Life Is But A Dream

I'm alive

2008-09-19T16:16:00.001-04:00

I'm alive. I survived a hurricane. Hurricane Ike, that is.

Updated: My Blog

2007-03-20T16:57:00.000-04:00

I updated by blog from a Blogger account to a g-mail account today. I don't know why. I haven't blogged in forever. Maybe I'll start doing it again.

Routine: A Day in the Life Of

2006-11-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

Since the last post, Michigan has lost to Ohio State, Michigan has retained its #2 BCS ranking, and I've got to work Monday through Friday, 7:15AM-5:00PM.

On top of the recent home theatre purchase, I also bought a new bass amp. I couldn't afford it. Not one bit. Life has been good. Work is work but I'm enjoying it.

We had a Thanksgiving meal at work last Tuesday. Whoever said, "Everything is bigger in Texas" wasn't kidding. Texans do Thanksgiving straight out of Brent Carr's playbook. It didn't compare to "friends" Thanksgiving but it was fun, nevertheless.

For the Ohio State game, some friends rented out the local watering hole, "The Wet Spot." For a summed total of $95, we got exclusive access to the porch and a keg. Other than the loss, it turned out to be quite the ideal situation.

I also had the chance to go check out my first Houston Texans game with two co-workers. A co-worker had some season tickets in the endzone about three rows up. The Texans lost in the last 0:09. Watching and supporting the Texans is strangely similar to watching and supporting the Lions.

While Julie Russel was visiting, we had a chance to check out some legit Texas high school football. The stadium, Stallworth stadium, sat 16,000 and was comparable to most small college stadiums. The game was one-sided and the stands were empty but the mood, "Friday Night Lights"feeling, and high school girls were in force.

In other news, while visiting Texas, Julie got a pink cowgirl hat.

Impulse: The Story of a Yuppie

2006-11-12T19:11:00.000-05:00

After an exciting weekend with friends, I settled in to watch a movie, The Weatherman. After enjoying Netflix for about 3 months now, I've been noticing a steady decline of the Mintek.

Finally fed up, I got off my ass and went to Best Buy near the Galleria. Planning on buying a new DVD player, I was thinking about buying a simple replacement; $40, maybe $60. After browsing for about 5 minutes, I found the "Home Theatre" section.

Along with the DVD player, I got 4 satellite speakers, a center speaker, a subwoofer, and a receiver. We're talkin' 1000Watts of pure audio power. I choose to do this because I'm a young professional.

A Little Bit Of Joy

2006-11-02T22:24:00.000-05:00

Things that bring me joy on a daily basis:

1. Marmaduke Explained

2. My friends

3. Nerds

Life is grand.

Another Church Visit

2006-09-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

I went to church again this weekend. However, this was a church I was more familiar with. My church - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

After one month of work, I'm ready to retire. I still like what I'm doing. I've learned more in the last month than I did in any 3 years of college. Getting paid is mega-sweet. I still don't have any money but when I get a paycheck, the one or two minutes the money remains in my account is pretty sweet. After about two minutes, the money is spent paying off debt, rent, bills, and credit card bills.

I had the chance to go out this weekend. Elliot had a friend from elementary who showed us around and took us to some Houston hotspots. It was nice to finally get out and take in the Houston nightlife. It's pretty awesome.

Life continues as normal. Things are beginning to become routine. I can't tell if that's good or not.

On a completely unrelated note, last night I got in around 2:30AM and had to park pretty high up in the parking structure. One day I will run the world so I can afford to have a car like this. Allthough if you ask he, the Hub-mobile outdoes this Ferrari anyday.

A Unique Experience

2006-09-11T21:56:00.000-04:00

A short note: Early last week, I was invited by one of the guys mentoring me to attend church with his two younger daughters. He told me it was one of the "new" churches and I got the impression it'd be something like New Life. Thinking I'd try anything once, I graciously accepted his offer and planned on meeting his two daughters Sunday morning at a "new-age" church downtown.

Sunday morning I got a call from one of his daughters with directions and the time things got rolling. I showed up around 12:20PM and was greeted with open arms by everyone I saw. The "unique" part of the experience is that I was the only white person attendance that morning. The service was great, the music was awesome, and it was a great experience. I can't say if I'll go back again but I'm sure glad I went.

