10 words or less

2009-02-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

How does one handle a dream offered before its time?

2009-02-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

The economy needs to improve. I can't build a shanty.

2009-02-05T07:15:00.000-08:00

There isn't one thing found in nature in this fabric

2009-02-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

"Bacon up that sausage, boy"
"But Dad, my heart hurts"

For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn

2009-02-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

I've always been fascinated by the story of Hemmingway being challenged to write a compelling story that was 10 words or less. The result was the title of this post: "For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn." The brevity ends up telling a much larger story than is actually written. It's brilliant.

Now let's face facts, I'm no Hemmingway, but in the spirit writing more, by writing less, I'll be limiting myself to 10 words or less on every post on this blog. Now before you go and get all nit-picky, photos and links to articles don't count.

Now, sit back and enjoy the brevity.

I'm such a trendsetter

2008-10-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

January 2006 - I move to Ypsilanti
Spring 2009 - Midwest Sliders move to Ypsilanti

Sure, they are moving out of Ypsilanti in 2009, but then again so am I (if not sooner)

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Oestrike Stadium, home to Eastern Michigan University's defending Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament champion Eagles, will also be home for the 2009 season to the Midwest Sliders, an independent professional baseball club competing in the Frontier League. The announcement was made jointly by EMU Athletics Director Dr. Derrick Gragg and Midwest Sliders President and Director of Team Personnel Rob Hilliard.

The Sliders, purchased last January by Baseball Heroes of Oakland County, LP, operated in 2008 as a travel squad, playing all 96 games on the road. The Oakland County-based ownership group plans to start construction on a 3,900-seat stadium next spring in Waterford Township. After the ball park's completion, the club will be renamed the Oakland County Cruisers. "For the upcoming Frontier League season, we want to bring the club as close as possible to Oakland County while playing in a first-class facility," explained Hilliard.

"We're extremely pleased to call EMU home for the 2009 season and look forward to bringing this affordable, family entertainment activity to the greater Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor area," Hilliard said, adding that he, Vice President & General Manager Bill Terlecky and Manager & Player Development Director Eric Coleman were anxious to meet with Ypsilanti officials, members of the local business community and area residents.

"We've had a long and rich baseball tradition here at EMU and have always prided ourselves on putting our best foot forward," said Dr. Gragg. "We believe Rob and his staff are knowledgeable baseball people and good folks who will fit in well, both on campus and in the surrounding community."

According to Hilliard, the club will be called the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti for 2009, taking a page from MLB's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The cap will include a "Y" in its design.

The ball club is releasing its 2009 Frontier League schedule and will soon begin to offer promotional packages to area businesses. Plans are also underway to add portable food & beverage carts, souvenir stands and other fan-friendly amenities. Together with an in-game entertainment program, Midwest Sliders games at Oestrike Stadium will take on all of the trappings of a typical Minor League ball game.

"Every aspect of our operation is being developed in concert with EMU's Athletic Department and head coach Jay Alexander," said Hilliard, who stressed the importance of cooperation, coordination and communication as the Sliders assume the role of tenant.

The ball club has set ticket prices for its 45-game home schedule, which begins with a three-game series against two-time defending Frontier League champion Windy City Thunderbolts on Friday, May 29 (7:15 pm); Saturday, May 30 (7:15 pm); and Sunday, May 31 (2:00 pm). Grandstand reserved seating is $8.00 for adults and $7.00 for children 12 years of age and under, as well as for senior citizens age 55 and over and Eastern Michigan University students. Season ticket packages are $315 for one ticket (saving $45 off individual game-day pricing); $585 for two tickets (a $135 savings off individual game-day pricing); $810 for three tickets (a $279 total savings), and $990 for four tickets (a $450 total savings).

A 12-game Flex Pack allows fans to redeem 12 undated coupons for any Midwest Sliders home game, subject to ticket availability, and includes a free ticket to the Sunday, May 31 game with Windy City. At $72, fans realize a $32 savings off game-day ticket pricing.

