2008 was good to me, it got me out of Duluth and college, to date I have earned quite a bit more this year than any other year in my life, which is really great since I’m paying for more things than I ever have in my life, nice. Heres the list I know you want to see:
Best:
Movie: Wall-E It was sooo good. I don’t think there has been such an excellent social prophecy ever predicted in a G movie
TV Show: Guilty. I like a TV show, but not just any TV show Tru Blood a HBO show about Vampires, nothing like a show that portrays hated minorities in the south, only now its ok! Why? Because these minorities are Vampires.
Concert: Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The lights! The Music! The Company! It was hard not to love.
Album: Panic at the Disco Takes it this year with their Mellowed out and Sgt. Peppers-esque Pretty. Odd. I like all of the songs but that one awful one in the middle.
Song: Dan le Sac Vs. Scroobious Pip – Thou Shall Always Kill Clever.
Game: Mario Kart wii, Get a Wii and this game and your free time will be occupied for the next 2 months without question. Heart.
Book: Its New to me, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I’m rather excited for the movie since the book was such a page turner.
Wine Type: Garnache
Bar Night: Champions! The evening following Bock Fest at the Brewhouse. I remember lots of bock and some other stuff...sorta
Getaway: Laura And I made our way to Camp Amnicon for a quiet weekend for two, so lovely so cute and so very cold.
Best Events of Note:
Random: This is a tie since I’m not too sure which one wins. Geocaching Event at gooseberry falls knowing no one – Seeing my next door neighbor do his thing on…himself. More than once – A mud Volleyball tournament.
Obsession: Growing things, especially the grape seeds in my freezer right now.
Celebration: There were many things to celebrate this year. Obama’s victory is at the top of the list, especially since we were in grant park hanging out with his other several hundred thousand friends.
Newsworthy: This one is not good. I can’t believe we owe $700 billion more money to our own banks, and the money can’t even be accounted for, bad news.
Exercise: I just want to document that I have taken up swimming as a form of fitness. Weird.
2008 was a life changing year without question, it earned me a college degree, I’ve managed to continue my relationship with the same wonderful woman for 2ish years now, I moved to Oakwood, Illinois where I now own a house which rocks. I have a good Graphic Design job working with the memory of dead folks and creating plaques recognizing alive ones, I have my own (expensive as shit) health insurance, and starting tomorrow my first 401k (go stocks go!)
But 2009 has lots to offer too! For next year will be my first full year of the next 45 in the working world, this is exciting to me but I imagine my old ass self reading this in the future is laughing right now (please don’t be bored and keep making wine!) Since we live so damn close to the south I want to head to Bonaroo and rock out for a weekend of mayhem and “memories” I’m still pretty pumped for Celebrating St. Patrick’s day with flogging molly and Growing all sorts of things in our garden, including the beginning of my own private vineyard. Laura and I hope to travel somewhere exciting and frankly I can’t wait! Here’s to the future my friends.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Hows my little Orchestra?
Last night my Parents took the kids and their favorite significant others to behold the spectacle that is The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
If the average age of the audience wasn't 40+ I would have fully expected all of the haze at the end of the show to be secondhand smoke of the herbal sort...
That said the concert was stellar, perhaps...interstellar... At first I had trouble believing that it was a live show because there were live strings and singers and guitars and a produced light show that floored me from beginning to end. Sometime before the end I found myself thinking wow, this is really well orchestrated, between the dancers the musicians, the lights and the music itself I was impressed, then realized since the band has Orchestra in its name it should be no less magnificent than it was. As you can see from my disjointed sentences I'm having a difficult time describing my concert experiences past enjoyable. Here are some photos from the show, hopefully you will get the idea.
One of the best photo of the night (of 161)
The weekend of the new year expect to see Laura and I in the land of ten thousand lakes. I feel like a boot and some Hefe...Care to join us for a bit of Polka?
If the average age of the audience wasn't 40+ I would have fully expected all of the haze at the end of the show to be secondhand smoke of the herbal sort...
That said the concert was stellar, perhaps...interstellar... At first I had trouble believing that it was a live show because there were live strings and singers and guitars and a produced light show that floored me from beginning to end. Sometime before the end I found myself thinking wow, this is really well orchestrated, between the dancers the musicians, the lights and the music itself I was impressed, then realized since the band has Orchestra in its name it should be no less magnificent than it was. As you can see from my disjointed sentences I'm having a difficult time describing my concert experiences past enjoyable. Here are some photos from the show, hopefully you will get the idea.
