thank you my friend

Brett Favre for Governor?

2009-09-08T19:40:00.002-05:00

Not any more, dude. Not now. Run for governor of Minnesota. They change their minds just like you... all kidding aside. Old Brett did a lot of good for Green Bay, put the team in the spotlight. He suffered and celebrated publicly. Thanks Brett... see you in your jersey retirement ceremony about 10 years after Ted Thompson leaves.

So I thought I would be renewed... alas

2009-09-08T19:37:00.002-05:00

The very lonely blog. Debating on whether or not to just delete the whole dang thing or if I will ever have the interest and energy to keep posting.

Here's the thing, life gets in the way. Death, work, polyps, fun, no fun, yard work, no yard work... whatever.

6 1/2 months

2009-04-15T23:21:00.002-05:00

That's how long it has been since my last post. A friend's request insipred me to starting writing my jell-o thoughts down again.

What's happened since the end of September? Well, my Grandmother died in early October. That kind of inhibited me. There was a lot to do after that. My father was an only child and he died about 10 years ago. I felt that my relationship with her was strained. Maybe it was just me. So there were a lot of thoughts and wallowing during the weeks after that and then the holidays set in.

We host Thanksgiving at our house. It's great fun, but this year we installed a new floor and new appliances about one week before the big day... whew!

Then of course... it was Christmas. The last 3 months of 2008 were very stressful... work was tough, rewarding but tough. Family and personal things... well you know. It seems like a big deal at the time but then again...

So now here we are a 1/4 of the way through 2009.

I've made a number of new friends through the band. We are really moving along and it makes me happy.

I've started to build guitars and that makes me happy too... frustrating at times, but I always learn something.

Lots of friends having a tough time with the economy and job situations. I am grateful that I have a place to go every day and that they want me around.

Counting down the days to the Indy 500. That's always a good time.

My 4 Slice Toaster

2008-09-24T20:57:00.002-05:00

We bought a 4 slice toaster this weekend. You see, I like pop tarts, but only one type. The cinnamon brown sugar type. I figure that at 35 I can have a toaster so that Dan and I can enjoy our pop tarts at the same time. Why should we have to wait? I also got a new coffee maker. My old one was kind of spooky. Just overused... acted weird for a coffee maker. Each of these appliances was over 10 years old I think. So now, a new coffee maker and a 4 slice toaster.

Workin' for the Weekend

2008-09-10T22:59:00.002-05:00

Ah yes, turning to Loverboy for wisdom. Isn't it true? Everybody IS workin' for the weekend. Such complexity in simplicity. Who knew it would come from Canada's #1 pop rock export?

Other good Canadian bands: Rush (of course), Triumph (Canada's other power trio), April Wine, Helix, Chilliwack (woohoo!), Saga (tonight, you are on the loose friend).

Plenty of others, just a few favorites. Thank you Canada... and now it's all over town.

Marathon

2008-09-02T18:44:00.002-05:00

So it's been a marathon and will continue to be a marathon... feels like it is made up of a bunch of sprints though... yikes. Can you have a marathon made up of sprints? Tonight I am at home at a decent hour and enjoying that is not yet 7:00pm.

We took Betty to the vet... time for a shot. That was fun...

My hands? Well, we will see. Yesterday was the first that I dared to play in about two weeks. I've been wearing a splint on my right hand all day... and another on my left at night. Two or three times per week, I get medication via electricity for tendonitis. Tomorrow I start physical therapy... someone is convinced that my pain is in my neck. Doc recommended surgery when I am sick of the symptoms... but that's about a 4 or 6 month period until full rocovery... how can you rock?

I am not sure that I am ready to do that just yet... I am a little skittish.

Diagnosis: Bad Hands

2008-08-24T22:53:00.002-05:00

So my hands are in rough shape. I have tendonitis (pretty bad) in my right hand... and carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. I will find out if I have some arthritis going on too. This is bad news in any situtation, but it happens to be especially sucky if you really like to play guitar. I haven't in over a week... figuring that my tendonitis would be relieved. I have noticed less pain as far as that goes... plus I get meditcation by electrocution three times a week. It's not the end of the world and I have done some things to modify my work station and am more cognizant of my posture and hand position. Man... it hurts. Numbness and tingling... plus my hands get fatigued from my fingers to my wrists. I just got my sea legs... I'm not about to give it up! Calgon! Take me away!

Rock and Roll is for Girls

2008-08-17T19:41:00.003-05:00

I dig rock shows... we had a good one on Friday night. We had fun, the crowd had fun. That's what it is all about. Hopefully we inspired a 10 year old girl to keep rocking. It was cool... her Dad came up to me and was just super proud of how his daughter had learned the opening to "Paint it Black." He asks me, "if I bring her by later, could you play it?" Sure I said. We've never played it live before. Sue enough about 2 hours later, he walks in with his daughter. She was into it, we were into it. I leaned over and asked her, "Did I play it right?" She nodded up at me. Sweet. Cool on her Dad, cool on her. Rock and Roll is for girls.

J-E-T-S! Brett! Brett! Brett!

2008-08-10T17:27:00.003-05:00

Jet Favre, Broadway Brett, whatever. Brett's been named the starter for the Jets next Saturday. That's a good way for the team to find out if he still has it. I wonder about this though - Favre did question his willingness to study film late into the hours... but it isn't just film, it's a whole new playbook. I'm all for Brett. He is wearing the wrong color green though. I want him to succeed. We won't know how this will play out for the Jets or the Packers until we are well into the season. I guess though that up north they are hoping that all goes well. Anything less than a playoff appearance is going to be bad news. "Hey, I'm the guy who ran Brett Favre out of town." What bothers me is this guy I saw interviewed on the streets of New York. Kind of seemed to be questioning Favre, not only for his ability, but for how he could handle the media. Listen pal, you don't know how good you've got it know with Favre under center. Plus, the guy has bee THE sports story in Green Bay and Wisconsin for the past 16 years. He's been under the microscope. Trust me, he can handle it. As for the Packers... well, good luck. You're going to need it. Horrible start to camp. The other teams in the division are now circling you like vultures.

Brett Favre

2008-08-06T23:11:00.002-05:00

I have to weigh in here. I have been quiet here until this point. Here is what I think... and please don't rant and rave at me about how I am right or wrong.

Brett Favre Facts:
1) He has been the face of the team for 16 years
2) 3 time MVP
3) Super Bowl Champ!
4) Record Holder (many records)
5) Always gives the team a chance to win

Ann's Favre Facts:
1) A Dude
2) He has let us see him at his best
3) He has let us see him at his worst
4) He's my guy!

Forget all of that... I have just learned that Brett Favre has been traded to the Jets - and then depression set in. This is the end of an era... it got bad, then it got worse, then it got really ugly. Then it got sickening. You wouldn't believe it by reading this but I am not one of the people who sat outside his house or met him at the airport. It just blows me away.

The Summer is Waining...

2008-08-04T20:05:00.002-05:00

So the summer is waining... it's kind of a bummer. There is a lot to like about summer. I get to see friends a little bit more, there's vacation, there's stuff happening on the weekends... I get back to myself a little bit more. Not that I am anyone else, but I were shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Someone else wears all that other stuff.

