Posts
Last night was prehaps the busiest night I have ever worked in the ramps. I was at 22 which is usually dead.. when I come in at 6:30 there are usually 15 ~ 20 cars.. Last night there were over 100, and more coming in all the time. LCC is back in school and everybody is coming to class and trying to figure out parking.. so nobody had any idea with to do.. I explained how to use Star Cards to umpteen people.. even though those are issused through LCC and not the City. It was amusing.. these people were also largely surprised by the prices ($0.90 per 1/2 hour) and were digging through their change to pay me.. several had large boxes of change and were paying me entirely in coin.. it was amusing.. saw a bit of everthing.. wrote more fee invoices in one night than I have in the past 3 months combined.. over all it was sorta fun.. I like it when it is busy.. and unlike Cooley these people actually pay for parking, so the transaction takes longer. I am sure the traffic will die down in a week or two.. as people figure out other parking options, other lots, learn how to use a Star Card (prepaid parking card) oh.. and stop coming to class - lol
More fun tonight... only down side is I only read about 40 pages in my book.. still have about 400 to go - lol
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Leonard & Sanders
I finished Stick (42) by Elmore Leonard this weekend. I realized after I got into this book that I had read it before.. but that is ok.. I didnt remember much of it.. but it did have one of my very favorite lines in it. When the butler is taking to the new driver (both ex-cons) about the wealthy man they work about he says "What the man likes is to rub against danger without getting any on him" Cornell said. "Makes him feel like the macho man. You know what I'm saying?"
This book was cool because the character Stick is from Swag. This picks up with Stick after he gets out of Jackson prison and moves to FLA to see his daughter. Leonards books are mostly about the characters.. but I have noticed that the woman often is the downfall of the characters plans. In Swag they get busted when the girlfriend changes her mind and takes off leaving the money for them.. if she had followed plans they would not have been caught. In this book Stick runs a scam and nets $72,500. After he quits his job he reads the summons left for him.. his ex-wife is suing for back childsupport $10,000 per year.. for the 7 years he was in prison.
I also read The Dream Lover by Lawrence Sanders (43). This was a bit different for him.. it was set in the 1920's pre drepression Hollywood... And follows a man who has lost his wife (sucide) and his having troubles coping.. along with all the problems of work world. Parts of the studio want to go to sound.. he is against it.. they studio is waiting to hear on their bank loan.. In the mean time he meets a new starlite and falls for her.. only he doesn know she is 15.. it is a set up from his co-worker who wants to change the studio and have sound.. he is in with the bankers and others that want to take over.. the ending is a bit confusing and does not tie up many lose ends.. but an enjoyable book.
I am on to a Cussler book.. 500+ pages.. a hard cover.. working in the booths this week I figured that would be good :)
This book was cool because the character Stick is from Swag. This picks up with Stick after he gets out of Jackson prison and moves to FLA to see his daughter. Leonards books are mostly about the characters.. but I have noticed that the woman often is the downfall of the characters plans. In Swag they get busted when the girlfriend changes her mind and takes off leaving the money for them.. if she had followed plans they would not have been caught. In this book Stick runs a scam and nets $72,500. After he quits his job he reads the summons left for him.. his ex-wife is suing for back childsupport $10,000 per year.. for the 7 years he was in prison.
I also read The Dream Lover by Lawrence Sanders (43). This was a bit different for him.. it was set in the 1920's pre drepression Hollywood... And follows a man who has lost his wife (sucide) and his having troubles coping.. along with all the problems of work world. Parts of the studio want to go to sound.. he is against it.. they studio is waiting to hear on their bank loan.. In the mean time he meets a new starlite and falls for her.. only he doesn know she is 15.. it is a set up from his co-worker who wants to change the studio and have sound.. he is in with the bankers and others that want to take over.. the ending is a bit confusing and does not tie up many lose ends.. but an enjoyable book.
I am on to a Cussler book.. 500+ pages.. a hard cover.. working in the booths this week I figured that would be good :)
Weekend wrap-up
Ok, so it appears that my mother is in much worse health than she has been telling me.. I can't seem to talk to her because she is too deaf to hear the phone ring.. This also produces more stress between my wife and I.. as if we need any additional stress.
On the good side.. it was a nice weekend.. worked baseball both days... did lots of reading and enjoyed the nice weather.. After 8 days without we can finally get back into our driveway.. seems that they did a nice job on it. The kids are enjoying the sidewalk and were riding their bikes on it.. Although yesterday they failed to follow the rules as to how far they could go on the sidewalk.. and ended up in big trouble.
When I was at work yesterday Amy set up the screen porch in the backyard (I had mowed the lawn before I left for work).. So I sat out there in the afteroon and dozed in the chair while enjoying the sun.. later in the evening I read out there for a while.. Back in the booths this week.. that will be something different.. I think I have only been in a booth 1 night since I returned from my vacation in early Aug.