A Weekday Pick Six package gives fans an opportunity to choose any six Monday thru Thursday home games for $36.00, a $12 savings off game-day ticket pricing. Finally, a Baker's Dozen program featuring a "Division Rivals" package and a "See the League" package provides fans with two options to purchase a dozen games and receive a free ticket to a 13th game.

Season tickets, Flex Packs, Weekday Pick Six packages and the Baker's Dozen program will be available for online purchase at noon, Monday, Oct. 20. Visit www.cruisersbaseball.com and click on the TICKETS section. Click on THE TEAM section for more information on the Sliders. Click on the VIRTUAL STADIUM TOUR and surf the rest of the Web site to learn more about the Oakland County Cruisers and stadium plans in Waterford.

2008-10-09T10:18:00.005-07:00

Those effing deadbeat community organizers

2008-09-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

As one who has worn the hat of community organizing - devoting hundreds of thousands of hours volunteering for communities I have lived it (albiet most in the Old West End, which is a cake walk compared to what a vast majority of community organizers face), I found Rudy and Sarah especially appalling last night when community organizers became the butt of jokes. Seeing the sea of rich white faces at the convention cackle at the notion of even spending a moment volunteering, let alone accepting the fact that the effort is a worthy and thankless job, honestly made my skin crawl.
The only thing I can say right now is a very heartfelt "f*ck you" to Sarah, Rudy and all the other Repubs joining on this bandwagon. F*ck you for diminishing the work of thousands of Americans to serve your own short-term needs. F*ck you for negating the important role that community organizers provide in cities, towns, and countryside across this country.
But I'll let Jason Lenkins from the Huffington Post continue on with this thought, since his thoughts are more reasoned at this time. For me, it is clearly still too raw to discuss.
"Tonight at the RNC, the McCain campaign made their feelings about community organizers abundantly clear. Defeated primary opponents spit on their name. Conventioneers loudly mocked their existence. Sarah Palin told not one, but two jokes about them, which is certainly a comedy foul, because everyone knows you are supposed to use the Rule Of Three.

"Tonight, community organizers were made to feel the brunt of the Republicans' smarmy derision. And for what? You know, one overworked conservative trope from tonight was that the American people should not expect the government to solve all of their problems. You know who would agree with that? Community organizers. These men and women serve a public duty, taking care of those who do fall through the cracks of government largesse, motivating citizens to give their time and sweat to serve society's needs without making an unnecessary dip in the taxpayer till.

"Community organizers mobilize volunteers that are young and old. They work from churches and community centers. They go to work in small towns and big cities. They assist people of all ages, and all walks of life. They tutor children, care for the infirm, spend time with the elderly, get food to the hungry, clothes to the needy. They expand opportunities and improve lives.

"Why, if I'm not mistaken, they even make sure that voters can get to the polls on those odd Tuesdays in November."

Spot the differences

2008-08-29T08:16:00.001-07:00

Unofficial un-endorsement

2008-07-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

So yes, it has indeed been forever since I have posted anything. I know I promised posts a few weeks ago, but things have bordered on lunacy dealing with this house fire.

The company we hired to to the fire restoration has been less than stellar with customer service. It got so bad I ended up yelling at someone on the phone last week that "my house better f*cking be done by next Friday or they will hear from my attorney." Confrontational? Me? Yes, I was that pissed. Those keeping score at home will note that it has been almost two months since the fire and still no finished house. Keep in mind that prior to the fire we were trying to sell the house and that I had just dropped $500 in additional landscaping to get the yard looking great for curb appeal. Now all of that has been wasted, since June and July have been a total bust for trying to sell, it's not like this is the peak time to try and sell anyhow. Oh wait, it is.

They delays have been unreal. We've heard every excuse in the book, "our guys got sent to Iowa for the floods (not to be heartless, but I'm pretty sure my fire happened BEFORE the floods), the crew is tied up at another job (again, I don't care), the foreman got sick (again, not my problem), the subcontractor didn't show (the contractor actually tried to claim this wasn't his fault, I had to remind him how a contractor/sub contractor relationship works), we had a hard time getting crews in because of the holiday week (what they get the whole effing week off?), and on and on and on.

