I have had this blog going for nine years now. Longevity is key for me when it comes to writing this. I don't really care how popular this is, in fact I think I get most of my traffic via Twitter and Facebook, so the majority of the people that read this I know. It's funny to look back at the very old posts and see that there was only a handful of viewings and now on average it's between thirty and forty. So thanks for the support! I never thought that it would get me famous or become this phenomenon. I just wanted to do this because I enjoy writing and this is much more condensed than keeping a journal (plus, this isn't the 90s and I'm not in middle school). I think that it has helped me become more aware and vocal to issues that either affect me directly or that I feel are important. Anyway, here is my third Best of the Year Compilation!
January: GUNS!
February: Baseball Bucket List
March: Be Responsible, Dammit!
April: Beer Tax
May: Sports Introvert
June: White Guy Honors Native Americans
July: Erick Erickson: Worst Person in the World?
August: The Keurig Conundrum
September: Looking Back
October: Too Much of a Mediocre Thing
November: Time For Change. Time For Opportunity.
December: Gradual Snow
28 December 2013
24 December 2013
The Christmas Post
*Author's note: I wrote this back in 2008 and I have since made it my Christmas Eve or Christmas day post. It is simple and makes it easy for me to say that I at least wrote something for the holidays. Enjoy the day everyone. Be sure to keep the television off as long as possible and love being with family and friends.*
We are watching A Christmas Story right now, and there is nothing better in this movie than the nostalgic feel of the Christmas morning scene. More than the kids ripping apart the wrapping, it is the expressions on the faces of the mom and dad. Just the joy that they have watching their kids.
We are watching A Christmas Story right now, and there is nothing better in this movie than the nostalgic feel of the Christmas morning scene. More than the kids ripping apart the wrapping, it is the expressions on the faces of the mom and dad. Just the joy that they have watching their kids.
As much as people think it is all about the Red Rider BB gun, the movie is more than that. It's about family, more than anything.
- Idolizing the father
- Having a life long understanding with your mother
- And the fighting with your brother
And the final scene of the mom and dad relaxing with the Christmas tree alight and the snow falling at night. Magic.
15 December 2013
Gradual Snow
This is the third year we have been living in Minnesota. We have seen three different types of winters. As long we avoid a Kansas type winter, I'm okay with whatever snow we end up with. Three inches of snow followed by two days of rain to melt it all away is not good. And then it gets cold enough to turn the rain to ice but not snow. How can you be all happy and merry around Christmas time when there is nothing but dead grass and piles of grey snow in parking lots?
The first year was a bit of a disappointment. We barely had any snow and was one of the warmest winters in recent memory. I am under the assumption it was the Weather Gods punishing us for moving away from Kansas. 'You miss winter? That's cute. Here's three inches of snow. Suck it!' At least that is what is going on in my mind and how I saw them teasing us.
The second year was more like it! We got hammered a couple of times early on in the month of December. Seeing a couple of days of eight to ten inches of snow each time. It was never ending. Many people would end up complaining about all the snow by the time it was all melting, which was in March. Luckily, it was all gone by Opening Day for the MLB season.
This year, so far, has been gradual snow. Two to four inches here and there every couple of days. Nothing that shuts the city down, but enough to clear your car off in the morning. It's a nice way to ease into winter. We are all but guaranteed a white Christmas (barring a heat wave that is going to come out of nowhere) now. It's not as much snow as we had last year, but the ground is covered and the snow drifts are piling up.
Winter, as I have said in the past, is my favorite time of year. I have just always loved the cold and the snow. It mostly has to do with growing up in the U.P. If you aren't hearty enough to handle five months of snow (I'm not kidding) you aren't worthy of living in God's Country. I was spoiled living there and it wasn't until we moved to Kansas that I fully understood that. I did live in the Detroit area for the first eight years of my life, but I don't full remember the winters there. So I don't remember if we had three feet of snow or three inches. Regardless of how much, I just love having snow on the ground during the winter months.
The first year was a bit of a disappointment. We barely had any snow and was one of the warmest winters in recent memory. I am under the assumption it was the Weather Gods punishing us for moving away from Kansas. 'You miss winter? That's cute. Here's three inches of snow. Suck it!' At least that is what is going on in my mind and how I saw them teasing us.