The Office: La Porte

2006-08-30T19:27:00.001-04:00

(If the links to the pictures give you a 403: Forbidden error, click on the address and hit enter)

Another day, another dollar. This is where I've been spending about 50% of my time. This is my office. I inherited it from a woman whose name is unpronounceable. The office was left untouched from her move-out. I've had to sift through her stuff (keep in mind she has lots of female "stuff" in the desk) to dig myself a place to work. It's starting to feel more homey. With a poster or two, it'll be just like the family room at Hoover.

Today was the nicest day I've had so far. It was only 91F and the humidity was a mere 31%. Things at work are great. I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out how things run, who does what, and how I fit in. Monday I was greeted at 7:30AM to an e-mail telling me "...the K-Tron precoat feeder is down. Will you fix it?" First and foremost, I knew just as much as you about what the Hell they wanted me to do. Secondly, after tackling this problem now for three days, it remains unsolved. I've done a lot of work and now am able to help the 30+ year veterans fix the problem and there's a work order in for some final work to be done Friday morning. This will mark the first profitable contribution I've made.

Today I also stole some time to enroll in Koch's benefit program. Starting September 1st, I will be covered with health and dental insurance. This might now seem like a big deal... it's not. It just seems weird that a couple of weeks ago, I was worried about this.

I also set up a 401(k) account with JPMorgan and will start, with my first paycheck, to invest 3% of my salary in to a retirement fund. I'm 23. I'm investing in my retirement.

I'm headed back to Michigan this friday to attend a wedding for a high school friend, Nick Smith. I'll spend Friday in Ann Arbor, stick around for a bit of the tailgate Saturday, and then make my way to Rochester Hills for a wedding. Not only am I investing in my future, my friends are getting married. On a similar note, Zach Warlick just turned 24. My friends are a quarter of a century old.

What do you think about New Years 2k6 --> 2k7: Houston?

Note: I just counted and I have 26 Brown Jug pens that will soon occupy the mug on my desk.

A Memory

2006-08-27T15:06:00.000-04:00

Can't wait to see this again.

Gonna' miss this

40 Hours: A Shock to the System

2006-08-26T18:42:00.000-04:00

So after a rough 40 hour work week, I find myself needing this weekend more than ever. After a week on the job, I've got some good impressions about what I've done and what I'll be doing. Invista - La Porte is a chemical facility that produces two chemicals - THF and PTMEG. Both chemicals are sold to make polymers used in Stainmaster carpet, Lycra, nylon, and a variety of other applications. The site I'm working on, while being one of Invista's smallest facilities, is the industry leader of both aforementioned chemicals.

The plant has about 100 employees. The operators work around the clock monitoring the process while the engineers and management works M-F 8-5ish ensuring things are running correctly. Everyone I've met is approachable and eager and willing to help. That's a bonus when you're going in to a field you know nothing about. Invista is one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Check out all the job openings.

My official title is an "Electrical and Instrumentation Reliability Engineer." Sound confusing? That makes two of us. I get the impression the engineering staff is broken down in to two group - one working to keep the plant up and running and another developing new methods to save money and increase productivity. I get the impression I'll be the former. Eventually I'll be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the electrical systems in the plant. As of now, the only other E&I engineering is my boss. He's in his mid-fiftys and is a nice guy. He's working as a contractor now and appears to be near the end of his career. Outside of he and I working as E&I engineers, there is an E&I maintenance staff that works around the clock monitoring, repairing, and working on preventive maintenance. I'll be working closely with the E&I maintenance staff to conduct preventive maintenance, install new systems, and repair systems that fail.

Allready I've spent a good amount of time outside working hands-on learning about the different systems and facilities. It's good for me because it break up the monotony of sitting behind a desk. I've quickly figured out that everything I've learned in school is junk. I've got an entire new curriculum to learn to figure out how things work, the new theory with the devices I'll be working with, and the chemical process. It's a great deal of information, all fairly interesting. For every hill I make it over, I reveal a mountain behind it. I get the feeling it will be many moons before I fully understand what's going on.

