365 in 365: Images 112 through 118

I'm going to be honest.  The fourth week of April's pictures suck, which is representative of the lousy weather we had in Minnesota.  We had a significant snow storm, again, which pretty much drained the creativity out of me; and I would think out of a large portion of the state populace.  It's mid-June now and we may have finally turned a corner.  I hope to have a lot more series of interesting pictures in short order.

No. 112:  04-22-13

This is straight up bullshit right here!

No. 113:  04-23-13:

Some straight up bullshit aftermath on our street.

No. 114:  04-24-13  (placeholder)

The weather did get warmer, but not great.  Here's more straight up
bullshit aftermath on our street.

No. 115:  04-25-13

You can see some green in the background, but it's an evergreen, so
it doesn't count.

No. 116:  04-26-13

It won't be Spring until ALL the snow is gone.

No. 117:  04-27-13

I don't know if it's the skin of ice or dead fish that keeps me from
swimming in Beaver Lake.

No. 118:  04-28-13

A view of Minneapolis from the base of the Witch's Hat Water Tower.

365 in 365: Images 105 through 111

These pictures are from the third week of April.  I was still in the throes of my flu, but still managed to take a business trip to Chicago.  While I was there, a huge thunderstorm had rolled in (a familiar refrain during the year) and most of the highways around the airport were flooded.  I had a 90 minute taxi ride to my hotel, which was only 2.5 miles from the airport.  The combination of illness and inclement weather resulted in a weak crop of pictures, which would explain the couple images of the Company's Aftermarket Parts distributor in Chicago.

No. 105:  04-15-13: (placeholder)

During my convalescence, I watched "Young Adult" on Netflix.  The
opening scenes were of Charlize Theron in her apartment.  
I recognized the distinctive half circle balconies to be of this 
apartment building.

No. 106:  04-16-13:  (placeholder)

The lesser known Disney movie, "Herbie:  The Jailbird"

No. 107:  04-17-13:

This is an old railway car garage from when the Stone Arch Bridge 
was used by trains.  The building has been converted into offices 
for an advertising agency.

No. 108:  04-18-13: (placeholder) 

My job is working with distributors to stock HVAC replacement 
parts for local customers.  This distributor is one of the largest.

No. 109:  04-19-13:

The Parts Manager and I had a business dinner and in 
the parking garage we were directed to these elevators.

No. 110:  04-20-13:  (placeholder)

Just one small section of the distributor's warehouse

No. 111:  04-21-13:

A fleet of tugboats at the ready in the St. Paul area 
of the Mississippi River

Just Lackey Being Lackey

I was glad to see the Red Sox won today even though John Lackey was the pitcher of record.  I've never hidden the fact that I don't like Lackey.  I still believe he was the catalyst for the coup against Terry Francona that lead to the Red Sox collapse in 2011.  After Clemens, Beckett, and now Lackey, the Red Sox seem to love asshole pitchers from Texas.  They better keep a tight rein on Clay Buchholz and get rid of Lackey as a negative influence.

Before he joined the Red Sox, I never had an opinion about Lackey either way.  I knew he was considered a better than average pitcher, but when the Red Sox faced him, I remember them doing quite well.  Now that the Boston media can document his every move, the more I see and read, the less impressed I've become.

I watched Lackey's last start on TV against the Rays.  Even though he was staked a six run lead in the first inning, he was hit hard repeatedly and slowly started giving back the lead.  It's in those moments when the going gets tough that you get to see the true nature of a person.  During a particularly rough inning, the Rays were able to get a number of runners on base, the culmination of which was a bloop single that fell in front of Daniel Nava.  The replay showed Lackey shouting in frustration, perhaps at himself, but I think he was yelling at Nava for not getting to the ball.

Now Nava isn't a speed guy, but he hustles and plays a solid defense.  He isn't going to make diving plays, but he will keep a single from turning into a double or triple.  He's like Trot Nixon; a true Dirt Dog, and a potential All-Star.  There is no reason for his pitcher to be showing him up.

Later in the game, Lackey drilled Matt Joyce in the back.  Joyce had hit a home run and was demonstrative when he hit a long foul ball, just missing his second home run.  I saw the replay and it looked very much like he was disappointed in himself for missing a pitch.  He wasn't showboating in any way.

Even in his short stint with the Red Sox, Lackey has shown a history of hitting batters who he felt showed him up, and it probably goes back to his days with the Angels.  I remember a game in 2011 he pitched against the Yankees.  Lackey served up a meatball to Francisco Cervelli, a light-hitting catcher, that went over the Green Monster.  When Cervelli reached home plate, he appeared to hunch over and give one enthusiastic clap of his hands.  During the replay, the camera focused on Lackey and he was seen rubbing up a new baseball and glaring at the plate.  I could tell by the look on his face that he had decided to hit Cervelli during his next at bat.  Sure enough, he did.  What an asshole pitcher from Texas!