The second year was more like it! We got hammered a couple of times early on in the month of December. Seeing a couple of days of eight to ten inches of snow each time. It was never ending. Many people would end up complaining about all the snow by the time it was all melting, which was in March. Luckily, it was all gone by Opening Day for the MLB season.
This year, so far, has been gradual snow. Two to four inches here and there every couple of days. Nothing that shuts the city down, but enough to clear your car off in the morning. It's a nice way to ease into winter. We are all but guaranteed a white Christmas (barring a heat wave that is going to come out of nowhere) now. It's not as much snow as we had last year, but the ground is covered and the snow drifts are piling up.
Winter, as I have said in the past, is my favorite time of year. I have just always loved the cold and the snow. It mostly has to do with growing up in the U.P. If you aren't hearty enough to handle five months of snow (I'm not kidding) you aren't worthy of living in God's Country. I was spoiled living there and it wasn't until we moved to Kansas that I fully understood that. I did live in the Detroit area for the first eight years of my life, but I don't full remember the winters there. So I don't remember if we had three feet of snow or three inches. Regardless of how much, I just love having snow on the ground during the winter months.
13 December 2013
More On Driving
I wrote yesterday on how best to traverse winter roads. Let's take another look at winter driving, but this time on what not to do. I think that it goes without saying that if you do the opposite of what I suggested in my last post that you are a bad winter driver. Well, bad might not be the best word. Inconsiderate might fit the description a little bit better. Here are a few things I have seen while driving the roads that you should not be doing. And if you are, please stop. You are making the commute dangerous for those of us that want to get where we are going.
Clear off your windows. All of them. You live in Minnesota where winter and snow are yearly occurrences. If you don't have a brush for the snow, you either just moved here from a warm climate area or are a complete moron. I've seen people going down the highway with their back window still covered with snow. Side windows are great to use in passing when you look over to check your blind spot. If you do that, that is.
Along with the windows, you should also do your best to clear off the snow from your roof and hood. The snow blowing off your roof doesn't phase you as much as the people behind you who have to drive in a lazy bastard induced blizzard. Along with the snow from your roof, the snow from your hood can fly up on your windshield making it difficult to see. Don't be lazy, clear off your car as much as possible you ass.
Four wheel drive doesn't work on ice. That is all.
Pass in a timely manner. The last thing I ever want to do is sit in someone's blind spot for too long. Be considerate. I've seen it happen far too often when the person getting passed forgets that it is happening and starts to pass another person only to finally look over and then swerve back into their own lane because someone is taking their time passing. And then the other person swerves and then all hell can break loose. Don't be that guy/girl.
All in all, you can't fix stupid. I would like to think that people would be more considerate of others when it comes to driving, especially when the roads can be dangerous.
Clear off your windows. All of them. You live in Minnesota where winter and snow are yearly occurrences. If you don't have a brush for the snow, you either just moved here from a warm climate area or are a complete moron. I've seen people going down the highway with their back window still covered with snow. Side windows are great to use in passing when you look over to check your blind spot. If you do that, that is.
Along with the windows, you should also do your best to clear off the snow from your roof and hood. The snow blowing off your roof doesn't phase you as much as the people behind you who have to drive in a lazy bastard induced blizzard. Along with the snow from your roof, the snow from your hood can fly up on your windshield making it difficult to see. Don't be lazy, clear off your car as much as possible you ass.
Four wheel drive doesn't work on ice. That is all.
Pass in a timely manner. The last thing I ever want to do is sit in someone's blind spot for too long. Be considerate. I've seen it happen far too often when the person getting passed forgets that it is happening and starts to pass another person only to finally look over and then swerve back into their own lane because someone is taking their time passing. And then the other person swerves and then all hell can break loose. Don't be that guy/girl.
All in all, you can't fix stupid. I would like to think that people would be more considerate of others when it comes to driving, especially when the roads can be dangerous.
12 December 2013
Winter Driving
We had our first real winter weather in Minnesota last week. It was a mixture of rain that turned to ice and snow. This, of course, means that all of that ends up on the roads and makes driving a little difficult. In fact, last Wednesday was the first day of this weather and it took me an hour to get to work. Usually, it takes about twenty five minutes. Slow going because of the weather. I was prepared for it and left early enough to get to work on time. Because I was prepared, I didn't have any panic moments on the road where I saw myself as being late for work and therefore I didn't drive like an idiot. That, however, is not always the case. People are not always smart when it comes to winter driving. Here are a few things that I think everyone should take into consideration when driving in the winter weather.
