So its been a while since I posted something on here, I have been busy and lately, I have been sick... But I am not about to let a little cough keep me from one of my life long dreams... On December 21st, at 8:00 PM, I got the privilege of playing hockey at Fenway Park!!!!
Now how does playing hockey at an historic baseball park rank up with being a lifelong dream??? It's a little bit of a stretch, but I think I can connect the dots....
All of my life, I have been a die hard RedSox fan... From watching Fred Lynn make spectacular catches in center field, to Jim Rice's monster home runs.... World Series disappointments and world series elation.... As a kid, I dreamed of playing at Fenway Park.... but as time has passed, and reality began to set in that the closest I would get would be sitting in the stands cheering on my beloved team... but then one fall day, I got the call, or email in this case, from the captain of my hockey team for teams to play at Fenway, on the ice that is for the Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Fliers..... We jumped at the chance, to players proclaimed "Absolutely" in minutes.... and we were one of the 12 teams out of 320 in the league to get this chance...
Although I only played 1/2 of the game, it was still an experience... 18 degrees at ice level, with the wind bringing it down to around 5... and you could feel the wind... We had some real treats for this game, like Former Professional Referee and Pro Hockey goon Paul Stewart being the lead Ref for this game.... Professional Sports announcer John Horrigan calling the game (the videos are posted on youtube)....
There were some draw backs to this, like getting dressed in the concourse, no skate mats of skate runners to protect your skates, and trying to walk through the narrow isles going from the concourse to the field... then having to walk all the way around the field to get to the benches... I ended up taking my pads and skates off and walking in my socks to the changing area carrying my stuff back.... Over all, worth the $200 per person to play...
Here is the link to the part one of the 6 videos.... Click me
The announcer refers to me as a Female Goaltender, She and Her, I am going to have to have a talk with announcer boy on this one, especially since he want to do some of our other games...
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
'Tis the season.....
I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of what Christmas has become... What I see now is an effort of American parents to simply appease their children of their every whim. Buying them every item on their wish list, or at least trying to. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have seen some of the wish lists of kids, and even adults, that more closely resembles a list of what we put in our trash. A kid should never wish for shoes or a winter coat for Christmas.
With those thoughts in mind, I have personally been trying to change this pattern over the last couple of years, mainly by trying to adjust the thinking of my child and hoping it spreads from there. Last year, when I was in a position to get her almost anything she wanted, I made her think for the two weeks before Christmas, and she came up with a charity that meant something to her. The recipient of the donation does not mean that much, but, the fact that she made the choice heart felt and meaningful does.
In my family, while growing up, we usually had a "big gift" followed by clothes, toys and crap we didn't want. This year, for my daughters "big gift", we are going to make a donation to the cause of her choice. Last year, it was not her "big gift", but we did make a donation to the American Breast Cancer Foundation (the pet cause of a classmate that met a tragic end of her life in high school). This year I am challenging her to choose something that will make a difference on a more local social/economic scale.
On Christmas day we will sit down together at the computer, find that charitable orginazation, and donate a cash amount, still to be determined.
Now I know a lot of you are thinking that you cannot afford something like this or that your kids will think it is not a good idea. I am willing to wager money (to be donated to the charity of the winner's choosing) that if you take three minutes to explain what this type of gift means, they will think it's a great idea. Include them in on the decision, give them credit for making it, and watch them brag about "the gift" at school after the Christmas break. Now, some more of you might be thinking that you can't afford to do even that. Don't fret, there are more options. Time, for starters. Find a local group and arrange for a few hours a week that you and the kid(s) can help out. I am a firm believer that Karma plays a role in everyone's fortunes in the long run. A lot of groups out there need people hours more than monies donated. Who knows, maybe you and your child will be donating time next to your future employer or boss.
Now is the time to teach our kids that Christmas is about giving and has nothing to do with spoiling. I believe once we take the ME factor out of Christmas, the world as a whole will be a better place. Teach your kids that if they have a roof, heat and food (no matter how bad your cooking is), they are far better off than a growing number of kids in this country.
Remember to teach your kids to make heartfelt choices and everything will have a greater meaning.
Now in a small world view of life, the classmate my daughter lost and made a donation last year in her memory, was the daughter of a friend I went to high school with..... It all has a deeper meaning than we all think at first.....
Feel free to share this with ANYONE and EVERYONE you can...
Don't forget to click those ads, it raises money to be donated for those that need it way more than I ever will....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
With those thoughts in mind, I have personally been trying to change this pattern over the last couple of years, mainly by trying to adjust the thinking of my child and hoping it spreads from there. Last year, when I was in a position to get her almost anything she wanted, I made her think for the two weeks before Christmas, and she came up with a charity that meant something to her. The recipient of the donation does not mean that much, but, the fact that she made the choice heart felt and meaningful does.
In my family, while growing up, we usually had a "big gift" followed by clothes, toys and crap we didn't want. This year, for my daughters "big gift", we are going to make a donation to the cause of her choice. Last year, it was not her "big gift", but we did make a donation to the American Breast Cancer Foundation (the pet cause of a classmate that met a tragic end of her life in high school). This year I am challenging her to choose something that will make a difference on a more local social/economic scale.
On Christmas day we will sit down together at the computer, find that charitable orginazation, and donate a cash amount, still to be determined.
Now I know a lot of you are thinking that you cannot afford something like this or that your kids will think it is not a good idea. I am willing to wager money (to be donated to the charity of the winner's choosing) that if you take three minutes to explain what this type of gift means, they will think it's a great idea. Include them in on the decision, give them credit for making it, and watch them brag about "the gift" at school after the Christmas break. Now, some more of you might be thinking that you can't afford to do even that. Don't fret, there are more options. Time, for starters. Find a local group and arrange for a few hours a week that you and the kid(s) can help out. I am a firm believer that Karma plays a role in everyone's fortunes in the long run. A lot of groups out there need people hours more than monies donated. Who knows, maybe you and your child will be donating time next to your future employer or boss.
Now is the time to teach our kids that Christmas is about giving and has nothing to do with spoiling. I believe once we take the ME factor out of Christmas, the world as a whole will be a better place. Teach your kids that if they have a roof, heat and food (no matter how bad your cooking is), they are far better off than a growing number of kids in this country.
Remember to teach your kids to make heartfelt choices and everything will have a greater meaning.
Now in a small world view of life, the classmate my daughter lost and made a donation last year in her memory, was the daughter of a friend I went to high school with..... It all has a deeper meaning than we all think at first.....
Feel free to share this with ANYONE and EVERYONE you can...
Don't forget to click those ads, it raises money to be donated for those that need it way more than I ever will....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, November 22, 2009
It's been a while....
So it has been a while since I have dropped info or notes on this space.... I have been extremely busy.... Working one contract job.. And trying to start a consulting business at the same time.... While all is going well at the moment... It's always a struggle....