It has been a good summer. I've been to Pittsburgh, I've been to Green Bay. We have cool weekends planned with our nieces. I've seen a lot of family.

Don't get me wrong. I love fall. Fall is a wonderful time. I think that fall can be the start of new things. I really like fall.

It's just that summer is different. We haven't had a lot of hot summer nights... the nights that you're just as good in your shorts as you were in the daytime. That's what I really like about summer.

Oh, and Brett Favre is back. I like that.

Hooray Saturday

2008-07-26T08:16:00.002-05:00

I like Saturday... I like the weekend. I like the Wizard of Oz.

Happy Birthday if You are 3

2008-07-22T22:23:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday if you are 3. If you are 3, then you get to jump in a bounce house, eat cake and open presents. If you are 35, you get to watch someone jump in the bounce house, watch someone eat cake and watch someone open presents... everyone gets to eat cake and jump in the bounce house.

If you are 35 and smart, you take it all in. Watch the kids on the swings, play a game of hide and seek and hold someone's hand. If you are really smart, you remember those moments when life gets complicated.

It is amazing to see the daughters of my friends. We weren't more than kids ourselves when we first met, at least it seems that way now. We were a whole lot younger then... 35 was the furthest thing from mind. Now how about this? I've learned a whole lot. Like gumball machines make awesome presents.

How's Gabby?

Vacation, Family, Pierogies and Showers

2008-07-15T22:57:00.008-05:00

I was on vacation last week... and of course with the holiday, that means no entry to the blog. So here's what I've been up to. Vacation started on July 3. On that day, we met my two best friends for dinner. Day 1 of sandals... no shoes... sandals.

On July 4th: we went to Summerfest... sweet. I think I ate one of everything. My Summerfest favorites? Millie's Italian Sausage - SHARP! Of course, there is always corn on the cob. Saw some good bands... on the shuttle bus to the parking lot, I ran into a good new friend.

July 5th: the Dots played at a local establishment. Surprise! Most of out-of-town relatives come for the show... along with my best friend's family (mom, dad, husband, daughters, sister and niece)... and Dan's crew from work

July 6th: meet snot box full of relatives for the Brewer game... still wearing sandals.

July 6th: decide not to go camping in the UP of Michigan (bad weather)... instead go to Pro Football Hall of Fame!

July 7th: drive to Canton, Ohio

July 8th: close encounter with Bart Starr's Super Bowl I jersey... sandals

July 8th: decide to head to Pittsburgh to see the Pirates play the Astros. I have found heaven. Polish Sausage and Pierogies for dinner at PNC park. I also become the day's biggest Pirate's fan. Sit through 2.5 hour ran delay, only to leave at 12:30am, with 3 innings left. Watch the rest of the game from hotel room.

July 9th: visit the "igloo" where Mario, Jaromir and Sid the Kid have played... don't forget Wendell Young... wear low-cut Chuck Taylors

July 9th: head home... arrive home after 12 hours in the car. I love Pennsylvania and all that is Ukrainian

July 10th: Recover from drive and the Dots practice

July 11th: ?

July 12th: wedding shower for my pal Chris... she rocks! Got her a clock radio and rotary phone and real presents too!

July 13th: worked in the yard... all the live long day

July 14th: return to work

Summer is Here

2008-07-01T23:49:00.001-05:00

My Favorite Rock Show

2008-06-29T15:44:00.002-05:00

Last night was my favorite rock show. I never expected to see my very good friends walk into that bar, and wearing Dots shirts. Wow. You could have knocked me over with a feather. It was great because they were there. To be honest, it made me a little bit nervous too (shh). It's been something that we've been doing for over a year now, so I wanted to be sure I did really well. When I do that, I space out every once a while... but it was so cool to have them there.

Falling Shame

2008-06-24T18:07:00.002-05:00

Today at work I fell down. Here's how it happened. I was walking down five or six steps... hand on the railing and everything. I was trying to find someone in a very busy common area. Next thing I know, I am down on my knees... and one hand I guess. Scraped my arm and an apple on each knee. I have a skinned knee for the first time in 25 years. When an onlooker asked "are you alright?" I responded, "yep... I'm good." But certainly I wasn't.

I collected myself and went to a familiar and friendly face. "How are you?" she asked. "I'm fine. I just fell down."

"I felt something," she said. "Really? Wow."

Then she leaned in close and whispered something. "I'm sorry?" She whispered again. "What?" I say. She leans in closer. "You're zipper is open."

"Oh." I say.

Enough with the Rain!

2008-06-15T09:09:00.003-05:00

There's been a whole lot of rain around here. There has been flooding all across the midwest. We have been very fortunate that we haven't had more than water in the basement... but the circumstances have been kinda dumb.

Friday night we talked to our neighbors... "do you have water in your basement?"... "No, we're fine."

Not 15 minutes later I went downstairs to string up a guitar (big rock show on Friday night)... only to discover water in the basement. It was inches away from my guitars and amps. A little too scary! We did end up losing just a bit, nothing major. But here's the frustrating part. What happened was the sump pump had stopped running and there was water backing up from the ground through an area roughed out for plumbing. The sump pump stopped running because it was blocked by two items.

Item #1: Plastic hardware bag (presumably from when our house was built)

Item #2: A library card (not ours)

There was a third suspicious item that could have contributed to our issues... a frog

So its a mad scramble to get everything out of harm's way and to clean up the water. Discovery made at approximately 5:45pm... need to be at rock show by 8:00pm. Thanks to our good friends, I was able to make it on time. Return home and asleep by 3:00 Saturday morning.

By 8:00am on Saturday I am awakened by Cat Betty for breaky. After feeding Betty I realize that there is no electricity! So guess what? The sump pump isn't running! YIKES! So we spend almost three hours bailing water out of the pump so we don't have more issues. What makes this more interesting is that a friend is moving his wet stuff out of our basement, in the dark.

It's been bad enough that the city has asked people not to do anything that gets water running down the sanitary sewer. That's a lot of nothing.

The show was great. I had a lot of fun... the most fun that I've had.

Today we go to a birthday party. Sweet! Jaxon is 6. Hope that the rain has come to an end.

Still love the "touch"

2008-06-11T23:56:00.000-05:00

Fin.

iTouch

2008-06-09T21:43:00.001-05:00

I have an iTouch... and it rocks!

The End of a Long Stormy Weekend

2008-06-08T22:14:00.002-05:00

Well I had a long weekend... off on Friday and headed for Green Bay and got to spend time with my friend Leah. So let me tell you... the Scrambler can take a lot out of you if you aren't prepared for something like that. I went on the ride because Mom was already a little discombobulated from the Tilt-a-Hurl... this was all at Bay Beach Park, it's very cool. I kept asking Addison who would puke first while we were on the ride... "I'm not gonna puke." And she didn't. Neither did I. I vasilate on rides, you see. Sometimes cool, sometimes not cool.

We went to the casino where my friend won $175. On the other hand, I lost $33.75, no not much money, but who likes to lose it? Then... on for a few cold ones. They were good cold ones too, friend. The atmosphere was just right and you couldn't beat the company. I'll say this, the conversation kept moving along... it's good when it comes easy like that.

