even talk! I hope I am still feeling this good in 6 hours.

Monday

Monday went pretty good.. we have been having nice weather and that never hurts. Got out of work around 8:30 yesterday. Baseball games for the next 3 days, then back to the ramp for Friday and off over the weekend.
We are talking about going to Charlevoix for the weekend.. That should be fun.. take some pictures walk around and maybe look up a few old friends!
Mood B
Morning Music: Pink Floyd - The Wall

White Pine Days on the Taquamenon

I finished White Pine Days on the Taquamenon, by Wm Davenport Hulbert last night. I stumbled across this book at the library last week and really enjoyed it. The man lived in the late 1800's and his father owned a logging company which he worked for in an office capacity. It appears the author may have had polio? which left him unable to do heavy physical labor. He often would visit the camps and go out with landlookers. His stories are both about the people in the industry along with just accounts of wildlife and the natural beauty of Upper Michigan.
Very enjoyable!

Weekend wrap-up

Baseball went good... there is a lot more to it than standard parking. and they are very anal about their space counts... but overall it is still fun! Had Sat off and worked Sun morning. Both days were beautiful outside... did some geocaching this weekend. Talking about going up to Charlevoix for this weekend.. stay at the Weathervane for a quick get-a-way.

Its going to be a long day

My alarm went off at 5:45 this morning and I managed to drag my ass out of bed by 6am and exercise. My neck and right shoulder are stiff and sore, and I dont know why.. sinus thing? nerver thing? I dont know but it is getting worse day by day.
Today is opening day for the Lugnuts and my first day working baseball.. should be fun.. I think it will be busy and the time will go quickly... which is best in any job :) When that is done I go to NGR14 until close... so I will be working from 7 am until 9 or 10 pm today.. and tomorrow.. and 3 days next week - lol.. hmm... sleep? no time for that.
My wife finished her paper late last night and her mood improved.. I think it was a relief to have it done. I am also feeling better and looking forward to today!
Mood B
Morning music: Pink Floyd Momentary Lapse of Reason

Not the best of days

My neck is stiff and sore, my wife is stressed out and angry and my daughter will not stay in bed.. Just another day in the life... groan... hopefully today will get a little better? It is 70 not but suppose to rain later and be in the 50's tomorrow.
Last night I finished Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities by Alexandra Robbins (#18)
It was good, although a bit different than I expected... the main point seems to be the incredible pressure the girls are under to conform to the 'image' of the sorority. The book was almost like a essay or textbook complete with recommendations at the end of it.
The same author has also written a book on the Skull & Bones society of Yale.. It is on my reading list some day I will get to it.
Mood - C
Morning Music - none.. slept for an extra hour

I'm lovin' it

Ok, so I can't stop going to McDonalds for lunch.. but at least I am having the salad.. and the yogurt with fruit is yummy too - lol.. and all for about 570 calories... where as a 1/4 with fries is over 1,000.
Mmm.. who would have thought I would be eating a salad from McDonalds - lol

A new week

The weekend was ok.. worked both days and it was slow. Trained the new guy who is from New York.. has worked at MSG. Went out for dinner Sat and then watched the game :(
Sunday took kids to Sharp park and geocached.
It is nice out today, suppose to be 70 :) Hope it is like this on Thursday when I am working baseball.
Mood - C
Morning Music - Van Halen: Women and Children First

Readin' books

Last night I finished How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale
by Jenna Jameson.. a strange book, but still interesting... and much different from the Traci Lord's story.. the book concentrates more on her quest to find balance in her life... she does not concentrate much on the porn aspect of it.. it is a job, most of the book concentrates on the choices she made, some good, some bad, and her trying to understand it all. The book was written in an interesting style.. lots of excerpts from a diary she kept as a kid.. and there was one whole section of the book which was she, her brother, and father sitting around playing 'remember when' it gives a lot of background into their lives.
So this was book 17, I think.. for the year.. I am working on 18,19 & 20 right now and have checked out 21 and 22 from the library already... I am so enjoying reading again!
Did not get to read last night at work, had to train a new person, that went fine, but it cut into my personal time.. how dare they want me to work at work - lol
Maybe tonight will be quieter and I can read :)