Look for an extremely important and heart felt rant (blog) on Christmas and the holiday season in the next few days....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Look for an extremely important and heart felt rant (blog) on Christmas and the holiday season in the next few days....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, September 12, 2009
My Daily Commute
Every day on my way to and from work, I get the privilege of driving through the Big Dig. The result of what happens when you spend 14.6 Billion (that's right, a B) on moving Boston's Central Artery underground. Here I am driving over the Zakim Bridge, an Asymmetrical Cable Stay bridge going over the Charles River from Cambridge / Somerville into Boston
Next comes the entrance to the Tunnel, kind of interesting with the park where the highway used to be, and the TD Bank Garden looming on the right. On the left is a giant Celtic's logo... We do LOVE our sports teams here in Boston... 
Then there is the trip back through the tunnel on my way back home from work. The city looms over the entrance to the tunnel. In this picture is the Federal Reserve bank, South Station and to the left, Boston's Chinatown.
If you want to learn more about the Big Dig, along with photos, plans and even the budget, click here
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Acting locally
So sitting at my desk on Friday, I had an odd thought.... Look at all the waste that comes with a single cup of coffee when bought at the little cafe in the building you work in... This cup cost me just under $2.00. A fair price.... about the same for the same amount of coffee from the Dunkin Donuts store across the street.
While the cup of coffee itself is a simple cardboard cup with a plastic top, the innovative little cardboard device to carry the cup and keep your hand from being burned by the hot coffee inside is what got me thinking... You probably can't tell from the picture, but it is made from recycled materials, and boasts about it along with stories about conservation and earth friendly practices.
As I thought about it for a minute, it dawned on me that reusing this ingenious little device for the whole week would save the cafe 9 of these a week ( I usually drink 2 cups a day). While the cafe will appreciate this (they wont have to purchase a case of these over the course of a year), I am also keeping 9 of these a week out of the office trash and subsequently out of the landfills.
When we do little things like this we don't see the global impact it has. Imagine if 100 people in just the US did the same thing I am doing... that would mean 900 of those cute little cup holders are not being put into land fills, and the recycled cardboard that was used to make them will be used to make something else more useful. The energy used to make them will not generate any Carbon Dioxide or waste water.... I don't know the what the numbers are that I am effecting, but, that little bit, multiplied by the number of people doing the same types of things.... WOW
Its these small, local acts that add up to have a global impact....
Don't forget to to click the adds...
While the cup of coffee itself is a simple cardboard cup with a plastic top, the innovative little cardboard device to carry the cup and keep your hand from being burned by the hot coffee inside is what got me thinking... You probably can't tell from the picture, but it is made from recycled materials, and boasts about it along with stories about conservation and earth friendly practices.
As I thought about it for a minute, it dawned on me that reusing this ingenious little device for the whole week would save the cafe 9 of these a week ( I usually drink 2 cups a day). While the cafe will appreciate this (they wont have to purchase a case of these over the course of a year), I am also keeping 9 of these a week out of the office trash and subsequently out of the landfills.
When we do little things like this we don't see the global impact it has. Imagine if 100 people in just the US did the same thing I am doing... that would mean 900 of those cute little cup holders are not being put into land fills, and the recycled cardboard that was used to make them will be used to make something else more useful. The energy used to make them will not generate any Carbon Dioxide or waste water.... I don't know the what the numbers are that I am effecting, but, that little bit, multiplied by the number of people doing the same types of things.... WOW
Its these small, local acts that add up to have a global impact....
Don't forget to to click the adds...
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy....
So its been a while since I have posted any updates to this blog of mine. I have been busy, busy, busy. I have gotten a job, have moved to the Boston area and my Brother's family came in for a visit from Cleveland.
As is always custom when they visit (and once a year for that fact), we have a lobster feed. The entire family gets together for lobster, baked beans, potato salad and what ever else we decide to whip up. As usual, I get to cook the lobster and beans.... here is the "Little" brother winning his battle with a lobster, he got the biggest one...
My brother's wife, Marcie, is from California..... and it may be because she is on the wrong coast, or it may have been the panic from seeing the lobster, but I think we should revoke her license...
Getting the Family together for a lobster feeds brings out all the old toys that we have hanging around.... here my great-nephew Wes plays in a toy that I bought my daughter 13 years ago... this was a hit then, and its a hit now... all the short people took turns climbing into this contraption...
As part of this little gathering, my other little great-nephew, Luke, also got in on the act, but you can tell they like the ladies, here they are playing with Craig's little girl (I forget her name). She is a cutie, and her daddy better get used to the boys clamoring all over her...
Also, we celebrated little Gracie's birthday while I was there. She turned 4 while in Maine, and that by itself is no big deal, but considering she almost died from a siesure when she was only 9 months old, makes every one of her birthday's special.
I hope to get back into a regular routine of posts... keep clicking on those ads...
Courtney
As is always custom when they visit (and once a year for that fact), we have a lobster feed. The entire family gets together for lobster, baked beans, potato salad and what ever else we decide to whip up. As usual, I get to cook the lobster and beans.... here is the "Little" brother winning his battle with a lobster, he got the biggest one...
My brother's wife, Marcie, is from California..... and it may be because she is on the wrong coast, or it may have been the panic from seeing the lobster, but I think we should revoke her license...
Getting the Family together for a lobster feeds brings out all the old toys that we have hanging around.... here my great-nephew Wes plays in a toy that I bought my daughter 13 years ago... this was a hit then, and its a hit now... all the short people took turns climbing into this contraption...
As part of this little gathering, my other little great-nephew, Luke, also got in on the act, but you can tell they like the ladies, here they are playing with Craig's little girl (I forget her name). She is a cutie, and her daddy better get used to the boys clamoring all over her...
Also, we celebrated little Gracie's birthday while I was there. She turned 4 while in Maine, and that by itself is no big deal, but considering she almost died from a siesure when she was only 9 months old, makes every one of her birthday's special.I hope to get back into a regular routine of posts... keep clicking on those ads...
Courtney
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Time for phase two...
So I found a job, in Boston, and now it's time for phase two of the mission; finding a place to live.
I will be looking at a few places in the next two days, mostly in the Malden and Medford area, just north of Boston. There is a T stop in the area, and bus lines that radiate out from there. The commute to the new job is treacherous, going through Downtown, so I will be opting for the public transportation option. A quick bus ride to the T Station then two trains to the job. The $60 T-Pass will save me twice that in gas alone.
I will be moving down there either this weekend or next, depending on the availability of the places I find, any one need a work out?
I will be looking at a few places in the next two days, mostly in the Malden and Medford area, just north of Boston. There is a T stop in the area, and bus lines that radiate out from there. The commute to the new job is treacherous, going through Downtown, so I will be opting for the public transportation option. A quick bus ride to the T Station then two trains to the job. The $60 T-Pass will save me twice that in gas alone.
I will be moving down there either this weekend or next, depending on the availability of the places I find, any one need a work out?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
End of the line.....
Ever since I was a small child, the town I grew up in, Winthrop Maine, had a small, locally owned grocery store called Mister Market. I have been shopping there for 40 years when I lived in town and when I have come back to visit. This small town market changed ownership a few times, but was always under the same management, the Hachey family has either Managed it or owned it since the late 60's. Here is a video tribute to thank the Hachey family and Mister Market for years of community service and involvement.