So back to the landscaping. I've really had to bite my tongue this week just so that we can get the work done as fast (and good) as humanly possible and get the thing back on the market. The reason I've had to bite my tongue and not completely go off? Apparently our yard and garden also double as a good place for the construction crews to do whatever the h*ll they want. Monday they washed paint brushes over the herb garden, Tuesday it was plaster all over the grass, Wednesday, it was trashcans placed on top of plants, and who knows what I'll find today. I'm pissed, but at the same time I just don't care. I just want to get back into the house, I'll fix all this stupid stuff next week and submit a bill to them.

The whole process has been a nightmare, but since I came just short of spitting split pea soup at them during my ranting and yelling last Friday, they have gone gangbusters at the house. Saturday the entire kitchen was gutted of cabinets (and we got to keep the non-burnt ones to use for basement/garage storage wherever we move next). Sunday - no work - to much Jesus loving. Monday they painted all the ceilings, and started and finished all the plaster and drywall in the kitchen. Tuesday all the painting was finished. Wednesday the kitchen floor was re grouted. Today all the cabinets are supposed to go in. Tomorrow is counters and back splash, carpets shampooed and last minute details. Hopefully Monday is when they deliver all our freshly scrubbed possessions back.

You'll notice that I never made any mention of the company's name. I'm waiting until the job is officially done before I give my official un-endorsement of them. In the meantime though, if they honestly think I am paying my $500 insurance deductible, they are sorely mistaken. They will get the honor of that.

I'm not dead

2008-06-27T07:54:00.001-07:00

My complete lack of postings would prove otherwise though. Surprisingly living in a hotel where I get two meals a day provided, fresh linens every day, and free grocery delivery has somehow actually left me with LESS time. Dealing with the house repairs, wrapping up a major school project, and a heavy work schedule has drained my free time. But I promise more boring posts soon (probably this weekend) on:

Cyndi Lauper (recent concert and new album review)
Drew Barrymore (thinks Ypsi rocks)
Fire! (update on the rehab and the experience of being displaced)
Saugatuck ("No, I'm sorry The Dougatuck is fully booked this weekend.")
and
if I'm feeling particularly inspired I'll rant about recent Supreme Court decisions, that is if I can put down my gun long enough to type.

Victory

2008-06-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

"In our country, I have found that cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.
So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.
So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.
So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom's cause.
So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that's better, and kinder, and more just.
And so it must be for us.
America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment - this was the time - when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

Fire Update

2008-05-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

My thoughts are still scatted, two days later, but here is an update:

Basically 1/2 of the kitchen needs replaced including cabinets, counters, backsplash, floor, and stove. (Plastic IKEA cabinets melt very quickly and smell just lovely) The ceiling will have to be knocked out and redrywalled. New crown molding needs installed.

Every surface in the house needs cleaned and many rooms will need sealed and repainted.

They are going to have to do a pack up of everything in the house and move it off site for cleaning and storage until the restoration can be competed.

They have already removed all the curtains, clothing and any fabric not attached for cleaning.

The rehab will probably take a month. We'll be living in temporary housing until then.

So much for my lazy summer enjoying the finished house, sigh.

I feel so badly for Buckeye. He is not dealing with this well at all. He's gotten quite used to his routine and this whole situation has him very stressed, he's shedding like mad. Right now he is sleeping, it's the first good sleep he's had since the fire. Poor thing.

Holy Sht, Holy Sht, Holy Sh*t!

2008-05-28T18:34:00.001-07:00

Just for reference sake, this is the before picture.
And this is how my kitchen looks right now.

Guess who had a fire in thier kitchen tonight?

This plant was on top of the fridge. It was from my grandmother's funeral. The heat killed it. Everything else can be replaced. This is the only thing I'm sad about.

This is the pan that caused it all.

Right now I'm still a bit in shock. It happened less than two hours ago. I'll write more later. Everyone is okay.

I just won Mega Millions!!!!

2008-05-19T09:36:00.001-07:00

Well, kinda. You need to use Hillary logic. Sure I didn't get all five numbers and the power ball needed to secure the winning, but if you inlude the first two numbers from my ticket last week in place of this week's ticket (Michigan and Florida) and you exclude the power ball since that is different (caucus states), then I just won Mega Millions.