One of the best photo of the night (of 161)
The weekend of the new year expect to see Laura and I in the land of ten thousand lakes. I feel like a boot and some Hefe...Care to join us for a bit of Polka?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Hows my little Excitement?
I am such a nerd.
Flogging Molly tickets went on sale for the congress theater in Chicago today at 10am. By 10:15 I had a pair secured in my name.
Of course I can't forget to mention the show is on St. Patrick's Day! It's going to be a sweaty good time, maybe I'll meet em again!
Flogging Molly tickets went on sale for the congress theater in Chicago today at 10am. By 10:15 I had a pair secured in my name.
Of course I can't forget to mention the show is on St. Patrick's Day! It's going to be a sweaty good time, maybe I'll meet em again!
Monday, December 01, 2008
Hows my little tool?
All little tool jokes aside...
I've done it and I even now a week afterward, still can not believe what I've done. The dastardly deed has been pondered, questioned, answered, and argued over. I decided to make the leap and just go for it, after all, there really isn't that much harm in obtaining one of these:
As some of you might know I made a gamble on using body wash in the shower a few years back, to my surprise it was an invigorating success compared with the traditional shower bar soap. My favorite new excitement from this transition was while lathering myself up (which at the time mysteriously my fellow roomies did not do [didn't realize I wrote that in 2006, holy crap that took forever to find]) I was touching my entire body with my lathered hands, while I am familiar with my body I was not familiar with it on this new wonderfully smelling and sudsy experience. Of course since I thought touching myself all over was the bees knees I didn't want a loofah, which was fine, obviously I couldn't be the only loofah owner in a house dominated by women.
Since that status has now changed I've thought back to the rumors of males around the world owning loofahs and enjoying the cleaning experience associated with them. Since I was a skeptic I decided that since I was going to be buying a loofah I needed to find the most manly showering tool possible, a Black Loofah. While at the local Wal-Mart (ps that new phrase they are using...Awesome![pps, I still don't feel comfy in one of their stores])I found an even manlier version...Black AND Gray. Awesome.
My first loofahing experience...Borderline painful, I know females go through several circles of pain to achieve beauty, this step I was not prepared for. Using my loofah for the first time was like taking a shower with a cheese grater made of sandpaper. I swear my skin screamed while it was being slowly shredded off with each pass. I then added more lubricating wash and found it to be a less painful experience, I then thanked god. Lesson Learned.
In a typical shower soaping session I will begin with my arms, then my chest, belly, one leg then the other, around the twig and berries, and to my back, then finally my rump.
With the exception of my back the last two steps of the looftastic shower began. To all men who are curious and just can't quite scratch their kids just right in the morning, INVEST IN THIS TOOL! The loofahs skin peeling qualities also make it the perfect instrument for nut/chode scratching. It was during this first experience I realized that if I were a cat I would purr, If I were a canine my back leg would uncontrollably shake, and if I were a lion I would roar. Since I am man I simply smiled, Hung my new favorite washing mechanism on the wall and began anticipating my next shower event.
I've done it and I even now a week afterward, still can not believe what I've done. The dastardly deed has been pondered, questioned, answered, and argued over. I decided to make the leap and just go for it, after all, there really isn't that much harm in obtaining one of these:
As some of you might know I made a gamble on using body wash in the shower a few years back, to my surprise it was an invigorating success compared with the traditional shower bar soap. My favorite new excitement from this transition was while lathering myself up (which at the time mysteriously my fellow roomies did not do [didn't realize I wrote that in 2006, holy crap that took forever to find]) I was touching my entire body with my lathered hands, while I am familiar with my body I was not familiar with it on this new wonderfully smelling and sudsy experience. Of course since I thought touching myself all over was the bees knees I didn't want a loofah, which was fine, obviously I couldn't be the only loofah owner in a house dominated by women.
Since that status has now changed I've thought back to the rumors of males around the world owning loofahs and enjoying the cleaning experience associated with them. Since I was a skeptic I decided that since I was going to be buying a loofah I needed to find the most manly showering tool possible, a Black Loofah. While at the local Wal-Mart (ps that new phrase they are using...Awesome![pps, I still don't feel comfy in one of their stores])I found an even manlier version...Black AND Gray. Awesome.
