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

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

It Came

Power, Time, and Work.

The new power adaptor arrived today at 5. Nice to be able to use the iBook again.

I am working on fixing the date issue. I need to remember to change back in fall though, or will be screwed up again.

I got up for work today and realized I work at 1 on Fridays, not 12.

That’s all, I should be sleeping, work at 9.

nick

About The Weekend

Weekend, grades, and work schedule.

Over the weekend I rode my bike to work Friday and Saturday. It’s about 4 miles round trip, not much but something. I also rode from Jenn’s to home and back today. I hope to make it to state park and back one day this week.

I got a response from my QA professor that I will get an A in the class, but it is not yet on my report card. Regaurdless, I get Dean’s list for this semester. I was hoping for vice-president’s list again, but oh well, its something.

I do not have to work tomorrow, because we are begining the new schedule this week. I will, as already posted a week or two ago, be working the following schedule henceforth:

Thursday: 9 – 5
Friday: 12 – 5
Saturday: 9 – 5

I am suppsed to work at 8:30 either Thursday or Saturday, I don’t remember which. Anyway, I like that they are close to each other, but don’t particularly like waking up so early. Maybe it will get me up early on some of the other days to get some biking in before it gets really warm out.

OK, see you all later.
nick

Almost

School, Work, and Summer project.

So, today is the Monday of the last week of school. I go sit in my CAD class today and watch the final presentations, tomorrow I take my final electronics test, followed by giving my final speech, then Thursday I have 4 hours to finish up in machining then do shop cleanup. That will be it then, no more till late August. Funny thing about the electronics test, it’s a 2 hour class, and I average about 5 or 10 minutes for the tests. Makes me wish I didn’t have a class afterward. Then again, the thought of giving an 8 minute speech makes me with I didn’t have the class afterward alot more.

We got our new work schedules for the summer at the staff meeting on Friday. I will be working 9 – 5 Thursday, 12 – 5 Friday, and 9 – 5 Saturday. I think Thursday is actualy 8:30, but were not open till 9 so you couldn’t visit me anyway.

Along with the hammock and ride to Mackinac, I am also considering making either a kayak or canoe over the summer. A kayak would be slightly cheaper and easier, but it would be a bit lonely, and a canoe is much cheaper than 2 kayaks. Reguardless, building eith is alot cheaper than buying one, and should prove to be a somewhat fun project.

So…, yeah, I guess that’s about all for now. Will let you know how the week ended and possibly some grades later in the week. I am getting at least a B in all my classes right now, with all A- or better certainly not out of the question.

nick

Almost Done

End of the semester, summer schedule, and shopping.

Yesterday I turned in the last 2 chapters as well as the exam for my QA-244 class, and gave my final presentation for my CAD-226 class. Next Tuesday I give my final speech for SPH-112. That will pretty much end the semester. It is becoming exciting.

Friday we are having a staff meeting at work and will be discussing summer schedules. Since I decided on not taking summer classes, I will only have work over the summer, but have to be hired directly by the library rather than work-study. This is good and bad, I will have to pay taxes (bad), but will get refund, (good), but will be able to work more hours (good), and don’t need to worry about class, homework, and work, just work (good). I guess 3 to 1 makes it overall good. Ehh, 3 to 2, I will need to take the class during fall semester.

Jenn and I were on Bed Bath and Beyond last night, and I realized I was staring at bedding sets not as they were, but as website color schemes. I immediately realized the over-geekyness and stopped though.

Uhm…

I guess that’s it.

nick

Whoops

Speech, Map, Work, and Blog.

I was just thinking, “I should probably blog”. Thirteen days, yup, should probably blog.

Hmmm…

Jenn bought a new bike on Thursday. A 2005 Trek 3700. Is a nice bike, and she seems very happy with it.

Tuesday I gave my “the History of G” speech. Grade will come next week.

Tuesday before, I went out to the Lake Huron Area Council BSA office and bought a Midland – Mackinaw Trail map. I don’t know that I will ever use it, but who knows.

We had a staff meeting this morning. Nothing too fun though.

I think after this semester ends, I will have time to do stuff more and the blog will return to a bit more normal. I am sorry that I let it go 1 and 2 weeks post less. I used to see other people do that and promise I would never do that on my blog. I am disappointed in myself, and you should be too. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.

nick

Belgian Fries, Yum!

Food, Izzy, and Scott.

“Cultural” food is a strange thing, mostly because they tend not to be very cultural. Take french fries, invented in Belgium. So when we get mad at the French, we rename them, but not to the correct Belgian Fries, no, we call them Freedom Fries, because American Fries are something else (Irish perhaps). Then, we have the french style green bean. You think french people slice their green beans up like that? I doubt it, nobody in teir right mind would. Their green beans, they fit in your mouth whole, maybe snap them in half. Crazy people.

So, I read my email when I got to work today, and found out the Alex Izzykowsy will be in front of the library tomorrow giving a speech and recieving commendations from the city and county. All well and good for him, but I don’t see why they have to have it in front of the library where I work and bring 15,000 people along. April 8th will be nice too, with the official grang opening cerimonies from 1 – 5. I work that day, 1 – 5 by the way. I have to say, I really did prefer the 2 weeks I was here setting up computers and there were no patrons. Mostly I prefered setting up computers and doing stuff, but after 15,000 tomorrow, it will be alot of the no patrons too.

So, I guess that’s all.

Scott joined Navy, going to 2 month boot camp, then 18 month nuclear school, 6 year enlistment, by the way.

OK, later.

nick