I also have a few pictures of the space where Mister Market used to stand and the new market building in the background.
We will miss you, Mister Market
I also have a few pictures of the space where Mister Market used to stand and the new market building in the background.
We will miss you, Mister Market
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Job hunting....
Here is an update to my quest to find a new job:
So the job hunting it going well, I have a second interview in Boston this week and had another good interview this past Friday. I may have a decision, or two, to make some time this upcoming week. But that usually is not a bad thing to worry about.
I haven't been playing hockey since I got back east, but I hope to soon, once I find a job and move to the Boston area. This living with the parents, even if it is temporary, is not too fun. It seems like I am just here to work for them: take mom here, mow the lawn, help fix this, help fix that..... its actually been hindering my search for a job. But, I will persevere.
That's it for today. I will keep you all posted on how the quest for a job goes.
So the job hunting it going well, I have a second interview in Boston this week and had another good interview this past Friday. I may have a decision, or two, to make some time this upcoming week. But that usually is not a bad thing to worry about.
I haven't been playing hockey since I got back east, but I hope to soon, once I find a job and move to the Boston area. This living with the parents, even if it is temporary, is not too fun. It seems like I am just here to work for them: take mom here, mow the lawn, help fix this, help fix that..... its actually been hindering my search for a job. But, I will persevere.
That's it for today. I will keep you all posted on how the quest for a job goes.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Boston....
So Tomorrow morning I have a job interview in downtown Boston. I am a little nervous about it, it has been over 5 years since I have had to do one of these things. The interview is at 10 AM tomorrow morning, so instead of getting up at 3 AM and driving into Boston, sitting in traffic and paying $25+ to park, I am hanging out in a hotel just outside the city, taking the train into town and taking the subway to the interview site. The extra rest, and piece of mind are worth the price of the hotel room.
I am staying at the Red Roof Inn, in Woburn MA, and so far I am pleasantly surprised... Clean room, well laid out and a convenient work space with plenty of power outlets (a rarity for low end hotels). The only thing it does not have, is a free wireless connection, but for the price of the hotel, and the price of a night's worth of Internet connection, everything works out well. There are a few restaurants nearby that offer up decent food, so I will be getting a good meal before I try to sleep tonight.
No pictures today, but I might have one or two from my trip into Boston tomorrow.
I am staying at the Red Roof Inn, in Woburn MA, and so far I am pleasantly surprised... Clean room, well laid out and a convenient work space with plenty of power outlets (a rarity for low end hotels). The only thing it does not have, is a free wireless connection, but for the price of the hotel, and the price of a night's worth of Internet connection, everything works out well. There are a few restaurants nearby that offer up decent food, so I will be getting a good meal before I try to sleep tonight.
No pictures today, but I might have one or two from my trip into Boston tomorrow.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The hunt for a job begins...
Now that I have arrived safely in Maine, it's time to start looking for gainful employment. I will be updating my progress as I go along on this foolish thing, lets hope you don't have to put up with too much of this gibberish....
Before I start the job search, I did get a chance to meet up with a good friend in Boston yesterday. Part of the deal was to shuttle her to the airport, but, I did get a meal out of it, downtown in the Faneuil Hall area.
It all starts on Monday... new month, new beginning.... I will be pushing all the job boards, social network sites and job fairs... the suit gets pressed tomorrow for when I do get an interview (or two)...
Wish me luck.
Before I start the job search, I did get a chance to meet up with a good friend in Boston yesterday. Part of the deal was to shuttle her to the airport, but, I did get a meal out of it, downtown in the Faneuil Hall area.
It all starts on Monday... new month, new beginning.... I will be pushing all the job boards, social network sites and job fairs... the suit gets pressed tomorrow for when I do get an interview (or two)...
Wish me luck.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I made it
OK, I finally made it to my destination, Winthrop Maine. Its a small town in central Maine located between Lewiston and Augusta. Here are some totals for the excursion.
Miles driven in the rental truck - 2,980
Rental Truck - $1500
Hotels - $320
Gas - $580
Food - $100 (I ate cheap)
Highway Tolls - $100
Having a moving company do it for me would have cost nearly $2,800 plus I would have had to drive the car across country. One third the gas, hotels are the same and food is the same. So over all not all that bad.
I did get to visit with my great nephew Joel along the way in Indiana as well as my three nieces in Cleveland.
Once I got back to Maine, it was unload the truck into storage, return it the next day and then head up to the cabin in Northwest Maine with my father and some friends. We got some needed work done on the cabin and relaxed a little. We didn't get a chance to fish at all due to the heavy winds all weekend.
I started the job search this morning, the area I am looking in is from Augusta Maine to the greater Boston area... should be interesting to find out what is available....
That is it for now... look for more later.
Miles driven in the rental truck - 2,980
Rental Truck - $1500
Hotels - $320
Gas - $580
Food - $100 (I ate cheap)
Highway Tolls - $100
Having a moving company do it for me would have cost nearly $2,800 plus I would have had to drive the car across country. One third the gas, hotels are the same and food is the same. So over all not all that bad.
I did get to visit with my great nephew Joel along the way in Indiana as well as my three nieces in Cleveland.
Once I got back to Maine, it was unload the truck into storage, return it the next day and then head up to the cabin in Northwest Maine with my father and some friends. We got some needed work done on the cabin and relaxed a little. We didn't get a chance to fish at all due to the heavy winds all weekend.
I started the job search this morning, the area I am looking in is from Augusta Maine to the greater Boston area... should be interesting to find out what is available....
That is it for now... look for more later.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Long Day...
So I made it all the way to Grinnell Iowa today... about 15 hours of driving.... here are some of the images I was able to capture along the way...
Here is an oil refinery in Wyoming... notice the flame coming out of the pipe??? and you all wonder why gas prices are so high!!!!
Here is a a wind "Farm" in Wyoming... now if we can get the rest of the country to loose the "NIMBY" syndrome and take up their lead...
Some Pronghorn antelope grazing along I - 80...
And guarding the Antelope... what looks like a coyote statue.... Wile E. Coyote???
Rosenblat Stadium.... the home of the College World Series in Omah Nebraska...
That is it for now.... visiting the Niece and Sister tomorrow afternoon... look for pictures of Joel...
Here is an oil refinery in Wyoming... notice the flame coming out of the pipe??? and you all wonder why gas prices are so high!!!!
Here is a a wind "Farm" in Wyoming... now if we can get the rest of the country to loose the "NIMBY" syndrome and take up their lead...
Some Pronghorn antelope grazing along I - 80...
And guarding the Antelope... what looks like a coyote statue.... Wile E. Coyote???
Rosenblat Stadium.... the home of the College World Series in Omah Nebraska...
That is it for now.... visiting the Niece and Sister tomorrow afternoon... look for pictures of Joel...
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Traveling fool....
