Ripping it up

Ok Maybe not ripping it up too much.   Had the day off and went to Cascade Mountain in Portage with Mackenzie and Joel.  We even brought the snow boards.

The day started out ok.  Until 20 miles from the slopes I realized I was so worried that the kids had everything that I forgot my jacket.   It was plenty warm to board with just my vest but it was also foggy and drizzling.  That was the bad part.  So I bought a nice waterproof shell at the pro shop.  Hey, no good time comes cheap.

First few runs were a bit sketchy for Kiki.  First time on a chair lift, first time off a chair lift.  Then it took her quite a while to get her feet and skill back.  A few tears and finally she was back in business.

Look a Smile!

After about two and a half hours we went in for some lunch.

Again, no good time comes cheap.  3 hot dogs, 2 burgers, some fries, cheese curds and 3 sodas = $39.00  OUCH!  We had granola bars and apples in the car.

Of course being so warm and wet Mackenzie's gloves were soaked.  Because the also had holes in them.  Back to the pro shop.  Cha Ching!  Thank god her lift ticket was free with my lift ticket.

Back on the slope and to the top of the mountain on the high speed lift.  Then through some blue trails to get to the far out greens for Kiki.   She forgot everything from the morning session.  But by a few runs later was all good.

Taking a small break at the top.

I have to say Joel and I dropped in and had some nice sessions.  Everything came back very quick.  I have to be careful when pointing out the "old dudes".  I realize the age difference between me and the 'old' dudes is probably 10 years or less.  I am an 'old dude' in this demographic.

However, I did get props from some kids, who thought my set up was sweet.  Now only if my skills were up to par of my sweet gear.








Around 4 Mackenzie declared she hurt all over.  We went to the coffee shop, sat down assesed the situation and realized we were done.  Not bad, we only had 2 hours left on our lift passes anyway.  So we packed up the T-Wrx with the gear and headed out.

Stopped in Fox Lake for dinner at the Boat House.  Nice little place on the Fox Lake peninsula.

Dinner and drinks.

Got home around 7:30.

A great day with my kids.  I hope they enjoyed it as much as me.

Although I am a bit sore today.

Merry Christmas

Well Christmas came and went for 2010.

I did not pass out on Christmas Eve like last year.I

 made it through the following day without sleeping too much at Mom's house.

Oh and don't tell me I am not romantic.  Tracy's best present (one of the few she did not return) was a box of door knobs.  Yep, Ladies I am taken.  Sorry.

1st Storm of the Season

That time of year

No not THAT time of year.

It's the annual (semi annual) visit by our local Jehova's Witnesses.  

I cherish these visits.  I really do.  It makes my heart race and my mind wander on how I really want to approach their knock on the door.

Sometimes I pretend that the dog is uncontrollable and that he really doesn't like strangers.  In his yard, at his door.   If they only knew he was only looking for treats.

This year the timing was perfect.  I had just finished a book.  The End of Faith, by Sam Harris.  A very interesting look at organized religions, beliefs and faith.  Many interesting points backed up with much reference and evidence.  This post is not to do a book review, but to set the stage.

Everyone who reads this knows, even with my parents fine Catholic upbringing (sorry Mom), I struggle with religious concepts and beliefs.  Again, another conversation for another day.

So when I saw this stout middle aged women get out of her nice car and approach my door, I instinctively look around for Bailey.  However, he being hard of hearing most days, never even knew she was at the door.

I open the door and she mentions that she picked up one of my 'decorations' that had fell over in the wind.  Yes a mini Christmas tree.  I thought about belaboring the Christmas angle. Or that is was my birthday!  Nah too easy.

