This is it

Tonight is the last night of outdoor volleyball. Once again, we are playing in the championship match. The previous two, we've lost. Third times the charm, right? I'd really like to win that t-shirt.

Minnesota Weekend

Two weekends, two states, two families. We visited my parents this weekend. Partly because there was a family picnic at their house, but mostly to give my dad his retirement gift. He's a huge LA Dodgers fan so my brother and I decided to send my parents to LA to watch a couple of games. We've got the whole she-bang. Tickets, air, hotel, cab money, everything. For the first time I can remember he was speachless. And for my dad to be speachless it takes either a dentist or a Sunday sermon. Very cool.

Wisconsin Weekend

We went to Wisconsin over the weekend to visit Michelle's family. It's usually a good time and this one didn't disappoint. We got there around 6 on Friday, ate and then went to bed early.

On Saturday, Michelle, her dad and I decided to drive down to Milwaukee to watch a Brewer game vs the Astros. I could watch any baseball game so I was fine with not seeing the Cardinals. It was a mostly blah, blah game. Brewers won 7-2 and Prince Fielder became the single season RBI record holder for them with 127. There was a bachlorette party in front of us but that not the good part. We were treated to a play-by-play from Mr. Loudmouth the whole game. I don't mind somebody explaining the game to somebody or occasionally imparting some sort of wisdom on the general population of fans in the area. But this guy was obnoxious. Every player, both on the Brewers and Astros warranted his own set of comments. Everything from if he was good looking to if they could hit the ball into the parking lot if given the chance. Seriously, I just paid $39 to watch a game between two teams in 3rd and 4th place with no chance of making anything this year except their tee times October 6th. Shut up already!!!





Anyway, here are some pics. Miller Park is a great place to watch a game. You can walk around the whole place, the ushers are friendly, the food is decent but not spectactular and tickets are easy to come by.

Of course the highlight of going to any Brewer game is the Sausage race. This is the hotdog. He nor his handler were very happy. Probably because he came in last. Bummer.

This is my favorite pic of the night. I might get this print blown up and hang it on my wall.

Well, now I've done it.

Yesterday after work, I went with my friend Brian to pick up his camper from his little sliver of paradise, Holiday Lake. Yes this is the same person who almost capsized a boat, but since nothing bad really happened, I went back anyway. Besides, he promised no water sports so I thought it would be safe. The trip went fine, no bad things happened, we didn't crash the truck or camper. This was one of the few times things actually went as they were supposed to. It's nice to have that happen every once in a while.

On to the point of my post. He has started this movement. FTG or Free Todd Garrison on his Facebook page. At first it was designed to force Michelle to let me play basketball on Tuesday nights out in Atkins. You see Michelle plays volleyball on Tuesdays and doesn't get home in time for me to make it out there on a consistent basis, actually hardly ever, so I quit trying and just gave up. So FTG has morphed from that to something along the lines of getting me to join Facebook. At the beginning, I was against it, but after wearing me down for an hour, I said if he gets 30 legitimate people to join, that I personally know and have an interest in, I'll jump on Facebook.

I see this ending only in a bad way in that I'm probably going to have to become one of you. And by you, the millions who are on Facebook. There could be worse things. I could be tied down on top of an ant hill covered in honey or sprayed by a skunk. Or sprayed by a skunk while on top of an ant hill covered in honey. Basically anything with skunks and honey craving ants are about the only things worse than Facebook.

I think I'm in trouble.

Volleyball part II

Again with this stupid sport of volleyball. Crush the team first game, get crushed the second and we crush them in the third. Typical of us I guess, but this time, it probably cost us the championship. We're down two games with two weeks to go. Fortunately we get to play them one last time so that helps, if we win.

One last thought for the time being

Some people have told me that my postings have been, let's see, less than could be desired and wish I would spice them up a little with funnier quotes, pictures, happenings, etc. just like when I tell stories to them in person. To those people, I have my usual "I wish..." response:

"You can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up faster."

Last Day of the ol ball and chain

Sunday, September 13th is my Dad's last day of work at the Post Office. I'm not sure how long he's worked there, probably 87 years or something, but I can't think of anybody more deserving of a "vacation" than my dad. Congrats!

Good weekend

Last weekend, instead of going someplace exotic, we decided to pack the kids up and head North to Backbone State Park. It was an hour away, but worth the drive. We walked on some trails, ate a picnic lunch, explored a cave. All in all a good trip.

We decided that we're going to have to go back next summer when the boat rental place is open. Molly might be a little nervous to step back in a boat as her last time resulted in a near death experience. I can see Molly now. Everybody is climbing into the canoe while Molly just stands on the dock asking if we're going to sink. Thanks DJ for potentially scarring my kid for life.

On the way back, we drove through Strawberry Point and had a good photo op with Katy and the ginormous strawberry downtown.

WTF

This crappy Imon cable provider. They have the flipping Minnesota game on today instead of the Illini game on the BigTen Network. AGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I want restitution. I want satisfaction. I want to watch Illinois! It might be their only win of the season.

So Sad

Well, I finally got around to posting my old cordless drill on Craigslist. We've had such a good time together and I have many fond memories of all the projects we've built together. But, Michelle let me upgrade to the 19.2v set so instead of letting it sit and collect dust, I'm hoping I can find it a good home and allow it to lead the life it was designed to do. Drill on my good friend, drill on.