Eve and Matt

Things in my life really have changed.

2007-09-09T00:30:00.000-07:00

OK, so we are in I O W A... Yesterday (09-08-07) was game day. The first one of the football season. Now it is 2:30 am (09-09-07) after game day. The SAME people that were outside tailgating BEFORE the game at about 12:00pm (09-08-07) are STILL tailgating! That's right…14.5 hours and counting. Outside are males and females ranging from 12-70 living life. Each with there can of cheap brew. I can readily admit I am not a sports fan.

Around these parts, mosquitoes are not bad enough, it is a mid 60's clear night, and the team won resoundingly.

I guess I need to get a life. I cooked, cleaned, installed countertop and bookshelves, worked on school stuff, and went shopping.

Now I will fall asleep to the sounds of late night ‘animals’ doing what they do....back home where I normally live, those sounds are usually coyotes after a kill...here it is H a w k e y e s after a killer win.

I now head to bed to sleep besides my wonderful wife.

Things in my life really have changed.

Llamas, Turkeys, and Men Dressed As Nuns

2007-06-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Matthew and I had the opportunity to road trip a little this past weekend. He made the horrible mistake of putting me in charge of the itinerary!!! Although, the vows do say "until death do us part". The vows mention nothing about crazy roadtrips and my inability to tell left from right or east from west.

But, seriously folks - I think I planned an awesome trip! Within a 2 hour distance from our home there is so much fun to be had. First stop - a llama farm!

Matthew had no clue where he was going or what the plans were. The only information he received were the directions to the next destination.

We had pulled off onto a rather desolate area. All farmland, of course, with dusty dirt roads. We made our turn and at the end of the road there were four-legged creatures staring at us as if to say, "Hmmmm...what curious creatures have stumbled on our neck of the woods?"

62 llamas. 18 of them pregnant. One spotted chicken. A couple dogs. A couple cats. Matt and Eve.

Next stop - wine!!!

This one I think he was somewhat prepared for as we were in Southwestern Michigan Wine Country and had passed several vinyards so far on our trip.

Dinner was costly but nice, and the wine was tasty!

We wandered to our final destination - a friend's summer home on a lake. Spectacular views and a great place to rest.

But the next morning's waking happened quickly - on the road! Arrangements for the next events had to happen fast. Bad directions aside, we arrive at our destination 10 minutes before the curtain rises on an all male cast of "NunSense!"

The dinner theater atmosphere was packed with little old ladies and little old men from the local Baptist churches, as the men dressed in Nun-drag sang - "I'm Holier than Thou!"

A-men.

And then there were turkeys and a calf...which was not too exciting but we have great pictures.

No air conditioning on the Caddy - driving to nowhere in particular was a hot scenario.... Landed us in Kalamazoo where we proceded to do what?

Drink wine of course!!!

There must have been 100 + girls running through downtown Kalamazoo for some kind of benefit. We watched and took pictures as we wandered through historic downtown Kalamazoo. We found ourselves feeling like a happy gal and fella when we went to a restaurant that served great Paella!

Then - a quick stop at the grocery store and off to our resting spot on the lake. At dusk we sat together on the dock...

Off we went on the road to Saugatuck to a friend's wedding. Gorgeous blue skies anointed the day. Wildflowers bloomed brightly and the bride wore a skarf not a veil. Guys in suits, not tuxes.

Prior to arrival, we had a car full! Rummage sailing through the backroads of Michigan - greeted by interesting stories and stuff to buy. "One person's trash is another person's treasure." A $10 table, a $2 modern lamp and shade, a $15 leaf blower + vacuum, and a River Boat that played "Moon River" were just a few of the noted garage-sale finds found on our (long) way to Saugatuck. A wrong turn, turned into a quick visit to the beach and a great view of the coastline.

Dancing, dancing, singing, and reminiscing the night away! Then home to the sounds of John Williams and the music of Star Wars: Episode I (tape cassette).

Musings on Christmastime

2006-12-22T11:59:00.000-08:00

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."

So...it is just a few days before the day where we all get together at our place, eat, drink, be merry, and exchange boxes, bags, or stockings full of stuff.

But what is the sum total effect of all this "stuff" that we exchange? Surely, those tube socks bought for little Timmy cannot truly represent the sum total of the love and affection felt for those we love, but it certainly does say something like,

"I was thinking of you and I remembered that all your socks have holes, so I bought you this bag of tube socks. Love ya!"

I'm only thinking of this so much because I have 2 days 10 hours and 49 minutes to find a Christmas gift for my husband on our first Christmas together as married couple.

...and tube socks are not the way I want to say, "Happy Holidays! Your socks have holes."