From CNN...
"Clinton recently has argued she has a lead over Obama in the popular vote, counting the Florida and Michigan primaries.
But the Democratic National Committee stripped Florida and Michigan of their delegates for scheduling their primaries too early, and Clinton was the only top-tier candidate whose name was on the ballot in Michigan.
Clinton's campaign also excludes caucus states in its popular vote count."

Zingerman's gets the Oprah bump

2008-05-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

One of the joys of my new job is the flexible hours. Last week, I had a meeting at 3 in Saline that lasted only 3o minutes. After that I headed home to work from home for about another hour or so. Arriving home, I switch on the TV while I was changing from my work clothes to my play clothes. Who should be on but Oprah. I haven't seen Oprah for months, and was having withdrawals. She drives me crazy with her repeating phrases and her weird inflection, but nevertheless "I loves me some Oprah." Work could wait until 5, and it did.

So it was some weird sandwich day with Gail. And no, there were no muffalatas, no fur burgers or any other 2nd grade term for the Va -j-j. So keep your childish lesbian jokes to yourself. Oh who am I kidding? I'm always game for a good lesbian joke. Best one ever being: Where to Lesbians go on their second date? UHaul. Priceless, just priceless.

Anyhow, veering back on track from that lesbian tangent, the episode was rather weird, but as I said my Oprah doses are few and far between, so I'll take what I can get. There was a piece in Royal Oak, a place I can't recall the name of but had what looked to be the best grilled cheese on the planet. Cool, Michigan got represented. But then at the very second I thought, "Hey a show about best sandwiches in the US and Zingermans gets no play?" I see Gail matching in, looking dumbfounded at the overwhelming sandwich boards and knew instantly where she was. I too always seem to have that, "holy crap this menu is huge and there are 20 people in line behind me, I need to hurry up and decide. Do I want the #14, the #89, the #3.14158? Shit, it's my turn. I'll have the #54. Fuck, what the hell is the #54? Am I even going to like that? Yeah I'll add the mac & cheese." moment every time I've been there. And it's immediately after that moment that I fall over when I think of what I just paid for a sandwich. A sandwich. But the food it damn good!

14:59

2008-05-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

5 stinking electoral votes in the general election. That's it. Stop trying to present that West Virginia is so important to win in the general election. This is not a major win in the primary and its not a major win in the general election either.

If nothing else shut up long enough to take off that God awful orange pantsuit, you look like a construction barrel.

Where in the World is Brent Welsh

2008-05-09T15:46:00.001-07:00

Friday Saturday

Sunday

Digging in the Dirt

2008-05-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

These need plants in them. Only 3 more days until I finally get to get out and work in the yard.

Toilet Tuesday

2008-05-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted anything for a while. I've been somewhat busy with school wrapping up, partly I was busy with work, but mostly I was just fuming about a series of plumbing issues plaguing the 118 year old house.

It all began Friday, it was 4:30, the partner was at home from a 1/2 day off work. He was cleaning for the arrival of a Toledoan (they have high standards, don't ya know?) who was due to arrive in one hour. Then out of the blue I receive a frantic phone call that the toilet is leaking onto the floor. Great. So I proceed to play phone plumber and eventually tell him to just turn off the water, mop up the water on the floor and get a fan blowing across the floor to dry it out. I drive home, thinking mostly about enjoying some Necto Islands, but I spent a moment or two thinking about the plumbing problem, figuring the wax ring was probably just compromised and we would simple need to spend $3 and replace it. No problem, I could do that in no time flat.

I get home, the Toledoan has arrived, she and the partner are on the porch smoking a cigarette. The partner is in a stunning outfit of bright baby blue track shorts, a wrinkled Old West End Festival T-Shirt, white socks pulled up, and black fuzzy slip ons. After being temporarily blinded by his fashion genius, I notice the look on his face, it's not good.

Cut to me trying to play plumbing and figure out what is going on. It doesn't take long to figure out that the soil pipe in the basement is cracked and leaking water. Why this would make the toilet to overflow from underneath made no sense, but we were so happy to find something wrong, we thought that had to be it. But rarely is life that simple, let alone old house plumbing.