She reaches into her purse and pulls out The Watchtower and Awake! publications.   Again, I think to myself, they need some new way of evangelizing.  This is getting old.  The first real words out of her mouth, other than the pleasantries, were, "Did you know that there are more atheists than ever in this world?"
"hmmm, define athiest" I ask.  Since that is a very broad brush to paint with.
"People who don't believe in god"
"God, god? or your concept of god or any god??" I politely ask
Looking somewhat off balance,  she points to her fine publications and asks differently.  "Do you wonder why this is? people rejecting god?"
I smile a little and reply "No, I really don't wonder why"
"Our publication 'Awake!' describes why.  Would you like to read it?"
Wow, she is obviously not listening to me. It is also obvious she would not care to debate god on my front step either.  "No thanks.  I  have my own opinions as to why"
"I see. can I leave these two booklets with you to look at on your own time?"
I think and almost ask; does she get closer to 'salvation' by the number of publications she hands out?
At a point I almost invited her in to continue this ruse.  Thoughts fresh from my recent reading,  one half wanting me to go in full debate, er, discussion mode. My other half, being of a bit more respectful, just politely declined her offer.  She thanks me for my time and off she goes taking her car from my driveway and parking in the neighbors to continue her quest.

A while later I really wondered why I engaged her so much.   Far be it from most Turk's comfort zone to do anymore than do the 'uh, sorry, don't have the time,can't help ya bro' and close the door or hang up the phone.  Maybe it was my recent reading, maybe my subconscious attempt at having fun with this woman; feeling unjustly smarter than her, or just hoping the dog would eventually hear her and come charging in to save me.
 

Been pretty cold the last few days, as if you didn't already know.  Well this is Bailey weather. He sure loves the snow and cold.  So yesterday I hooked him up and let him out.  He went to sleep in the grass.  About an hour later I go check on him.  He can sometimes unhook his tie out when its this cold, so he was gone.  No big deal, he doesn't wander too far anymore.   A little later I go look for him again.  He is in the backyard laying down. How adorable!

He looks a little goofy and I realize hes chewing on something.  Again nothing too unusual as he often steals toys and bones from the neighbor dogs.  Then he flips it around.

Yep - that' a squirrel.   Yummy Squirrel-cicle!  I busted him and made him come in. He left the critter right there.  I don't think he actually caught it as much and found it.   It was whole and had no major wounds except where the dog tried eating it.   

Today is garbage day,  but instead of throwing it away, I have some fun.  Take frozen solid critter and well...help him out, by putting him back in the tree!

H

He's waving!

he even looks like he's happy!  

K-Town wins it's 3rd game of the season on Thursday with a 55-41 win over Campbellsport.

With a record of 3-1 on the season, that matches the win total from last season when the went 3-20.

They are also in first place in the conference.


Kiki has a game in North Fondy this afternoon.

Cincinnati

Some of you how see my tweets or Facebook items will know I was in Cincinnati this week.  For once it was uneventful and no delays or broken shoes or other crazy stuff that happens when I travel.

However, I did have some interesting observances, the rental car.

I was given this Chevy HHR - or toaster on wheels I like to call it.

How they ever sold this to any one I will never know.  Retro styling?  In fact it's no wonder GM has not done well.  The seating is horrible.  It has minivan type seating.  Very high up, more like sitting in a chair.  This brings me to the next issue that the front wind shield is small.   This combined with ridiculously high seating gave me a great view of the headliner.  At a stop light I could not see the lights unless I ducked my head down.  Add a giant rear-view mirror and I might as well look through a a port hole.  But enough about the bitching and moaning on the car I got.

When I came back from the all day meetings, I saw another HHR in the hotel lot.  Funny right?

So of course I park next to it and take a funny picture.  This was a Hertz rental also, based on the bar code on the windows.

The next morning I go out to get to the airport for an early flight and see not 2 but 3 HHR's in the same hotel lot.  

Again all the same color and all rentals.   What is going on?  Apparently they were giving a great deal on these cars.

So off to the Airport and rental return only to pull in behind.... yes you guessed it.  More HHR's.  2 in fact, although not red this time.

I inquired with the lady from Hertz as I turned the car in.  She laughed and said "I think the got them buy one, get one free".  I told her even at that rate them they still paid too much for them.  

Kewaskum's bid for the undefeated season ended last night at the hands of the West Bend West Spartans.  55-44.

Interested in reading the game summary let me know.

Oh its a also 12/1.  December freaking 1st.  What the hell.