The Band

What is sure to eventually be a “Behind The Music” documentary, Saturday night I witnessed the band that, in their time, have put together quite a few verses of some of the world’s more popular songs. Completing an actual song, well…is another matter for the Leechbombs. I’m not sure who is classified as the lead man for the group. Roger seems to be the glue but Keith appears to have the gift of unleashing the fury on lead guitar. Tommy made a cameo appearance arriving from his recording studio in northern Michigan. Also attempting to work their magic were Jim on drums, Greg on keyboards, and Eric on guitar. The three have a thirst for rockin’ the house but have some work to do on their craft.

After getting a call from the manager upstairs (Roger’s wife), the Leechbombs unplugged the amps and settled in to work on some of their new material. One song that is sure to get some serious air play this summer is “Mitchell Sucks At Fishing.” The anger/intensity in Roger’s vocals for the piece really shows through. One would think after listening to the song that Mitchell does in fact suck at fishing.

The summer tour schedule for the group is in preliminary discussions. We’ll keep you updated on any news here.

Trail Head

Feel Like a Number

Some of you may have read the attached that my company is going under a restructuring (read: downsizing) process.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802200354

We pretty much have been restructuring since 1995 but this one is a biggie. The previous moves

were handled within each state where multiple local offices were merged together. Some employees had longer drives and dealt with it while some said goodbye and moved on. This was how the downsizing process previously worked. They never had to lay off anybody; they just absorbed the work when employees chose to leave. Well, this latest move has field offices in 16 states moving to four regional offices. The company is looking to drop 900+ jobs. The employees with families and homes that they have lived in for some time most likely will choose not to move. This is how the reduction will more than likely be handled. Some might not be given an offer, ever if they were open to the move. What was lost in the article that in addition to the field offices being restructured, moves are being made at the central office here in Detroit; my office. All that was relayed to us is that in 30 days, we will know who stays and who goes. They didn’t mention much as far as if seniority (17+ for me) or other factors will help our cause. A total number wasn’t mentioned. As Tom Petty says, “the waiting is the hardest part…” Needless to say, morale isn’t too high here at the RenCen lately.

With that, in about 30 days, I am having a party. It will either be an “I’m still employed another year” party or a job fair party where you all can tell me where to work. Is there a job out there for sports knowledge? Everybody will have fun either way. There will be no bitterness. It was a good run if it is the end.

Trail Head

Flag Up!

On a calm, gray Sunday morning, the annual Super Bowl morning ice fish outing took place on Dunham Lake; and what a day it was. While we normally fish the northeast side of the lake, due to open water in that area we fished the northern side. With a cast of Al, Darren, Eric, Greg, Jim, Lee, Roger, Tim V., and a crew of kids, the day was taking shape. The grill was in attendance with some nice food and beverage choices among us. I honestly was ready to catch my usual ten or so fish that normally qualify as glorified bait and be happy with that in addition to hanging with the friends. I occasionally put a tip up out and decided to give it a try today rather than just jigging for bluegill/sunfish. I normally just leave the tip up out and pay no attention to it but yesterday, I moved mine after deciding the water was too shallow where I was at. About an hour later I am jigging along and someone calls out “flag up.” I look behind me and there is my tip up with its flag up. I walk over there expecting it to be a false alarm but the line was moving on the reel. After some fine coaching from my fishing friends, I gave the line a yank and started pulling the line in. There was some resistance there and the mystery began. What was going to be at the end of the line? About ten seconds later, a big old mouth reared its head at the hole opening. Wow!!!! I gave it one last yank and this large fellow came up flopping on the ice. Being the fishing expert that I am, I had to ask what kind of fish it was. It turned out to be a walleye; a very large walleye. I’m not much into the “high five” scene but was so giddy along with the group that I threw out a few.

After a few celebratory cocktails, I calmed down and got back to my jigging world. About an hour later, Al walks by and calls out “flag up” but wasn’t sure if he accidentally kicked my tip up. I walk over and the line again is moving on the reel. I pulled the line up and a decent size pike greeted me. Two tip up fish in one day!!! I kept the walleye but put the pike back in hopes it will grow to be a larger fish. Glory days!!! The food and beverages never tasted so good after this conquest. A super Sunday it was.

Trail Head