Category: Life

Day to day happenings and other general nothingness.

100,000 Words, Fool!

Car, Powertrain, Mackinac, Tour de France, WWDC, Template, and Words.

Lets start with the car. Few days ago I decided to try and accomplish something with it so started with my trunk. The lock is jammed so the key wont work, but the release in the car does work. I lubed it and what not, and even tried disassembling it, but all to no avail. Then I pulled off my door panel to see if the missing speaker left dangling wires that were shorting, in hopes of getting the stereo to stop shutting off. Turns out, no, there weren’t. I did find out how shitty of a job Graff did at attaching my door panel though. Next I tried tightening up my spoiler, and found that of the 4 stud bolts attached to the spoiler and bolted to the trunk lid, 3 were not attached to the spoiler. On top of that, when they came loose the previous owner used a hot glue gun to try securing them. Not only did this not work, but it made for a bigger mess for me to clean before even starting. So, the trunk lock is still jammed, my stereo still shuts off randomly, and my spoiler is now in the trunk and 2 pieces of masking tape cover the bolt holes to keep out water. I am going to pick up some epoxy to reattach the studs, and see if chris can figure something out with stereo.

Powertrain apparently lost 360 some of its 750 employees to the buyout offers. When Scott and I were there, they had 1000 employees. There is a certain, small, chance that they could hire, but the more likely is they will be receiving transfers from plants that are scheduled to close.

The chances of me riding to Mackinaw seem to go down more that up. I realized when we went camping how much of a problem the hills, heat, and bugs may be. I am not saying I wont do it though. I would actually like to do it in say late September, when its cooler and the bugs are gone, but with school and work going on by then I don’t think it would be a possibility. I am afraid of trying it in August or July though.

In a related note, coverage of Tour de France begins on OLN on Saturday, that’s day after tomorrow! It really doesn’t seem like a year. I swear it was mid-July to mid-August, not early to early. Whatever, it here and I can watch it.

We are also down to about a month till Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference. There are already rumors and supposed leaks of Tiger and possible specs of new PowerMacs (“MacPro” is current consensus for new name) and XServes. I almost wonder if it would be more fun to stop reading rumor sites now and wait to get the full surprise, but know it won’t happen.

I do plan to fix the template, since it appears to only display properly in Safari. IE, Firefox for Mac and Windows, and I presume most other browsers do not display it like it should be seen.

And finally, this post brings me to 100,150 words, by current count. That’s not bad.

later,

nick

I Got Bawls

Bawls, Camping, Poll, Work, and Car.

So I went to Speedway on Euclid and there they were, so I picked up a pair of sweaty blue bawls and sucked them dry. One Thursday night, and one this morning. It was enjoyable, like sprite, with a hint of ginger ale maybe, and some bits of something else. Too bad the $1.99 price tag.

Something I forgot from camping summary is the lightning bugs that were very prevolant all 3 nights. I think there was something else too, but not remembering it right now.

I am very aware of the need for a new poll, but haven’t come up with one yet. I will try harder I guess.

River Roar and St. Stans are this weekend. Library is quite dead as a result. I dont mind.

My car is being a litlle grumpy right now. Shouldn’t be too big of a thing though, if problem is what I think.

I think that is it for now. Will try for another early in the week.

nick

Camping 2006 – 01

Camping at Rifle River.

So, we are back from camping. We had fun, despite a day of rain. There are no pictures as they would be mostly the same as last years spring trip to Rifle River, though there were 2 times I really wanted camera.

Saturday I got out of work at 1, we left a bit before 4 I think. Jenn got a bike rack so we could take the bikes on her car instead of needing the truck. Once there we set up camp and got a fire going. Ooh, and I got Jolt on the way up, which is hard to find recently. We went for a short bike ride, but not real far. About 4 miles I think. I tried swimming too but it wasn’t particularly warm water. I had McDonalds on the way, but jenn was hungry so made some veggie sausages on the fire.

Sunday it rained almost all day, but we did get breakfast in before it started. Oil works much better than butter, and the food was not as black/brown as last time. After getting sick of sitting around, we drove to West Branch for somethng to do. We ate at Lumberjack’s, which had pretty good food, but our waitress was horrible. On the way back we stopped at the gas station for some ice and other stuff, and what do they have but Jolt. Weird. The rain had let up so we got another fire going and made some chili for dinner, which though vegitarian was pretty good. We forgot to get rid of the tomato an dbean cans though and has a racoon visit just after we went in, but it was gone after about 15 minutes.