In fact, I'd like to stay away from socks altogether. But they are pretty useful...after all, who couldn't use a pair of socks?

Socks or no socks, wish me luck and happy holidays. I have a few good ideas dancing around my noggin'...

'Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the land

last-minute shoppers

complete their holiday plans

Me, I just hope I find something that rocks

and is much more useful than holiday socks!

"Dan Ryan" [mis] adventures

2006-08-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia.com:

"Daniel B. Ryan, Jr (1894-1961) was a Chicago insurance broker and served as President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from 1954 to his death. The Dan Ryan Expressway was named in his honor."

From my car:

"F$#@%*)%)(!)(%_!%*$!(^*$!&^(*$)^*! ....

... D$*%($*%!*(%*!)(%*((!%MIT$#*()"

Needless to say, this is not a good place to come home from.

...Let alone come home to another living, breathing human being who might otherwise be having just a peachy, sun-shiney kind of day.

It's all gum drops and jelly beans and the next thing you know -

ROAD RAGE GIRL HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING!!!!!!!
5 wrong turns later, I guess I'm just not in a very warm and fuzzy mood....

(Much thanks to underscorebleach.net for this version of the "Avoid the Ryan" map)

Love keeps this whole world together

2006-06-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

I returned from an 8-day trip to Caracas, Venezuela with Global Exchange to an empty house. Well, it's not really empty. There's stuff all over the place actually.

Traveling without newlywed spouse is tough, but useful! I always had wonderful stories to tell people about homelife. "Where is your husband?" "In Seattle learning about oceans." "Oh."

Needless to say, our group had an incredible amount of information and experiences to process when we came back. If I will say anything about my trip and the education I received from having an on-the-ground experience it is this: Venezuela is a democracy. Venezuela is definately not a dictatorship.

Good. I've said it. If you have any further questions feel free to ask. All other information will be found at radiohumanity.org.

Returning to each other was the most wonderful return a couple can have. It makes us grow stronger. But, of course, remember the first part of the cliche - "That which does not kill us..."

We both returned in the a.m. (not on purpose), with just enough energy to say "I love you." And fall completely and utterly asleep.

Absence does make the heart grow fonder...

2006-06-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

Seattle, Washington

The day finds me ready to depart Seattle Washington after seven days . I have spent the last week mostly at the U n i v e r s i t y of W a s h i n g t o n and N O A A facilities studying all about the vast and mostly unexplored oceans.

This has also been a time to look back and reflect from the last posting I made. Today finds me in day 16 not having seen my beautiful bride. The joys and delights of married life have been tempered by distance. We have both been busy doing our "own" thing. During that time we have shared many stories and issues from each of our own adventures. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. I do miss her physical presence.

If you have never done it, try having good phone conversation with a significant other about any important topic you can think of. Then as a part of this conversation make meaningful and lasting decisions from it. In this process you will learn to communicate more cleanly and precisely. Not seeing body language and/or other nonverbal cues causes one to more effectively communicate through language.

Seattle is a wonderful place! Flying in I saw Mt Rainier and a glacier-like flow or two. The company has been good. I have been working with about 28 other college professors learning about the oceans.

The presentation I did using W E B c t went very well. Many I suspect will call or e-mail with additional questions. We have been busy from about 8am to 6pm each day doing something related to ocean studies. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner socials have also provided us with good experiences for interaction and awareness of what other jobs and programs across the 50 states are like.

While here in Seattle I have shopped in two recycled clothing shops for my Bride, eaten at fair trade, Indian, university, and Fremont area restaurants. Food has been good!

We stayed at the W a t e r T o w n on Roosevelt. A delightful ultra-modern hotel. We were about a 15 minute walk from the Ocean S c i e n c e Building at the University.

Later this evening my flight get in about 21:00. I look forward to the very simple pleasure of seeing the smile on my beautiful bride's face and hugging her so closely.

I also look forward (I don’t mind doing work...) to plowing through all those unfinished projects and planning for the future. My return docket for Monday includes grading, sweating, sewage, mentoring, unpacking, burying, and resurrection issues!

I have before me SO many wonderful gifts!

MJB

Washington D.C. - CUA

2005-09-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

So this day finds me in the city of Washington D.C.

By day I am a conference attendee by night I am a traveler.
I landed in the Nation’s Capitol late this afternoon. I quickly got accustomed to the Metro. Purchased a day pass and headed off by rail. The most amazing part of that whole experience was the approximate 15-story escalator. It is not as big as the Wheaton exit in DC but still amazing.