So I started my trek back to New England.... here is the truck on the road.... if you see me... honk and wave....
Along the way, I will come across many interesting sights... and will try to capture them in pictures...
This just looks cool...
Fishing anyone???? I just thought this was funny...
So here is where I was stuck in an 8 and 1/2 hour traffic jam on my way out to Utah a little over a year ago..... notice no traffic jams now....
I plan to be some where in Iowa tomorrow night... preferably some where east of Des Moines... More pictures tomorrow night...
Along the way, I will come across many interesting sights... and will try to capture them in pictures...
This just looks cool...
Fishing anyone???? I just thought this was funny...
So here is where I was stuck in an 8 and 1/2 hour traffic jam on my way out to Utah a little over a year ago..... notice no traffic jams now....
I plan to be some where in Iowa tomorrow night... preferably some where east of Des Moines... More pictures tomorrow night...
Friday, May 15, 2009
The last page in this chapter
Its my last day at work here in Utah. While I am sad that I am going to be leaving my friends here, I am getting pretty excited about heading back home. All of the apartment is packed up except for a few small items, some clothes and my bedding. I came VERY close on my estimate on the boxes I am going to need, and it looks like I came up about 3 short. I will be grabbing them from work before I leave today.
Not only am I leaving Utah tomorrow (Saturday at 3ish), today is my last day working at APX Alarm. They have been very good to me while I have been there and I have made many friends n the short time that I have been here. I am going to miss a lot of people once I leave.
My route back east has changed a little. I am going to make a detour to visit my youngest great nephew, Joel is only a month or two old. He lives in the Indianapolis area with my niece and her husband, and the total detour is less than 200 miles. Its a no brain-er. I might also save a few dollars by not having to stay in a hotel that night.
Here is my life... all packed up in Boxes... it seems so insignificant now...
Any one that needs my contact information, email me through here and I will make sure you get it.
Should be an interesting trip...
Not only am I leaving Utah tomorrow (Saturday at 3ish), today is my last day working at APX Alarm. They have been very good to me while I have been there and I have made many friends n the short time that I have been here. I am going to miss a lot of people once I leave.
My route back east has changed a little. I am going to make a detour to visit my youngest great nephew, Joel is only a month or two old. He lives in the Indianapolis area with my niece and her husband, and the total detour is less than 200 miles. Its a no brain-er. I might also save a few dollars by not having to stay in a hotel that night.
Here is my life... all packed up in Boxes... it seems so insignificant now...
Any one that needs my contact information, email me through here and I will make sure you get it.Should be an interesting trip...
Monday, May 11, 2009
And the madness begins....
Here we go... Packing and purging... I have a lot to put into boxes before my moving crew shows up on Saturday morning at 11..... We should be able to pack the truck up in about 2 hours or less.... only a couple of things that will be tough... the rest will be sort of easy... 30 to 35 boxes... and about 15 pieces that require 2 people to move... and my TV.... that may require 3 people.... anyone want a HUGE TV??? (36 inch Sony Trinitron TV with Matching base)....
Only 4 more days left at work... Then it's a 2,550 mile drive back east.... and doing it in a moving truck and towing my car behind.... it should be an interesting trip..... I will try to get some pictures when I stop to try to sleep along the way.... The phone number will stay the same for the while until I figure just where I will be living and or working...
This packing thing will take a few beers to complete....
Only 4 more days left at work... Then it's a 2,550 mile drive back east.... and doing it in a moving truck and towing my car behind.... it should be an interesting trip..... I will try to get some pictures when I stop to try to sleep along the way.... The phone number will stay the same for the while until I figure just where I will be living and or working...
This packing thing will take a few beers to complete....
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Trekie in me is reborn...
I went to the new Star Trek movie tonight with some co-workers... and to tell you the truth.... I was pleasantly surprised.... The story lines were kept true to the original TV series.... We got to see how the relationships between the characters started and how they developed early in the characters lives....
I liked everything about the movie with only one exception... And I am not going to give anything away here.... Lt Uhura's love interest in the movie threw me off a little because it was not part of the original TV series.... and it almost sets up the Sequel...
One of my co workers noted tonight that I have less than a week left here in Utah... in-fact, one week from right now I will be sleeping in a hotel in Wyoming or Nebraska on my way back east...
The count-down timer is working at the office... let the clock watching begin...
I liked everything about the movie with only one exception... And I am not going to give anything away here.... Lt Uhura's love interest in the movie threw me off a little because it was not part of the original TV series.... and it almost sets up the Sequel...
One of my co workers noted tonight that I have less than a week left here in Utah... in-fact, one week from right now I will be sleeping in a hotel in Wyoming or Nebraska on my way back east...
The count-down timer is working at the office... let the clock watching begin...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
A road less traveled?
So here is my path back east.... I will be driving a 16ft moving truck with my car on a trailer..... it took me 4 days to get out here driving just my car, and that didn't include the 8 hour traffic jam in the middle of nowhere while it snowed.... read some of my previous posts to catch up on that adventure.... So this time is will probably take some where between 5 and 6 days to do the trip back.... thank god for my Satellite Radio to keep me sane and keep my up on my RedSox along the way....
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
The countdown has begun.....
The countdown has begun....
The truck has been reserved, the living arrangements have been made and moving crew is coming together nicely. I still don't have a job in New England yet, but I am still working on it and it should be easier to get one once I am local.
The route I take is still up in the air, but I have to swing through Cleveland, or as my sister-in-law calls it: "the Mistake by the Lake". I would like to see my newest Great-Nephew in Indianapolis on my way, but I am not sure if that leg of the trip will work out...
I will take lots of pictures on my way to chronicle the latest leg of the journey called life.... but first, time to set up a count down timer for my desk... talk about clock watching!!!!
The truck has been reserved, the living arrangements have been made and moving crew is coming together nicely. I still don't have a job in New England yet, but I am still working on it and it should be easier to get one once I am local.
The route I take is still up in the air, but I have to swing through Cleveland, or as my sister-in-law calls it: "the Mistake by the Lake". I would like to see my newest Great-Nephew in Indianapolis on my way, but I am not sure if that leg of the trip will work out...
I will take lots of pictures on my way to chronicle the latest leg of the journey called life.... but first, time to set up a count down timer for my desk... talk about clock watching!!!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
The plan is in place
So I have a plan......
Ideally, on my drive back to the north east, I hit the lottery and not worry about a thing, BUT, we all know that is not the best of plans.....
I will be packing up a moving truck on May 16th, its a Saturday and anyone that wants to help lift things down from my 3rd floor apartment is more than welcome.... I may even supply beverages and food... I am not sure if I am heading out that afternoon or evening. It will all depend on what time I get the truck finished and the apartment cleaned up. From there, its drive, drive, drive and drive. I did some math, and its roughly 40 hours of driving, that's just under 4 days if I push it. I may stop once in a while to take some pictures, and I am definitely going to visit my Brother and his family in Cleveland. I am not sure if it will be just over night or for a day or too, it will depend on how much of my nieces I can take.