So we finally figure out what is wrong, but it is not 5:30 on Friday. Fantastic. Weekend Overtime rates. Being the cheap person I am, I declare its not that bad. We just can run the dishwasher or the washer since those discharge too much water at a time and makes the waste line leak. Showers, A-okay. Toilet, no worries. Hand washing, of course. Okay we can deal with this. The Toledoan doesn't mind, she'll be drunk on Necto Islands soon.

So Monday rolls around, hallelujah, we made it. Everything went fine. Minor water in the basement caught in a pail and hauled out. Beep. Beep. Plumber arrives promptly at 9. Plumber agrees the waste pipe is cracked. Plumber fixes waste pipe. New waste pipe works great. Waste pipe as a whole, not so much. Toilet issue remains. Plumber says the line must be clogged further down, or maybe is collapses. Plumber confirms there is an obstruction. But joy of joys, there is too much water in the drain line and to snake it out would involve creating a small cesspool of not so sanitary water in the basement. The solution, wait until the next morning to snake. Even better. Sure, why not, we've gone this far.

The partner finally convinces me to stay at a hotel for the night. I pricelined one in A2 for $35. We end up at the Extended Stay with a full kitchen and a living room. Is it wrong that the hotel room might just have been larger than our house? After a night of enjoying free cable, it's time to head back to the house to have the line snaked. Plumber returns and within 45 minutes, the drains work better than ever. The dirty little bugger that caused the whole problem? A giant clump of roots.

So, after all is said and done, I can honestly tell you my entire economic stimulus check went straight down the sh*tter. I'm sure there is some sort of black fly in my chardonnay sort of irony in there somewhere.

Everybody's a little bit racist

2008-04-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

So last Friday Adam I went to E. Lansing to go see a musical I have wanted to see for the past two years, Avenue Q. Yeah, yeah, big surprise the big homo wanted to go see a musical. But in all honestly there have been very few musicals that I have enjoyed enough that they have kept my attention. The primary one being Rent, but who doesn't like Rent, heck my 60-something mother even enjoys Rent. (I do know your real age mother, I'm not posting it here to protect you - or maybe to protect others from the horror of your real age, ha!) But yes, certain songs from musicals are fun. Which is why, despite not actually caring much about musicals, I love a showtunes night at a bar (now is when you can make your "he's such a big fag" jokes).

But back to the topic at hand, well sort of, let me digress into E. Lansing first. I've never much cared for Michigan State fans. I grew up in Toledo and never made a real decision on the whole Ohio State vs. U of Michigan rivalry. When I lived in Toledo I tended to support Ohio State, after I moved to Ypsi I tended to lean toward Michigan. But all the while I knew Michigan State fans always drove me a bit batty. Their are stubbornly proud of their school and take every chance to ridicule not only UofM, but also take swipes at Ann Arbor. Well, last Friday was my first trip to E. Lansing and let me say not only were my suspicions about E. Lansing and Michigan Sate confirmed, but they were clearly cemented. The Michigan State campus is dreary, bland, and frankly looked like a glorified community college. E. Lansing was equally a dissapointment. I found nothing special, everything seemed quite bland. And the main stretch of commercial activity on Grand River ran on only one side of the street - what an akward and uninspiring urban landscape.

Okay enough about E. Lansing, back to the show. Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic!!!!! It's fun, moves along very quickly and maintains the innocence of Sesame Street while tackling the everyday, sometimes crude, world we all live in. There was never a dull moment in the show. But by far my favorite parts were those that included the Bad Idea Bears. The Bad Idea Bears are basically a plot device used to push characters into doing something they would not normally do. At their first appearance they convince Princeton not only to spend his limited money on beer, but to buy a case since in the long run he would end up saving money. Later they urge Princeton and Kate Monster to drink long islands because they taste like candy even though Kate Monster has to teach in the morning for the first time. I think the Bad Idea Bears have visited me on many occastions.

