New Phone

After 4 and a half years I gave up my "anchor" phone and got me a Samsung Rant. It's so advanced in comparison I'm still trying to figure out how to simply make a call. It has unlimited texting, Internet, TV, GPS, email, photo sharing, blah blah blah. Lots of interesting things. I also joined the Sprint family. Now I'm an official Nascar Redneck. The coverage is a little better up North of here and the same everywhere else. And the best part is, I'm not paying anymore than I was with the anchor.

Another good feature is the auto locking keys. After just a few seconds the keys lock themselves. That means, hopefully, I won't accidentaly call anyone anymore. Like 911 from the toilet in Target. OOOOOPPPPS. Those dispatchers have very little sense of humor.

New Year Resolutions

Do you have your list of New Year Resolutions? Most folks have at least a couple things they'd like to change and what better time than at the start of a brand new year. So as 2009 kicks off this week what's on your list?

Well the number one thing most people put on their list has something to do with weight loss or fitness. I'd have to say that would include me. I'd love to get in shape and be more healthy. Sounds like work though.

How about finances? Lots of folks list items related to finances. Maybe lower their debt or save money. Yeah, yeah.... I'll work on that.

Some people list quit smoking or quit drinking. I conquered smoking almost 11 years ago and you can bet that quitting drinking is not on my list.

Last year on top of my list was to slow down on the potty mouth. That lasted until I had my first drink. Hmmmmm. May or may not try that one again.

How about learning something new. Okay, I'll bite. Something new. Hmmmmm. Got it. I'll learn to eat with chopsticks.


So in summary, I'm going to drink, swear and eat with chopsticks in 2009. Oh yeah, and maybe save some money and lose some fat. Although I doubt either of those items will happen. My only hope for losing fat is the chopsticks. Maybe I'll starve myself half to death trying to eat with them. And with drinking comes loss of money and gain of fat...completely the opposite of what I want to accomplish. I'm starting to think I may not be as devoted to my list as one should be.

Happy New Year Everyone and good luck with your list!

Vikings Win NFC North Title and Advance to the Playoffs

After a very very close game yesterday against the NY Giants, the Minnesota Vikings win the NFC North in the final seconds. At that point we knew that MN would be going into the playoff's due to Chicago's loss to Houston. But it was sweet to see them take the title. They'll move on to play Phili on Sunday night at 3:30 pm Central time.

Merry Christmas

Vikings Suck. Packers Suck

That's all I have to say about that.

Anchorage Alaska

Well it looks a lot like Minnesota except with Mountains. Brrrrrrrrr. My friend, Marcia Chase, took these photos last week while she is up in Anchorage working at KAFC/KATB. I suppose she thinks it's cold up there. Originally from Wisconsin, Marcia now lives in Alabama and is rather spoiled with the warmer climate down there.

http://www.katb.org/

My Bright Idea

Why the hell don't the oil companies loan the auto makers the money they need? They make more in PROFITS in one quarter than GM and Chrysler are asking for. And it's only a loan. It's not like they won't pay it back :). Why are the tax payers being asked to pick up the bill? We already bought the freak'n vehicles and continue to drive them even when fuel was $4.00 a gallon. And so that's where all our money went: to the oil companies. Seems like a no brainer to me.

And here's another question: where the hell is Lee Iacocca? Isn't this deja vu for him?

Kyle's Basketball Game

Saturday after going to breakfast with Santa I went to Kyle's basketball game. Here's a shot of him dribbling the ball. The little booger is pretty good. As a matter of fact he tried out for the traveling basketball team and made it. I believe he'll be on the A squad.


Here's Kyle guarding what appears to be a "special" child. Yes, I know, I'm going straight to hell.


Lindsey was a little scared of Santa, so she made her dad sit in with her. Forget about sitting on Santa's lap. Out of the question. That's alright, the guy kind of gave me the creeps too.

Wednesday Fellowship

What started out as Wings Wednesday has now migrated into Wednesday Fellowship. We temporarily abandoned Grizzley's wings to visit members homes. This past Wednesday was at Stella's. She made a bunch of nummy appetizers and we ended up playing Catch Phrase (which I tanked at).

We took this photo in front of the Christmas tree but it looks like we over powered the tree.

Next week will be at Alleman's and New Years Eve will be at Brian Moon's.

Pictured here:

Bottom left to right = Makita, Nick Alleman, Colin MacDonald (Mac from the Powerloon), Brian Moon (from the Loon also).

Center left to right = Me, Jennifer Alleman and Stella Watson.

Top = Mitch Ryan (from the loon as well).

Pancake Breakfast with Santa

This Saturday from 8am to 10am the Brainerd Fire Department is hosting a fundraiser Breakfast with Santa at "Applebean's" (as Lindsey's says it). Stop by and have pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee for $5.00. Santa will be there so you can take photo's of the kiddo's with him. The Brainerd Fire Fighters will be the servers.

To my Soldier

I just got back from the post office. I mailed my soldier James in Iraq a box of goodies for Christmas. It doesn't seem like very much when I think of those kids over there away from their families during the holidays. So if you are writing out Christmas cards and you have an extra one, a spare postage stamp and a few moments, I would ask that you send him a holiday greeting. James is stationed on Camp Striker in the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad. He is from Illinois. He has a five year old daughter waiting for him there. Just tell him "thanks for your service" and that you're my friend or family member. I'm sure he would appreciate getting your card during the holidays.

James V. Hand
62 QM Company
68th CSSB
APO, AE 09344

Brigid's Irish Pub

This past weekend we made a trip to Bemidji to celebrate Makita's birthday with parents Shirley and Bill. We went to a Bemidji State Beavers hockey game. That was a lot of fun. Bemidji won against Huntsville Alabama.

