On The Road..International Style

I think anyone who knows me, know that I like to do things on the spur of the moment. I've been known to make a trip to McDonalds at 1:00 in the morning, take a roadtrip to go to a concert in another state with very little notice, or decide the night before I'm to leave to go to the beach, to leave that night instead..rather than wait for the next day because it uses up time we could be at the beach. For once I had to do something spontaneous that even I think is a bit overboard. Last Thursday, when I get into work, my boss sends me an urgent email followed up immediately with a phone call telling me that it would be awesome if I could take a trip to our new office in the Netherlands...and to be there by Monday. I knew that a trip was in the works, but just earlier in the week I thought it was decided that it would wait until after the New Year. That plan changed very quickly. After talking with Sara, finding a corporate credit card I could use, and booking my flight, it was settled that I was flying to Amsterdam on Saturday. Nothing like planning an international trip in less than 2 days.

I flew out of D.C. on Saturday afternoon, caught a connecting flight in Newark, NJ that evening and landed in Amsterdam at 8 in the morning on Sunday. Oh and I met up with some people from our Kansas City office at the airport that I've never met before, so I could catch a ride with them up to our office in the small northern town of Zuidlaren. Everything went smoothly overall. Just had a 1 hour delay where all planes were stopped from taking off for awhile from DC, but since I had a 4 hour layover scheduled after that flight, it didn't bother me any, and I didn't get any sleep on the flight over thanks to the crying baby in the row in front of me.

Amsterdam was nice, it would have been better had it not been cold and rainy. From what I was able to see, it looked very cool with the canals that run all through the town. The village where the office is located, is a small village with little pubs, and restaurants spread out. Unfortunately my hotel is nowhere near the village, its out in the middle of nowhere..but we do have a Texas Roadhouse restaurant across the street!

Oh and each room comes with a queen sized bed! two twin beds!!



Last 5 Songs I've Listened To:
Tiger the Lion - The Tragically Hip
Amsterdam - Guster
John Brown - Agents of Good Roots
New Years Day - U2
Amsterdam - Coldplay

The Man in Black

Sara directed me to this video today. I think its a great song..a bit haunting, which isn't surprising since he covered it right before he died. I think the video captures the mood quite well. In a way, it reminds me of his cover of NIN's "Hurt".



A few of the cameos could be up for debate, but still I think its pretty cool overall.

Recap..

I realized that it's been awhile since I've written anything on here. I've been pretty busy at work, and outside of work, I haven't really had a desire to be in front of a computer much. I've also had a brain fart as to what to write about even when I've thought about writing something on here. I guess I could give a quick recap and some random thought as to what I've been up to and thinking lately..

- Watched the Tigers go down to defeat in the World Series. I was a bit disappointed, but seeing as I was hoping for 82 wins this year, I couldn't be too disappointed. They got a lot farther than what I ever thought they would. It was just awesome to see them knock the evil Yankees out of the playoffs. 145 days until Opening Day, and this off-season should be a lot of fun seeing what moves the Tigers make in order to try to get back to the World Series once again.

- A couple weekends ago we had 3 of Sara's sisters kids stay the weekend with us - well the 2 nephews stayed with us, and the niece stayed with Sara's mom for some "girl time". The 2 nephews - Peyton and Tyson are 5 and 3 years old, and the niece Jordan (notice how they're named after athletes)is 7, and then of course Blake who is 6. I must say it was some of the most fun I've had in a long time. Just sitting back and watching them all play together (although the opportunities to actually sit down were few and far between) and listening to the things they said/asked, made for some pure comedy moments. I was wore out after the weekend was over, but I think it was worth it, and can't wait to do it again. I definitely can't wait to have a couple of my own.

- Big election night last night. I usually keep up to date with the news, and keep an eye on the political scene, as I like to try to be well informed (or at least think I am) as to what's going on in the world. I must say, I am very pleased with the outcome. I never realized before just how dangerous it is for one party to control both the White House, and both houses of Congress, until I've watched what has gone on these past few years, and how Bush has had everything he wants rubberstamped by this Congress. I think its a good thing that the Dems won both the House and (apparently) the Senate. I think both the President and Congress need to be the check and balance for each other. The biggest and best suprise is that Rumsfeld is quitting. I guess he realized he would no longer have a free pass to "stay the course" and screw up Iraq as badly has he (and this administration) has done. Now if Cheney and Rove would quit as well. I don't think everything is going to get instantly better in Iraq, but I'm hoping there will at least be some progress. I still think it was a waste to go there in the first place, but that's another topic.

