12/20/08 sledding and snow ride

Quite late posting these pics. Last Friday, we got a little ice storm and were to get a little snow on Saturday. Stacey wanted to go out shopping on Saturday so the girls and I played outside for a while. They were both pretty stoked to ride in the sled around the yard. After that we went around the block in our all terrain wagon. Good times until their snotcicles started freezing. Then it was time to go in.

The driveway warmup for what lies ahead.


Ellen hamming it up as usual. She loves sledding.

Mara wanted to pull Ellen up the driveway.

A rare smile for the camera from Mara.

After Stacey got home, it was my turn to go out and play. I had a couple things I needed to return to target, and then I wanted to get a little ride in while the temps were decent. Right before I left, it started snowing a little, but I didn't think it would amount to much. I got to target, and was glad I was on a bike. That was the only way I was gonna get a parking spot. Traffic was bad for Cedar Rapids, and it was nice to scoot right through on my two wheeler. I got in and out of Target pretty quick and called my buddy Norbert to see if he wanted to go for a spin. Turns out he was already out with some buddies on a little bar hopping ride, so I headed their direction. They were coming from the South side into Downtown, and I was about 8 miles away from them, so I met them downtown. By the time I hit the trail that runs north and south thru town, it was snowing like crazy.

Believe it or not, there's a trail somewhere in front of me.

My ugly mug, sorry.

Norbert cruising thru Czech village. That thing on his head is a light.

Stopped for a cold one at Moose McDuffy's.

The Crosscheck with studded tires. Both earned their keep that day.

When I was going down the trail I had the Ipod cranked up with some Sinatra. It was majestic. Ended up throwing down about 30 miles total. Sweet.

Got some Christmas pics to upload and I'll comment on that later this week.

Family Time

Spent some quality time with the kids lately. We've been watching a lot of movies, singing Christmas songs and Just hanging out at home.


Ellen and Daddy watchin' Rudolph

We went to Clear Lake this weekend to see my folks. The kids were really excited to see Grampa and Grandma, like they always are. We didn't do much while we were there. Satuday Dad and I got away for a bit to go watch some basketball and have a couple beers. After that we met the girls at the park where Mara got to go tell Santa what she wants for Christmas.


Mara and Daddy after she talked to Santa

Later, we went home and had OP Pizza and just hung out. Mom whooped my ass at dominoes later that night. Good times, but she cheats. :)

Get Ready

12/12/08 Edit: I had no business typing the below blog entry. I had just finished watching the news following a Bears victory over the New Orleans Saints. Needless to say, for reasons I'm sure you can imagine, my judgement was temporarily impaired. On top of that, my knowledge on the subject is limited at best. I have decided to leave this post here, however, for your amusement.




"We were about three words away from a deal," said Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, the GOP's point man in the negotiations, referring to any date in 2009 on which the UAW would accept wage cuts"

We are in a period of consequence. It's all going to come to a head this month, if all is even remotely close to projections. If GM fails, I don't think this country is prepared for the collateral consequences. It's time to rethink things with the UAW in my opinion. It's time to realize that it's no longer sustainable to manufacture a $30K piece of shit in terms of resale value with a guy making $30 an hour standing there with an air wrench, who can't be disciplined for attendance, insubordination, or whatever without jumping through hoops to do it. There's no accountability for the front line worker who can call in with a hang-nail. There's no way to work around it for the middle managers. We can blame CEO's and market conditions all day long. But this was inevitable. GM workers in Oakland, CA allegedly once went on strike over not being allowed to have Ping Pong tables in their break room. Even if that is half true, it's ridiculous. The UAW and GM are getting nothing more than what they deserve if they are not bailed out. The unfortunate part is what it would do to the rest of us.

Here we go again

The holiday travel and the stress that comes with it are here for me. We were just in Des Moines for Thanksgiving. Went back there again today for an extended family Xmas. Going to Clear Lake next weekend (not Xmas related) and then there is talk of going to Des Moines again the weekend after Xmas. Nothing New Years weekend (yet) and then off to KC on January 10th.

Stacey and her family always travelled on Xmas day and around it. My family rarely did. We'd make a trip to IL the weekend before Xmas, but Xmas day and the days off surrounding it were always spent at home and at Grandpa and Grandma Thompson's house 3 miles away. 10 years later, we're still at odds.

Holidays are supposed to be relaxing. What's wrong with spending 4 days in your pajamas? Hey Mara and Ellen, how do you like your new toy? Great, put it away or throw it in the van, we gotta hit the road. Again. Don't get me wrong, I like seeing everyone, I'm just tired of spending my coveted days off in our van.

Luckily, in January we'll get to meet my new niece. My sister Sara and her husband Bruce (see Bag and Bruce Blog to the right) have a new addition to their family. More on that when I get photos and such.