Life in the working world is a shock. I've been getting up around 6:45AM and working until about 4:45 or 5. With the job comes a new computer, (Dell Latitude D620 with Duo Core Processors and 1GB of RAM) my own office, (door and all) and all the safety equipment one could ever wish for. I justify every day with how much I make while I'm there and when things lull, I count on that to get me through the day. Money is a motivator.

I'll work on smuggling a camera in to see if I can get some pictures of the plant, my office, and the area. La Porte is a chemical area home to companies like Shell, Exxon, Goodyear, and a plethora of other major industrial players. Driving from downtown Houston 20 minutes east in to the most concentrated industrial site I've ever seen is shocking. Every morning I drive east in to the sun but about the time I get to La Porte, the exhaust from the plants block the sun and I can take off my sunglasses.

It's a different, new world but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm looking forward to my first paycheck. I've got a bit of debt to dig myself out of. Come and visit sometime and I'll work that debt like you can't imagine.

A Few Rambling Observations

2006-08-19T20:59:00.000-04:00

So this post won't contain any pertinent information about Houston, my job, or anything else. I just had a few observations about maintaining friendships, long-distance communication, and other random stuff.

First, Instant Messanger is a blessing. How did people communicate before computers? At any given time, I can hope online and find out what my friends are doing. On top of that, I can talk to friends a country away and stay in touch and in tune with the goings-on at any of their locales.

Second, e-mail works even better. A quick message to keep in touch or keep friends informed is invaluable. To be able to, at any time, send someone at message they can read and respond to at their convenience is awesome. Without e-mail, all we would have is the United States Postal Service. While they are a reliable service with a 200 year service record, there is no debate as to the relative ease of e-mail. No postage, no delivery time, and no reception problems.

Third, any big city in America contains everything someone would want: Speciality stores, sports, travel options, and dining to name a few examples. However, not all big cities posses options for mass transit. Not unlike Detroit, Houston is a city driven by an industry. In Detroit, it's cars. In Houston, it's oil. Both cities understandably have lobbies deterring mass transit to further their product. It's a shame because that monopoly limits the development and growth of any city. Both current and potential residents have to be turned off by the limiting easy of transportation. To get to the outskirts of the city, one must drive. While this proves not to be a challenge for those fortunate enough to have a reliable car and the means to fund its operation. I believe this to be a major developmental problem for any city looking to grow and flourish. Houston needs a subway, rail system, or reliable bus system. You can see here that the bus system in place lacks the hours, routes, and staff to move people to the places they need to go on a daily (business day and weekend day)basis.

Summary: Friends are important and it's easy to stay in touch no matter where you are in the world. Also, the US should take a page out of the worlds book and implement mass transportation everywhere. That's all.

Beyond Chinatown

2006-08-17T17:07:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I beat the heat and drove south of downtown to Rice Univeristy. I briefly stopped to check out their campus and athletic facilities. My experience with colleges is that they are normally integrated in to a city environment. However, Rice, unlike most of the universities I've visited, is situation in a metropolitan part of town containing tall buildings, crowded streets, and non-university businesses.

On the trip I also found a store that supplied parts and consumables for the Narguila. This was a major find and will work for future purchases in the aforementioned field.

From Rice University, there was a great view of downtown. Through the haze of the heat, you can see the skyline of downtown behind the looming skyscrapers of the university.

Once one finds "Main Street," the major thoroughfare through Rice's campus, you can deviate from that road more often traveled and find streets familiar to any college student: student slums. It goes to show college is college no matter where you go or what city you're in. While I miss the easy-living lifestyle of Ann Arbor, I can't help but be excited for what awaits in America's fourth largest city.

It appears, from my short exposure to the city, that Houston was once a major player in international and national business. However, during the oil lulls of the late 80's and 90's, it delved in to a small depression. Now, with oil prices on the rise and oil companies thriving, the development and reurbanization of Houston is evident. I have hope that Houston will grow in to the hotspot for young professionals it once was.