One other thing chapped my ass as I was watching the game.  It was televised on ESPN and one of the analysts was Aaron Boone.  The game had reached the late innings and Lackey had been relieved.  The camera had looked into the Red Sox dugout and showed all the players standing against the railing, watching the game.  To his credit, Lackey was there, too.  Boone took this opportunity to praise Lackey for showing that kind of sportsmanship and said he has always been that kind of player.  I call bullshit.  

I thought I had gotten over my anger at Aaron Boone when he hit that walk-off home run against Tim Wakefield in 2003, but that comment had rekindled my rage.  Aaron Fucking Boone!

365 in 365: Images 098 to 104

This batch of pictures is from the second week of April, when I took a business trip to Louisiana and then had the flu when I returned.  I was able to sack up and get to another G-Bug volleyball tournament as well.  Busy week!

No. 098:  04-08-13

Bourbon Street in New Orleans.  There was a Jazz Festival this week; but
really.  Isn't there something going on on Bourbon St. EVERY week?

No. 099:  04-09-13 (placeholder)

I was in New Orleans two nights, but only hit Bourbon Street
on my first night.  Here's another picture though.

No. 100:  04-10-13

Glad to have a chance to take a special picture for my 100th.  This is one of
the famous houses in Shreveport, LA

No. 101:  04-11-13

Can't seem to avoid the crappy weather, no matter where I go.  Huge
thunderstorm rolled in my one night in Shreveport.  Didn't stop me from
going to the Horseshoe Casino where I took this pic from the garage.

No. 102:  04-12-13

The weekend after I returned from my trip, I was laid up by the flu.

No. 103:  04-13-13 (placeholder)

G-Bug serving during her volleyball tournament.  She has really improved
this area of her game.  Unfortunately, her height will keep her by the net
so she might not get to serve much.

No. 104:  04-14-13

The actual volleyball play date date

365 in 365: Images 091 to 097

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of business travel, family visits, and illness, so I haven't been as diligent in creating blog posts as I would want.  I have been doing my best to take pictures on a regular basis, so I have quite a few to post, with a fair number of "placeholder" shots to make up the difference.  After a six-month respite, I hope I can get current and stay there.  Here is the next set of pictures, keep in mind these were taken the first week of April, when the weather was still sucky in MN.  Enjoy!

No. 091: 04-01-13

Fallen tree next to Lake Harriet.  I wonder, was anyone around to hear it
make a sound?  That was almost poetic!

No. 092:  04-02-13

Grand Spectacle on Grand Ave. in St. Paul.  They must have positioned
the eyes like that on purpose.

No. 093:  04-03-13 (placeholder)

This must be a hottie in the duck world, as she attracted the attention
of two males.

No. 094:  04-04-13 (placeholder)

The slowly retreating ice on Lake Harriet

No. 095:  04-05-13 (placeholder)

Sunset over the band shell on Lake Harriet

No. 096:  04-06-13

Foggy morning looking at Minneapolis from the Mississippi River Blvd

No. 097:  04-07-13

What I thought would be the first Spring thaw in our backyard

Winners Advertising: September 1994

With the advent of Caller ID, I believe Door-to-Door salesman has replaced Telemarketer as THE most annoying type of salesperson.  Granted, Telemarketers have the advantage of numbers and the persistence of rabid dogs to garner some first place votes, but they can be fairly easily avoided.  However, nothing chaps my ass more than someone banging on my door trying to sell me something.  The very activity is counter to the shopping experience.  What should happen is a consumer develops a need for a product and then GOES OUT to research and to find a solution.  What is sold as “customer convenience” is really intrusive and uncomfortable.  Door-to-door sales calls are like prostate exams.

When I want or need to buy something, I will shop for it at a store of my choosing and at a time convenient for me.  I’m denied both when a salesman comes a-calling.  The person has no idea if I’m tying one on, sleeping one off, or rubbing one out.  The fact I might be doing any combination of the three should make door-to-door salespeople uncomfortable enough to stop the practice.

This is how I would rank the worst sales person jobs as a customer, from most to least annoying:

1.) Door-to-Door

2.) Telemarketing

3.) Mall Kiosk

4.) Used Car

5.) Time Share

I know of what I speak.  For an entire week, I was a D2D salesperson, selling punch cards for a restaurant in the surrounding suburbs of Massachusetts.  I was on the job for five days, but have memories that will last me a lifetime.

I was just out of college and was looking at the end of a temp job my aunt found for me in Boston.  I scoured the Want Ads and found an ad for a company looking for people to sell in a “fun, fast paced environment” and offered to train the “right individual” on a “fast track to management.”  I believe the ad mentioned a sports theme as an added hook.  There wasn’t an address to send a resume as interested applicants were encouraged to call.  I did, and set-up an interview for later that week.

