We all do it, don’t we? Give ourselves a little something for the holidays? Previous years for me, it’s been Arc’Teryx Coats, video cards, and other computer parts. This year isn’t nearly as glamorous, nor expensive. This year is a new set of glasses, and to change my old glasses into sunglasses.
I think it’s been over 4 years since I last went to the eye doctor, and since this is a new place, they made me go through all the tests. Thankfully I didn’t have to get my eyes dilated though. However, when they wiped out the book to test for color blindness, I gave out a slight chuckle. The lady looked at me and asked if I was color blind, and I told her I was. I still had to do the test, but those darn last two pages in that book are hard to make out. Needless to say, I’m still colorblind.
Also on the calendar are a doctors and dentist appointment. Both of which haven’t been done for about as long as the eyes. Nothing says the Holiday Season better than getting everything checked out!
For Thanksgiving, I made the trek home. Normally this isn’t that bad. It is 5.5 hours, but it doesn’t seem like it’s that long. However, this time, the weather didn’t want to cooperate. The Midwest was set to get its first snowstorm of the year, which of course means retarded drivers. Instead of battling it in Chicago, I decided to try and outrun it by heading to Indianapolis first, and then head North. I’m definitely glad I went that way, since I was able to avoid the snow until Fort Wayne. Plus, the traffic was greatly reduced than what it would’ve been in Chicago. However, going the other way still didn’t aid in shaving off any time. Instead of being a 5.5 hour journey it ended up being close to 8. As much fun as going 35 down the freeway sounds…
What made it that much worse was just outside of Ann Arbor, the freeway becomes three lanes, and by that time the roads were just wet (no lake effect). You’d think that speeds would go back to normal, but no, people still felt the need to go below 40. My speed delta during the snow/rain was MPH. It was loads of fun.
Thanksgiving was good: fried turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie, etc. It was nice not having to be at work, which, unfortunately hasn’t gotten any better. I helped my parents get a couple of new TV’s, got some of the grease used for the turkey fry (biodiesel), played some xbox on said new TV, and put up Xmas lights.
All and all, not a bad weekend.
First I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my dad. He’s old! :)
Secondly, I want to wish a Happy Birthday to Lori Rogers of the famed, Those Rogers.
Well, summer is officially over and as proclaims the Traverse City Record Eagle, it was a Bummer of a Summer. However, everytime I got up there, including this past weekend, it was beautiful. Granted, I only made it up there twice this year, but let me tell you, I can pick the weekends to go!
It’s always a good time up there. Chillin with the fam, blasting old ladies with tennis balls on the tennis courts, running through the old cherry orchards, putzing around on the float boat, eating like kings. What’s not to like?
When I go up, I meet my parents in Grand Rapids, MI and then we carpool up to Leland, MI. Now, we went up on Friday and came back on Monday. Needless to say, on the way home, I wanted to avoid the I-80/I-94 Interchange mess, especially with all the returning Labor Day traffic. Instead, I took every back country road I possibly could through IN. I left Grand Rapids at 5pm CST, and didn’t make it home until 11:30pm CST. When I was going up to Grand Rapids, it only took me 4 hours. Needless to say, the trip home took a little bit more time. However, who knows how long I would have been backed up in Chicago.
Taking the back roads really makes you appreciate interstates. I was on the best state roads IN had to offer too: IN-25 and IN-231. Just the fact that you have to drive through every small town, and consequently have to slow down is enough to drive you mad. Add to the fact that it’s raining and that the road had just been repaved and the lines hadn’t been repainted, added to the fun. Let me tell you how nerve-racking it is trying to pass someone when you have no clue where the passing lane starts and stops in the dark and rain.
It was definitely an adventure though, and the fact that it only took 1 tank of gas both ways (~650 miles) makes it that much sweeter. I’d definitely want to have a companion in the car next time I do it though, that’s for sure.
Just want to wish Colleen a happy birthday! It’s about time, she got “old” like me :) In other news, her website is leaving us because she doesn’t want it anymore.
Wow, of all the posts I just made, I almost totally forgot this one!
From everyone here at rebelpeon.com, Happy 4th of July! And remember to play and party safe.
It’s my birthday. I accept cash.