18 Innings? Don't Mind If I Do

2006-08-16T15:07:00.000-04:00

Last night I had the chance to watch my first Astros game at Minute Maid Park. I watched Roger Clemens pitch against the Chicago Cubs. I bought tickets around noon and got a ticket down the first base line in the highest row of the stadium. Even after taking a tour earlier in the afternoon, I was still pretty amazed with the stadium.

Allthough the Astros lost, it was a game for the record books. If you're familiar with the stadium, you know they have the deepest straight away center of any ballpark, 346 feet from home plate. As you approach the wall in center field, you'll notice a 30-degree, uphill slope - "Tal's Hill" - for a center field warning track, and a flag pole in the field of play create unique actions for any ball that gets past an outfielder. Before last night, only one player had conquered center field in game play. Last night, Chicago Cub's Jacque Jones also conquered this wall becoming the second player in Minute Maid history to clear center field.

Outside from the long-ball, the game also went in to a Minute Maid record 18 innings. Lasting until midnight, the game eventually turned to a loss for the Astros but proved to be worth the $10 ticket. The Astros lost 6-8 and played a game that equated to two normal MLB games. It was a great game to make my first (of many) at Minute Maid Park.

To those who might visit during baseball season: Make sure to let me know early so we can catch a convenient game at Minute Maid Park.

Apartment

2006-08-15T14:53:00.000-04:00

So I took a couple shots of my loft, currently inhabated by me. Hopefully this will provide a glimpse in to where I'll be wallowing for the next few years.

Minute Maid Park

2006-08-15T14:35:00.000-04:00

I spent the afternoon today on a guided tour of Minute Maid Park. The park, opened in 2000, is fantastic. It is a major engineering feat with a retractable roof, astonishing HVAC system, and manicured field. The tour was informative and we got to see some places I surely won't be able to go tonight like the dugout, bullpen, media broadcasting room, suites, managers offices, and the diamond club.

It was an awesome experience and at the beginning of the tour, the tour guide had the group go around and have people say where they were from. Going around the group, there were lots of Chicagoans, some people from California, and when prompted, I was, "...from two blocks down the street." It's a neat feeling to be able to call myself a Houstonian.

As we were moving from level to level, I also was able to get a great view of my apartment. It really is two blocks away.

A Little Bit of Houston

2006-08-14T14:01:00.000-04:00

So I took the opportunity to walk around Houston on this beautiful Monday afternoon (that's the last time I'll ever call a Monday beautiful) I saw some great sights and got some good shots of some scenic views.

This is a shot of the outside of my lofts. The complex consists of three buildings: A main building housing the offices, pool, theatre, internet cafe, pool table, and lofts. (mine included) One other building consists of exclusively lofts and the third is a parking structure. The shot on the left is of the main office entrance (click on any image for full size)

The next thing you see when you left the lofts is Minute Maid Park. The Park is brand new and the area around it is heavily under development. It appears as though the area used to thrive, became run down, and now is starting to flourish again.

As one walks downtown, it transitions from the BallPark feeling (Toyota Center, home to The Rockets, is also in the area) to the metropolis feel. The Skyline District is the most impressive. Building are named after the major oil investors like Shell and Exxon. The Skyline District provides some scenic views and some great shade to stay cool (even though this is impossible)

As you can see, the skyline is impressive. The streets are well marked, it's easy to get around, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and shopping centers.

As you continue downtown, you'll come across the Theatre District, the Shopping District, and the entertainment district.

Even the architecture in Houston is great. The old buildings, reminiscent of the golden oil era, dot the skyline with elegance. The newer skyscrapers, built with money from the recent resurge of oil, gives the area a feeling of pristine, clean, nouveau downtown.

And as one continues through downtown, you arrive at an impressive theatre district, the third largest in the country. A combination of musical theatre, ballet, orchestral, and dance rounds Houston as a up-and-coming city.
The Aquarium also provides a nice backdrop. I had a chance to visit with my parents. The exhibits weren't great but the building is cool.

The theatre buildings are all impressively large and new. I can't wait to see a show at either of these venues.

And finally, on the return trip, to get to my loft, you walk through the main entrance and see this, the place I'll be spending the next week until I start work:
Note: On my walk, I lost 1.5 cubic liters of sweat. It's hot here.