Hurricane hitting LA this morning... looks like it will be a big one!
On the good side.. it was a nice weekend.. worked baseball both days... did lots of reading and enjoyed the nice weather.. After 8 days without we can finally get back into our driveway.. seems that they did a nice job on it. The kids are enjoying the sidewalk and were riding their bikes on it.. Although yesterday they failed to follow the rules as to how far they could go on the sidewalk.. and ended up in big trouble.
When I was at work yesterday Amy set up the screen porch in the backyard (I had mowed the lawn before I left for work).. So I sat out there in the afteroon and dozed in the chair while enjoying the sun.. later in the evening I read out there for a while.. Back in the booths this week.. that will be something different.. I think I have only been in a booth 1 night since I returned from my vacation in early Aug.
Hurricane hitting LA this morning... looks like it will be a big one!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Another Wed.
So today is the first day of Second grade for my son. He was very excited about it.. actually he has been excited about going back to school for several weeks!
Talked to my mother this morning, and she called me back later to tell me that the Dr was putting her in the hospital.. she lost more weight and it is taking a toll on her.
I seem lost this week.. not working until Thursday and it is odd to have the evenings free.. Straighten up the family room last night and got some stuff put away.. I think that might be a nice place for me to read in the evenings. Have not read much this week.. that will change when I go back to work. Weather continues to be fall like although a bit warmer and sunny today.. students are starting to come back to MSU so EL is busy.
Talked to my mother this morning, and she called me back later to tell me that the Dr was putting her in the hospital.. she lost more weight and it is taking a toll on her.
I seem lost this week.. not working until Thursday and it is odd to have the evenings free.. Straighten up the family room last night and got some stuff put away.. I think that might be a nice place for me to read in the evenings. Have not read much this week.. that will change when I go back to work. Weather continues to be fall like although a bit warmer and sunny today.. students are starting to come back to MSU so EL is busy.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Private Pleasures (41)
Private Pleasures, by Larence Sanders. Each chapter of this book was written from a different characters view point.. so it was sort of cool, sometimes you would see the same event but through the eyes of different people involved.. Many of these peoples paths crossed.. some of them firgured it out.. others did not.
I realized the book I missed was The Loves Of Harry Dancer, also by Lawrence Sanders.. this was a frustrating book about a widower who had 2 women after him.. each woman worked for an orginazation that was trying to recruity Harry.. the story reloves around there groups and the 2 groups trying to outwit the other.. but we never learn what the groups are or why they want him.. In the end both groups (predicatbly) fail and Harry ends up committing suicide (to rejoing his lost wife).
Could have been a good book with just a bit more information... you keep waiting and waiting to find out what is going on.. but never do.
I realized the book I missed was The Loves Of Harry Dancer, also by Lawrence Sanders.. this was a frustrating book about a widower who had 2 women after him.. each woman worked for an orginazation that was trying to recruity Harry.. the story reloves around there groups and the 2 groups trying to outwit the other.. but we never learn what the groups are or why they want him.. In the end both groups (predicatbly) fail and Harry ends up committing suicide (to rejoing his lost wife).
Could have been a good book with just a bit more information... you keep waiting and waiting to find out what is going on.. but never do.
Ft Custer
More camping this weekend.. going to Ft Custer in Battle Creek.. which happens to be where I lived when I was little.. so I would like to drive by my old house and elementary school... but am already getting problems about that.
I hope this campground works out, as it is only about a hour from home.
I have been mentally tired lately.. I get home from work in the evening and just want to go to bed.. not really that tired.. just dont want to do anything. What I am doing is reading books like crazy :) So at least that makes me happy!
I hope this campground works out, as it is only about a hour from home.
I have been mentally tired lately.. I get home from work in the evening and just want to go to bed.. not really that tired.. just dont want to do anything. What I am doing is reading books like crazy :) So at least that makes me happy!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
The Pleasures of Helen (40)
Ripped through another book. The Pleasures of Helen by Lawrence
Sanders. This was written in 1971 and is sort of like a Sex & The City
of the early 70's.. Single woman in mid 30's, good job works in NY. Has
several lovers. But there are problems with all of them.. Her best
friend gets married, another friend commits sucide.. Just a snapshot in
the life... Not a bad book.. somewhat amusing to look back.. everybody
is smoking a drinking all the time.. although those are always big
points with Sanders books.
Also realized I am off my a book here.. will have to try to figure that
out...
Monday, August 15, 2005
Gold Coast (38)
Gold Coast by Elmore Leonard. Another excellent Leonard book.. this one set in Fla, but with Michigan ties. This book introduces Roland Corwe.. he is mentioned in Maximum Bob as his brother is the main character there.. Nice to see the history behind that story.