- Still in a bit of a music rut. I found some good stuff like new albums from The Decemberists and John Mayer, and started listening to some other stuff I hadn't tried before, but that's all I've been listening to, and its starting to get old. One thing I would really like is to go to a awesome, knock your socks off concert. Its been way too long since I've been to a show like that. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything on the horizon..

Last 5 Songs I've Listened To:
Mrs. Vandebilt - Paul McCartney & Wings
Plush - Stone Temple Pilots
The Worst Joke Ever - REM
Promenade - U2
Dancing Days - Led Zeppelin

Crazy Superstitions

(Photos by the Detroit News)

Up until the awesome events of the past few weeks, the above images from the sacred year of 1984, pretty much capture everything I've ever known about the Detroit Tigers being a good, let alone great team. Granted I was only 7 years old, so that makes the memories even more fuzzy. How much of anything can anyone remember from back when they were 7 years old (especially when you're pushing 30)? I remember watching Jack Morris' no-hitter on TV against the White Sox on a Saturday afternoon in April of that year, and I remember bits and pieces of the playoffs and World Series from that year - mostly Kirk Gibson's clutch home runs, and the celebrations after they won it all. Oh and I also remember going to a game against the Blue Jays at Tiger Stadium that summer with my mom and dad, sitting in the left field upper deck, and seeing the old guy sitting next to my dad stand up to do the wave, only to have his pants fall down to his ankles (true story - I couldn't make that up if I tried).

Anyways its been a long time since the Tigers have had a team that has been good, and given me something to really cheer and be absolutely thrilled about. Seeing as how they've got a good thing going, I've noticed that I've suddenly become superstitious. I have a lucky t-shirt which, when I've worn it, the Tigers are 7-0. I didn't wear it for the first game of the Yankees series, and they lost. I didn't discover the luck that it brought until after the third game of the ALDS. I went up to Michigan specifically for the 3rd game which I was lucky to get tickets to (see previous post). I watched the 2nd game (the Tigers 1st win of the series)at my parents place where I was wearing my Old Navy American Flag t-shirt. When I went to bed that night, I threw the shirt on top of my suitcase and forgot about it. The next day as my brother and I were getting ready to head down to Lloyd's, I knew I needed to dress in layers, so I just picked up the t-shirt and wore it under my long-sleeved shirt. We went to the game, Kenny Rogers pitched the game of his life (at that time), and the Tigers shut out the Yankees. I proceeded to come back home to Virginia the next day, and got home in time for the 4th game. As I was cleaning out my suitcase I saw the shirt, and realized it was 2-0, so I figured "what the heck?", and I put it on before the game. Another game, another win. I've proceeded to wear it every game day since then, and as I said earlier, the Tigers are undefeated. I tried to tempt fate during the 2nd game against the A's. I had been wearing it all day. Sara and I were watching the game, the Tigers were up by a couple in the last inning, so we decided to go and watch the bottom of the 9th inning in bed. I took the shirt off, and Todd Jones managed to get a couple runners on base, with Frank Thomas (the winning run)coming up to bat. Realizing what was going on, I jumped up quick, put the shirt on...Frank lined out to centerfield to end the game.

Coincidence? I'm thinking no (I'm sure as heck not willing to find out either!)

Bless You Boys

Last 5 Songs I've Listened To:
Ruby Falls - Guster
The First Cut is the Deepest - Cat Stevens
Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Speak - Nickel Creek
King of Comedy - R.E.M.

How I spent my Friday night..

The view from my seat at Comerica Park for Game 3 of the ALDS:





By far and away the best sporting event I have ever been to. First home playoff game in 19 years, and completely shutting down the evil Yankees..what's not to enjoy!? It was definitely worth the 1500+ mile roundtrip.

FINALLY!!!

(Photo: Steve Perez / The Detroit News)

So the Tigers clinched a playoff spot for the first time in 19 years on Sunday. It has been a looooong time coming. I can remember the last time they were in the playoffs. I can remember listening to the game on the radio the day they beat the Blue Jays in the final game of the season to earn the playoff spot. It sort of seemed like a long time for me, but when I really thought about it, I actually started realizing just how long ago it was.