My first loofahing experience...Borderline painful, I know females go through several circles of pain to achieve beauty, this step I was not prepared for. Using my loofah for the first time was like taking a shower with a cheese grater made of sandpaper. I swear my skin screamed while it was being slowly shredded off with each pass. I then added more lubricating wash and found it to be a less painful experience, I then thanked god. Lesson Learned.
In a typical shower soaping session I will begin with my arms, then my chest, belly, one leg then the other, around the twig and berries, and to my back, then finally my rump.
With the exception of my back the last two steps of the looftastic shower began. To all men who are curious and just can't quite scratch their kids just right in the morning, INVEST IN THIS TOOL! The loofahs skin peeling qualities also make it the perfect instrument for nut/chode scratching. It was during this first experience I realized that if I were a cat I would purr, If I were a canine my back leg would uncontrollably shake, and if I were a lion I would roar. Since I am man I simply smiled, Hung my new favorite washing mechanism on the wall and began anticipating my next shower event.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Hows my little Wilderness Survivor?
Howdy Kids!
Life has been a grand adventure lately! A couple of weekends ago Laura and I babysat Chip and what a great time it was, I got a great chance to take a nap with him and we had a really splendid time playing in the fall foliage Check out these pics of the fun!
This past weekend was grand too, we headed north to the Wisconsin Dells to hang out at a sweet place called the wilderness. If you haven't heard of it or been there it is quite the sight. First off it's huge, probaby comparable to the UMD Campus easily, with three indoor waterparks and I'm sure more than one outdoor one it is massive. And tons of fun, I couldn't even sleep the night before because I was so excited, I woke up at 6:30am just eager to start sliding. But boy were my rump and hips tight yesterday from climbing so many stairs. Favorite ride I could have done 100 times, The Hurricane, it was tragic the wait was so long for it though. The real highlight of the adventure was our room, we decided on a Deluxe Suite for the four of us. Definately the way to go because we had several places to sit stand cook eat and drink, and most importantly two separate rooms to sleep in. HOT!
Sunday Laura and I decided to check out the "Lake" Delton area, many of you might remember from earlier this summer the lake just deciding it didn't like it's 80 year old man made walls and took off for the summer, taking several houses boats and many other things with it. If you don't remember Check out this:
You only need to watch the first half.
as you can see it wasn't a small chunk of land that washed away...quite the flood. Here is what it looks like now!
It pretty much looks like sandy a prairie
Here is the road that washed away allowing the lake to enter the river.
Even though Laura and I didn't know what it looked like before we still had lots of trouble imagining the entire lake just flooding out into the river, incomprehensible. From what we saw though they are nearly done with a new apparently bigger and better spillway to prevent future occurrences of this and the road was all done, I guess they might begin filling it back up this winter if all goes well. Check out the article HERE if you care.
and....WE GOT A NEW COUCH!
It is huge and full of awesomeness, I can lay out entirely on it without touching either arm, an impressive feat for this guy here. And today it is snowing like crazy, giving me blind hope that it might stay for more than 30 seconds. Life from Oakwood is grand.
Life has been a grand adventure lately! A couple of weekends ago Laura and I babysat Chip and what a great time it was, I got a great chance to take a nap with him and we had a really splendid time playing in the fall foliage Check out these pics of the fun!
This past weekend was grand too, we headed north to the Wisconsin Dells to hang out at a sweet place called the wilderness. If you haven't heard of it or been there it is quite the sight. First off it's huge, probaby comparable to the UMD Campus easily, with three indoor waterparks and I'm sure more than one outdoor one it is massive. And tons of fun, I couldn't even sleep the night before because I was so excited, I woke up at 6:30am just eager to start sliding. But boy were my rump and hips tight yesterday from climbing so many stairs. Favorite ride I could have done 100 times, The Hurricane, it was tragic the wait was so long for it though. The real highlight of the adventure was our room, we decided on a Deluxe Suite for the four of us. Definately the way to go because we had several places to sit stand cook eat and drink, and most importantly two separate rooms to sleep in. HOT!
Sunday Laura and I decided to check out the "Lake" Delton area, many of you might remember from earlier this summer the lake just deciding it didn't like it's 80 year old man made walls and took off for the summer, taking several houses boats and many other things with it. If you don't remember Check out this:
You only need to watch the first half.
as you can see it wasn't a small chunk of land that washed away...quite the flood. Here is what it looks like now!