On My Own

2006-08-14T11:05:00.000-04:00

I just took my parents to Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) It was a short 15 minute drive out of the city, similar to the one I'll be making to work (with another 10 minutes or so tacked on at the end) and the traffic wasn't bad. However, the traffic coming in to the city is terrible. I guess it makes sense that people want to live outside the city and drive in instead of the opposite.

The short story is I'm officially on my own now. I've got $60 in my wallet, a stressed credit card/bank account, and nothing to do until I start work Monday, August 21st. I'll take today and spend some time walking around the city and the area I live. Maybe I'll even take some pictures to add to this blog. Who knows. I can do whatever I want.

Maybe I'll just stay in and watch TV.

Man It's Hot

2006-08-12T19:38:00.000-04:00

I’m in awe. After 17 grueling hours on the road Thursday and another 5 today, I’ve finally arrived in my new home: Houston, Texas. My dad, driving the 10-foot U-Haul, arrived about an hour before my mom and me. Upon our arrival, we proceeded in to the leasing office to take care of the paper work, check out the facilities, and do some stretching after spending the night in Texarkana, TX.

When we walked in, we were both stunned. Not to blow my own horn, but I pick well. Even on our drive in to the leasing office, we were greeted by a fantastic, new Minute Maid Park. When we walked in the office, there were plush sofas, amazing décor, and friendly staff. After sitting down and signing some papers (about 30) I was given a key to my room, a keyless fob that opened all the doors in the complex, and a garage door opener for the parking structure.

I took a few minutes to look at the fabulous pool at the center of the complex – complete with multiple grills, coolers, and pop machines- which permits booze, the huge fitness facility, the “business center” with capabilities to fax, print, and surf the internet, and the theatre room. Now let it be known – moving the big screen up the 3 stairs we had to proved to be a small challenge. Maybe it was unnecessary. The theatre room has stadium seating, a high definition projection system, and an unreal sound setup. I can only image Halo 2.

So after leaving the main facility in awe, my mom and I went up to my room, loft #1221, which was on the second floor. My dad had been moving in things from the U-Haul for about an hour and a half. The only items left were the big-ticket things like the dresser, bed, sofa, and television. I was greeted by a sight so beautiful I nearly shit myself. (my go-to move when I’m elated) The loft was huge, brand new, spacious, gigantic, massive, mammoth, colossal, and awesome. The bathroom has both a shower (with 2 heads, one on either wall) and a high-powered bath tub. The loft has two huge walk-in closets for storage and a great closet for clothes. Sitting here with things left sitting in boxes seems like a crime. I want to unpack, clean, organize, and show off my new place to anyone who would look.

As we finished unloading, my parents decided there were going to check in to their hotel and clean up so we could meet for dinner. I drove them to their hotel downtown, about 5 blocks away, and saw on my return trip the crowds headed to the stadium for an Astros game. What a fabulous sight. Imagine Comerica Park surrounded by great residential areas minutes from a bustling downtown. Well, so it kind of is... but image now you aren’t scared for your life. That’s the difference.

I haven’t been here long, I haven’t seem much (or any) of the city, but I know this is going to be fantastic. It’s a drag my parents are still writing checks for me but soon enough I’ll be able to repay them. Why? I’ve got a job. I’m a yuppie now (young urban professional) and I live with a bunch of other yuppies. I spent many long hours searching for the right place to live. I think I did a good job.

Blogging is for Losers (And Tom)

2006-07-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

(Interspersed throughout this post, you'll see some photographs the leasing agent took of the unit I'll be living in.)

The most important development in my life: I'm out of money. Between a bar-fueled summer, no part-time work, and a stressed credit card, I'm flat out broke. Luckily, a pre-paid trip to Nashville this weekend will curb spending. (if that's even possible) Outside of being broke, life is grand. I've got an apartment, a job, and a cross-country moving plan.