Got to the hotel and checked in. Had some beef and potatoes and was the first to register for the conference. Took the Metro to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception http://www.nationalshrine.com/ Walked all around the place…it’s one of my favorite places to re-visit. I have been there about four different times over the last 20 years. 5:30pm Mass was the "Mass for the Blessing of Human Labor" His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick (Archbishop of Washington) presided. He spoke on how each of us is called not to work but rather to serve. (There is a significant difference.) It was nice to just sit in the pew and attend mass.

It was nice to just sit in the pew and attend mass.Walked around the campus of Catholic University of America then to the Metro stop. Ate at one restaurant near the hotel. There is almost any ethnic-type of food here around the hotel. Talked with my bride-to-be about our day and exchanged warm and pleasant conversation.

Graded papers and then fell asleep. MJB

Z I P P O

2005-08-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it happens in all relationships. Separated by circumstance. This week I find myself traveling WITHOUT my bride-to-be. I am wandering all through the Allegheny National Forest area and what is the main focus of our day’s activity… You guessed it! Z I P P O lighters.

Now the company I am traveling with wanted to go see the Z I P P O museum. No problem. I thought it might be interesting as well. So I look up the directions about noontime from Corning, New York to Bradford, PA. Interstate 86, to Route 15, Route 6, Route 59, to US 219. It takes about three hours going this scenic way.

Off we go. It would be really worth the drive in the fall…It was simply lovely. The experience was like being the in hills of Southern Indiana and/or some places out west with a little more or less of exagerration. It all depends on if one is in a valley, hillside with falling rocks, or near the top of the hill. The towns on Route 6 we passed through were started in the late 1800’s early 1900’s. Many places would be worth the stop…though we were on a mission.

So as usual, when I am driving I expect my passengers to do some basic navigation. So we get into Bradford where the Z I P P O place is located. I ask what exit. The passenger did not know. Not their fault, the literature did not say and no signs from the south existed! Not a good sign, considering that this IS the town’s only main attraction.

So I see the Z I P P O sign from the road. I guessed the correct exit. We asked natives, where in the world is Z I P P O?

It is about 15:55 and the place closes at 17:00. We arrive and park with the five other cars parked in the visitor parking area in the grass field! Experience tells me that most museums are not worth more than 3 hours of time and ones supporting the cigarette industry should be about 1/3 that! Actually, it was OK. People like their lighters.

If your Z I P P O ever goes bad, just send it in! They will fix anything mechanically wrong for free. In fact, you can even watch them fix your lighter through the glass windows.

After debriefing with the company I was keeping, the person said something to the effect of “I had no idea now much the Z I P P O company contributed to the soldiers comfort during World War II” Now folks, that is a good marketing after effect for such a short visit.

In my debriefing, I was REALLLLLLY annoyed by the high-pitched sound that radiated throughout the showroom from the laser-engraving machine. It is amazing what people want engraved on their lighter. I think I will buy the outdoor Z I P P O lighter torch when it comes out in September. It looks really useful.

Surprisingly, I didn’t need a smoke after the experience. It is nice to see a manufacturer stand behind their product.

We ate at the Beef Eaters downtown and now find ourselves resting at the modern hotel in town.
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I'll Leave My Hat On Thank You

2005-07-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Pamela Anderson's butt is laying next to a Peter Pan pop-up book on a church pew.

Normally, there would be something very wrong with this picture, but not at my fiance's barber shop. Once upon a time...well, some time in the late 90's at least, this barber shop was a magical land with an old tile floor, a barber pole, good children getting their hair cut for the first time, and a happy Greek man cutting everyone's hair at just the right length.

Then came along an enterprising 20-something who thought he could spruce the place up a bit. Let's call this man MR. OVERCOMPENSATING-FOR-SOMETHING or Mo' Fo' for short. He buys the happy little barber shop from the Greek man, re-names it "Mo Fo's", fills the magazine racks with porn, Newsweek, and assorted men's health magazines, and makes a good living from the barber's sitting fees and the minimal amount of work he needs to do to this place. The floor is groaty to say the least. I think I might have discovered the long lost hair of Jimmy Hoffa. The shelf is covered in taxidermy - dead animal heads stare at me from all sides. They all seem to say, "Get out of here while you still can! We didn't!"

This is the place where I had considered getting my hair cut. That was before I saw it. I'm a simple woman with minimal needs when it comes to hair - I just need it chopped off every now and again. That day came today - the day when my regular barber is not in. Since my fiance needed to cut his hair I thought we could just get both done at the same place. After all a barber is a barber, right?

WRONG

A couple crew-cuts later I was rarein' to get out of there. I patiently waited for the barber to finish my fiance's hair, then walked out the door after he paid for his haircut. I'll just keep my hat on thank you.