We stopped by Brigid's Irish Pub for a "quick one" prior to going to dinner and then on to the game. Well we ended up staying for hours. We never progressed to dinner from there. The boys got into the Jameson 12 year Whiskey. I think if we would have stayed anylonger they were going to the Midelton's. Yikes.



Check out their website http://www.brigidsirishpub.com/index.php

Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony

They've gone to great lengths to "hide" the Nascar Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony. It will be televised on ESPN Classic. WTF? Tomorrow night, Friday December 5th at 8pm. ESPN sucks. I want Fox back.

Av's End Losing Streak at the Excel Center

Last night the Colorado Avalanche ended a seven game losing streak at the St. Paul Excel Center, beating the Minnesota Wild 6 to 5.

Vikings Take Division Lead

Last night the Minnesota Vikings kicked some serious Bears ass! With a 34 to 14 win, Minnesota launched themselves into the NFC North Division 1st place. On to Detroit (who hasn't won a single game this season).

Other side notes: Green Bay sucks. They lost to the Panthers 31 to 35. And Brett Farve super sucks with the Jets losing to the Bronco's 34 to 17 (even though they lead their division he still sucks and cries a lot).

Happy Thanksgiving!

I can't quit laughing!

What really happened to Lincoln

Wnuk's Home Contruction Project

If you haven't checked out Lorrie and Brad's blog lately, you'll want to check in and see the progress. They may even get to move in before Thanksgiving. Here's hoping!

http://ursapines.blogspot.com/

Jimmy Johnson Claims 3 in a Row

Jimmy Johnson tied the record of three consecutive NASCAR Cup Championships yesterday.

Here's Makita with Jimmy's 2007 Cup.

I couldn't feel worse for Carl Edwards right now. He was doing back flips all over the place. He won the Nationwide race on Saturday, but fell short of the Championship by just 7 point, won by Clint Bowyer.

Then yesterday Carl Edwards does it again, he wins the race but falls short 69 points of winning the Championship claimed by Johnson.

While counting down to the Daytona 500 (Feb 15th) I'll be watching hockey. I already know my Av's are in bad shape and the Wild are leading the division. I better start paying attention.

Live Webcam - Super Cute Puppies

Live streaming video by Ustream

Last Nascar Race of the Season

NASCAR will officially end their season this weekend in Homestead Miami.

The Craftsman Truck series will have it's last race Friday night 6:30 PM Central time on Speed (next year Craftsman is dropping the truck series sponsorship and Camping World is picking it up).

Johnny Benson leads with only a 3 point (yes three) lead over Ron Hornaday. After watching last weeks race, I can tell you, this is going to be exciting. Todd Bodine is in 3rd place, 143 points behind the leader.



The Nationwide series will have it's last race of the season Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM Central time on ESPN2.

Clint Boyer leads by 56 points over Carl Edwards. This too is going to be an awesome race to see how these two cup drivers compete to win this championship. Brad Keselowski (driving the Navy 88 car of Dale Jr.) is in 3rd place, 353 points behind the leader, making it impossible to win the championship.


The Sprint Cup series runs it's last race of the season Sunday afternoon 2:00 PM Central time on ABC.

Jimmy Johnson leads by 141 points over Carl Edwards. I think Jimmy only has to finish 36th or better Sunday to win his third Cup Championship in a row (only done one other time by Cale Yarborough in 1976, 77 & 78). But after seeing Jeff Gordon's engine blow up last week, I know anything could happen. Greg Biffle is in 3rd place, 203 points behind the leader.

Remembering our Veterans

Thank you for your service!

Motorhome

Makita and I went and looked at a little motorhome on Saturday. Well it's now sitting in his yard. We couldn't say no. Price was decent and it will ultimately replace the pickup camper and the 24' pull behind camper. We can't wait til spring! Adventures here we come!!

Minnesota Deer Hunting

Tomorrow is the Minnesota deer hunting opener. Good luck to all! Send photo's!

Got My Flu Shot

Went and got my flu shot. Bring it on you little virus'. Momma's ready for combat. As long as it's not the super Chicken Flu. I have a real big phobia about that one.

Summer's Over...looking at snow by weeks end

Monday and Tuesday it got up to 70 and today it was 60 when I went for my morning walk. But forcasters are saying that the heat wave is over and look for snow by Friday.

Excersise Your Rights

Get out and Vote!

Grandkids Costumes

Kalob was a Ninja Turtle

Lindsey was Tinkerbell .........................................Kaylee was a Pink Devil

Kiehra was a Princess, maybe snowwhite? While Kyle was a ninja without the turtle I think.

Mambo Mickey Mouse

New Helmet

For my birthday the kids and grand kids got me an awesome motorcycle jacket and a new helmet. Then my son Mike custom painted the helmet. My photography skills aren't very good and the reflection of the flash off the clear coat causes some weirdness in the shots (like the black around the mud looks weird here but not on the helmet itself), but I think you'll get the gist of it. It's so cool!

Back From the Track.

Well we made it to Atlanta and back without a problem. It was a 22 hour drive each way but it was worth it. It was a great time!

There's a slideshow on the left hand side of my blog page where you can checkout all my photos.

Ryan Newman won the Craftsman Truck race on Saturday.Carl Edwards won the Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday.Here we are at the Cup race on Sunday.We had the greatest seats. We were right over the start finish line and the flagman. We were right across from Jeff's pit box and the winners circle. We were right in front of the introduction stage. We were up high enough (34 rows) to see the entire track. It was great.Makita tried out a pit job. I don't think he'll get it.
Me and Katz heading to the Truck race on Saturday.Here's a photo of our campsite. We decorated accordingly. Jerry borrowed a Tear Drop from a buddy and stayed it that. It seems like a hundred people stopped to look at it and ask about it. I think we could have sold them.