On Wednesday, August 9th I'll load up my car and the U-Haul with my parents and drive back to Grand Blanc for the night. Early on the 10th, my mom and I will depart in my car making the 1300 mile trip to Houston, Texas. Soon after, my dad will depart in the U-Haul leaving my mom and I time in Houston to find the apartment, take care of the paperwork, and being the move-in. My parents will stay until Monday helping move, stock the apartment, and explore.

Look at this view! That's Minute Maid Park. It's a long tee-shot away.

To those in town, I plan on having a friend-fest at the Brown Jug on my last night in town. Tuesday, August 8th. 10PM. Brown Jug. Dress up like your favorite employee.

Free Shipping Until August

2006-07-18T17:02:00.000-04:00

Three things I'm already missing: (and I haven't even left yet) Friendship, irresponsibility, and laziness. I've finally taken the time to review the apartment listings the realtors have forwarded. I've decided that I would like to live in downtown Houston. Houston, America's "Space City," is thriving with plenty to do. I want to be part of that.

I've finally narrowed the list of downtown apartments to one: The Lofts at the Ballpark. There is a unit available there (Loft L) that meets my specifications and my price range. The complex looks nice with plenty of amenities. It's literally across the street from Minute Maid Park, home of the Astro's.

There appears to be plenty to do around there area, too. Restaurants and bars are aplenty. First and foremost, The Hub. A few words on The Hub:
The Scene
The gargantuan neon lights on the facade of Houston's ultimate bar are hard to miss. Those looking to avoid the downtown scene's chichi blandness will appreciate the festive and slightly rowdy atmosphere. The emphasis here is on fun, not fashion. A long couch snakes around one side of the main room. Tall cocktail tables are interspersed throughout, and "The Matrix" plays on two large TV screens flanking the bar.

The Draw
An interracial crowd of 20- and 30-somethings carouse to DJ Patrick as he cues everything from David Allen Coe cuts to 50 Cent romps. A la "Coyote Ugly," don't be surprised to see shot girls and scantily clad female patrons jump on the bar and dance to the delight of the masses below.

Needless to say, it's going to be mighty easy to entertain guests. And the best part, its distance from the apartment: 1.01 miles.

Invista has agreed to pay for my relocation, I've found a sweet place to live, and until I start, I've got nothing to do. Being a young professional has its kicks. However, I'm still going to miss having friends around 24 hours a day. Book your flights now.

Live Like A King

2006-07-03T12:14:00.000-04:00

As real-life speeds at me like a crack whore running for her next trick, I find myself with more things to do, less time to do them, and plenty of trash TV that needs to be watched. As I conquer each challenge with accepting a new job, a new one presents itself. Most recently, it's been trying to find an apartment, plan the logistics for making the 1300 mile move, and trying to squeeze some money out of Invista to help pay for the trip.

So after contacting a few apartment-finding services in Houston, I've got a long list of apartments in two areas. The first is a place called Clear Lake. Clear Lake is about 30 minutes from downtown Houston and about 10 minutes from La Porte. (Invista) While this is a shorter commute and a much newer and nicer area, there isn't much to do. As a young professional, I want to be able to enjoy having oodles and oodles of money and nothing to spend it on. The idea of living in downtown Houston within walking distance of stadiums, bar, parks... things to do, is quite appealing. I must admit the idea of living in a new, luxurious apartment is pretty appealing. However, I'm leaning toward living in the city and dealing with the commute. Plus, it'd be more fun to entertain friends downtown.

Renting a U-Haul is expensive. To make the 1300 mile one-way trip, a U-Haul is going to cost about $1,100.00. Combine that with the gas, lodging for an overnight stay, and food, we're talking some major expenses. Being the broke, strapping college grad I am, I've been working with Invista to see if they'll help with the expenses. With any luck, they'll foot the bill for the move. Without any luck, they won't.

The closer the move comes, the more excited I get. It will be hard to move away from friends, family, and a life of no responsibility. But I'm confident that my parlor tricks will make me friends and my company will soon learn about my lack of responsibility.

Now if only we could get rid of Elliot.

If it ain't rough, it ain't right

2006-06-27T15:15:00.000-04:00

Take a moment to analyze Detroit sports for a moment. The four Detroit team, The Lions, The Tigers, The Red Wings, and the Pistons, have perennially fit in to a mold.