Went to the library book sale on Saturday and got a bag full of books.. guess I am back on the fiction - lol. Got a nice assortment of Sanders, Deighton, Cussler and Leonard.. I am set for a while!
Not bad I am 1/2 way through my 39th book in the beginning of week 33.. I work a lot this week.. we will see if I can make some more progress!
Went to the library book sale on Saturday and got a bag full of books.. guess I am back on the fiction - lol. Got a nice assortment of Sanders, Deighton, Cussler and Leonard.. I am set for a while!
Not bad I am 1/2 way through my 39th book in the beginning of week 33.. I work a lot this week.. we will see if I can make some more progress!
Friday, August 12, 2005
UP - Part II
On Saturday we got up and broke camp at Brimley and hit the road about 10:30, Amy got a late start and was leaving Lansing at about the same time.
We stopped at Kaks lake and did a geocache and had lunch... this was just a boat launch site without picnic tables.. should have gone a bit further and there was a roadside park. Stopped at Seney wildlife refuge.. was not all that impressed with it.. there was a 1.5 mile walking trail around a marsh area.. nice area, but didnt seen anything too impressived.. the kids enjoyed it so that is good. Nice visitors center with things the kids could touch and interact with. There is also a 7 mile driving trial, will have to do that some time.
Continued on to Indian Lake and arrived about 2:30 got the tent set up. Nice spot we were RIGHT on the lake! Amy and the dog arrived about 2 hours later.. just relaxed in the evening, had some dinner and a campfire.
The next day Amy left around 11 to start the 6 hour trip home. The kids and I went to Big Spring, and checked it out.. very cool.. 45' deep artisian spring that pumps 10,000 gallons of water a minute into Indian Lake. The water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom, and you could see a couple of large trout swimming about.
Then we went to town and visited the lighthouse (another geocache).
On Monday we visited Fayette, a restored iron smelting town from 1890. Very cool the amount of restoration they have done there, and also a pretty site right on the lake. Also took a detour to a State Forest Campground, took forever to get ther, but very pretty, right on Lake Michigan.
On Tuesday we broke camp and started the long journey home arriving about 5 pm. It all we traveled 986 miles, over 7 days in the UP. A really fun experience.. and one I want to do again!
We stopped at Kaks lake and did a geocache and had lunch... this was just a boat launch site without picnic tables.. should have gone a bit further and there was a roadside park. Stopped at Seney wildlife refuge.. was not all that impressed with it.. there was a 1.5 mile walking trail around a marsh area.. nice area, but didnt seen anything too impressived.. the kids enjoyed it so that is good. Nice visitors center with things the kids could touch and interact with. There is also a 7 mile driving trial, will have to do that some time.
Continued on to Indian Lake and arrived about 2:30 got the tent set up. Nice spot we were RIGHT on the lake! Amy and the dog arrived about 2 hours later.. just relaxed in the evening, had some dinner and a campfire.
The next day Amy left around 11 to start the 6 hour trip home. The kids and I went to Big Spring, and checked it out.. very cool.. 45' deep artisian spring that pumps 10,000 gallons of water a minute into Indian Lake. The water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom, and you could see a couple of large trout swimming about.
Then we went to town and visited the lighthouse (another geocache).
On Monday we visited Fayette, a restored iron smelting town from 1890. Very cool the amount of restoration they have done there, and also a pretty site right on the lake. Also took a detour to a State Forest Campground, took forever to get ther, but very pretty, right on Lake Michigan.
On Tuesday we broke camp and started the long journey home arriving about 5 pm. It all we traveled 986 miles, over 7 days in the UP. A really fun experience.. and one I want to do again!
A week in the UP
On 8/3/05 at about 9:30am we left for our week long camping adventure in the UP.
I had hoped to be to the Straits by lunch.. but was only to Gaylord, so we stopped at Otsego State Park and had lunch by the lake. On the way I realized that I had not packed the mustard and ketchup (again) so I drove on to Gaylord and picked them up. So it was a lesiurly trip to Brimly, we go there a bit after 2. When I got off I-75 I noticed the sign at a bank 90 degrees out... geeze thought it was suppose to be cooler up there... got the tent set up and went swimming.. Lake Superior never felt better.. got some food and looked around.. decided as hot as it was we didnt need a fire we would just go swimming again and get to bed early.
The thunder woke me up about 3 am.. a gentle rain.. the story got closer and louder and the rain got harder, and harder and HARDER. At least the tent didnt leak, but the chairs and stuff outside was soaked.