Back home on Saturday, well it started to rain... and it has kept raining off and on... not just raining... thunderstorms, tornado sirens... big fun. Even spent about an hour in the basement, just in case. So now, it's almost time for bed... debating on if I should have some nachos or not. We got a #10 can of nacho cheese yesterday, and we've only had nachos once.

Oh, my aching stomach!

2008-06-03T22:48:00.001-05:00

I have a bloating in my tummy! No good! Out pain! Out!

For the Stanley Cup

2008-06-02T22:18:00.002-05:00

We are watching an OT game 5 between the Wings and the Pens... that's for Lord Stanley's Cup. That's the oldest trophy in major league sports. Hockey has a rich and abundant history. Too bad that most folks in the States don't care.

We had a lovely dinner of mesquite smoked pork ribs, with fire provided by Paul.

The Dots are doing well and I am proud of that. We have fun and we are good.

Summer is on its way and we have done a lot of work in the backyard... lots of improvements with the front yard getting its turn soon. No major plans for trips this summer... who knows? Maybe we will be spontaneous and do something crazy... as Asia says, "Only Time Will Tell."

What a Negative World!

2008-05-19T21:16:00.002-05:00

Slowly I turn... step by step... wow, there are a number of negative vibes around me. We have lost another dear grand aunt. People who seem to find happiness in the difficult decisions that others make... or happy by the lack of something. Then there are my own personal issues to struggle with... spirituality? Hmm, lacking I would say. Which way is up? When I think I know... I don't know. Life doesn't get easier as I grow older, but hopefully I make smarter decisions.

The Cup

2008-05-14T21:25:00.001-05:00

Stanley Cup Conference Finals are on... my team isn't in it... I'm rooting for the Penguins. How about Sid the Kid?

Thursday Night

2008-05-08T23:53:00.002-05:00

Thursday night in way southern Wisconsin. Wow... the Dots rocked tonight. That was fun. The new season of the Real World? Not so cool. The Hills? The Hills rocks. I will use this forum to declare my allegiance to LC. She's a cool kid. I'm not about downing the others... just elevating LC here man. So please don't start telling me all about all that other stuff.

Here's some web sites that help me waste time:

www.icanhascheezburger.com
www.van-halen.com
www.packers.com
www.xe.com
www.newsoftheweird.com
www.thesmokinggun.cocom

Rock on...

Wednesday

2008-05-07T19:51:00.000-05:00

So today is Wednesday... hurray... it's Wednesday.

Energized by Rock and Roll

2008-05-06T20:21:00.003-05:00

So last week at this time, I was getting over my Van Halen hang over. Now today I am still ready to rock. The Dots have played since then, but I am way psyched for our practice on Thursday night. I've been playing some new songs... hope that the Dotties like them. A little Billy Idol, the Cars, Fall Out Boy... I haven't been this excited to practice in a little bit. Mostly because we really did well last time we played. We'll see where all this goes, but so far I am way happy and taste for more. The ladies rule. I really like playing music with them.

10,000 Visits

2008-05-04T21:16:00.000-05:00

I have just received word that this blog has had over 10,000 visits.

Oshkosh B'Gosh

2008-05-04T21:11:00.003-05:00

This past weekened, I was fortunate to spend time with my friend in Oshkosh. It was a cool deal. There was certainly a lot of good and interesting food and fun in Downtown Oshkosh. The best part was being with my friend, getting back to myself... it's amazing what a few hours with your best friend will do. I wish that we lived a little closer.

Sunday Night Guitar Shop

2008-04-20T22:59:00.002-05:00

So here's another Sunday night at Ann's guitar shop (garage). I am making my second attempt at creating a Van Halen-esque guitar. First spin stank to be honest. I am hoping for better results this time around. I have a bunch of cool chrome hardward for this deal. I hope that I don't lose momentum and end up with yet another guitar in a box. I have two at this point. At any rate, if the strips turn out cruddy, I will just paint the dang thing blue. Funny how I dig Eddie, his playing and his guitars. Can't play a thing like him. Not a note.

Great News

2008-04-16T19:08:00.003-05:00

It's great baby news from my long-time pal and ultimate cool friend Rachael. Just talking on the phone today... she's way sick and is coughing, hacking, all that great stuff. Then busts out with, "but I can't take anything in my condition..." My brain scans... condition? What condition? Like allergic to something? Like too something? Not enough something? Light bulb goes off as she says it "I'm pregnant." I'm so dumb and happy that I can't do anything but laugh. See, it's a really good thing that this is happening. Very cool.

And now it is April

2008-04-14T20:09:00.002-05:00

So now it is April... and it has snowed twice here in Wisconsin. Who likes the snow? Not me! Last year by this time, you could walk around without a jacket. Still in the 30s in the morning. P-U. The weather is really putting a knot in my snot.

Even though I look weird... this is a cool place.

2008-03-29T17:00:00.002-05:00

If you know where this picture was taken... then you are as goofy as I am. If you know why I am so happy in this picture, you are goofier than me. It's me at Graceland. And it was about the the thrill of a life time. We visited Elvis' home and then stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel. We visited Sun Studios and also the Gibson Factory. Did I mention Beale Street? If that weren't enough, we also went on to Nashville and saw more live music. Wow... what a whirlwind, but what a great few days. It was tremendous. Dan and I got to relax... much needed at this time and we got to see and hear new things... and of course CHICKEN WINGS!

Here's who I saw in Memphis... Eric Hughes band at Club 152... awesome blues and cool dudes! In Nashville we saw the Don Kelley Band and David Tanner at Robert's Western Wear. Sweet!

Life?

2008-03-17T20:11:00.002-05:00

I pose this question... what is life? It is what I make it. Yes, that is true. I feel that my life is what I make it, either through deliberate choices or thoughtless actions. But sometimes it gets tiring being deliberate and I want to be less thoughtful. Then though, you reap what you sow. If I choose to be thoughtless, then I get what I get. But it is hard to be thoughtful and deliberate and careful all the time. I want to take and have taken a break, but then I feel that I land where the wind takes me.

Spiritually speaking, I am all out of sorts. Where I had once felt a strong faith, I feel questions and fear. Here I am in the last days of Lent and I find it hard to feel anything. I fear death, I fear making the wrong choices. I fear how I am viewed by others. I feel as though I am a decent human being but at the same time I feel as though I am selfish and in a sense child-like in my perception of how the world should treat me. And I also feel self-righteous... I find it easy to find fault with others. I have a hard time balancing having fun but still maintaining all that I need to be responsible for in each facet of my life.

I thought that I would be smarter as I grew older, have better answers or at the very least, some answers. I find that as I grow older that the questions become harder and that I know far less. I know a great deal about how things should go, but know far less about how to make things work out that way. Sometimes I think quite possibly that I could be the biggest moron in everything that I do, in all aspects of my life.

I feel that I can't do it all... that I am spent. Fortunately I have some time off coming, perhaps I can get straight in my mind. Maybe I need a change of scenery...

