Chris's Inappropriate Weekend....

So before your minds start wandering too far, the title was taken from my roommate. Heather labeled this weekend as Chris's Inappropriate Weekend, not me....

And actually, it was not that inappropriate at all. I got many productive things done, such as winterizing the house, and various small projects completed.

The reason why I was apparently inappropriate was mainly due to a few things that I did. First, I have discovered a really fun new band. 3Oh!3 (pronounced 3 oh 3). And they just happen to be two white dudes from Colorado who can best be described as having an electronic rap-hop feel to them. And while their lyrics are not something that I normally would listen to, they are just so addictive and infectious. So, I downloaded their CD and have been listen to it non stop all weekend.

Well, not quite so non-stop as in between I have been taking breaks and watching a show that added to my inappropriateness. I don't know why I like this show, but It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia so inappropriate and not PC at all. So I began my rewatch of the show. And just cause the episodes that I watched dealt with racism, underage drinking, cancer, and abortion, it does not mean that it doesn't have some redeeming qualities. Actually, not so much at all.

So that was my "inappropriate" weekend. I really went off the hook.......

The Forks

So.

I finally got the family forks. Kind of surprising, but hey I was almost half expecting it......

Little Background Info on them:

The forks are from my grandmothers old silverware set, and my dad/his siblings hated getting them to eat with as they are quite heavy. So you could always tell who was not on good terms with the table setter as they would routinely get these heavy ones instead of the lighter ones.

Fast forward a couple years, and the forks started circulating around as a "gift" between the siblings. It didn't matter the occasion, but it was a surprise to find out that you were now in possession of the forks. They have been baked in multiple cakes, put into cement, even soldered into a metal box. They have travelled across the US and abroad. And then they disappeared. No one knew who had them and no one seemed to recall that they existed. The last known person in possession was my sister who obtained them as a wedding present 7 years ago.

And then I opened my mouth. And my sister found them. And sent them to me as a gift from my nieces. Tricky Tricky.....

And current home is now Rochester. At least until I can get them back into circulation.......

Why I am in Love with TAR

...especially when they go to India!

So, I am hopelessly in love with The Amazing Race. Border-lining on fanatic. As evident by my acronym in TAR. This season has been really great as well. On its 13th installment, you would think that it would get pretty redundant. However, the major strength of this show is that they have the entire world to use as a background. The show is not so much about the race, but in how the contestants deal with the stresses of being in completely foreign situations. And India has always brought out the crazy in the contestants!

Perfectly placed mid season when killer fatigue (KF) is prime to set in, and India has set almost every contestant out of their comfort zone. Crowded, busy streets, language issues, heat/humidity; almost all are guaranteed. It is amazing to see how the racers react. Some very memorable moment include: the rat temple from season 1, how Emily and her mother Nancy were treated very poorly in their attempt to get a train (also season 1), The balking at head shaving (season 5), Joyce actually deciding to do that to her head two seasons later, getting your Indian driver's license and then having to drive to the pit stop (season 10). But nothing can compare to the last visit. It may be what I consider to the be the greatest episode of TAR yet.

You must watch. Check it out here: TAR 13, Episode 7: India in Technicolor

The color fight is enough for this show to win its 7th emmy in a row. It is that good.

And people wonder why I love this show.....

Weekend in MT

So, I spent the weekend in MT at the 'rents ranch. I really like going out there, and now that I am professional adult, I don't get many opportunities to do it. I spent 5 days there in Mid October, and was thankful to get back out there again this time.

I could do without the drive, but hey, sacrifices. I had a great time with my brother, as we spent most of the two days tooling around on the ATVs. (Mostly for fun, but also rounding up the cattle.) We also got to work the cattle through the handling facility that my brother just built, and I must say, I am impressed at how good everything went. We had a nice steady flow, and no major hick-ups. Which doesn't necessarily happen when moving cattle.

Now, the trip back was a bit long. Only had a few things slowing us down.....rain/sleet/snow, and the occasional house in the middle of the road......but I made it back earlier than I expected.

Now, just had to wait two weeks till I get out there again........Thanksgiving is going to be awesome, now that I know that I don't work and get to make it out there.....

The Ballot Card of Life

So, election day has come and gone. America has completed its (at most optimistic) yearly duty and the power now rests with our elected officials.

How sad is it that this is the mentality of many Americans today. Yes the Vote is important, but there is a much more powerful statement we make.

Throughout this year I have been learning more about myself and about life in general. One of the biggest ideas that I have learned is that every action or non-action that we choose to take is very similar to a vote. In this way, we are truly voting for what we value and believe. And we are not even aware that we are making such huge statements in our life. Our ballot card is in front of us every moment of everyday.

For example, earlier this week I stopped off at the grocery store and picked up a convenience meal (one that you cook in the microwave). I didn't even put much thought into it. Now, looking back, at that moment I valued time much more than other values. I didn't take into account the amount of plastic and other materials that is used and wasted with such items and the effect that those would have on the environment. I didn't think about how I was choosing to spend the money that I earned on an item where the distributors (aka company) instead of the producers (aka farmers, etc) get a larger portion of the profits. I never thought of these things prior to my decision. Now, I value conservation/preservation of the environment and support for local producers, but looking back on it, my choice showed that I valued my own time above these.

I could give several other examples, but the point is to learn that all of our actions, not matter how big or small give an insight into who and what we are as individuals. And I am not here to convince someone that their choices are wrong. I just want people to realize that those choices reflect to the world who they truly are.

So, for all of you who feel that your values and what not are reflected in their vote last Tuesday, I am here to tell you that you are wrong. Your values and beliefs are much better reflected in your own actions and words, not a simple ballot card....

Life on the way to MT

So, what can I say. I really love my job. Or it is more like I really love getting out of work and it is really easy to do with my job.

So far this pay period, I have missed 3 full days of work. (But I did get called in for 8 hrs on Sunday, so it is more like 1.5 days now, and I am ok with that.) And now I have the next 6 days to go on a short vacation.

So first stop is to St Cloud where I will get to wish my Niece a very happy birthday. (Have to work on being coolest Uncle). Possibilities there include bowling and using the Zip Line.

Then I am headed to Sauk where I will probably only spend the night before I head out to MT. Then 3 nice days out there where I don't have to do much, and then I am coming back home.

Oh, and then in 2 weeks I will be doing the same thing over Thanksgiving.

Life is good to me right now........

Wednesday is finally here....

So the Wednesday that I have been waiting for is finally here.....

And how do I feel? Kind of relieved actually. I am excited and intrigued to see where Obama is going to take our country. Now, most people that I know probably feel like his election is near horrible levels, but I honestly don't see that. I think Obama will be a good president.

I spent all Tuesday morning actually researching our local elections, and I actually found them to be easier to decide than the president. It was actually the last one that I officially marked down on my template. Now, I did vote for McCain/Palin, but I am fine with an Obama win. I had a feeling all morning that come 2100, he would be our President Elect. Do I agree with all of his policies that he is planning on making? Not really, but hey, I will have to live with it. (As long as Socialized Health care does not come through.....) He does have some great ideas and hope that some of them make it through (Yea for Renewable energy.....)

The one thing that I am most impressed with is the reaction that his win has gotten. Not just here stateside, but in the world. Now if I could just get people to stop gloating about it and move on......

In actuality, both are not as far to their respective sides as the other would have made them out to be. So that was why it was kind of hard for me to vote this election. But I am glad I did.

Well, I wish President Obama the best with his four years and I hope he guides our country to where we need to be these next four years.