The Pistons, while having a slump in the mid-nineties, have always been a basketball power house. Expectations have always been for a NBA victory. This year, after losing in the Eastern Conference finals, The Pistons and their fans seem disenchanted. Talks of trades, free agents, and coaching seem to ruin a successful season. Let us not forget they were one of the top four teams this season.

The Red Wings, The Yankees of hockey, are always expected to use their unlimited funding to produce a Stanley Cup winning team. This year, the Oilers beat the Wings early in the playoffs. A disappointing result for a powerhouse team.

The Lions, ranked consistently as one of the worst teams in the NFL, have made some off-season changes and are slated to fall in about 32 place. No surprise there.

The Tigers, a team with a rich and illustrious history, are battling back from a 2003 season which was the Tigers' worst ever, and it was very nearly the worst season by anyone in baseball's storied history. Before the 2003 season the team fired interim manager Luis Pujols (Garner's replacement; Garner, along with clueless , GM Randy Smith had been fired after the team started the 2002 season with a record of 0-6), and hired on former Tigers great Alan Trammell to manage the team. Though they finished in a bit of a winning stride, winning five of their final six games, they still finished the season with a record of 43-119. Their 119 losses was bad enough to become the new American League record for most losses in a season.

This year, The Tigers have turned things around and are sitting happy with the most wins in Major League Baseball. Their starting pitches have the lowest ERA, the team is hitting right around .300, and they are on a four-game win streak. It's early to make predictions about the Tiger's future but it's safe to say that even if they quit now, they would already have won more games then they did in 2003.

Detroit sports fans can only hope for a similar turn around from the shameful Lions. It'll be nice to not have to waste my Sunday afternoons watching the Lions face certain defeat.

Ann Arbor - My Kind of Town

2006-06-25T20:31:00.000-04:00

So as an aside to the normal "life and times of a recently employed college grad," some action at the box house (note the lack of capitalization) this evening deserves a forum for discussion. This, my friends, is the chosen forum.

Around 7:30PM this evening, I was inside, watching the cinematic masterpiece, "The Patriot." I noticed Zach standing by the door watching something happening at our neighbors house on Hoover. I asked Zach what he was doing and he told me he was watching one of Ann Arbor finest (a bum) carrying two speakers eyeing the neighbors house. Zach watched the man walk down Hoover towards State. By this time, it had become apparent that he was in search of one of the following:
1. Some new speakers
2. A warm meal
3. Some tobacco
4. Some new BOX friends
5. Some booze

Zach then watched the bum walk in to the partially open door at 933 S. State (a.k.a The box house) It became evident at this point that this man was unwanted in the box house. Knowing that I have had a similar experience with trespassers in that same house, I took it upon myself to dial 911 and inform them of the trespasser.

We followed the bum down Hoover and waited patiently as the 911 dispatcher brought the 5-0 up on the block. Approximately 4 officers approached the house with 3 going behind the house and one entering through the front door. We had waited for the police for about five minutes and not more than 30 seconds after he had entered, the officer walked out with the bum in tow. We talked briefly with the police so they could get our names and phone numbers. After we had finished our conversation, I phoned Chris Vickery who told me they were inside when the bum entered. Zach and I, having completed our good deed for the day, returned home and waited for the police to leave so we could go find out the scoop.

After the police left, we headed over to get the low-down. Here's the story (recreated) from Chris Vickery's mouth:
"So John and I were sitting in the family room watching a movie when we heard a rustling and then saw someone slam down two speakers on the desk in the foyer. The bum walked in and told us he had found the speakers in the trash and they were ours. He made claim that the speakers were worth about $200 retail. He walked in to the family room, sat in the roller-chair and got face-to-face with me lying on the couch. He asked me if it was okay to search through the beer cans on the table to find some wounded soldiers to see if there was any left. To his disappointment, he wasn't able to find any leftovers. He then returned to his chair and his face-to-face position and asked me if we had any beers. I told him we were fresh out and then he asked if we had any cigarettes. Knowing there was one lying on the A/C unit behind me and wanting to get the bum out of my face immediately, I handed him the cigarette. The bum, now with cigarette, mentioned that he no longer carried lighters as his friends did crack and he went through the too quickly. However, luckily this bum must have been a boyscout as he was carrying a pack of matches. Contented, the bum rolled himself in to a good position to watch some TV and smoke his cig with us. The spot he found: Directly in front of the TV only a few feet away. Confused and now angry, John, trying to watch TV, told the bum he couldn't smoke in the house and he was in the way of the TV. It was at the point the cop walked in and said, 'Charlie, what are you doing here?' This bum was well known around town.