Monday (Jenn’s Birthday, I got her a speedometer for bike Friday, but haven’t installed yet) was much nicer. We made breakfast, after which Jenn took a nap while I stripped bark off branches and had fun with the fire. It sprinkled for a while but was gone after not too long. We then decided on a bike ride and set off. We set off down the trails, and found out Lost Lake is lost from itslef, and not visible from the point on the map it claims to be. We then went further along to the south-most point in the park and looped back up. When we got to the road we had a break, and decided I would continue the trail and Jenn was going to take the road back. I think I had the better choice. I went over the Rifle River, saw a stand of all white birch and fern, no oak or pine at all (pic moment 1) and was stopped by a porcupine (moment 2). I came along it as it was either crossing or shortly following the trail, and spooked it so it turned around and balled up. I tried to encourage it to move, as it was blocking the only 18″ wide trail, but just sat there. I had just grabbed a stick to toss near it to try getting it moving when it turned around with a very cute fuzzy-woodland-creature look and then moved just off the trail so I could pass. I honestly thought it was a skunk at first, as I just saw black and white and kinda freaked. Anyway, I made it back and Jenn and I cooked up hot dogs with macaroni salad we had bought earlier in the day and made a big fire for the night.

Finally, this morning, we woke up, packed, and came home. We unloaded all my stuff first, then she headed home and we got showered and cleaned up. When I had all my stuff away I went to her appartment to help unpack and get her stuff taken care of. Just after we finished, about 4, Beth called to ask if I could work tonight, and agreed, so I am at work now from 5 – 9. I didn’t realize until about 10 minutes later that I work at 8″15 tomorrow, and haven’t had a lot of sleep recently, but oh well. She did made it to Yax out of 9 tech pages, and its just 1 day, so I will be fine. Besides, I already made it to 8.

So, thats how things have gone.

Note: Jolt Cola: ehh, Jolt Blue: yum.
Jolt Red, Jolt Green, and Bawls: awaiting judgement.

OK, thats all for now.

nick

New Car

Car, Work, Camping, Aid, and Pics.

I own a car! And, unlike yesterday when I bought it, I even have it now. It is a 1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso, with a mere 161,000 miles on it. Yeah, that is really high milage for a 99, but I only paid $999 for it (just under $1300 with tax, title, etc…). The air conditioner seems to be broken, the radio will randomly shut off, and the sun roof doesn’t open, but since I only paid about $1000 I can afford to fix that. Cosmetically, it is very good inside and out. I am happy with it, as long as I don’t run into any mechanical issues. And best of all, it is MY car in MY name.

So, other than that, I work at 9 tomorrow morning after 3 8:30s in a row. Today we had a staff meeting and I worked Dave’s shift so he would pick up the second half of mine tomorrow and I can leave camping earlier.

We are actually a little unsure where we are going still, but 90% on Rifle River. We will return Tuesday at some point.

I received some of my financial aid today, 2 months ahead of normal. Federal only, no state yet, which will include my work-study.

Uhm… I guess that’s it. I got pictures from the wedding, but not digitals, so will be a bit to get them up. Actually, I have all the old pics still to get up.

OK, that is all.

nick

Home

Wedding, Camping, and Shed.

So we are back from the wedding and it all went well. The reception was nice. Jenn made me dance. Food was pretty good. Jenn’s Mom got pictures so will try and get them up as soon as I can get them from her.

We are going camping next week. We are thinking will leave when I get out of work Saturday and return Tuesday afternoon. Not totally sure where yet, have some ideas though. I want to go to Hartwick Pines, but they are a little expensive at $25 a night. I am hoping for somewhere under $18 or so. The fallback is, or course, Rifle River, since we know they are cheap and nice. Will see what I find though.

Yesterday and today I cleaned out the shed and got everything organized in it. Hasn’t been done since we moved it and everything went flying all over.

OK, that’s all I have for now. Later…

nick

Jenn has Troubles

Ride, Work, Jenn, and Cycling.

I went 10 miles today. Not much, but tomorrow should be nice, so can go for more.

Beginning this week I switch to Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday. Not really though, because I have Saturday off to go to Jenn’s cousin’s wedding.

Jenn’s computer is quasi-dead right now. The backlight isn’t working. Also, her dad is in the hospital down in Ann Arbor with heart trouble. Jenn spent the weekend down there with him and her mom, but came back yesterday because she works tonight and tomorrow.

Tour de France begins July 1st on OLN (channel 36 here). Runs for about 3 weeks. Watch it, it’s good.