Eddie Van Halen

2008-03-03T22:36:00.002-06:00

My long time hero is in bad shape again... don't know how or why. Don't really care. I've been rough on the man, but it was because I felt let down. Funny how even at 35, I can still be let down by someone I have never met. So now, here is Mr. Van Halen, facing some sort of medical issues and undergoing tests. Now I can say that I hope its all good. I guess that by elevating Mr. Van Halen to hero status, I forgot that he is indeed another person. He doesn't exist for me alone... just as I don't exist for reason alone. Not really deep, I know, but Eddie is the MAN.

For those About to Rock

2008-02-25T20:45:00.002-06:00

The Dots are ready to rock. I am so pleased that things are really happening. Doesn't hurt that my bandmates totally rule either. It's like being 16 or 17 again. So much fun! We're friends, yes. We are a team, yes. There's not too many relationships that are like these. It's different. I imagine it is what is like a sports team is like. You get along, but you aren't afraid to lay it down either... in a cool way. Yeah, it's cool.

Home Again Today

2008-02-21T12:56:00.002-06:00

Maybe it wasn't so smart to go to the doctor. Okay, it really was. But I found out just how sick I was. Horrible sinus infection and a fever of 102. For almost two weeks I've been that sick. When the doc says that you have a bad infection, it must be bad. She recommended and I did a sinus rinse. Yes, it was gross but it was smart to do. I got an anti-biotic that I am not allergic to and some potent cough medicine. I haven't slept so well in weeks. I also haven't been without a cat right by me for the last 14 or 16 hours. Pretty cool. I slept all morning, ate a little bit, had some tea... now I am blogging and surfing the web for cool guitars.

I ended up buying one... and will have to wait to build my own.

Tuesday

2008-02-19T19:43:00.002-06:00

Two nights in a row we have hockey on tv. I like hockey. I like to watch it. Last night it was the Red Wings and the Avalanche. Tonight, my St. Louis Blues against the Chicago Blackhawks. Wish that we had a hockey team here... I live amongst hockey teams... still don't get to see any of the four of them near what I would like to.

The two cats are starting to hang around in the same place, but still aren't seeing eye-to-eye. They will come around eventually. Hopefully they will get to be pals and not just put up with each other.

Still Sick

2008-02-18T18:48:00.002-06:00

Ten days later I am still not 100%. Now I am coughing more than anything. I am just trying to make it through each day and function as a normal person. Not sure if I can or not, but I am trying. Also feeling a lot of pressure from a few sides... work and personal life are getting tough. Many facets of my personal life are not getting the attention that they deserve and I am not very happy about that.

Knocked Out and Gripped

2008-02-13T19:53:00.001-06:00

That's how I feel... knocked down and out and gripped. Still sick, but went to work today. Now I am super tired.

Sick

2008-02-11T13:21:00.000-06:00

I am sick... yuck. I don't feel very good. In fact I slept until almost 11 today. My phone has been ringing... nothing major. Still I'd rather sleep or just watch Bridezillas or something. Today the bridezillas are from Chicago.

Good People of Walworth County

2008-02-10T12:23:00.000-06:00

Not everyone is out for themselves. Today, against all advisories I attempted to drive in the blowing and gusting snow in these below zero temperatures. When I got smart and decided to turn around and go home I got stuck in the snow on the side of the road. Then after what seemed like just a few moments, a man and his wife pulled over. He shoveled me out... then three snowmobilers pushed me. With traffic on Highway 14 being diverted north onto this highway, there was no time to do anything but honk and wave. I hope that they all also arrive safely at their destinations.

February is...

2008-02-10T08:43:00.000-06:00

A time to get started. It's the time to get to everything that needs to be done. It is also a time for it to be very cold in Wisconsin... Today the temperature is -6 Farenheit. That's without the windchill. We are just cold.

Yesterday we spent the day with our friends and their daughter. She is 2 and a total riot. Smart and a sense of humor and knows how to use both. Those guys better watch out, she could be a heap of trouble in about 14 years.

Next weekend we go to the Badger hockey game with some family. Should be fun and hope it is a little bit warmer than it is now.

I am looking forward to practicing a little bit tonight, but not looking forward to going out in the snow and cold. Let's move to Hawaii.

More SNOW

2008-02-06T17:43:00.000-06:00

Well, it is still snowing. It started yesterday at about 2:00pm and it hasn't stopped snowing yet. I was driving in white out conditions... just about 1/10 mile visibility at the most. It would have been nice to have had a snow day, but that just means more work on Thursday. I'll take it I guess. I love snow.

SNOW

2008-02-05T20:27:00.000-06:00

So if you don't like snow, then Wisconsin isn't the place for you this year. It has snowed a lot. And it is snowing a lot right now. Can't imagine what it is like further north. They are predicting over a foot tonight with plenty more where that came from tomorrow and then snow again on Thursday. Right on.

The Weekend in Door County

2008-02-04T20:54:00.000-06:00

So this weekend we said "goodbye" to a Grand Aunt. It is sad to do that. I missed another funeral this summer. So there was some of that which was "hung over." I learned a little bit more about myself and the people that I love this weekend. I walked into a fabled place for the first time in my life. Revered... that's how to best describe the home in "downtown" Bailey's Harbor. I had never been there before. I never realized that you could have a fantastic view of Lake Michigan while you did your laundry, or washed the dishes or stored winter canning. This place had it. For years I had heard people talking about their grand-parents, who to me only existed in black and white photographs. For the first time, they became real to me. It was the stories... happy and sad that did it. For the first time I really listened.

For the first time I asked my surviving Grand Aunt a few questions. Simply listening helped me to learn... to learn about her life, to learn about things that happened over 75 years ago. To know how she, in 1932, at the tender age of 18 moved from rural Door County to Chicago. Talk about brave! Then to learn how the courtship between she and her husband lasted nine years! It was fascinating. I ask myself why I hadn't bothered to ask before... I couldn't be bothered? This woman knitted me green mittens with white shamrocks for crying out loud. I still have them.

We also spent time at the Hands on Art Studio in Fish Creek. I love it there. Stop by if you can. Where else can you weld metal art without owning a welder?

An Obsession with Guitars

2008-01-27T21:20:00.000-06:00

So now I am obsessing on guitars. Not a bad thing to obsess about. I want to build my very own. I have one in a few pieces in the basement, but the major pieces are in a different box. Have you seen it? I am trying to procure the parts from a few different resources. Dan just told me that his favorite part of the video "Hot for Teacher" is the dancing by the band. I prefer Eddie's solo... you know, where he is walking down the library tables.

At any rate, if I get the dream guitar built, I'll post a picture.

Fears

2008-01-26T23:12:00.000-06:00

My biggest fears are failure, death, missing out on the important things in life. I feel that an effort I give should be my best for whatever it is. Death? Well, that just sucks. Missing out the important things in life? Well, I hate having to miss a birthday party, an afternoon with Dan and the cats, visits with family, phone calls from friends.

On a happier note, I am trying to bulk up my guitar colleciton. I think I need one more. Who knew that Kramer guitars would be all the rage now?

