The Burlap Soulmate

I play it off as no big deal, going back to Michigan for our pseudo-cheap vacation. It makes sense after all, go someplace close, with really nice weather (i.e. no oppressive humidity) Stop and stay with friends where available. What a perfectly logical and well-thought out choice of destinations. The truth is I'm going to turn into a little kid again as soon as we cross the border. I miss my state. I miss the water. I don't miss the cold so much, but some days I would prefer snow in May to this wet-blanket, suck-the-air-from-your-lungs humidity. And going to Mackinac is an added bonus since I haven't been there since I was about twelve. It's notoriously campy and touristy, but thats okay. I'm still looking forward to it. The money is an issue. Duh. When ISN'T it an issue? But I really hope we can pull it off.

For anyone who actually still comes here after the weeks and weeks of no updates, I can only say Thanks, and Sorry. Theres is a combination of things that makes for limited posting. First and foremost, work is seriously kicking my ass. For the last month, possibly two, I've been working 10 hours a day, 6 days a week in an effort to stay one step ahead of our due dates. It hasn't worked. We have no less than three huge projects due this month. All are behind in one degree or another. And while the work can be interesting and fun, it can also be frustrating and emotionally draining. I just noticed this past Saturday that it is already mid-july, and we haven't done squat this summer yet. We haven't traveled, haven't taken the boat out, haven't really had any fun. This really upset me, espcially since I don't think I'll be able to lift my head up until late in the month or even early August. This is really unfair to Staz, who has elected to put her job search off so that we can travel at a moment's notice. So thats whats going on with that. I may even put up pictures or movies of these machines that we're building, give you a better idea of what it is I do and what is taking all of my time. Because all my time is spent working. I consider my life pretty boring and dull for the moment. This is another reason I don't update. I tend to think that unless I have a pulitzer-winning entry in mind, theres no point. Who wants to hear what I had for dinner? Like just tonight I found that I may not owe any 2004 taxes to the gestapo-like township we used to live in. This is great news, or at least somewhat great. Kind of makes me wish I had filled out the form back in April when it was due... Anyway, I had no overwhelming desire to share this news. Eh, these people don't care, right? I know, it's stupid. If you write for others, you're missing the whole point of this venture anyway. I'm working on that.

Once again, I can take very little credit for the cool new look here. Many thanks and kudos to the love of my life and live-in webmaster. I can however take credit for the pictures themselves, which were shot in Red Square, Moscow by yours truly some 8-10 years ago, when I made the first of two sojourns to that country. I should clear up a few things I suppose. I am not Russian, nor are any of my family or ancestors. I do have a sibling who went to work for our country in Russia while I was still in college. He would eventually marry a girl he met there. Whenever I tell people my sister-in-law is Russian, the first question I get is, "Did he pick her out of a catalog?" This invariably pisses me off and I respond with a firm "NO" followed by a muttered "@$$hole". But I digress. While in college, I enrolled in several Russian language courses so that I might go to see him if ever the situation arose. As it turned out, I really enjoyed the classes, and his wedding was the perfect opportunity to try out my new language skills. While there, he was busy with wedding and family stuff which gave me the opportunity to explore Moscow to my hearts content, which I enjoyed immensely. Simple things like buying lunch or a CD from a sidewalk kiosk were little challenges to be savored. I would meet several of my brothers' friends, one of whom was close to my age and who would invite me back to his family home years later. This was an even cooler trip because I was able to get away from Moscow and the hotels and immerse myself with a real family. There was a lot less English being spoken, and my language skills improved dramatically. Being a foreigner makes you somewhat of a celebrity in Russia, and I made the best of it. I've heard it said that every man should fall for a foreigner in a foreign land at least once. This I did. I would eventually fall for a girl there myself, if you can call it that. It was really more of an infatuation. I don't think I even held her hand once. When I tell people I once pursued a Russian girl, they invariaby ask... well, you get the idea. If you ask me that don't be suprised at the fist in your face. So thats the story of my Russian connection. Much more exotic than a simple love of spy thrillers, although I have that too. And I am NOT forgiving of authors who get their Russian stuff wrong. And a sign with a 'backwards R' is a sure sign that it is only pretending to be Russian. That is a 'Ya', not a backwards R, you moron. Sorry. I take that a little too seriously I know. Call me a purist I suppose. Do Svidaniya.

Geez, a guy has a birthday and you'd think the least he could do is update. So here goes: I had a really good birthday, considering it marks another year older. At 32 I now grunt whenever I get up off the couch just because it's such a great exertion. I have officially been injured by an amusement park ride. I don't think Bermuda shorts and black socks are that far off. Thankfuly, I have Staz to prevent such total lapses in judgement. She did so much to make the day special, including hand-delivering gourmet chocolates to my work, and nauseating everyone with our PDAs. There were more surprises at home as I unveiled my new cordless drill and new calculator. Very cool. You can't go wrong with tools and gadgets after all. And the calculator is one of about 4 that are actually allowed for the PE exam. So I'm one step closer to that goal. Now if I can just get approved to take the test...but I digress. Thanks to my Sweetie for a really special day and to anyone else who wanted to drop some good wishes. Thats all a fogie like me could ask for.

I took this job 6 months ago after some serious hand-wringing and soul-searching regarding the previous one. I'm not particularly anxious to admit it, but I actually shed tears on my last day. I had grown really attached to the old factory, as run down as it was. I think it was all of the floor personnel. They all knew me on site and were quick with a smile and a hello. I was respected. When I talked, they usually listened. You can't buy that kind of good feeling. But it came back to money and distance, and new challenges. When I got the opportunity to work closer, for a significant raise, and doing what I've always wanted to do, I just couldn't say no. I'm glad I didn't. Although swimming in a smaller pool, I've grown attached to my current colleagues as well, or at least most of them. More importantly, I've learned a great deal and will probably learn a great deal more as time goes on. Most of all, I just like what I do. I care about what I do. I build stuff that builds stuff. I make automation equipment. And for those smart asses out there, I don't see myself eliminating jobs. I see myself trying to save American manufacturing before it all goes overseas. But I'm getting off topic. So wtf do I DO anyway? I've tried to talk about it to Staz, only to meet with glazed eyes. I guess this is the kind of stuff you need to show, rather than talk about. I had hoped to take some video of our latest project, the one that I spent several weeks of weekend work and 16 hour days trying to finish. Unfortunately, it is now at the customer's facility, 3/4 done, late, and things are not looking so good with that relationship. It's pretty unlikely I'll see it again. I don't really have a problem with that, but it was a neat machine that deserved proper homage on the blogosphere. Maybe next time. I'll bring in Staz's camera on a weekend when theres no one here, and give you a proper gee-golly-whiz bang show. The way things look, there shouldn't be long to wait.

For anyone that happens to stop by today, please take a moment to wish a very Happy Birthday to a Very Special Lady. My life is all the better for her being in it, and I want to thank her for everything she does and everything she is. Have a great day Sweetie. I love you very much. I'm shouting it from my virtual rooftop. Geez, we're such dorks.