That’s all for now though, will update before I leave Friday for sure, possible tomorrow night if I ride anywhere good. Also, hotel has wireless so I may update while in Gaylord.

nick

Ha Ha

Blogversary, Today, Movie, Categories, Camping, and Work.

So, I didn’t post on the blogversary, oh well. I really don’t mind.

Today, er Saturday, I got the doggie door installed after a mere 6 months, and took the Blazer back to my dad. Then I went with Dan, Dave, Matt, Kyle, Jeremy, Dan’s girlfriend, and 2 of Dave’s friends to Ruby Tuesday at 7, then X-Men 3 at 8:45, then Dave, Dan, Matt, Dan’s girlfriend, Jeremy and I went to Jeremy’s for a while. I just got home about 30 minutes ago.

X-Men 3 was good, plenty of action and humor, though had some disappointing parts.

I have been working on re-categorizing the iBlog posts. I also added the “Outdoor” category. I am going slow on and off, but I am doing it.

I need to go camping soon. Jenn and I’s schedules don’t match up real well though. Hopefully her June schedule will look better.

I will be working Wednesday mornings instead of Friday afternoon beginning week after next.

OK, I suppose that is all for now. See you all later and enjoy your Memorial Day.

nick

the Thing

Blog events, Bike ride, and Misc.

This is post number 375. I was going to wait and post it on Saturday (the anniversary) and make is 3002 words long so I get 3 years, 375 posts, and 100,000 words all at once, but decided no.

Yesterday Jenn wanted to go for a bike ride, but wanted to go somewhere fun. So, we headed downtown and she asked if we could go into the museum and walk around. Next we went along the river to the waterfall park, but it wasn’t running. It is cool, I saw it working on my ride with Todd last Wednesday. I was dissapointed it doesn’t go into river though. Next we went to Bay City Car Company (I think thats name, is on 2nd and Water) which was open unlike when Todd and I went at 8pm. They have a 1974 VW Thing for just $8800. If it had windows, I would highly consider it. Also, a 1950s Mercedes Benz for just $400,000, or $11,000 a month (about, was actually higher, but I dont want to exagerate). We then headed to her house, and returned by car to the Kingfisher, since it smelled so good.

Other than that not alot exciting.

I missed Scott twice now, very sad.

Jenn, Todd, and I, and who knows who else, are going to the school bus figure 8s next friday at Dixie.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, and I WILL post on Saturday.

nick

Scott is Free!

Scott, Cars, Blog, and DSL.

Well, Scott is free of boot camp anyway. He was online yesterday and talked to my mom, I missed him though. I think going to his school he will have more online opportunities though.

I have been doing more car shopping again. Nothing real great yet though.

Today being May 22nd (almost 23rd), the blog shall be 3 years old in a mere 5 days.

Jenn switched to DSL on Friday. It is running a little slow, but that supposedly will improve, she needs to call AT&T back.

OK, that’s all for now.

nicl

Untitled 9

Food, Book, Apple, Goals, and Biking.

In the last post, I forgot to mention that Jenn made some very good mexican food on Saturday. Chili rellenos, tacos, and corn fritters, yum.

I got The Radioactive Boy Scout from the library, is a good read so far. When I return it, you should maybe try it. Need to request from Auburn or Pinconning, but only takes 2 days.

Apple released the updated iBooks yesterday, now the MacBook. Available in white or black, though black costs a premium of about $155, not sure why. I am a little disappointed that there is on aluminum “Pro” version, and quite disappointed at the Intel integrated graphics rather than a dedicated card. Other than that, they are nice laptops. Finally a 13″ widescreen, finally support for extended displays (so an external monitor will display an image other than what’s on the laptop display, as mine does), as well as audio in and gigabit ethernet. When I buy my laptop for ferris, I will likely be picking one up.

I have reviewed some of my summer goals, and have come to the conclusion that 3 of them need some changes. First, building a kayak/canoe isn’t very realistic. I have nowhere to store and no way to haul such a thing at this time. At some other point in my life, I may reconsider, but for now it is a no go. Secondly, making a hammock was to be done do to the cost of buying one, and the good folks at campmor have several that are very affordable. Besides, I don’t have much of a place in the backyard for one. Thirdly, the Mackinac trip will be delayed some, as it is unrealistic to think I can be ready by late June, only 1 month away now. This is partly due to me being over eager in planning, partly because of a week straight of rain, and partly because I don’t have and can’t yet afford some semi-crucial gear (namely panniers).

I have not yet made it to State Park, though yesterday and today both presented excellent opportunities. I am getting lazy and need to kick myself out of it. I am going on a ride with Todd later today down the river walk though.

OK, thats all for now.

nick