Tired

2008-01-22T18:58:00.001-06:00

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Pizza & Hot Sauce

2008-01-21T22:30:00.000-06:00

It's one of my favorites... nothing like red hot sauce on pepperoni pizza. Right now it's getting late, and I am tired. It's not late, but it is later than it would be a few weeks ago. It's been a long few weeks. I'm not sleeping enough or well for that matter. Not eating well at all. I'd like to lose about 40 lbs... 20 would be great, but it is hard to do that when I eat later and easy... like frozen pizza with hot sauce. But alas, it is Miller Lite. That's good right? It could be High Life. I am looking forward to about two weeks from now. Time with family, to be together, to mourn and to celebrate... turn, turn, turn.

Fear or Adrenaline

2008-01-17T21:31:00.000-06:00

I am not sure which one it is right now... fear or adrenaline. It is whatever my mind tells my body that it is... right now, my mind is telling me it is Sunset Wheat.

Two Cats

2008-01-14T20:22:00.000-06:00

We are now a two cat household. This is the beginning of week two. Betty is our "resident" cat and Natacia is the "new" cat. Both sweet cats, but they have different personalities. Betty is wild and odd and just two years old. Natacia is sweet and quiet and she is eight years old. Now we are in the "cat-to-cat" meeting phase. Everyone is trying to get used to everyone else and being in the same room... there have been a few growls and hisses... Dan and I are the only ones who have faced any threat of physical attack. If this is anything at all like brining a new baby home when you already have a toddler, I am glad that they are cats. Sometimes I wish that they could talk, but then other times I am not so sure that I want to hear it.

Here we are right now, hoping for a peaceful encounter without us... we'll see.

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

2008-01-06T23:19:00.000-06:00

That's my favorite. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting. That was a great way to end 2007. My very own double layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It tasted even better than any other double layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting because it was made for me by someone who I respect, admire, believe in, laugh with, treasure and get crazy with. Thank you my friend.

2008

2008-01-06T22:36:00.000-06:00

It's hard to comprehend that we are almost a week into 2008. What in the wide world of sports happened to the year 2000? I guess Conan O'Brien knows... you know the bit.

The holidays were good. We had a scare with a family member. I'm not looking forward to what is to come. There isn't much that I can do at this point. I have to do more. For the sake of someone else's sanity. I will just say that it seems to me that during the last few years of your life, when you have put a lot of them behind you, that it seems only fair that you should be able to have some dignity.

It must be difficult enough to lose your vision, your hearing, your independence... your health. But to see someone losing themselves... to know that they don't know your name, to have the same conversations, but yet they know that they aren't going to be who they are. It makes me very angry to be honest. I am angry that it is happening. I am angry that I don't do more. I am angry that I have taken many years in my relationship with my grand-aunt for granted. I am angry that I cannot do anything. I am angry that my brother cannot do anything. A vibrant, independent, funny, caring person... she is. She is all of those things and more. I am seeing her deflate and it is painful for her.

I pray for the grace of God and his blessings during this year.

Countdown

2007-12-19T15:46:00.000-06:00

Well, here we are, making the countdown to the big day. I'm excited. It means time with friends and family and time off. We'll also be celebrating the new year. I am thinking about how good a year it has been, and it really has. I think that each year, life gets better. Hope that the trend continues and that 2008 is a good one too.

I am so Cold!

2007-12-13T23:50:00.000-06:00

It is amazing to me that I can be so cold inside! I have three layers and am snug underneath a bedspread on the couch. Right now we are watching the Hudsucker Proxy. It is a good movie. An odd movie, but a good one. Just got the word that we will be going to see Van Halen in April. Sweet. Pretty cool with me. Play out in Lake Geneva this weekend. Should be fun. We have a few surprises worked up. I've been thinking a lot lately. But not too much... don't want to get too freaky-deaky.

Sad News

2007-12-11T20:55:00.000-06:00

Today I learned that we lost my Grand Aunt Katie. I was fortunate to have to have seen her just a few weeks ago. Her health seemed to have declined rapidly. It was difficult seeing her, as it had been quite some time for me. Then to see her in rough shape. I wish that I had known her more as I became an adult. I don't know that regret is quite the word... but perhaps it is.

The Happiest Place on Earth

2007-12-07T19:43:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago I was at Disney World. I love it there. Is it wrong for a 35 year old woman to have a crush on Mickey Mouse? To me, Mickey represents the happiest of times. I am, to outright steal a phrase, simply mad about the the mouse. I first met Mickey when I was 5. Didn't run into him again until I was 30. Fortunate enough to rekindle our relationship again just a few weeks ago. I am very glad for that. It's an emotion... sure I know that Mickey is really someone in a mouse costume. This is going to seem corny, perhaps even pathetic... but what the heck... in my heart, Mickey really is a mouse that owns a dog and has a dog for a friend that drives a car and wears pants. Mickey is right up there with Santa Claus.

Mickey is a part of me that I don't want to let go. The part that I don't want to let grow up. The part of me that feels unbridled joy, without worry. A bit of selfish, childish pleasure. That's the part of me that I want to hold on to, to remember that indeed, sometimes life can be that simple. It doesn't have to always be about car payments, reports, grocery shopping and laundry. I remember wanting to grow up so much I couldn't stand it. Now, I wish not so much for being younger, but for being smarter in life. But, I guess that's all part of it. Am I without regret? Not completely. But I try not to let it drag me down... if you live in the past, you can't make a better future.

Thanks Mickey!

Sunday

2007-12-02T18:31:00.001-06:00

Today is Sunday. The day after Saturday and the day before Sunday. Very good, Ann. Yesterday we had a whole snot load of snow and then freezing rain, then rain. Then it kind of froze and today it was much warmer, so we had a lot of fog.

On Friday night, we put up the Christmas tree. Then had about 6 mugs of hot chocolate. Saturday, well like I said before it snowed. So we stayed close to home. We went out to eat with our friends at the restaurant in town. It's fun to do that. Especially in town. I like going there.

Today, I had rock and roll practice. Things went well. I like it.

This week we will have to start Christmas shopping and take care of the people that take care of us.

We have a countdown for this month. Counting down to a Packer game. SWEET.

Go Pack!

2007-11-29T18:31:00.001-06:00

Go Pack!

I am Cold and it is Only November

2007-11-26T20:35:00.000-06:00

I think that pretty much says it all. I am cold and it is only November. Right now, Betty and I are on the couch. She is sleeping (she is a cat, so she sleeps) and I have Monday Night Football on. Hard to believe that it is scoreless this late in the second quarter. The field at Pittsburgh looks weird, there's nearly no yard markers.

Here's something I never thought that I would try, I am on Day 2 of a "detoxification" process. If you've seen any tv infomercials lately, or if you've been to a GNC, you know what I am talking about. A cleaning. I'll leave it at that.

I had a pretty good day today. This begins the first week in about three weeks that I will have a full 5 day work week, altough I have spent other time doing work. While Christmas is just around the corner, there is a lot that needs to happen between now and then.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-24T13:37:00.000-06:00

Well, we had our second Thanksgiving at our house. We had 20 relatives here for the day. It was a lot of fun. Next year maybe more than 20? All you family members outside of the state of Wisconsin... put on your calendar for next year. I don't care if we have to put up a tent outside... get here.