It pretty much looks like sandy a prairie
Here is the road that washed away allowing the lake to enter the river.
Even though Laura and I didn't know what it looked like before we still had lots of trouble imagining the entire lake just flooding out into the river, incomprehensible. From what we saw though they are nearly done with a new apparently bigger and better spillway to prevent future occurrences of this and the road was all done, I guess they might begin filling it back up this winter if all goes well. Check out the article HERE if you care.
and....WE GOT A NEW COUCH!
It is huge and full of awesomeness, I can lay out entirely on it without touching either arm, an impressive feat for this guy here. And today it is snowing like crazy, giving me blind hope that it might stay for more than 30 seconds. Life from Oakwood is grand.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Hows my little Changling?
Last night Laura and I decided we were close enough to Chicago to check out Obama's Grant Park Rally. And what a great idea it was.
After work we voted (Laura's first Prez Election!) and headed up to the windy city. We parked at Midway Airport and took the "el" downtown and met up with my pal Henry and his lovely girlfriend Clare...not after at least 35 failed phone calls and several useless shouts.
As for the night...it was stellar we got to the park just in time to hoot with the other 240 thousand people when the big jumbo monitors called Obama's victory. It was fantastic to be with such a large amount of people in the park sharing this historical event with one another as well as with the president elect himself. We encountered young and old, all sorts of different ethnicities, wealthy, poor, hippies and suits. The people watching was fantastic.
The energy within the crowd flowed through us and felt amazing. We were united because of one man and his ability to bring about a spark in millions of hearts. Last night as long as he won nothing bad could have happened in Grant Park. I was thrilled to be united with so many complete strangers. I would be a liar if I said that last nights events and experience didn't change me somehow. I'm not sure how yet but I keep thinking about the evening and how united so many different people are and were, which is a new feeling in America.
After his fantastic speech we took off hoping to beat the traffic, but since I think most of the people celebrating were from downtown there wasn't much of it where we were heading. I do want to commend the CTA with how efficient they were at moving so many thousands of people at once without a hitch (that I saw). It helped that the crowd was docile and extremely well behaved. That was probably because it was announced that every officer in Chicago would be working and vacations were canceled. All of which looked ready for a riot to break out at any moment. But despite the omnipresent patrolmen the reefer in the air was frequent and strong, which was quite surprising. We even spotted a sniper, which was super cool.
Congratulations America I look forward to a new chapter in our political lives. Lets just hope Bush doesn't "find" any more nukes in some other oil producing country in the next seventy days.
Check out some of my photos! most are best viewed at the tiny size right here:
Proof You can meet your friends at a Giant Political Rally:
After work we voted (Laura's first Prez Election!) and headed up to the windy city. We parked at Midway Airport and took the "el" downtown and met up with my pal Henry and his lovely girlfriend Clare...not after at least 35 failed phone calls and several useless shouts.
As for the night...it was stellar we got to the park just in time to hoot with the other 240 thousand people when the big jumbo monitors called Obama's victory. It was fantastic to be with such a large amount of people in the park sharing this historical event with one another as well as with the president elect himself. We encountered young and old, all sorts of different ethnicities, wealthy, poor, hippies and suits. The people watching was fantastic.
The energy within the crowd flowed through us and felt amazing. We were united because of one man and his ability to bring about a spark in millions of hearts. Last night as long as he won nothing bad could have happened in Grant Park. I was thrilled to be united with so many complete strangers. I would be a liar if I said that last nights events and experience didn't change me somehow. I'm not sure how yet but I keep thinking about the evening and how united so many different people are and were, which is a new feeling in America.
After his fantastic speech we took off hoping to beat the traffic, but since I think most of the people celebrating were from downtown there wasn't much of it where we were heading. I do want to commend the CTA with how efficient they were at moving so many thousands of people at once without a hitch (that I saw). It helped that the crowd was docile and extremely well behaved. That was probably because it was announced that every officer in Chicago would be working and vacations were canceled. All of which looked ready for a riot to break out at any moment. But despite the omnipresent patrolmen the reefer in the air was frequent and strong, which was quite surprising. We even spotted a sniper, which was super cool.
Congratulations America I look forward to a new chapter in our political lives. Lets just hope Bush doesn't "find" any more nukes in some other oil producing country in the next seventy days.