It sounds like Charlie was friendly and meant no harm. However under different circumstances, the situation could have been much dirtier had a) No one been home or b) The bum been of a more violent mindset.

I was amazed that the police response time was under 5 minutes. They came quickly and in force. It's good to know that while they're not giving MIP's and parking tickets, they are responsive.

When You've Got Something They Want

2006-06-25T03:34:00.000-04:00

While, as per the norm, the weekend has been filled with stuptifying events and memoryless fun, it has also been an insight in to the world of an adult. Friday I had the opportunity to explore some apartment finding sites that were provided by my employer. By the time I woke up this morning, I had two messages informing me that they had received my submissions and were able to help me.

Here's how it works:
1. You select an area
2. You select the amenities
3. You select your price range
4. You send the info off to a finder's site

It then becomes their job to match your preferences with available locations. What's the catch? Nothing. The real estate companies make money from the leasing agents because they've referred a client. Me, the customer, pays nothing.

It's also been quite a surprise how nice real life homes are. After 5 years in the student ghetto:

The places available for the same amount of money are amazing. It's amazing how the world opens up once you leave the "bubble" that is Ann Arbor.

P.S. Karin Neubauer

Analog/Digital Inspiration

2006-06-21T23:28:00.000-04:00

May 16th was the last time I remember participating in a structured activity. This summer has been the most relaxing, stress-free time of my life. Short of a class at UM-Dearborn, my life has been pretty carefree. Late mornings, trash TV, and complete home cooked meals are just some of the highlights.

So I've never understood the use of a blog as an online diary. I will try my best not to make it one. The objective of starting a blog was to track the job process and try to shed a little insite on the subject. After 34 interviews, 8 flights, and 10 corporate meals, I finally settled on a company in Houston, TX. I had a chance to visit their facilities some time ago. I never had a chance to make it in to downtown Houston. Should I be worried about moving there without ever visiting? Maybe. Am I? Not a bit.

The things to be concerned about:

Finding a place to live

Close enough to work to have a relativly short commute
In a good area of town (i.e. Left Pocket Gang territory)
In a fun part of town
Price
Ammenities

The Move

U-Haul
Moving In
What to Bring
Moving a Car to TX
Moving out of Ann Arbor

The Paperwork

I've gotten at least 10 forms for taxes, direct deposit, liability, benefits, etc... that I have to fill out

The Job

Will I like this?
Will my desk be nice?
Will I really spend the next 30 years here?
What time is lunch?
How much cnn.com can I explore without being fired?

Texas

Will I be required to join the minutemen?
How can I get a David Carr Texans jersey?
How long will it take until "Ya'll" becomes part of my regular vernacular?

It might not seem like much but I feel like a mouse looking up at a mountain. Good thing I'm 300+lbs. Maybe I can just move the mountain. This is an exciting process and while it's daunting, I'm really looking forward to it. My only real concern is the friends that will visit and treat Houston like the Brown Jug.

New Beginnings

2006-06-20T10:54:00.000-04:00

Yup, I started a blog. Never thought I'd do it but what better way to tell the world about my changing life, my conquests, and my failures. I don't imagine I'll update regularly. I don't image my posts will be of much interest. I don't image anyone will ever read this. But, just in case, I won't post tubgirl.

Life's bearing down faster than you can say, "URSPRACHE." That word sounds German. I bet Tom and Simon love it. My only goal here is to document the move from a life with no responsibility, no finanical stresses, and no problems to a life where I'm responsibile for everything I do.

Also, when I start work in late August, I hope this blog will serve as a way for me to waste time until I can go home.

P.S. This is where I'm moving...