Then we had a rock show last night. It was fun despite the fact that I almost totally blew my cool. We put up some Christmas lights for the first time, and we learned that we need more.

Today we've been lazing around. I slept until 11 this morning, not hard to beleive when you don't get home and settled in again until 3:30am. Ah yes, the life of a rock star.

Perhaps we will see a movie today... who knows... if we don't get it in gear, we will be watching football all day, nothing wrong with that, but it is too nice for the end of November to not take advantage of it!

Abandonned Blog

2007-11-20T22:31:00.000-06:00

So I haven't abandonned my blog. It just looks like it. It's been a busy month. I've been to Door County, Disney World, playing with my band across the water, across the land. I've seen every blue-eyed floozie on the way. Here's a few things that I have learned or observed in the last month.

The more I think that I know, the dumber I get
"Stitch" is an alien
My time on Earth is short and precious
It was about this time last year that The Dots first came to be... how cool it that?
I am still not quite sure what I want to be when I grow up and I better get with the program, on account of I will be 35 in about a month
I hope that I don't bail on my blog anymore

Getting ready for the Blizzard

2007-10-23T22:32:00.000-05:00

I know that the blizzard is coming... it doesn't have to do with Wisconsin snow either. It has to do with the amount of stuff coming down in a few weeks. That's cool though. Sometimes that's what I thrive on. In the mean time, I have a lot to look forward to. A trip with my friends, a trip to Disney World, the Dots are rockin' out, Thanksgiving... the holidays. Life is pretty good.

Is this October or May?

2007-10-21T14:52:00.000-05:00

Usually by now in Wisconsin it isn't rare that we've had some snow. Not snow that sticks, but big wet flakes that melt right away. The weather has been great and makes a big difference in people's attitudes and how we feel. Heck, even the cat is in a better mood because the windows are open... It's nice. Hard to believe that the better part of October is over.

The Band

2007-10-08T19:24:00.000-05:00

So I've been away... I've been working on the band website and of course, my day job. But it's paying off. The Dots played their first show as the Bettys. The Bettys are our alter-ego. Our country side... we learned about 30 or so songs in just a few weeks. It was a lot of fun, and I think I can pull off the country look okay. Well, it wasn't even really officially country, but it wasn't rock, but it wasn't rock-a-billy... more like kind of a punky country. We did a lot of traditional stuff... some contemporary stuff.

We played as the Dots on Friday... the Bettys on Saturday... and the Dots again in a few weeks. The big thing is that it is a lot of fun to do something and have other people dance around and sing. I dig that.

Where the blog have I been?

2007-09-30T00:20:00.000-05:00

So it has been quite a number of days since I last posted. What the heck could be happening? Well, sick for one and just a few things happening since then. I work in a field where September is crazy nuts. Then a personal life and the Dots. A lot can go on in 17 days, feels like many more than 17.

I've been to Kansas and a couple of weddings this month. Getting ready for a couple of more shows with the band this month and hopefully get to see a few friends and family.

We went to Dan's cousin's wedding this evening. It was really a lot of fun. It was great to be a part of the evening. I am glad that we went and really let ourselves be ourselves... Dan's family doesn't know that we're really pretty dumb. Well, they know that we are dumb. Just not what kind of dumb we are.

The reception was held at a place that we were for another reception at the beginning of the month. Oddly enought, we ran into that bride's parents... who knew? They were having dinner.

I am Less Sick Today

2007-09-12T19:41:00.000-05:00

I am less sick... I went to work about 90 minutes later than normal yesterday and put in a full day today. Of course, since I am less sick Dan is more sick. He stayed home today. I am hoping that I will feel much better on Thursday. Although the weekend will certainly be busy. Sunday will be good... Packers! I find that I really look forward to football on Sundays. There is nothing like a football nap... I tell you that!

So I Came Home

2007-09-10T15:04:00.000-05:00

I came home today... on account of being sick. Guess I will watch football all night tonight. That's fine with me. Just wish I could eat cookies all day long too. Wish the cat would sleep by me too.

I am Sick Today

2007-09-09T16:03:00.001-05:00

I am sick today. I have a horrible cold. How much does it suck to have a cold at the end of summer? Tons. It sucks tons. I've been sleeping on and off all day. I missed the finale to the Packer game. Just took a break from typing to blow my nose. Thankfully there is a such a thing as Puffs with lotion. So here I am hoping that laying low today will pay dividends... meaning that I won't feel like crap on Monday. I hope to burn through the next six days and move along with the month of September. Now there is a man on tv asking me "what can brown do for me?" Well, brown has already been good to my uncle. Hopefully they can get my new stereo receiver here soon. That's all.

35

2007-09-06T20:58:00.000-05:00

This year I will be 35. 35 is young, I understand that. 35 is also likely the halfway point for me... where is all this coming from? Well, quite honestly I am aftraid to die. To me the thought of not living anymore is downright frightening. The thought of taking my last breath? Can't even think about it without my heart racing. Yes, I believe in God. Yes, I believe that I will be in heaven. I believe those things, but what if? I do not feel comforted by those ideas and beliefs. I am scared. Songs and music tend to help me feel even more phobic. The first time I heard Pink Floyd's "Time," the lyric "shorter of breath and one day closer to death," I really took notice. Certainly I was much younger then... but man. Now, it seems to be Death Cab for Cutie. They have a few songs on the album "Plans" that deal with getting older at the midlife point and dying. They are fairly stark and to the point. "Who's gonna watch you die?" Wow. Thanks, I feel like planting trees... really, it's a fair question. "Love is watching someone die... so who's gonna watch you die?" Who will cry at my funeral? What happens when the last breath is taken? We don't know until it happens, and we can't tell the people that are left behind. Death? Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather live forever.

Van Halen in a few weeks

2007-09-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

So in a few weeks, I get to see Van Halen... live. I've seen David Lee Roth and I've seen Eddie Van Halen. Not on the same stage... not ever. The first concert that I went to was Van Halen at Alpine Valley on the Memorial Day weekend. I still have my ticket stub. Row 26 and I think the total price of the ticket was $25. I remember waiting in the "Ticketron" (that's what it was before TicketMaster) on a Saturday morning to buy the tickets. Three tickets, and I remember that we gave the lady $80 but the bills were stuck together so she said we only had $60, lucky for us, my best friend had a $20 bill on her.

The day of the concert, we drove out to Alpine Valley... it was my introcution to the rock and roll culture. I saw, heard and smelled things I hadn't before. Bachman Turner Overdrive was the opening band. I thought that "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" was a brand new song. It was 1986 and I was I guess 13 1/2 years old. My parents drove my best friend, my brother and I to the show. We all bought t-shirts. I think those cost about $15. I have mine and I have my brothers. Now that t-shirt is pretty darn small but it is the 2000s so it's all good that it's too small. I just need to lose about 15 lbs to make it very cool... we'll see by the show date.

I've gone from cheering the band to booing the band. I have been let down, thrown out, dried out, psyched up. All that. Now, here they are. My two childhood heroes coming together on stage. Like it was just for me. Only it's for the whole world! Bummer that Mike Anthony won't be there, I think it's a shame. At any rate. I'll be looking forward to the big night. Rock on, party like it's 1984.