SEPERATE WORLDS

2005-07-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Consider all the places sort of sacred to one’s traditional manhood. Today one of those sacred places was not exactly compromised but let’s just say voluntarily invaded by my dear fiancé. Admittedly I OFFERED. Why, well one thing lead to another. HER barbershop was closed (Monday), we both needed a haircut, and well…it just made sense.

We got there half past the hour of four. The shop closed at five. I reminded her that this is the barbershop I have ALWAYS gone to. To be clear the ONLY place that has EVER cut my hair. Ok, so some say sheltered life….I can understand. But it is about six-eight weeks between haircuts so generally I am always in town to get one.

MY BARBERSHOP
About four years ago the superb, dedicated, and amazingly good barber sold his place to a trendy young lad in his late 20’s. The old Greek guy (Louie) still cuts but today only one barber was present. This guy, whose name I do not know, happened to be the one I dislike the most. I got my hair cut with the understanding that it all grows back….at least at this point in life!

My fiancé whispers to me after some time of waiting that she has decided not to get her haircut. I can’t say I blame her. I really didn’t want to either.

I read the Times News Paper, Men’s Health, said ten words to my barber, and got the deed done while my fiancé looked on with SOOOOO many thoughts in her mind.

The floor of the shop is solid oak from the bed of a old semi, virtually every game animal in the Midwest can be found somewhere on a wall and magazine editions from Maxum– National Geographic–Dr. Seuss can be read while you sit calmly on a 12 seat church pew.

Yea, it is not the barbershop I spend my first 30 years in. The spinning barber thing is no longer outside, the coca-cola pop dispenser from the 50’s is gone, the old red sitting chairs, the tile floor, and the gentle and sincere greeting from my steadfast Greek barber is gone.

Tomorrow I will go to my fiancé’s barbershop. She will get her hair cut while I sit, wait, and experience her old Greek barbershop at work.

Today, my fiancé helps me reconnect with my childhood in a most unexpected way. I cannot wait for tomorrow.
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TRUCK FILLED 2x!

2005-07-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

OK, so every now and then you have windows of opportunity to get projects done that have been festering for some time. We ALL have them. For one reason or another they are slow in getting completed.

On this past Wednesday afternoon, I had the chance to dump a whole bunch of stuff at the house. The truck came nearly empty. Upon seeing the truck I quickly realized that I had enough stuff to fill two and half trucks if stacked to top of truck walls (safety first you know…)

We began filling the truck. I had corrugated steel sheets, wood posts, and large packaging materials. At this point the truck was about 75% full.

The only thing left to place in the truck was the BIG stuff. Piles of old storm screens. We stacked and we stacked in layers like --__--__-- on the truck. They were mostly screens and such that stakes well if overlapping. The gracious driver assured me that the new clamp belts would hold things down securely. We can kept stacking. At the end we had staked SO high that the whole load in the trailer teetered back and forth after each hoisting of screen. Now the screens were at least FOUR feet above MY head at a good two feet about the cab of the truck.

At one point, I stated out loud this was like the “Sanford and Sons” TV show. Without a hitch my finance chimes in and sings a bar or two of the theme song. All are giggling at this point.

Well, tendencies toward modesty did slow the whole stacking process down.

The clamps clamped.
No side road got any of MY trash!
All got dumped!

I still have more stuff to take to the dump. This time it is only about one truck load!

After dumping, all of us talked, cleaned, and shared a meal at a local resturant.
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Father and Future Son-In-Law Bonding

2005-07-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a little story about the bonds that form between future father-in-laws and future son-in-laws:

My father is here with Matt and Matt has a lot of junk. It is not a surprise that someone like myself would be attracted to and marry a man who just happens to be as messy as I am. Now - one thing about me:

After having a few car crashes that seemed to have happened out of the blue, I tend to envision the worst possible scenario that can possibly be imagined. Take for example this scenario:

My fiance and father are loading junk into the back of my Dad's pickup truck. The pile grows higher and higher. It is beginning to look like a giant Jenga game, only in reverse. The pile has become several feet higher than the base of the truck cab.

This is where my imagination takes over.

Instantly I see visions of my Father and Matt driving along the local highway with the entire pile teetering in every ol' direction. The pile is strapped down with two heavy-duty straps, but random pieces of scrap still fall onto the highway or...better yet...other people's cars. I see windshields cracking, people screaming, and a trail of junk by the side of the highway.

In the meantime while I write this the boys are gleefully preparing their pile of stuff. I hope they make it onto the highway. Maybe the backroads have reopened. Maybe everyone will decide not to drive today.

It's times like these where I am reminded that we ARE from Indiana.