Model Making - How Not To

My latest Fatherhood-101 experience had me attempting to put together, with Calder’s assistance, an Apache helicopter snap on model. I bought it as a birthday present for him last month. I hadn’t put together a model in probably 30 years but was confident that this project would go smooth. Heck, the box said for ages 8 and up so how hard could it be? Directions? Who needs ‘em? Well, after about 30 minutes, I needed them. A word of warning for those putting together a snap on model, DO NOT PULL APART THE PIECES BEFORE READING THE DIRECTIONS. I thought pulling the pieces from the holder and setting them aside would make things easier but little did I realize that each piece had a number associated with it on the holder and the directions referred to everything by number. I was pretty much working blind in determining which was which. Setting a great example, eh? Many of the parts were so little and so similar looking; I wasn’t sure if they were pieces or just spare plastic. After a few trial and error attempts, it finally came together although I had to use the end of an incense stick for the propeller prop because I broke off the original piece for it. Nice.

Trail Head

Let it snow, let it snow...

Embrace it! I hear too many people whining (lot of whiners out there) about the snow and when was spring going to come. Yes, shoveling does have its moments but why push the fast forward button on your life? Enjoy the moment. With that, the bike tour became the nordic tour this week as Gus, Rob, and I headed out to the cross country trails out at Kensington Thursday evening. The new snow added a topping to the groomed trails so we were trailblazers in a sense tonight. The trails weren't too bad. I crashed coming down Whiskey Mountain (no idea the name of the hill but it makes it sounds bigger than it is) and got a nice face wash while biting it. I'll feel it tomorrow I think. The 40-something body just doesn't rebound like it used to.

Trail Head

Dunham Lake - Super Bowl Primer

First of all, my apologies for not posting anything recently; I’ve been too busy shoveling. As I hate the normal office chatter about people’s drive in or what the forecast is, “oh, I-75 was just horrible!” or “did you hear that we are getting more tomorrow?”, I didn’t enjoy having to do double time this week. We hear the forecast just as you do and I could care less how your drive was. Anyway, I’m glad I got that off my chest.

Mother Nature’s sassiness with all of this cold ass weather along with the Saturday ritual of throwing more snow on us was not going to stop our ice fishing efforts yesterday on Dunham Lake. Not a bad turnout, all things considered. The fish production was minimal although Lee “the pike slayer” got some decent results out of his tip up. The small picture below is a 37 (39?) inch he got the previous week out there. The shanty of the day goes to Greg with Eric as the host. They had the Aqua-Vu (fish finder), the beverages, some pizza, and of course, the cheese ball. Good cheese ball. It should be quite exciting in two weeks when we kick it up a notch for the Super Bowl morning ice fishing celebration. A festive time it should be.

Trail Head

Toy Store

It was a "dude" outing this past Saturday at the motorcycle show in Novi. As in "dude, check out that bike," or "dude, I need a beer." With all the chrome there, the place was a bunch of grown men in a toy store without mom to ask "can I have it?, can I have it?" I found some bikes to my liking but I'm too big of a baby to commit to one. I did, however, find the helmet (pictured) I can use when I fall down again on my bicycle and am forced to wear one all the time. Sweet, isn't it? Some great people watching there both in attendance and in the exhibit booths. You can never get enough of the chamois demonstrations. The carpet is dry! Amazing! There must be a big demand on cleaning up spills because there were actually two chamois companies pushing their products. A close second would have to be the guys that are cleaning people's glasses/sunglasses left and right with their magic spray (??). I was waiting for infomercial guru Billy Mays to make an appearance sometime during the day.

Trail Head

Goodbye to 2008

There was everything you could ask for at a New Year's gathering Wednesday night. A bunch of good people, food, booze, loud party favors, people attempting to play music, people attempting to sing, and lastly, people attempting to dance, especially when "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" was playing (some outstanding moves there Lee). While most of the adults were pooped once 2009 came upon us, the kids were still going strong. It must be something in the Ovaltine that keeps them going. Or maybe it was the fact that half of the adults woke up that morning at 5 to go to work. WAAA!!!!!

Hello 2009!!!

Trail Head