Check out some of my photos! most are best viewed at the tiny size right here:
Proof You can meet your friends at a Giant Political Rally:
Monday, November 03, 2008
Hows my little bi-report?
Alright now for my bi-yearly First Tuesday after the First Monday election ramble.
You NEED to VOTE.
I would be lying if I said I didn't care who you voted for but really, I don't too much as long as you get out somehow and vote for who you think could run your country best in your eyes. This election is an important one in the fact that it will be the first time Americans will have a minority or a female in the highest office of the state. There are also several other factors that you might be aware of which I hope everyone is aware of. BUT The worst kind of vote you can cast is an uneducated one, there are several un-biased sources online which will help you decide who your candidate should be.
I myself am voting for the progressive candidate, one who has promised to shake things up. I've voted blue in the past and it got me a 700 billion dollar tax bill that I have to pay, I'm not excited about it whatsoever, and that has influenced some decisions. Who ever wins though I'm confident they will be able to help change America for the better. (If not I'll be learning french and the art of wine somewhere in Bordeaux)
Look for me on TV tomorrow night though, Laura and I will be in Chicago hopefully celebrating.
You NEED to VOTE.
I would be lying if I said I didn't care who you voted for but really, I don't too much as long as you get out somehow and vote for who you think could run your country best in your eyes. This election is an important one in the fact that it will be the first time Americans will have a minority or a female in the highest office of the state. There are also several other factors that you might be aware of which I hope everyone is aware of. BUT The worst kind of vote you can cast is an uneducated one, there are several un-biased sources online which will help you decide who your candidate should be.
I myself am voting for the progressive candidate, one who has promised to shake things up. I've voted blue in the past and it got me a 700 billion dollar tax bill that I have to pay, I'm not excited about it whatsoever, and that has influenced some decisions. Who ever wins though I'm confident they will be able to help change America for the better. (If not I'll be learning french and the art of wine somewhere in Bordeaux)
Look for me on TV tomorrow night though, Laura and I will be in Chicago hopefully celebrating.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Hows my little recently seen?
I recently celebrated my 24th year of life anniversary. and that's Larger Than Life. Laura's Graham Cracker Cake was deeeeeeeeelicious and didn't melt under that full box of candles.
Laura and I headed up to the Purdue v U of M Football game to watch an old friend play. (I like bloody mary's now)
I am attempting to grow my own grapes, this is not an instantly satisfying project. I've been trying to study all sorts of things on growing them and have learned about a step in the process that I'm really not excited about called stratification AKA simulate about three months of winter, I'm currently trying to figure out a way around it, it might involve sandpaper. Instead I dug up a tiny maple tree in our yard and have that under the grow light, Here's hoping that doesn't die.
Of course Halloween was this weekend, and what better to dress up as in the land of Lincoln as honest Abe himself! They kept telling me to stay away from the theater. My hat was about 2 feet tall for those who are curious. Of course my lovely cupid was ushering me around, we had a grand ol time. Why doesn't anyone down here like GOOD beer?
Going back in time My sister and her soon to be hubby came over and carved punkins with Laura and I. Here is Laura and I in our Halloween Gear posing, for the only lighting of the candles at about 1:00am November 1st.
We saw a farmer. (this photo was taken about 1 block from our house)
Today we headed up to a corn maze/reindeer farm it was a grand time, check out our friend! I caught him in the act, on accident I swear. The reindeer were cool because they were losing their fur on their antlers and it was this gross kind of bloodyish underneath. Obviously I took photos of them but you'll have to ask to see em.
Things have been fun lately! I built a shelf yesterday with my new tools. I have some practice before I get going on making real things The next project is something for the cat I think.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Hows my little Photo Update!
Random Old Photo of me in Madison.
Record Player in the Corner, Excellent Dinner Music.
Guest(your) Bedroom
13 Pounds of Ribs
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Hows my little debater?
Watching last Thursday's VP debate seemed to me like reading one of those choose your own adventure books from cover to cover ignoring the directions to jump to the correct page.
Of the two candidates Biden did show he knew what the hell was going on. Palin seemed to be an attractive opponent with a memorized script. Did you hear her climate change response, although she said many words she did not "say" anything. I will admit though she wasn't a failure, if she stays in (big Government) politics for a while longer I might listen to her soapbox speeches seriously.
Is anyone else sick of commercials for politicians bashing the other, rather than laying out their plans for fixing/bettering our countries lives?