As for the job, I still don't have anything yet, but I still have hope. The plan is to keep looking and study for some more certifications.
Now where am I heading???? That is the question that everyone wants to hear the answer to. Well, its Winthrop Maine. I am going to use that as command central for the job search and what it will cost is the best part: Nothing! I will help out the parents and my sisters where and when I can, but it will be with manual labor or IT Services. I will definitely hook up with old friends when there.
Now if I can talk my boss into loaning me a laptop while I cross the country so I can post daily updates and pictures.
More to come if I find more ambition....
Ideally, on my drive back to the north east, I hit the lottery and not worry about a thing, BUT, we all know that is not the best of plans.....
I will be packing up a moving truck on May 16th, its a Saturday and anyone that wants to help lift things down from my 3rd floor apartment is more than welcome.... I may even supply beverages and food... I am not sure if I am heading out that afternoon or evening. It will all depend on what time I get the truck finished and the apartment cleaned up. From there, its drive, drive, drive and drive. I did some math, and its roughly 40 hours of driving, that's just under 4 days if I push it. I may stop once in a while to take some pictures, and I am definitely going to visit my Brother and his family in Cleveland. I am not sure if it will be just over night or for a day or too, it will depend on how much of my nieces I can take.
As for the job, I still don't have anything yet, but I still have hope. The plan is to keep looking and study for some more certifications.
Now where am I heading???? That is the question that everyone wants to hear the answer to. Well, its Winthrop Maine. I am going to use that as command central for the job search and what it will cost is the best part: Nothing! I will help out the parents and my sisters where and when I can, but it will be with manual labor or IT Services. I will definitely hook up with old friends when there.
Now if I can talk my boss into loaning me a laptop while I cross the country so I can post daily updates and pictures.
More to come if I find more ambition....
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Here we go again
For those that know me, and might not know yet, I am heading back to Boston. That's right, back to Boston.
My last day where I currently work will be May 15, and I am going to start driving back on the 17th. I have already started packing, started looking for a place to live, and, have started to look for gainful employment.
I have made a few friends here in Utah, I will miss them, but it does not outweigh being closer to my family or friends back east.
I will be posting some stuff here and on the social networking pages when I get the ambition.
My last day where I currently work will be May 15, and I am going to start driving back on the 17th. I have already started packing, started looking for a place to live, and, have started to look for gainful employment.
I have made a few friends here in Utah, I will miss them, but it does not outweigh being closer to my family or friends back east.
I will be posting some stuff here and on the social networking pages when I get the ambition.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Prevoios postings
Over the last year of so, I posted a few blog entries on MySpace, so I am transferring them here.... Any references to pictures are on that page.... They are in reverse order, so you might want to read from the bottom up....
Thursday, November 27, 2008
No, I didn't mistype the questions mark.....
Thanksgiving marks the "start" of the holiday shopping season, or the commercialization of what was once the religious holiday season. Its has become centered around getting the "biggest" toy or gift that can be purchased. And you can substitute the word biggest with any of the following words: shiniest, coolest, most expensive or what ever the current fad is. In the spending frenzy that takes place during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas the only people that benefit are the companies that sell, distribute or make all the crap being gobbled up by the unsuspecting consumers. This trend will only get worse unless we make a change.
I don't know about anyone else, but I personally have decided to do something in defiance of this worsening trend. This year I am doing something to change it, and I encourage EVERYONE to do the same....
In place of one or two of the gifts I would normally have bought my daughter, I will make a donation in her name. She has been part of the process in choosing the charity and is a little excited about doing it. This year it is the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in memory of a fellow high school student that passed away in a car accident recently. We will do this on Christmas day, so she will be active in the process and press the button to complete the process herself.
I have also done something similar. I have given to a charity called "Sub for Santa". As part of a company effort to raise money for this charity, the company I work for pledged to match $25,000 if the employees would raise the same. We went a little over board and raised nearly $75,000 (to make a total of $100,000). In a week or so they will send teams out shopping for gifts in 9 cities around the country and Canada, and then have teams of people wrapping and others distributing the gifts.
This is my personal effort to make a change in the worsening trend that is the commercialization of what should be a season of giving, giving back, family and what ever your religious belief happens to be this time of year. I encourage that everyone to do something this season to teach their kids, family and friends that this season is about something other than getting the cool toy or expensive video game. I also encourage everyone to post their story about giving or supporting a charity in their blogs, spread the word....
And as s small reminder, if you can't afford to give money, give time. In the past I have found that to be just as gratifying if not more.
Everyone have a sane holiday season
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
OK.... its the last day of April, and on my way home from work, it started snowing.... ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO SNOW AFTER MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! and on top of that.... it was 80 on Monday and Tuesday... Something is not right with that....
Sunday, April 06, 2008
I finally made it to Utah....
OK..... so my preminision this morning about the bad weather being a bad thing was spot on..... Let me tell you all a little story....
.....NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!
WOW..... now I know why they come up with these stories about Iowa.... There isn’t anything else to do out here.... Heck... there just isn’t anything here but corn....
Thursday, March 27, 2008
That’s right.... Cleveland.... The Mistake by the Lake... The trip from Portsmouth, 11 hours and 20 minutes, two fill ups of the gas tank and 638 miles, now I SO need to get some sleep....
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Well....... I am on the road..... Staying in town tonight for a last night... some of my old coworkers are throwing in impromptu party this evening..... who knows what will happen.... the last time I went to Margarita’s like this I woke up with a monster hangover....
Ok.... So I am finally done working at Madison, they even snuck up on me with a little cake and a card.... .WAY too mushy.... good bye already.... I would much have prefered beer over cake any day, but those that know me, its always about the beer....
Saturday, March 22, 2008
That’s right, that’s how much time I have left in New England..... Two days at work, one day with the movers and tomorrow with Princess Bratski...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
OK, OK, OK, so its more purging than packing... by the end of the night, every thing but the kitchen will be packed away with a few minor exceptions.
I am up to 7 trash bags and have decided to toss the couch and recliner.... 17 years of discomfort are enough now....
The last week at work is going to be very draining.... trying to off load all the knowledge in my head has burnned out one consultant now and shoult fry two or three more...
I bought the TomTom one V3 tonight and a trackfone.... those that need the number will how to get it.... the total fot the phone, TomTom and 60 minute card was only $200... frugality rules on this move....
I will have more as the weekend comes and goes... I will let you all know how princess bratski takes the good bye....so far so good though....
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving marks the "start" of the holiday shopping season, or the commercialization of what was once the religious holiday season. Its has become centered around getting the "biggest" toy or gift that can be purchased. And you can substitute the word biggest with any of the following words: shiniest, coolest, most expensive or what ever the current fad is. In the spending frenzy that takes place during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas the only people that benefit are the companies that sell, distribute or make all the crap being gobbled up by the unsuspecting consumers. This trend will only get worse unless we make a change.
I don't know about anyone else, but I personally have decided to do something in defiance of this worsening trend. This year I am doing something to change it, and I encourage EVERYONE to do the same....
