We're Having a Heat Wave

This morning us hearty Brainerd Minnesotans were greeted with 12 degrees ABOVE zero. Now folks, that's a heat wave. Actually it's a 36 degree difference from the same time yesterday morning. 36 degrees. That's like the same difference between 40 and 76 degrees. Huge. But let's try to simmer down. There's still a whole lot of winter left.

Fellowship Adventure to North Dakota

First stop, after traveling through a blizzard for four hours, was Whitey's Wonderbar. It's a fairly historic place that was actually moved a few blocks after the flood of 1997. http://www.whiteyscafe.com/



We caught bus #7 at one of the local establishments. That bus took us right up to the front door of the Engelstad Arena. But upon departing the arena, bus #7 drove away, with us chasing it. Evidently the "bus was full". So we hitched a ride with Shannon on bus #17. Thanks Shannon. You rock! http://www.theralph.com/

The game was a lot of fun. North Dakota beat Bemidji in overtime. We loved our seats. They were right on the red line. A ways up (top row) but awesome all the same.

We visited a bunch of local bars after the game. We ended up at a little hole in the wall joint for what they call "grinders". Good stuff at 1am!

More Snow on the Horizon

Good Golly Molly. I have no idea what I'm going to do with the 6 inches of snow we're suppose to get tomorrow. The banks are over my head and I just can't pile it any higher. I'll have to go to plan B. Not sure what that is exactly but it's going to require moving those huge snow banks further back or something. Snowblower is still broke. Waiting for part. And if it would stay above zero for a couple days, that would be nice.

We're suppose to be traveling to Grand Forks tomorrow. We'll have to play it by ear. They've issued a Winter Storm Watch.

Bringing in the New Year

Here's the Fellowship, minus Mac (who made an appearance with Deb in tow, but opted to leave before the real fun started). Nick looks almost angelic. Or maybe re- birthing from the womb.

Stella brought the head gear and Makita brought the champagne. Evidently men over 25 cannot simply wear the head gear. They must make it into something more weird than it already is. Like Renaissance gear.

And if you're wondering, I made it 18 minutes after the ball dropped before the f bomb dropped. Resolutions and rehab are for quiters.

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).