Laura and I bought a couch, got new license plates and Drivers licenses! Officially we are residents of the state of Illinois. Although we still haven't been to Chicago. Its fun being a homeowner because I feel good when I drill holes into the wall and cahnge colors of things. It's wonderful!
700 BILLION dollars? I'm still waiting for the arguement that says, This was a good idea because...
Of the two candidates Biden did show he knew what the hell was going on. Palin seemed to be an attractive opponent with a memorized script. Did you hear her climate change response, although she said many words she did not "say" anything. I will admit though she wasn't a failure, if she stays in (big Government) politics for a while longer I might listen to her soapbox speeches seriously.
Is anyone else sick of commercials for politicians bashing the other, rather than laying out their plans for fixing/bettering our countries lives?
Laura and I bought a couch, got new license plates and Drivers licenses! Officially we are residents of the state of Illinois. Although we still haven't been to Chicago. Its fun being a homeowner because I feel good when I drill holes into the wall and cahnge colors of things. It's wonderful!
700 BILLION dollars? I'm still waiting for the arguement that says, This was a good idea because...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Hows my little Vollied?
Ever played mud volleyball?
Laura and I took an opportunity this weekend to get down and dirty with some strangers to bang a ball over a net. I recommend playing in the mud to anyone who hasn't lately.
So here's the gist
First we hop in and got our legs dirty.
Then you try and dodge any sort of splash...especially if you're next to the biggest guy on the team.
You'll end up a little muddy.
If you kick the other teams ass...you run the risk of getting tackled, while in the pit.
But most of all, have fun!
Cheers!
Laura and I took an opportunity this weekend to get down and dirty with some strangers to bang a ball over a net. I recommend playing in the mud to anyone who hasn't lately.
So here's the gist
First we hop in and got our legs dirty.
Then you try and dodge any sort of splash...especially if you're next to the biggest guy on the team.
You'll end up a little muddy.
If you kick the other teams ass...you run the risk of getting tackled, while in the pit.
But most of all, have fun!Cheers!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hows my little house?
As previously stated Laura and I are now into our new home! so here are some much requested photos for all of you fine folk (and rich).
This is the outside of our little bungalow. Someday Laura and I will have a picture of ourselves in front of it, maybe a (apple?) tree planted somewhere too.
This one is taken from the living room, Laura is coming out of the Kitchen, to the right is the bathroom and the left is the 2nd bed room, many would call this the guest room but I don't like calling it that so eventually it may be called the stripe room or something. That big red one is the dining room to be. Furniture not in yet(can you tell?).
Here is our stack of boxes, in the dining room!
This is our bedroom, there is absolutley no good angle to photograph it all. How do you like that blue?
This is the elusive living room over by the DVD rack is where our bedroom hides. check out our awesome lamp.
Here is our very green (and clean) Kitchen. Note the dishwasher...awesome!
The bathroom looks like a bathroom and is painted a gross yellow which we are planning on changing soon.
Certain cool things about the little village of Oakwood I've found and loved are that at 9 PM it is rare to hear a peep from some sort of human or human made object, the cicadas buzz and the crickets cheep its great. Another thing that may or may not be great is, our village is about as large as Mounds View High, which is funny to me anyway. The greatest of all is the Rent! NONE! Our mortgage is $2 more expensive than what Laura was paying for her ROOM in Madison giving us a hell of a deal in housing expenses. We are about 25 Min from Champagne (where UofI is located) where we do some good shopping and eat some great eats. But from other big cities we are: Indianapolis, a bit over 1 hr; Chicago, 2 hrs; Columbus, 3ish; Louisville, 3.5 hrs; St Louis, 4 hrs; Madison, 4.5 hrs; St Paul, 9 hrs =(
I miss you and orla does too.
This is the outside of our little bungalow. Someday Laura and I will have a picture of ourselves in front of it, maybe a (apple?) tree planted somewhere too.
This one is taken from the living room, Laura is coming out of the Kitchen, to the right is the bathroom and the left is the 2nd bed room, many would call this the guest room but I don't like calling it that so eventually it may be called the stripe room or something. That big red one is the dining room to be. Furniture not in yet(can you tell?).
Here is our stack of boxes, in the dining room!
This is our bedroom, there is absolutley no good angle to photograph it all. How do you like that blue?
This is the elusive living room over by the DVD rack is where our bedroom hides. check out our awesome lamp.