In place of one or two of the gifts I would normally have bought my daughter, I will make a donation in her name. She has been part of the process in choosing the charity and is a little excited about doing it. This year it is the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in memory of a fellow high school student that passed away in a car accident recently. We will do this on Christmas day, so she will be active in the process and press the button to complete the process herself.
I have also done something similar. I have given to a charity called "Sub for Santa". As part of a company effort to raise money for this charity, the company I work for pledged to match $25,000 if the employees would raise the same. We went a little over board and raised nearly $75,000 (to make a total of $100,000). In a week or so they will send teams out shopping for gifts in 9 cities around the country and Canada, and then have teams of people wrapping and others distributing the gifts.
This is my personal effort to make a change in the worsening trend that is the commercialization of what should be a season of giving, giving back, family and what ever your religious belief happens to be this time of year. I encourage that everyone to do something this season to teach their kids, family and friends that this season is about something other than getting the cool toy or expensive video game. I also encourage everyone to post their story about giving or supporting a charity in their blogs, spread the word....
And as s small reminder, if you can't afford to give money, give time. In the past I have found that to be just as gratifying if not more.
Everyone have a sane holiday season
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
| OK.... its been a while since I posted one of these things, but there have been a few really odd things that have happened to me in the last week, so I figure I should share a few later on.... but for now, lets do some catching up.... Since my last entry, life has been fairly normal, and here are a few of the highlights... The job is going great... got a promotion and moved to the corporate office to be closer to my servers and the executive team (some one has to save their butts)... I am still working way too much, but then I have always been that way... I finally registered my car in this foolish state.... I thought that Massachusetts and was bad for registering your car, but this is the first time once I finished my registration process that it took a week or two to get my plates... But its complete and one less thing left for me to finish..... I had a chance to visit Maine and New Hampshire a month ago, was good to see Brook and the rest of the family.... I even got to cook Lobster for everyone, a good thing I didn't have to buy it this time.... I did connect with some old friends while I was in Maine this time.... Its been 10+ years since I hung out with Michelle and Leslie.... Maybe next time I wont make Michelle schlep me my beer... I even made a trip to Philbricks Sports in Dover NH to buy some new hockey skates and some pad repair material... I tried to hook up with some old friends while in Portsmouth... but they all blew me off.... maybe next time... And in case you didn't notice, I found a hockey team to play for, well, actually I helped pull it all together.... The competition is not as good as it was back in Boston, but the team I play for is not that good so I get lots of work... We have only won one game, we are 1-3, but we are improving..... I also think I will try to find another skate to get me into better shape.... Now for the Two separate and very strange happenings over the past week or so.... So I was driving to work last Tuesday, and dropped off my dry cleaning along the way, and then all of the sudden WHAM..... the back of my car was thrown up 3 feet and 4 or 5 feet to the left.... I looked in the rear view mirrors to look for the car that ran the stop sign, but there was no one.... after bringing my car to a safe stop, I checked out what happened.... there was no visible damage to the body, but the right rear tire was jammed up into the wheel well and the rim was nearly split in two.... I looked back and found the culprit... a man hole cover was propped open.... I had run over it with the front tire making it half pop out of the hole, then the back tire hit it.... needless to say, its in the shop being worked on and I am driving one of my boss's cars.... I had his BMW 328 for a while, but my hockey bag does not fit in it, so he traded the Acura MDX.... I will put the pictures up when I am done with this... Now for the second weird happening... I went to Dallas for a wedding, an old friend I met while working at Regis College in Weston Mass 10 years ago.... It was a nearly normal wedding, it was held in an Irish Pub, there was lots of drinking and the usual frivolity... I had fun, and probably drank way too much, but what is new there.... the hotel was only a 3 minute walk away.... But the weird part is, during the little brunch served after the ceremony.... While sitting at the table having a traditional Irish breakfast (scrambled eggs, bangers and beer) I noticed a person at the same table that looked very familiar, and once I heard her name it all fell together... A friend of the happy couple (from Irish class - that explains the pub wedding) brought his girlfriend, now here is the weird part... I worked with her when I worked in Boston (she worked for the company in Dallas) back in 2002 and 2003, and we hung out a few times while she was in Boston visiting the home office..... Talk about a small world.... there were a total of 16 other people at the wedding besides the families of the sucke... er... bride and groom, incuding her and I... We caught up and everyone was in shock at the small world factor... And it really is a small world... I knew a total of 10 people in the greater Dallas area before this past weekend, and ran into one of them at a wedding with a total of 30 guests.... It looks like I wont be going back to Maine and New Hampshire until Christmas, but I will make it for a longer time then an extended weekend.... (maybe a whole week).... That should be enough ranting for now... I will try to follow up with some more later... some one remind me to tell everyone about my friends 7 Bathroom house next time... |
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
WOW.... What the hell is Courtney talking about???? Did he finally go completely nuts (even if it was not a long trip to get there in the first place?)????? or did he fall victim to a strange cult that forbids pants???? And I know a lot of you have your money riding on the cult that forbids pants, but in case not everyone knows, the weather out here in the summer is awesome.... I haven't worn long pants since some time in late May when I made a trip back to Maine.... Mid 90's nearly every day, down to the mid 60's or less every night with the occasional shower or thunder storm...
Enough of my going on about my pants, or lack of them. More about my adventures in Sunny Utah.....
Brook, who used to be referred to as "Princess Bratski", came out to visit a couple of weeks ago. We had a fun filled short time together, and had a full calendar together...
The first day we slept in a little, then went into my office and got to meet some of the people I work with.... Next she wanted to try Sushi, so we went to the local sushi joint and she tried it..... not her bag, so no more sushi for her.... next we took a trip up the local canyon and headed to Sundance (yes, THAT Sundance) to see where it is and the like... we then proceeded the rest of the way up the canyon road (more like path) back towards where I live for a little BBQ and some well deserved rest....
The next day, we slept in again.... then headed to a party my company was throwing... we had BBQ chicken and pulled pork.... watched the skydivers deliver a JD Powers award... tried to get our names in for the helicoptor rides (but that didn't work)... then headed to the Mall.... you know 16 year olds and malls.... this was not an ordinary mall.... its called the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City, its down town and is an outdoor mall.... complete with a water fountain that the kids would run through (its flat) and it would have water shows to classical music.... we shopped a lot, got her a few things and had dinner.... she was getting run down and wanted to IM her new boyfriend, so we headed back to the Apartment... after a little rest, we went to the Sonic Drive in and ordered a desert.... a first for the both of us having never been to a Sonic.
The last day, we went to the Timpanogos Caves National Monument... you have seen me write about them on here before, but here we go again.... from the Departure point, its a mile and a half in distance and about 1,100 feet in elevation. We did it in about an hour... the cave itself was fascinating (even for the second time being there).... different crystal formations and some very odd ones.... and its only 43 degrees in there.... perfect for a hot summer day... That wiped us out and we did some lunch.... then rested, cleaned up and headed to my boss's house for dinner with his family.... his kids like her, and i even think the 2 1/2 year old boy was hitting on her....