And how can you not fall in love with a show with song titles like, "Everybody's a little bit racist," "If you were gay," "The internet is for porn," and so on? The show just recently began traveling. It had been on Broadway since 2004, when is also won a Tony for Best Musical. It was also in production at Wynn in Vegas and had an exclusive contract - now with that contact ended it has begun touring. I am seriously considering going again to see it sometime this year.

What you talkin' 'bout Hillary?

2008-04-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

So Hillary Clinton is now claiming that she is ahead in the popular vote by taking into account votes she received in Michigan. I don't know where to even begin my rant on how disappointed I am by the Clinton campaign. Two years ago I was fully behind a Hillary run for presidency. Then I was happy to see Edwards jump into the race. He, of course, dropped out and I turned my support to Obama. It was sad to admit, but it was clear that Clinton had turned to Roveian tactics, of which I have to tolerance for.

I was miffed when the Michigan legislature moved up the primary despite warnings from the DNC that the delegates would not be seated. But I was furious when every other candidate pulled their name from the ballot in Michigan out of respect to the party - except Hillary. I recall her claiming at the time that it was an oversight and it truly didn't matter because the delegates would not be seated anyhow. Now today she has the nerve to claim those votes she did receive in Michigan as part of her tally in the popular vote. This is misleading and disingenuous. I didn't have the choice to vote for candidate of choice so I voted "uncommitted." Hillary was the only flesh and blood candidate one could vote for in Michigan (save for Kucinich, and as much as I love his policy, he's not a mainstream candidate). So for her to claim those votes in Michigan in any count - delegate, popular, or otherwise before a deal can be worked out between the DNC, Obama and herself is just dirty pool.

I have lost all respect for Hillary. She has put her candidacy above the party and I have serious concerns about that. If Obama does get the nomination she has a lot of work ahead of her to heal the party, and I don't think she will step up to the plate to do that necessary work if that day should come. Should she be able to manipulate enough superdelagates her way to garner the nomination, I also doubt her ability to draw in Obama supporters who she has also belittled along the way.

I am sympathetic to her drive. She has been groomed for this race her entire life. Certainly she is the closest we have ever come to a female president, and I have no doubt that she would be leaps and bounds better than McCain. But she has said herself, "this is personal." Which means damn the system, damn the party, and damn the Democratic party of tomorrow's brightest stars. For that I have no patience.

But for all my rants, I will support her if she does get the nomination. I will know that the party had not chosen their best candidate, but I will support her. I thought Kerry was not our strongest candidate in 2004, but once the nomination was locked in he gained my support. This time out, I think the need to support the Democratic party regardless of candidate is critical. And if I am willing to swallow my pride and support Hillary should she gain the nomination, I hope Hillary supporters will drop their "I'll vote for McCain before I vote for Obama" rhetoric immediately and rally behind Obama. Stubbornness within our party will get us nowhere but at the losing end of a race that we should be able to easily walk with. We effed it up in 2004 and ended up with a Bush second therm, let's not eff it up again and end up with a third one.

Where was I?

2008-04-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

I was at the 45th parallel in northern Michigan. I was up in the area doing some research for school in Elk Rapids (I'll post those findings later once complete). This is a strange little monument off the beaten path on Cairn Hwy just north of Elk Rapids which marks the halfway point between the equator and the north pole. It actual half way point is about a mile north, oops.

More about this site... http://www.wurlington-bros.com/45th/Cairn.html

Shake what your mama gave ya

2008-04-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Where in the world is Brent Welsh?

2008-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's a total rip off from Matt Lauer, but I figure since we suffer from similar hair loss it's open game. Maybe this will become a regular thing since I'll be traveling more in the summer. Who knows. Winner gets to buy my house from me. (list price of course, no inspection)

I'm cheating a bit since I need to get my phone fixed so I didn't actually take this, I lifted it from the net, but I will be there this weekend.

It Begins

2008-04-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I've finally taken a flying leap into 2004 and started my own blog. Everyone else with boring lives has one, why shouldn't my boring life have one too. I have no idea how this will evolve and what I'll particularly post on quite yet, but if it is a reflection of my life it will sometimes be coherent and thoughtful, but most times not so much. More to come....