Life is Just a Big Saturday...

2007-09-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

... not quite. But there has been a bit of fun around here. The county fair was on Friday night. Paid 9 bucks and saw the Beach Boys. Let me tell you friend, they were worth every single one of those 9 smackers. The best thing of course is what you can eat at the Fair. An ear of corn, boneless babyback ribs, a gyro, pork on a stick... and I bought a jar of jalapeno jelly.

Saturday we were off to a wedding. I will say this, it was quite an honor to be a guest. It wasn't entirely expected and I was thrilled to be there. It is nice to know that I have made an impact on someone's life in that way. Especially that now I can count the bride as a friend.

Sunday I raked for 2.5 hours, then did the bills, then hit the driving range with Rhonda and that was cool.

Dan and I had a fire on Sunday night... that was cool. Nice and long and good and hot. That's a bonus to the nights getting shorter... longer fires in the fire pit. It won't be too long before the fires can start when I get home from work.

Football season starts on Sunday. Go Pack... please.

Saturday was cool

2007-08-29T22:09:00.000-05:00

Saturday night was very cool in more ways than one. It was a big cool night. It made me realize I have been doing the right thing with the right people all along. So we rocked, we rolled. Hope that we can do it again very soon. What a thrill. I'll be glad when we get a lot more material together. It is FUN!

Saturday night is theBIG night

2007-08-24T22:26:00.001-05:00

Saturday night is the BIG night. My band plays and we make our official debut. We open for our friends, Noise Pollution. It's going to be fun, I am looking forward to it. I would be a liar if I said a wasn't a bit jumpy about it, but it is an excited anticipation... not necessarily nerves. I am looking forward to stepping under the lights and going bananas on the six string... watch out. We are ready to rock.

Blackle = Saving Energy

2007-08-20T21:59:00.001-05:00

It's a small thing, but consider using www.blackle.com as your search engine. To read more about why blackle, see this:http://www.blackle.com/about/

News of the World

2007-08-19T21:40:00.000-05:00

News of the World: Dateline-My house. This past week I have been able to spend time with a number of relatives who live out of state. Thanks to my friend Paul, we have tickets to see Van Halen at the Rosemont. I went to the Packer game on Saturday with my cousin... and I got to go to Irish Fest with my friend Rachael and meet up by happy coincidence with my Aunt and Cheryl. Pretty darn good week if you ask me.

Next week will be challenging, but cool. Lots of excitement but a good fun Saturday night next week!

Tuesday Night

2007-08-14T22:03:00.000-05:00

I had a very important discussion this evening. How much is too much for a ticket to Van Halen... that's Van Halen with a sober Eddie and Diamond Dave. Missed it by that much when I was a kid. Now I have the chance. I just fear that it will cost almost 100 bills just to get in. Let alone the four hour round-trip drive on a week night. I'm not too old to do that, but I'm also not too young to go to a Van Halen concert either.

I am Sleepy

2007-08-12T15:05:00.000-05:00

I am sleepy today and don't feel like doing much of anything. I started to sleep well last night, but a thunderstorm woke me at some point in the night. Then at about 5:30am my cat shoved her nose in my right nostril. Then it was time to wake up.

Making a Chicken

2007-08-09T21:19:00.000-05:00

So, what's happening around here? I think I should consider myself lucky that I got the whole chicken that I bought on Sunday into the oven tonight. Mostly on account of its no fun to deal with rotting chicken. So, I guess that's it.

Wednesday

2007-08-08T19:44:00.000-05:00

So today is Wednesday, that means the weekend is almost here. Does it matter? We'll see. I'm hoping that we have a good weekend, whatever happens. Friday we get to go for pizza at Marty's of Waukesha. LUCKY! What's makes me even luckier? I get to see my friend Chris and see what's new with her. Also have rock band practice tonight. Ramen noodles in my belly. Good songs in my head. Thank you God!

Have You Ever Worn a Super Bowl Ring?

2007-08-06T22:49:00.000-05:00

I got the chance to wear a Super Bowl ring last Friday night. Not just any Super Bowl ring. Indeed, it was the ring of Chris Jacke, Kicker of the last Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. It was funny how it happened. I said "Hello Mr. Jacke, nice to meet you. May I please see your Super Bowl Ring?" He said, "Sure... Are you fast?" And as he said it, he put the ring on my finger. "You're not fast are you?" I couldn't believe it! WOW! What a cool experience.

I Haven't Laughed so Hard

2007-08-05T20:53:00.000-05:00

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time as I did this weekend. All around it's been a long time since I had a streak of hard laughs. That's what happens when you get to spend 48 hours with someone who you've known for 15 years. Sometimes I think that my friend knows me better than I know myself. I know this, it's truly a gift to have a friend like that. Sometimes you need someone who can help you to level your head. Someone that takes as much pride in your accomplishments as you do. Someone that you can be just as proud of. I am very fortunate. I can't help but think sometimes what I ever did to deserve a friend like that or really how someone like me ended up with a friend like that. To be included in so much that's important... friendship is something I really value. More as I get older. It's especially great to have a friend that you grow with and kind of go through life with; as it changes, as it gets a little out of hand, as it gets better, as it gets different.

Today is Dan's birthday and we celebrated with steaks, a little football and now we're watching a classic comedy. Plus, Dan got a Favre jersey for his birthday. Life is good. Lucky to have Dan... how does he ever put up with me?

I Smell Like Mesquite

2007-07-31T20:52:00.001-05:00

I smell like mesquite on account of we grilled out tonight. We didn't use the mequite chips tonight. We used them on Sunday night when we made baby back ribs on the grill. Tonight, we made sausage on the grill. It was sausage made by the good folks of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church of New Melle, Missouri. Good stuff! Even better with fresh sweet corn.

I have a lot to look forward to this weekend. It will be Dan's birthday and we will celebrate a birthday for a two-year old. So you know that it means CAKE! YES BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Now I'll head downstairs to play a little rock and roll and get ready for something that I've wanted for a long time. Rock and roll band... YES.

St. Louis

2007-07-29T17:12:00.001-05:00

A very quick visit to St. Louis this weekend.

Spent the day with Uncle Joe and hit some golf balls and got a tip on my golf grip. I hit the longest drive I've ever hit... 250 yards on the range. Thanks Uncle Joe. Met up with my cousin Ryan and off to Schlaffly's Bottle Works... yum. We went for the second Cardinals/Brewers game yesterday. Home today... nice enough drive. Dan is mowing the lawn and I am typing to you and keeping the laundry going.

More on Good Friends

2007-07-25T23:55:00.000-05:00

So if you have a very good friend who has the same aspirations as you, that is very cool. If you have a friend who encourages you, that's even more very cool. If you have a friend who can make a difference and help you to acheive your dream, that's about the coolest friend that you could have. I am fortunate. Paul, if you didn't catch on, this is about you.