She flew out the next morning.... back east to rain and cold tempratures.... she things everyone here is a little crazy and all the names of the towns are whacked....
Other than that.... the social life is still standing still and I am working way too much ( but what is new there)....
Friday, July 18, 2008
Enough of my going on about my pants, or lack of them. More about my adventures in Sunny Utah.....
Brook, who used to be referred to as "Princess Bratski", came out to visit a couple of weeks ago. We had a fun filled short time together, and had a full calendar together...
The first day we slept in a little, then went into my office and got to meet some of the people I work with.... Next she wanted to try Sushi, so we went to the local sushi joint and she tried it..... not her bag, so no more sushi for her.... next we took a trip up the local canyon and headed to Sundance (yes, THAT Sundance) to see where it is and the like... we then proceeded the rest of the way up the canyon road (more like path) back towards where I live for a little BBQ and some well deserved rest....
The next day, we slept in again.... then headed to a party my company was throwing... we had BBQ chicken and pulled pork.... watched the skydivers deliver a JD Powers award... tried to get our names in for the helicoptor rides (but that didn't work)... then headed to the Mall.... you know 16 year olds and malls.... this was not an ordinary mall.... its called the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City, its down town and is an outdoor mall.... complete with a water fountain that the kids would run through (its flat) and it would have water shows to classical music.... we shopped a lot, got her a few things and had dinner.... she was getting run down and wanted to IM her new boyfriend, so we headed back to the Apartment... after a little rest, we went to the Sonic Drive in and ordered a desert.... a first for the both of us having never been to a Sonic.
The last day, we went to the Timpanogos Caves National Monument... you have seen me write about them on here before, but here we go again.... from the Departure point, its a mile and a half in distance and about 1,100 feet in elevation. We did it in about an hour... the cave itself was fascinating (even for the second time being there).... different crystal formations and some very odd ones.... and its only 43 degrees in there.... perfect for a hot summer day... That wiped us out and we did some lunch.... then rested, cleaned up and headed to my boss's house for dinner with his family.... his kids like her, and i even think the 2 1/2 year old boy was hitting on her....
She flew out the next morning.... back east to rain and cold tempratures.... she things everyone here is a little crazy and all the names of the towns are whacked....
Other than that.... the social life is still standing still and I am working way too much ( but what is new there)....
Friday, July 18, 2008
Well..... Its half way through the summer and I have discovered that its HOT here during the day.... today it nearly got to 100 and I thought I was going to burst into flames when I went outside this afternoon... the good news is that I have central air-conditioning in my apartment and so far, I haven't spent more than $60 for Gas and Electric combined.... yeah, I have to pay for ALL my utilities.... but its a SWEET apartment.... look for the pictures of the fireplace this winter.....
So I have been jonesing for a trip to Vegas, but the job has me working my tail off, and, this is the busiest time of year where I work, so I don't get much time to escape much... on a bright note, we have started an exercise program with in my department and I have lost 5 pounds doing 5 mile power walks at lunch.... and I have skated a couple times at the local rink, and am looking forward to picking up a regular skate this fall......
Princess Bratski comes out to visit in a couple of weeks (two weeks from yesterday to be exact) and we have some fun planned..... She wants to check out where I work and we are going to hike up to a place called Timpanogos Caves that I can see from my porch... We are also going to go visit Sundance to get some food and maybe check out a movie (yes, the Sundance from the Sundance Film Festival - its about 30 minutes from here)..... and we will check out the local malls (you know teen age girls and malls).....
Everything is going well here.... my social life is a little slow, but then I didn't take on this adventure for the social life.... one of the people that work for me keeps threatening to set me up.... but she just got married, so she is still a little optimistic about the thought of love and matters of the heart (it would help if I had a heart)....
Its getting late here.... and I am going to try to work in the morning.... look for more in a few weeks.... |
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
OK.... its the last day of April, and on my way home from work, it started snowing.... ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO SNOW AFTER MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! and on top of that.... it was 80 on Monday and Tuesday... Something is not right with that....
OK.... enough ranting.... but I am beginning to like the weather back in New England.....
For those that care, work is going well, and I almost have a place to live....
Everone back east enjoy your weather.....
Sunday, April 06, 2008
I finally made it to Utah....
The trip was semi eventful with being stuck in traffic in western Wyoming, then with the snow on the next morning....
I started the new job on Monday around 10:30 local time. Its going to take a little while for me to get up to speed with the business model and applying the technology to it, but I am starting to settle in.
I still don’t have a place to live yet, but I am looking. I am fortunate to have a place to stay while I look for a place of my own. Its tough living in your boss’s home, but I get the run of the place while I am here, and he is also back in boston with his family while he begins the process of moving the entire family. I get the entire weekend to my self.
I am also starting to explore a little, checking out the local supermarkets for the best food choices. I am slowly finding the good restaurants, people tell me that the mexican here is pretty good.
I am jonesing for my Redsox. I bought the MBL TV package for the year, then when I was in my office on Firday it just didn’t work. I am going to have to let the firewall guy that my Redsox are very important. It works at home though, and those games start at 11am or 12noon so I can get the baseball over with early, and, the week day games start at 5. I haven’t worn my Sox cap out yet, but I will soon to see what the reaction is.
I have a new work email and a new Cell number. If you want them, you will have to ask for them.
I will try to post another blog in a week or so. If you haven’t already read my blogs cronicling my relocation to Utah, read my previous blogs and archives.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
OK..... so my preminision this morning about the bad weather being a bad thing was spot on..... Let me tell you all a little story....
So I got a some what early start this morning, on the road for my final drive of 5 hours, even with the snow.... Gassed up..... got a coffee and hit the snowy road.... I got about 170 miles when it happened.... a three truck pile up on Rt 80..... I spent 8 1/2 hours piled up with a multitude of tractor trailors and other weary travelers.... a few times I thought about turning around and trying to find another route, but was told a few times by the truckers that it would only be an hour or two more..... with the shortest detour being 4 - 5 hours and combined with the snow, I decided to stick it out.... So I sat parked on the highway from 10:15AM until 6:50PM..... Picture all those classic movies and TV shows with traffic jams in them with the people out fo their cars wandering about and having fun, but with angry truckers instead jovial bus drivers....
Needless to say, I wont be into Utah until tomorrow morning when I start my new job..... Today’s average speed???? 17 Miles per hour..... I need to let them know I might be a little late for work in the morning.....
I will try to let everyone know how my first day goes
Sunday, March 30, 2008
I look out my window from the hotel, and its snowing.... this should make for an eventfull finish to my trip. I really am not looking forward to this leg of the trip.... good thing its shorter than the other legs....
Saturday, March 29, 2008
.....NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!
That’s right.... a whole lot of nothing.... Iowa... Nebraska.... Wyoming.... unless you like corn or cattle, NOTHING!!!!!
SO far in my quest to get to the Provo Utah area has taken me 2130 miles with stops in Cleveland OH, Stuart IA and now Rawlins WY. Only 300 or so miles left....