Leave early (duh). Morning commutes in metro areas are always suspect. One day everything could be hunky dory and you could get to work in record time. The next day there could be a huge accident and you roll into work an hour late. And that isn't always in the winter. Get up early enough to check the commute reports via the television or local radio stations. Or, check out a map app on your smart phone. Google Maps usually has a pretty accurate time frame and has up to date info on road conditions. It shows where there are stoppages or accidents or lane closures.
Slow down and know your roads. If the roads are snow covered, you don't know what is under that snow. It could be nothing, it could be ice. The last thing you want to do is speed up to pass someone and end up in the ditch because you spun your ties and lost control. Also, you need to know your roads. Take the same route each day. You'll know the conditions of the roads ahead of time and you'll know if you need to leave early because of said conditions. With that said, also use the highway or main roads if possible. Cities focus on main roads first and then go to side streets. That is where the majority of traffic is so that is the first priority. Even though everyone else takes those roads, you should too.
Space everything out. One thing that irritates me is people that tailgate on the highway. I admit, I have done this before as I'm sure everyone else has. In the winter I cannot stand when people do that. If there are three or four lanes, why not use them? There is no point in following someone so close that you cannot see their back wheels. Plus, that leaves room for the people that want to get into the lane that you are in. It's a courtesy thing. This also applies when changing lanes. I, for one, prefer to stay in the lane I'm in if the roads are not in the best of conditions. There are going to be times, however, when you need to change lanes. I like to change lanes on straightaways. It's much easier that way. You don't have to worry about a curve or a hill. I don't cut out in front of people. The last thing you want to do is cut someone off causing them to slam on their breaks and cause a chain reaction of people slowing down all because you were impatient and didn't want to wait for that one last car to pass you. When getting over to the new lane, don't do so right after someone passes you unless they are just flying down the road. There should be plenty of space then.
Look, after reading this does it make me sound like the person everyone hates driving on the highway? Yes. I like to be cautious, but I also don't drive forty miles an hour down the highway. I drive for conditions. I drive smart. I drive smart because not everyone does.
Leave early (duh). Morning commutes in metro areas are always suspect. One day everything could be hunky dory and you could get to work in record time. The next day there could be a huge accident and you roll into work an hour late. And that isn't always in the winter. Get up early enough to check the commute reports via the television or local radio stations. Or, check out a map app on your smart phone. Google Maps usually has a pretty accurate time frame and has up to date info on road conditions. It shows where there are stoppages or accidents or lane closures.
Slow down and know your roads. If the roads are snow covered, you don't know what is under that snow. It could be nothing, it could be ice. The last thing you want to do is speed up to pass someone and end up in the ditch because you spun your ties and lost control. Also, you need to know your roads. Take the same route each day. You'll know the conditions of the roads ahead of time and you'll know if you need to leave early because of said conditions. With that said, also use the highway or main roads if possible. Cities focus on main roads first and then go to side streets. That is where the majority of traffic is so that is the first priority. Even though everyone else takes those roads, you should too.
Space everything out. One thing that irritates me is people that tailgate on the highway. I admit, I have done this before as I'm sure everyone else has. In the winter I cannot stand when people do that. If there are three or four lanes, why not use them? There is no point in following someone so close that you cannot see their back wheels. Plus, that leaves room for the people that want to get into the lane that you are in. It's a courtesy thing. This also applies when changing lanes. I, for one, prefer to stay in the lane I'm in if the roads are not in the best of conditions. There are going to be times, however, when you need to change lanes. I like to change lanes on straightaways. It's much easier that way. You don't have to worry about a curve or a hill. I don't cut out in front of people. The last thing you want to do is cut someone off causing them to slam on their breaks and cause a chain reaction of people slowing down all because you were impatient and didn't want to wait for that one last car to pass you. When getting over to the new lane, don't do so right after someone passes you unless they are just flying down the road. There should be plenty of space then.
Look, after reading this does it make me sound like the person everyone hates driving on the highway? Yes. I like to be cautious, but I also don't drive forty miles an hour down the highway. I drive for conditions. I drive smart. I drive smart because not everyone does.