I was 10 years old
My brother was only 5
I was in 3rd Grade
These were some of the top songs during 1987 (thanks Google):
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
Who's That Girl - Madonna
La Bamba - Los Lobos
Bad - Michael Jackson
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Faith - George Michael
Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Looking at it in those terms makes me realize just how long its been. I'm also now feeling really old as well.

Considering that at the beginning of the year all I was hoping for was 81 wins this year, making the playoffs is just an added bonus. To go from having 100+ losses over the past couple years, to contending not only for the playoffs, but for the best record in baseball, is quite the achievement. Hopefully the Tigers success will help brighten up the sports scene in Detroit, considering the lost cause that is known as the Lions are sucking yet again. That's been happening for 50+ years though, so that's nothing new.

I was lucky enough to get tickets to the 1st home playoff game in Detroit, and I can't wait to go. Now I just need to find out who they're playing and when the game will be.

Last 5 songs I've listened to:
Just What I Needed - The Cars
Crosstown Traffic - Jimi Hendrix
The Lemon Song - Led Zeppelin
Novocane for the Soul - Eels
I'm Gonna Miss Her (Fishin' Song) - Brad Paisley

A Joke

Heard this on "Two and a Half Men" last night.

Q: If girls with big boobs work at Hooters, where do girls with one-leg work?

A: IHOP!

I found it hysterical. Maybe its funnier when the kid on the show is telling it...

Things I Currently Find "Cool"

1.) Being married. I can't explain it other than to say that its beyond AWESOME.

2.) Fall. Fall has always been a season I was always "eh" about. Basically I always viewed it as the death of summer, and the realization that winter was around the corner...and I detest winter (to put it nicely). I started to like it when I moved to Virginia, because the weather for the most part stayed warmer later in the year than it did up in Michigan. Plus living near the mountains, it always looks awesome when the colors start changing. After dating and marrying Sara, its hard not to get caught up in the coolness of the fall season. Fall is Sara's favorite season, and she goes all out for it. Decorating the apartment with fall decorations (mums hanging out on our balcony, scarecrow and pumpkin pillows on our furniture, and even fall-themed clothing). Our weekends are spent doing fall-like things, such as going to pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and making numerous trips to Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard, which is probably the coolest place in Charlottesville. It's an orchard that is on top of a mountain.

3.) Michigan's 47-21 beatdown of Notre Dame this past weekend. I only pull for Michigan one day a year, and that is the day they play Notre Dame. In the world of sports, I hate Notre Dame the worst. I actually hate them more than I hate the New York Yankees. So not only was I happy to see ND lose, but I was thrilled to see them get slaughtered. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the game. If I would have watched, the outcome probably would have been reversed.

4.) John Mayer's Continuum CD . After hearing his first single "Waiting on the World to Change", I thought it sounded really good, and decided to check out the entire CD. I was really impressed. He appeared to go away from the "pop" sound he had on his previous albums, and go more toward the blues sound and show off more of his great guitar skills. Overall I'd give in a 4 out of 5.

5.) Death Cab for Cutie's Song "The Sound of Settling". I was looking at the myspace page of my old buddy from high school, Derek and noticed a youtube video embedded into his page, and saw he was in it, so I decided to check it out. It was a music video (Derek is pretty talented musically) and the song was incredibly catchy. At the end it said the song was "The Sound of Settling" by Death Cab for Cutie. After only hearing it the one time, I had part of it stuck in my head, and when that happens, I know its a winner, so I went to iTunes and bought the song. I can't seem to get enough of it now..and its a week later.

6.) Spicy General Tso's Chicken take-out from Red Latern. Probably one of my favorite meals in here in Charlottesville.

There is one thing that I don't find cool - Monday's.

Last 5 songs I've listened to:
Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles
Innocent Days - Agents of Good Roots
Radio, Radio - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Committed - Pete Yorn
Everyone - Van Morrison

Idiots! My mid-week rant..

Over the past week or so, I've discovered I have a new pet peeve here at work. The janitors who clean our bathrooms. I like and appreciate a clean bathroom just as much as the next person, but do they really need to clean the bathrooms during business hours? Can't they either do it sometime in the evening, once a majority of the people have left, or early in the morning before everybody gets here? Its not like the janitors work the same hours as everyone else in the building. I've been here at 10:00 PM, and have seen them in action (action as in cleaning, not action like 'hanky-panky') so I know that they do work well into the night.