Once I got into Indiana, everything started to flatten out... the once in Nebraska, things started to just go up.... And up.... and up.... and up.... and as things went up, there became less and less of stuff.... trees.... fields.... air.... trafic... everything.
I figured out how to take pictures while driving today.... and will post some in my pictures in a little while.....
Utah or Bust...
Friday, March 28, 2008
WOW..... now I know why they come up with these stories about Iowa.... There isn’t anything else to do out here.... Heck... there just isn’t anything here but corn....
So far on the trip I have made it all the way to Stuart Iowa.... About 30 miles past Des Moines. I drove about 700 Miles today, Two Tank Fill ups, three coffees and some munchies.... and I was admiring the corn fields that go on FOREVER.... here I am going to try to get an early start on Saturday morning, depending on how late I sleep in or not sleep in....
Last night in Cleveland, the nieces were all glad to see me, and I was so happy to see them.... look for some cool pictures of them once I get settled in Utah.... I stayed there long enough this morning to see them all off to school... what a wild bunch they all are....
Off to try to get some needed sleep......
Thursday, March 27, 2008
That’s right.... Cleveland.... The Mistake by the Lake... The trip from Portsmouth, 11 hours and 20 minutes, two fill ups of the gas tank and 638 miles, now I SO need to get some sleep....
Back to playing with the nieces....
More tomorrow nigjht....
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Well....... I am on the road..... Staying in town tonight for a last night... some of my old coworkers are throwing in impromptu party this evening..... who knows what will happen.... the last time I went to Margarita’s like this I woke up with a monster hangover....
I will let every one know how the trip is going from Cleveland tomorrow night....
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Ok.... So I am finally done working at Madison, they even snuck up on me with a little cake and a card.... .WAY too mushy.... good bye already.... I would much have prefered beer over cake any day, but those that know me, its always about the beer....
Everything is all packed up with the exception of the bedding, TV accessories (cable box and DVD player) and my fridge..... I am going to pack up the internet and TV stuff in a little while and then I wont be online again until Wednesday evening when I check in to a hotel.... but I may reconsider it due to some extra space in my car for the trip...
Princess Bratski took good-bye fairly well this past weekend, not a tear...... Better than me....
Margarita’s in Portsmouth, Everyone but me is buying on Wednesday evening around 5:15 or so.... Then its a some what good night sleep and off to Utah I go....
I will check messages and email when I can......
Keeping it under 100....
Saturday, March 22, 2008
That’s right, that’s how much time I have left in New England..... Two days at work, one day with the movers and tomorrow with Princess Bratski...
Tonight I got to feed the entire clan that is still here in Maine. I fed them all with quite the feast... My niece Abreal had a birthday yesterday so we all celebrated tonight, complete with ice cream cake.... My sister "Crash" came, along with my nephew and his wife and their son Wes (but I keep calling him Will) who happens to be born on my birthday..... My other sister showed up with the birthday girl and her husband.... Bratski and the ’Rents all watched me cook....
If you were wondering what I fed them, here it is..... I marinated some chicken chunks in two sauces.... Carribean Mango and Lemon Pepper, I also marinated Steak tips in a Honey Bourbon sauce.... I diced up some Peppers, Onions and Mushrooms, added some cherry tomatoes and put every thing on skewers.... put the meats on skewers when they were done marinating... grabbed some potatoes and a few sweet potatoes, diced them all up, wrapped them in tin foil with a little butter and a touch of garlic..... Dropped the entire thing on the grill and cooked away..... they wont be able to top that until I come back and cook again.....
I brought the items I need to go to the cabin in northern Maine to store them at my parents house, but I bet my father uses them while I am gone... I still have what seems like a lot of packing left....
That’s going to do it for now...... but everyone can expect more....
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I am up to 7 trash bags and have decided to toss the couch and recliner.... 17 years of discomfort are enough now....
The last week at work is going to be very draining.... trying to off load all the knowledge in my head has burnned out one consultant now and shoult fry two or three more...
I bought the TomTom one V3 tonight and a trackfone.... those that need the number will how to get it.... the total fot the phone, TomTom and 60 minute card was only $200... frugality rules on this move....
I will have more as the weekend comes and goes... I will let you all know how princess bratski takes the good bye....so far so good though....
Saturday, March 15, 2008
So some of you might have already figured out, but I am moving to Utah for a new job.
As part of my trip, I am going to take lots of pictures, and experience many things along my way. So I am going to keep everyone up to date in my Blog for the trip. I bet even looking back at it I might get a laugh or two from all of this.
Packing:
Packing all of my crap is more work than I thought. I have moved before, but not to this extent. Everything I pack needs to be packed for a long travel, not 30 minutes down the road....
Purging
I am purging stuff that I no longer want or need. Old clothes are going to goodwill and crap is going to the trash bin. I am discovering that I have way too much crap that I have been collecting over the years. This is all stuff I have been holding on to because I have a dillusion that I might actually use it again.....
So far I have thrown out three garbage bags of crap into the dumpster here at home and see at least 5 or 6 more. Its a little troubling to think that I have been collecting this crap over the years and am now just discovering that its actually CRAP.....
I am actually thinking about leaving the living room set beind and purchasing a new one when I settle down in Utah, I have several other options for seating while I wait for new furnature, so it wont be like sitting on the floor all the time.
More later on this week.....
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I don't write these things very often (if at all), but I feel that I to let all my friends know what is going on in my life right now.
I will get right to the point…. I have accepted a job in
For those of you that really know me, I have researched it a little, and there are plenty of hockey leagues there and I should have no problem finding work as a goalie out there. I really will miss playing with my Bison team and the pick up groups I regularly play with.
My Daughter, Princess Bratski, has given me her blessing and is looking forward to visiting. Our visits will be a little fewer in number, but we will make the most of our times together when I visit
Too all my co-workers at
As for actually living in
Some of you might be inclined to call, but please hold off until after work hours and I will be happily answer any emails as soon as I can.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Time to get his started....
I have always wanted to write a blog: express what is on my mind or just share some knowledge. Now I am finally doing it.
First a little about me: I am a geek, that's right, a geek. I love technology, especially computers and electronic gadgets. I work in the technology field as a Systems Administrator and you can almost always find me online. I grew up in Central Maine, but I am currently living and working in Utah. I will tell the story about how I got here and the trip across the country in a later posting. I am currently single, or as I put it, "happily divorced", and have a 17 year old daughter I refer to as "Princess Bratski" (but she hates it when I call her that).
That's enough about me for now..... more to come....
First a little about me: I am a geek, that's right, a geek. I love technology, especially computers and electronic gadgets. I work in the technology field as a Systems Administrator and you can almost always find me online. I grew up in Central Maine, but I am currently living and working in Utah. I will tell the story about how I got here and the trip across the country in a later posting. I am currently single, or as I put it, "happily divorced", and have a 17 year old daughter I refer to as "Princess Bratski" (but she hates it when I call her that).
That's enough about me for now..... more to come....
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