The interview went well as I completed some paperwork and met with the location manager, an odd, mousy guy who would shake hands without allowing his elbow to leave his side, forcing the other person to come to him.  I think this was an intentional tactic.  He asked me to return early on the following Monday to meet some of the other people in the office.  I was excited, but a little perplexed as he stressed that I should wear comfortable shoes.

I Should Have Sat Down

This image may look like I’m trying to frame the picture correctly on my iPhone, but the truth of the matter is, I needed to position my head like this to fit into the airplane lavatory.  My shoulder is actually butt up against the angled wall at the back of the space.  I could not turn to face the toilet while standing up.  I had to position myself by putting my knees against either side of the toilet in a way that must have been reminiscent of POW’s stuck in tiger cages in Vietnam.

As I relieve myself, I notice the stream doesn’t have the flow or direction that correlates to the sensation of volume I’m feeling.  I look down and confirm I’m having a Top-Bottom dual stream effect and the lower one is hitting the front of the toilet seat and my shoes.  I do a Kegel pinch & push to get a single stream to complete the task.  I zip up and make an assessment of the damage.

I have a small spray pattern on my pants, but nothing noticeable.  What was noticeable was the puddle of piss between my shoes, and I don’t think all of it was mine.  When I boarded the plane, there was an unmistakable smell of urine.  I put the seat down to sit and throw wads of toilet paper on the puddle.  I use my feet to mop up the piss and grab another bunch of paper to pick up the wad and throw it in the toilet.  A quick dab of hand sanitizer completes the clean-up.  When I get back to my seat, I can see more spray pattern on my shoes.  Next time, although it isn’t manly, I’m just going to sit down, or maybe hold it until the plane lands.

365 in 365: Images 084 to 090

Most of my posts get about 10 to 15 reads, which is probably evenly split between friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter.  I appreciate the attention, but I would like to have a little more.  At times I wonder if my posts, especially the picture ones, are worth doing.  Then I realize if I'm posting for other people I'm missing the point of the blog.  What I post is really for me, and if other people like what they read and see, so much the better.  With that in mind, here are my next week of pictures.  Enjoy!  I know I do.

No. 084:  03-25-13

Still plenty of ice on Lake Calhoun this late in March

No. 085:  03-26-13

One of G-Bug's other pursuits, the flute

No. 086:  03-27-13 (place holder)

The base of the Rand Tower, where I worked for ARC

No. 087:  03-28-13

Theater District, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

No. 088:  03-29-13

A friend's birthday celebration at Texas Roadhouse.
Thought I would get in on the fun.

No. 089:  03-30-13

Great way to celebrate a birthday, cake and flavored booze

No. 090:  03-31-13

A sculpture commemorating the 100th anniversary of the
St. Paul Winter Carnival at Lake Phalen

Bowling Results: Second Half

We’re coming to the end of the 2012-13 Mixed Bowling League, with just one more week remaining.  This week was the “Position Round” to finalize the standings and next week will be the championship week.  Unfortunately, I will miss the last week of bowling due to business travel (opportunity for new photos in my “365 in 365” picture project!).

  

Essentially, the winner of the first half of the season plays the winner of the second half.  The Gutter Snipes were just a game behind the second and third place teams for the second half, but the first place team really pulled ahead and lead by more than a dozen games.  They didn’t place too well in the first half, which I attribute to serious sandbagging. We played the third place team and took 5 of 7 possible points.  The Gutter Snipes will place third for the season, but probably will have the second highest win total.

For myself, I had a slow start to the second half, but have really turned it on of late.  I was able to get a 200 game last week for a total series of 560, my highest I believe.  Unfortunately, I need at least a 640 series to be recognized as a man.  I mean that almost literally as the list of high series from men range from almost 800 down to 640.  Anything below that is unremarkable.

Here are my scores to close out the second half:

February 7, 2013

Game 1

7/, S72, 8/, X, 9-, X, X, X, 7/, 9- = 179

Game 2

9-, 9/, 9/, X, X, X, 81, 71, 9-, 9-, = 160

Game 3

X, 72, 9-, 61, 61, 8/, S8/, 8-, X, S72 = 122

Series Total:       462

Series Avg.:        154

Season Avg.:      147

Season Hdcp:     47

365 in 365: Images 077 to 083

Doubled up on the picture posts this week.  Almost caught up now.  Will make one more before next Sunday and that should get me up-to-date.

No. 077:  03-18-13

St. Paul obliterated by yet another snow storm

No. 078:  03-19-13

The Uptown area of Minneapolis

No. 079:  03-20-13

First day of Spring.  Can't you tell?

No. 080:  03-21-13

The scenery might not look Spring-like, but at least
the daylight lasts longer.

No. 081:  03-22-13 (place holder)

Throwback to Minneapolis' days as a flour mecca

No. 082:  03-23-13 (place holder)

A riverfront map for Minneapolis

No. 083:  03-24-13

G-Bug at another volleyball tournament