Still gray and soggy outside the next morning after some debate decided we would still go to Canada. Went north of town to the Crystal Falls.. wow.. this was SO cool.. it is about a 50' deep gorge. We walked along it for about a mile or so.. Hard to get pics of because it is narrow and lots of trees.. it is hard to see all of it, but still very cool.
When back and had lunch then it started to rain and we headed west of town, toward the airport and Gros Cap. It was cool to see the Gros Cap light ( and Point Iroquois) from the Candian side.
Headed back to the campground after that.. the wind was up, but still nice out.. gray and overcast but fairly warm.. went down to the water and there were 2'-4' waves.. the kids had a ball playing in them with the inflatable boat!
On Friday we stayed closer to camp.. went to Hiawatha National forest and checked out the campgound at Monocle lake.. stopped by the lighthouse and relaxed on the beach.
This was our final night in Brimley.. the next day we would move camp to the Lake Michigan side of Upper Mich.
I had hoped to be to the Straits by lunch.. but was only to Gaylord, so we stopped at Otsego State Park and had lunch by the lake. On the way I realized that I had not packed the mustard and ketchup (again) so I drove on to Gaylord and picked them up. So it was a lesiurly trip to Brimly, we go there a bit after 2. When I got off I-75 I noticed the sign at a bank 90 degrees out... geeze thought it was suppose to be cooler up there... got the tent set up and went swimming.. Lake Superior never felt better.. got some food and looked around.. decided as hot as it was we didnt need a fire we would just go swimming again and get to bed early.
The thunder woke me up about 3 am.. a gentle rain.. the story got closer and louder and the rain got harder, and harder and HARDER. At least the tent didnt leak, but the chairs and stuff outside was soaked.
Still gray and soggy outside the next morning after some debate decided we would still go to Canada. Went north of town to the Crystal Falls.. wow.. this was SO cool.. it is about a 50' deep gorge. We walked along it for about a mile or so.. Hard to get pics of because it is narrow and lots of trees.. it is hard to see all of it, but still very cool.
When back and had lunch then it started to rain and we headed west of town, toward the airport and Gros Cap. It was cool to see the Gros Cap light ( and Point Iroquois) from the Candian side.
Headed back to the campground after that.. the wind was up, but still nice out.. gray and overcast but fairly warm.. went down to the water and there were 2'-4' waves.. the kids had a ball playing in them with the inflatable boat!
On Friday we stayed closer to camp.. went to Hiawatha National forest and checked out the campgound at Monocle lake.. stopped by the lighthouse and relaxed on the beach.
This was our final night in Brimley.. the next day we would move camp to the Lake Michigan side of Upper Mich.
Books, books, books
Lets get caught up on the reading list....
Swag (35) by Elmore Leonard, I love the Leonard books.. this was about 2 guys that go 'into businesses' robbing places.. they have 10 rules for sucess.. and their undoing is when they stop following them.
It is set in Detroit... part of the plot involves robbing Hudsons.. but the part that really got me was when the stole a car from the 'Sheraton Cadillac Hotel' which is the Book Cadillac.. book written in mid 70's.. the hotel was still in operation.. now it is sitting empty with people fighting to save it and to tear it down.
Westworld (36) Michael Crichton. I did not realize until I started this book that it was actually a screen play for a movie. Not a bad story, but a bit light... I like Crichton, I read the Terminal Man when I was in HS after seeing a bit of it featured in my Psy textbook.. and Andromdia Strain is a great movie...
Maximum Bob (37) Elmore Leonard. Another great Leonard book.. the emphasis is always on the characters... this has a bit of a twist to the end.
I am currently working on another Leonard book.. I guess I am on a fiction binge again.. but it is nice to read a fiction paperback while sitting in the sun.. isnt that what summer is all about? :)
Swag (35) by Elmore Leonard, I love the Leonard books.. this was about 2 guys that go 'into businesses' robbing places.. they have 10 rules for sucess.. and their undoing is when they stop following them.
It is set in Detroit... part of the plot involves robbing Hudsons.. but the part that really got me was when the stole a car from the 'Sheraton Cadillac Hotel' which is the Book Cadillac.. book written in mid 70's.. the hotel was still in operation.. now it is sitting empty with people fighting to save it and to tear it down.
Westworld (36) Michael Crichton. I did not realize until I started this book that it was actually a screen play for a movie. Not a bad story, but a bit light... I like Crichton, I read the Terminal Man when I was in HS after seeing a bit of it featured in my Psy textbook.. and Andromdia Strain is a great movie...
Maximum Bob (37) Elmore Leonard. Another great Leonard book.. the emphasis is always on the characters... this has a bit of a twist to the end.
I am currently working on another Leonard book.. I guess I am on a fiction binge again.. but it is nice to read a fiction paperback while sitting in the sun.. isnt that what summer is all about? :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)