slow news day so you get to hear my bathtub story

On a crisp autumn day in October of 2009, a young man, we'll call him Tim, went to a highly known and supposedly well respected home store to inquire on getting a bathtub solution for his current, worn tub with 1970-style yellow ceramic wall tile. The solution was a tub liner, wall covers, fancy hot/cold knob, curved curtain rod, and a higher shower head (key).

After the measurements were taken, it was time to put in the new tub. We'll call this tub #1. The whole installation was quite impressive with every aspect but one; there was a nice air pocket in the tub liner. With that, Tim called the store to calmly advise of the issue. Two months later (really got put in the front of the line, eh?), the second tub, tub #2, was delivered to replace tub #1. It was deja vu all over again as Yogi Berra would say as tub #2 also had an air pocket. After speaking to some wonderful people in the higher up with the company (hand written letters do make a difference), I am happy to report that tub #3 was installed this weekend and is a winner.

The End

Nice effort by USA Hockey. Almost.

Trail Head

Happy Everything

In celebration of Nancy's thirty, er...twenty something birthday, we ventured to the cherry capital of the world, Traverse City. With the cherry theme, we took in the experience of the Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest (yes, I googled the name). They had all the winter festival basics covered, ice sculptures, musically challenged bands, the beer tent, the beer garden, and last but not least, the cherry pit spitting competition (pictured below). They did it right in the middle of the street with people from all ages trying to shoot that loogie as far as they could.

I've been through the Traverse City area a few times over the years but haven't been "in" the city in quite awhile. Some great food at the North Peak Brewing Company, Mackinaw Brewing Company (no, I did not suggest the beer places, good beer though), and Minervas. The birthday celebration ended Saturday evening at the Beacon Lounge, a piano bar on the 10th floor of our hotel looking out onto Grand Traverse Bay. After the experience, I've decided I am going to become a piano player. That seems like a relaxed gig. Nancy is going to play the Michelle Pfeiffer role.

Traverse on.

Trail Head

Super Bowl Sunday Fishing (well, we tried to fish)

The fishing riddle of the world, Dunham Lake, was the setting this past Sunday in celebration of another successful Lions' season. That lake has a mind of its own when it comes to fishing. It sometimes will throw you fish like they are going out of style; other days she won't even give your line a tug. We experienced the latter on Sunday. We gave it the college try from about 7-11 AM with Eric and Rich each getting a pike but that was it. Nada. The grills got going after and a fine cast of characters made some appearances so the lack of fish didn't hurt morale too bad. The menu consisted of your all-in-one, oh-so-healthy food group, chicken wings and brats. Good eats. Congrats to Tim V. for taking the 1st TD and MVP pool. Why does Tim always win the pools?

Happy New Year

Trail Head (aka Frito Bandito)