Good Friends

2007-07-24T22:44:00.000-05:00

Here's to good friends. Tonight is kind of special. We did get the chance to spend the evening with our good friends and neighbors. Their house for a BBQ and our house for a fire and s'mores. We are very fortunate to have good friends close by that we can hang out with at a moment's notice. It's kind of like being in high school or college again. Good friends just two doors down... only thing missing tonight was Big Mike. He's close by too. We have friends close and we have friends far. Same for family... near and far. When I was a child, I always thought that if I were rich one day, that I would have a hotel where everyone I loved would live. What a great idea, huh?

YES! THE DOTS!

2007-07-22T22:24:00.000-05:00

So now many months later... we have done it! The Dots have played live in front of an audience. I am so grateful to my bandmates. They rule! Couldn't ask for two better people to be with me. We have fun. That's the rule. Have fun. I would be remiss if I didn't thank my family and friends for coming out to supports us for five songs. I am very fortunate to have good people all around me. YES!

My Time, Your Time, Our Time

2007-07-22T09:49:00.000-05:00

In most cases I would say that my time is our time. Your time isn't always my time. My time is always someone else's. I want to give and spend my time with the people who are special. We are doing that right now. It's been good. Wish that it would happen more. I guess that my hardest division of time these days seems to be finding that balance. To acheive the perfect divide between sustaining activities and necessary activities. Meaning what it takes to pay the bills and do that well and what it takes to keep my heart and head straight.

Summer is Almost Over

2007-07-20T22:28:00.000-05:00

Well Friends, summer is almost over. That means we are half way through the year 2007. So far, so good. Life is alright. I feel like that guy in Oklahoma, everything is going my way. Does that mean life if perfect. Aw heck no. It isn't. Life always throws you some curve balls. So what? If you're not laughing, you're crying. Life is too short. No crying now. Savor the moment. Reflect. Be cool. Nothing is so crazy it has to consume you.

The Dots

2007-07-20T22:22:00.000-05:00

We're ready to rock. Here's our website for all thing Dot-ish.
www.myspace.com/thedotsbandmusic. Yes, we are excited.

I Like to Rock

2007-07-18T22:27:00.000-05:00

April Wine said it simply... "I like to rock." What more do you need to say? So on Sunday, we rock. That's a great thing. The drag is that it means missing my Godchild's Birthday party. We've missed two parties this year. That's a drag. The good part is that in a few weeks we will get to celebrate with Ava. I like that. We'll see how Sunday goes for the Dots. I'm excited. I think that we'll do well.

Now Your Vacation is Over

2007-07-18T00:13:00.000-05:00

And then, depression sets in. It's not that having to go to work isn't fun or cool or whatever. It's that you don't get to do whatever you want whenever you want. It's time to be at work, then it's time to do whatever you want. You just can't do it whenever you want. Now I am tired and staying up too late. Means that the alarm clock rings early in the morning. Never been much for sleeping but I guess I'd like to do it once in awhile.

Well You're Lazy

2007-07-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

It does appear to be a lazy Saturday at Dan and Ann's. It's after 9:00am and all I have managed to do is check e-mail and mess around on the internet. I did do some banking business this morning so that isn't all bad.

I've been on vacation this past week. I am just trying to rev up for next week. The funny thing about vacation is that I can really get used to doing what I want to do at any given time. Our next couple of weekends are busy, that's a good thing. Summer time is the right time, baby.

Next weekend my band The Dots will make our first ever appearance (other than someone's basement) it's at an open jam that our drummer hosts every Sunday.

The weekend after that, we head to St. Louis to see the Brewers take on the Cardinals. Should be a good match up this year.

The next weekend it is off to Green Bay. We'll celebrate two birthdays that weekend. Dan's and our god daughter, Ava. She'll be two. We just saw her last weekend. As we waved goodbye, she bid me a farewell too, "Goodbye, Koo Koo Head." Awesome.

Vacation in Michigan

2007-07-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

So why would someone from southern Wisconsin take a vacation to the northern shores of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? There's really nothing like it. It's gorgeous. It's not gorgeous like a "tropical" resort (would love to do that one day) or fun the same way an empire built by a mouse is (I love Disney World and can't wait to get back). It is a different experience. Makes me want to go even futher north.

Imagine falling asleep to the sound of gentle waves against the shore. Imagine the sun going down at 10:30pm. Imagine waking up to a long sunrise on that same shore. It was truly a great experience. We spent a few days in Munising, Michigan. I would go back in a heart beat. We spent a morning canoeing up the Au Train river and the afternoon hiking through the Hiawatha National Forest. Seeing waterfalls and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Went on the Tahquamenon Falls (and a brewpub there in the park!) A brief side trip to St. Joseph's Island in Canada (deer) for a few hours. Then, we were on to Mackinac Island. It's pretty, but quite touristy. The best part of the trip was everything especially coming home. I am very glad that we spent our time there. We began to think about retirement... and even closer to what we want to be doing in five years.

Impulsive

2007-07-01T21:18:00.000-05:00

Sometime I hate myself. I can be impulsive. I don't always read "the fine print." Doesn't matter what it was in this case. Got too excited. I thought I had thought this decision through. No. Didn't take the time to read. Hopefully I can make the best of a $375 decision and learn more than to take my time and read things, think it through and then smack myself.

Money is the Root of all Evil

2007-06-30T06:41:00.000-05:00

That's the kind of thing that you say when money isn't always around when you would like it to be. We say a lot of things to make ourselves feel better about what we do or don't do. What we have or don't have. How about "You're going to die of something anyway," that's what you say when you're doing something that you know isn't good for you, like smoking or eating a lot of doughnuts. How about "Look at the bright side?" That's what you say to someone who hasn't got a shot at being happy at that moment. The bright side? Right. "It could be worse..." that is just another version of the previous. Now I'm not saying that we should all wallow in the mire of our misery. But man, sometimes when you are feeling low, you need to feel it so that you know that you don't want to feel that way again. I know full well that I have it better than 98% of the population on Earth. Everyday I am thankful that I have a family, friends, a job, a roof over my head, that I have plenty to eat and stuff that isn't necessary for survival.

I was just saying to myself as I read about a husband and wife who won the lottery in Oklahoma... "Good for them." I smiled when I saw their picture, then I became jealous as I just spent the last 45 minutes juggling the bills. So you know that I said to myself as I looked at their picture again on the front page of Yahoo? Money is the root of all evil.

NYC Baby

2007-06-11T21:46:00.000-05:00

So I made it to New York City last night. What a lot of fun. When you live in the "fly over" even 5 hours in the Big Apple is great. Seize the opportunity, stay golden, Pony Boy. Met up with great, fun and interesting people and went off to the city. Cool.

... and Today I am in New Jersey

2007-06-09T14:45:00.000-05:00

I am in New Jersey and I am tired and excited all at the same time. I hope that I will have a chance to get out of the hotel and see what things are like on the east coast. I flew. I am not a fan of flying. I see it as a fairly "sterile" way to travel. I don't get the same vibe as when I travel by car. Of course, I am not near as tired as I would be if I had traveled by car. Anyone know anyone in New Jersey? I have a friend who is from the Bayonne area, but now he lives in the north woods of Wisconsin. I'd like to see where "The Boss" grew up. Maybe I will get my chance.