05 December 2013
Source Material
I finished reading the 'Walking Dead' graphic novels earlier this month. Well, not all of them. There have been a handful that have been published since I got the set I have. Either way, they are straight up amazing! The first graphic novels I have ever really wanted. I wanted them because of the television show. I wanted to see the similarities and the differences. I read 'The Watchmen' after seeing the movie and enjoyed it as well. Graphic novels are basically grown up comic books that make you sound not like a little kid when talking about them. But here's the thing with graphic novels or any other written material, they can go a bit further than you can with a television show or movie. That's the nice thing. The Walking Dead is so much darker as a graphic novel set than the show ever will be. And I love it. But here's the thing, because you can't be as dark on television or movies, the show/movie developers have to make changes. Which can be a good thing, but also a bad thing. And it's up to those who have read the original source material on whether or not to make a big deal about it.
The first time I remember finding out a book and movie had different things happen was with 'Jurassic Park'. I saw the movie when it came out a couple of times because it was only two dollars back then. Yeah. TWO DOLLARS! I loved the movie and even today it is still entertaining. I read the book a few years later and was dismayed at the differences. I just didn't understand why the book and movie differed. Over the years, I have come to the decision that the book was better than the movie, but when I first read the book I was a little pissed about it. I didn't quite understand that the book came out before the movie. How do you fully explain source materials to an eleven year old and how a movie and book can have different events happen in them?
During the seasons of The Walking Dead, I have had these thoughts go through my head like 'Well that's different from the books.' or 'That didn't happen to that character, it happened to someone else!'. Sometimes the changes are irritating and other times I look at them as they are for the best for the characters or story lines. There are two major differences from the books to the show that always sit in my mind and both have major impacts. Don't worry, these aren't major spoilers. The first is that the character Daryl from the show doesn't even exist in the books. At all. In the show he is a major character in the main group and has become a fan favorite. He is an overall badass. The other difference is that the character of Rick is disfigured in the books. It is a major setback for him but so far in the show it hasn't happened (and who knows if it will!). I like these differences from the books and show, but have read rumblings about the disappointment of others on the internet. I say who cares? The main story is still going and that is what should really matter.
As long as the main story is intact, than who cares about some of the details? I have learned to enjoy some of the changes from original material to new a format. If anything, it can make for a great conversation. You can talk about the similarities and differences and how that helps or hinders the overall plot. Original material can be hard to transition from book to screen. With books, there can be great narration for pages and pages (see Hemingway, Ernest or McCarthy, Cormac) that just flat out cannot be made on the screen. Beauty can be captured on the screen, but not all the time. At times, it is best left on the pages.
The first time I remember finding out a book and movie had different things happen was with 'Jurassic Park'. I saw the movie when it came out a couple of times because it was only two dollars back then. Yeah. TWO DOLLARS! I loved the movie and even today it is still entertaining. I read the book a few years later and was dismayed at the differences. I just didn't understand why the book and movie differed. Over the years, I have come to the decision that the book was better than the movie, but when I first read the book I was a little pissed about it. I didn't quite understand that the book came out before the movie. How do you fully explain source materials to an eleven year old and how a movie and book can have different events happen in them?
During the seasons of The Walking Dead, I have had these thoughts go through my head like 'Well that's different from the books.' or 'That didn't happen to that character, it happened to someone else!'. Sometimes the changes are irritating and other times I look at them as they are for the best for the characters or story lines. There are two major differences from the books to the show that always sit in my mind and both have major impacts. Don't worry, these aren't major spoilers. The first is that the character Daryl from the show doesn't even exist in the books. At all. In the show he is a major character in the main group and has become a fan favorite. He is an overall badass. The other difference is that the character of Rick is disfigured in the books. It is a major setback for him but so far in the show it hasn't happened (and who knows if it will!). I like these differences from the books and show, but have read rumblings about the disappointment of others on the internet. I say who cares? The main story is still going and that is what should really matter.
As long as the main story is intact, than who cares about some of the details? I have learned to enjoy some of the changes from original material to new a format. If anything, it can make for a great conversation. You can talk about the similarities and differences and how that helps or hinders the overall plot. Original material can be hard to transition from book to screen. With books, there can be great narration for pages and pages (see Hemingway, Ernest or McCarthy, Cormac) that just flat out cannot be made on the screen. Beauty can be captured on the screen, but not all the time. At times, it is best left on the pages.
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