The reason this bothers me is because lately at around 9:00 in the morning, they start making their rounds, cleaning the bathroom on my floor. This is usually around the same time that the coffee I had at home "kicks in", and I need to go visit the spacious handicapped stall..if you know what I'm getting at. A couple days I've tried to go pay my visit, and there's a sign saying its closed for cleaning. Usually this frustrates me, and then the urge is gone, and then my routine is out of whack. Yesterday I went to visit, and to my surprise, no sign! When I walked in, I almost wiped out due to the floor being wet from the mopping, and my new "styling" shoes not having any traction (which brings me to another point, shouldn't there be a sign remaining, warning of wet floors? Wait, should I have bit it? I could have gotten workers comp and/or a nice settlement for a slip and fall accident..). One other day I went to pay my visit, saw the coast was clear, but then started wondering if the janitor was going to come and try to clean while I was in there? I would be embarrassed if I'm in there, and the janitor knocks to see if the coast is clear, and I have to tell them to wait. I've seen that they wait outside the door until the last person comes out. I like to take my time while I'm in there (hey, I'm on the clock), I wouldn't want to be branded as the guy who takes forever. I might become a running joke among all of the janitors when they all get together and gossip. All of these worries made me decide to abort my mission until later in the day when I knew I wouldn't have to rush, and I wouldn't have to worry about the cleaning crew.

But to get back to the main point, seriously why would janitor's clean during normal business hours? I can see them making sure that the toiletries are stocked to their adequate levels, and performing any other maintenance on a as-needed basis, but to shut down the bathrooms? Maybe I should start a petition requesting that shutting them down should only happen during non-business hours.

Since I'm complaining, I have one more complaint...where is the freaking sun!?! Ever since Monday, its been cloudy, cold, rainy, and just overall dreary. I feel like I'm back in Michigan again. Unfortunately its supposed to be like this until Saturday.

Last 5 songs I've listened to:
Since I've Been Loving You - Led Zeppelin
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Who Am I (What's My Name)? - Snoop Doggy Dogg
The Sound of Settling - Death Cab for Cutie
Cold Turkey - John Lennon

More Randomness

- Do the rules for handicapped parking spots, apply to handicapped accessible stalls in the bathrooms? Are they only to be used exclusively by handicapped people, or is it ok for anyone to use them? If it is ok for anyone to use them, is it still ok to automatically default to using the handicapped one, even if the other stall(s) aren't being used?

- Where did the summer go? It literally seems like it was just over a month ago that I was getting married on the beach in Myrtle Beach, and not the three months that it actually almost is.

- Speaking of weddings and engagements, why do they always seem to come in groups? It never seems like its just one a year. Jenny's getting married next weekend, and Sara's cousin got married last month. As far as engagements go, Mike, Derek, Rob, and Steve (Mike's brother) have all gotten engaged recently. And no, none of the four I just listed are engaged to each other..not that there would be anything wrong with that.

- My step-son's teacher is dropping by our apartment sometime for a visit. Apparently its called "Stepping Out", and all of the teachers at the school are doing this to the families of the kids in their class. Has anyone heard of this happening before? Is this some new thing that's becoming the new fad in schools? What I find even more strange is that they are doing it over a two-day period, and its not known what day or time they are stopping by. Sounds a bit inconvenient to me, and shouldn't all interaction between faculty/parents take place in the actual school setting, or at a school related function. What purpose is needed for going to the students home?

- Sara got the new Paris Hilton CD. I'm not going to lie..its catchy.

- After having a 4 day weekend this past weekend, and then working from home on Monday, I've had a hard time staying focused this week. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.

- Bummer about the Crocodile Hunters death. I used to watch his show all the time when I was an unemployed bum living up in D.C. looking for a job. It was one of my few forms of entertainment everyday.

- Anyone have connections to get tickets to a home Tigers playoff game next month? If they make it, I need to go to a game. I don't care if I have to make an insane road-trip with a quick turnaround.

Last 5 songs I've listened to:
Even the Losers - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Stay or Leave - Dave Matthews
Holding in the World - Bob Schneider
This Side - Nickel Creek
Grace, Too - Tragically Hip