Here is our very green (and clean) Kitchen. Note the dishwasher...awesome!The bathroom looks like a bathroom and is painted a gross yellow which we are planning on changing soon.
Certain cool things about the little village of Oakwood I've found and loved are that at 9 PM it is rare to hear a peep from some sort of human or human made object, the cicadas buzz and the crickets cheep its great. Another thing that may or may not be great is, our village is about as large as Mounds View High, which is funny to me anyway. The greatest of all is the Rent! NONE! Our mortgage is $2 more expensive than what Laura was paying for her ROOM in Madison giving us a hell of a deal in housing expenses. We are about 25 Min from Champagne (where UofI is located) where we do some good shopping and eat some great eats. But from other big cities we are: Indianapolis, a bit over 1 hr; Chicago, 2 hrs; Columbus, 3ish; Louisville, 3.5 hrs; St Louis, 4 hrs; Madison, 4.5 hrs; St Paul, 9 hrs =(
I miss you and orla does too.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hows my little Homeowner?
Gee its been awhile...
Laura and I have moved into our new house and have been quite busy painting changing locks and unpacking and nearly spending all of our money. The internet was just turned on today so forgive my long lapse. House photos and other fun stuff to come shortly.
I miss you.
Laura and I have moved into our new house and have been quite busy painting changing locks and unpacking and nearly spending all of our money. The internet was just turned on today so forgive my long lapse. House photos and other fun stuff to come shortly.
I miss you.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Hows my little Laborer?
woo!what a weekend!
In honor of Labor Day Laura and I headed (even more) south. and what an adventure it was. First off let me say that my impression of the south has been shattered, smashed and slid down into a nice little pile farther south than Kentucky, because Kentucky is the shit. Hills, Horses, Tobacco, Wine, and Whiskey...its really hard to beat. Don't get me wrong I love me my Minnesota but Kentucky has quite a bit to offer, for example look at a map of it and notice the neat little ribbon of National Forest by the name of Daniel Boone, hot.
Well onto what happened (this will probably be long) We headed down to a nice chuck of the Daniel Boone National Forest called the Red River Gorge, and what a beautiful place it was. Cliffs, and stream(s, I assume) and hills and NO MOSQUITOES! But lots of daddy long legs.
Our Adventure began with a Bang by planning on driving down arriving at night hiking into the park setting up our shit and falling asleep. Of course We missed two exits couldn't find the campground and nearly hit a tree down over the road. So we manged to find our way out of the park and sleep in the Stratus. Just as we were falling asleep we get a nice little surprise, "This is the Police!" it was one guy I'm sure his name was Ned and was looking for some people to chat with, we told him our plight made no attempt to be cordial (ok maybe a small one) and fell asleep laughing. Apparently where we chose to park is a hot spot for after hours drinks and shenanigans, not that night luckily.
At the ass crack of dawn i pulled myself out of the trunk and threw my pack there we began our day with a long hike in the warm air around an arch and some other pretty views we camped. A while later on a hike we ran into a guy who really helped me re-appreciate the little things in life by saying Come on! you have to take advantage of a rope tied to a tree. advantage I took, and swung around a bit over some water, I felt sweet.
After an awesome dinner some excellent smores and some more reading we slept.
This is for Scott, nice tunnel eh? 
Sunday We hiked out of the wild to meet our old friend shower and our better friend distillation of sugar into alcohol! We were driving back to Louisville for the night and without much of a plan we decided to take some tours. After getting shot down at 4 different places for being closed on a sunday
(bitches) we ran into someone who pointed us to the Maker's Mark Distillery where we toured and learned and sampled and all sorts of fun things. Did you know that in order for a Burbon to be considered and Straight Bourbon it must be Made in the USA Aged in a Charred White Oak Cask for no less than two years? I didn't before Sunday...there are other rules too, but who cares. I love me some Maker's Mark.
That night we headed into town and ran into an Ironman triathlon, which was pretty cool. (for those who don't know thats a 2+mile swim, 100+ mile bike with a Marathon(26+ miles of running) to top it off) Seeing people come in and finish the race after fourteen hours was incredible, especially while drinking some excellent beer eating gigantic deep fried mushrooms on a warm summer night. We also found a book, by accident but on a similar premise to Geocaching...it was neat, so we grabbed it.
Monday brought us to the Jim Beam Distillery and their scrumptious little bourbon chocolates and more knowledge of bourbon.
We saw some awesome moldy buildings and trees, and even a church nestled in with the Barrel Houses. Turns out Jim Beam is the largest bourbon maker in the World and they have 70 of these gigantic nine story barrel houses around the area...which is crazy. If you happen to be at all a fan of fine Ultra-Premium Whiskeys I would suggest trying Booker's on ice, ohhh so tasty. If you find yourself in Kentucky Head over to the Maker's Mark Distillery for a tour instead of Jim Beam, they actually show you the process and where things take place, it's not much farther out of the way.
After it was all said and done I can say we had quite the grand adventure and plan on going to the Red River Gorge again, more prepared and equipped with a rope and some other key items. Hope life is good with all. Its good here.
In honor of Labor Day Laura and I headed (even more) south. and what an adventure it was. First off let me say that my impression of the south has been shattered, smashed and slid down into a nice little pile farther south than Kentucky, because Kentucky is the shit. Hills, Horses, Tobacco, Wine, and Whiskey...its really hard to beat. Don't get me wrong I love me my Minnesota but Kentucky has quite a bit to offer, for example look at a map of it and notice the neat little ribbon of National Forest by the name of Daniel Boone, hot.
Well onto what happened (this will probably be long) We headed down to a nice chuck of the Daniel Boone National Forest called the Red River Gorge, and what a beautiful place it was. Cliffs, and stream(s, I assume) and hills and NO MOSQUITOES! But lots of daddy long legs.
Our Adventure began with a Bang by planning on driving down arriving at night hiking into the park setting up our shit and falling asleep. Of course We missed two exits couldn't find the campground and nearly hit a tree down over the road. So we manged to find our way out of the park and sleep in the Stratus. Just as we were falling asleep we get a nice little surprise, "This is the Police!" it was one guy I'm sure his name was Ned and was looking for some people to chat with, we told him our plight made no attempt to be cordial (ok maybe a small one) and fell asleep laughing. Apparently where we chose to park is a hot spot for after hours drinks and shenanigans, not that night luckily.
At the ass crack of dawn i pulled myself out of the trunk and threw my pack there we began our day with a long hike in the warm air around an arch and some other pretty views we camped. A while later on a hike we ran into a guy who really helped me re-appreciate the little things in life by saying Come on! you have to take advantage of a rope tied to a tree. advantage I took, and swung around a bit over some water, I felt sweet.
After an awesome dinner some excellent smores and some more reading we slept.
This is for Scott, nice tunnel eh? 
Sunday We hiked out of the wild to meet our old friend shower and our better friend distillation of sugar into alcohol! We were driving back to Louisville for the night and without much of a plan we decided to take some tours. After getting shot down at 4 different places for being closed on a sunday
(bitches) we ran into someone who pointed us to the Maker's Mark Distillery where we toured and learned and sampled and all sorts of fun things. Did you know that in order for a Burbon to be considered and Straight Bourbon it must be Made in the USA Aged in a Charred White Oak Cask for no less than two years? I didn't before Sunday...there are other rules too, but who cares. I love me some Maker's Mark.
That night we headed into town and ran into an Ironman triathlon, which was pretty cool. (for those who don't know thats a 2+mile swim, 100+ mile bike with a Marathon(26+ miles of running) to top it off) Seeing people come in and finish the race after fourteen hours was incredible, especially while drinking some excellent beer eating gigantic deep fried mushrooms on a warm summer night. We also found a book, by accident but on a similar premise to Geocaching...it was neat, so we grabbed it.
Monday brought us to the Jim Beam Distillery and their scrumptious little bourbon chocolates and more knowledge of bourbon.
We saw some awesome moldy buildings and trees, and even a church nestled in with the Barrel Houses. Turns out Jim Beam is the largest bourbon maker in the World and they have 70 of these gigantic nine story barrel houses around the area...which is crazy. If you happen to be at all a fan of fine Ultra-Premium Whiskeys I would suggest trying Booker's on ice, ohhh so tasty. If you find yourself in Kentucky Head over to the Maker's Mark Distillery for a tour instead of Jim Beam, they actually show you the process and where things take place, it's not much farther out of the way.
After it was all said and done I can say we had quite the grand adventure and plan on going to the Red River Gorge again, more prepared and equipped with a rope and some other key items. Hope life is good with all. Its good here.
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